In Time
What’s it about?
Imagine a society where no one ages beyond 25, except for those rich enough to buy time. Add a rebel from the ghetto who is falsely accused of murdering a wealthy man for his time, and goes on the run with a beautiful hostage.
What did we think?
Anthony says: Fascinating premise that starts well but trails off until an ending that defies logic and economic reality. Lots of eye candy and, depending on your friends, it may invoke some interesting discussions on financial and social disparity but it somehow disappoints.
RIP Bob Anderson
You may not know the name but you know his work. My favourite sword fight scene of all time is Inigio Montoyez and the Dread Pirate Roberts. Anderson choreographed it.
Darth Vader fighting? Actually Bob Anderson in the suit.
James Bond, Zorro, Pirates of the Caribbean and even the cast of the Lord Of The Rings… Bob Anderson. He even coached and choreographed Errol Flynn.
Still not enough? He was the swordmaster on the Highlander TV show and even worked on some of the Superman movies as well as the Guns Of Navarone.
Thank you so much for some of my favourite scenes and moments Bob.
The Town
What’s it about?
As he plans his next job, a longtime thief tries to balance his feelings for a bank manager connected to one of his earlier heists, as well as the FBI agent looking to bring him and his crew down.
What do we think?
Anthony says: Wow. An engaging movie with strong characters and deep insight into a world where crime is a way of life. Wonderfully realistic, this film demonstrates that life is shades of grey rather than black and white.
Killers
What’s it about?
A vacationing woman meets her ideal man, leading to a swift marriage. Back at home, however, their idyllic life is upset when they discover their neighbors could be assassins who have been contracted to kill the couple.
What do we think?
Anthony says: One of the trailers for this movie was the upcoming Pirahna 3-D which looks horrendous. Now I think they put that trailer in deliberately to make this cr4p film look better by comparison. Not even Tom Selleck can save this one.
Fright Night
What’s it about?
A teenager suspects his neighbour is a vampire. What? In this day and age? But what IF he really is…?
What did we think?
Anthony says: Not quite horror and not quite comedy, Fright Night is simply fun. A vampire movie either has to be suspenseful or an entertaining romp. This is the latter. A remake of the 80s film of the same name, Fright Night dishes out laughs and suspense in equal proportions. Colin Farrell and David Tennant steal the show.
The Smurfs
What’s it about?
When the evil wizard Gargamel chases the tiny blue Smurfs out of their village, they tumble from their magical world into New York City.
What do we think?
Anthony says: The movie poster asks “Where the smurf are we?” I’m inclined to ask “what the smurf was that?” With a storyline from cliche central, there’s nothing truly engaging here if you’re above the age of 12. In fact, it seems to spend more time trying to appeal than actually coming up with an entertaining story.
They smurfed it up.
What’s Popular
The Equalizer
What’s it about?
An everyday insomniac turns out to be more than he seems when the scum of the earth floats to the top of his little pond. He quickly goes about adding ventilation holes to those who would do harm to the innocent in his life.
What did we think?
Dan says: This modern reimagining of the eighties TV show of the same name is a beautiful demonstration of the ‘Justice Porn’ genre of film. Denzil Washington is a calm and calculating avenging angel. Apparently invincible he separates each two dimensional bad guy from his insides on route to make calmly psychopathic speeches to his main adversary.
The film doesn’t really challenge the viewer unless the viewer’s stomach for visceral violence is weak. No big surprises but a well-made piece of cinema that would have wooed Edward Woodward if Edward Woodward could be wooed.
Sin City: A Dame To Kill For
What’s it about?
More intertwining stories from Basin ‘sin’ City. In black and white. With OTT violence and sexual themes.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: The sequel is almost exactly the same as the first in both style and general narrative technique. In fact, while some would say it should embrace what set it apart, you’re left feeling it’s actually far too similar and instead of a fresh continuation it’s almost a rehash. It’s certainly still enjoyable but Miller and Rodrigues seem to have sacrificed the grit for some average one liners and far more two-dimensional characters.
Fans of the original will still have fun with this romp but it ends up running 20 minutes too long and there actually may be a bit too much nudity (something I thought I’d never write – but it’s probably a reflection of the sameness of it) though it has to be said Eva Green yet again steals the show. Missing sparkle.
The Boxtrolls
What’s it about?
A young orphaned boy raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors tries to save his friends from an evil exterminator. Based on the children’s novel ‘Here Be Monsters’ by Alan Snow.
What did we think?
Despite delightfully quirky animation and a genuinely rich story the Boxtrolls is an odd film. It’s a bit too scary for kids under six and anyone over 14 would be left feeling it’s too much of a kids movie. That’s quite a small niche market and the movie would have been stronger if they’d committed to either adults or kids.
The storyline is flat, the creatures are only sort of loveable and while the animation is a marvel its dirty feel isn’t quite appealing. The movie is itself like a cardboard box – so much potential until you open it and discover there wasn’t much in it.
Step Up: All In
What’s it about?
Boy breaks up with dance crew. Needs new crew and money to survive. Dance. Boys finds new crew. Dance. Boy meets girl. Conflict ensues with a dance battle, priorities (dance) and his life. Dance dance dance.
What did we think?
Elodie says: Dancing gives you endorphins. Endorphins should make you happy… but no amount of dancing can make this film any better. Do yourself a favour and cha cha cha in the opposite direction .
Editor's Choice
The Equalizer
What’s it about?
An everyday insomniac turns out to be more than he seems when the scum of the earth floats to the top of his little pond. He quickly goes about adding ventilation holes to those who would do harm to the innocent in his life.
What did we think?
Dan says: This modern reimagining of the eighties TV show of the same name is a beautiful demonstration of the ‘Justice Porn’ genre of film. Denzil Washington is a calm and calculating avenging angel. Apparently invincible he separates each two dimensional bad guy from his insides on route to make calmly psychopathic speeches to his main adversary.
The film doesn’t really challenge the viewer unless the viewer’s stomach for visceral violence is weak. No big surprises but a well-made piece of cinema that would have wooed Edward Woodward if Edward Woodward could be wooed.
Sin City: A Dame To Kill For
What’s it about?
More intertwining stories from Basin ‘sin’ City. In black and white. With OTT violence and sexual themes.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: The sequel is almost exactly the same as the first in both style and general narrative technique. In fact, while some would say it should embrace what set it apart, you’re left feeling it’s actually far too similar and instead of a fresh continuation it’s almost a rehash. It’s certainly still enjoyable but Miller and Rodrigues seem to have sacrificed the grit for some average one liners and far more two-dimensional characters.
Fans of the original will still have fun with this romp but it ends up running 20 minutes too long and there actually may be a bit too much nudity (something I thought I’d never write – but it’s probably a reflection of the sameness of it) though it has to be said Eva Green yet again steals the show. Missing sparkle.
The Boxtrolls
What’s it about?
A young orphaned boy raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors tries to save his friends from an evil exterminator. Based on the children’s novel ‘Here Be Monsters’ by Alan Snow.
What did we think?
Despite delightfully quirky animation and a genuinely rich story the Boxtrolls is an odd film. It’s a bit too scary for kids under six and anyone over 14 would be left feeling it’s too much of a kids movie. That’s quite a small niche market and the movie would have been stronger if they’d committed to either adults or kids.
The storyline is flat, the creatures are only sort of loveable and while the animation is a marvel its dirty feel isn’t quite appealing. The movie is itself like a cardboard box – so much potential until you open it and discover there wasn’t much in it.
Step Up: All In
What’s it about?
Boy breaks up with dance crew. Needs new crew and money to survive. Dance. Boys finds new crew. Dance. Boy meets girl. Conflict ensues with a dance battle, priorities (dance) and his life. Dance dance dance.
What did we think?
Elodie says: Dancing gives you endorphins. Endorphins should make you happy… but no amount of dancing can make this film any better. Do yourself a favour and cha cha cha in the opposite direction .