Not making love to the night

The Sitter (2011)

 Directed by David Gordon Green this comedy stars Jonah Hill, Ari Graynor and Sam Rockwell. A slacker is stuck baby sitting kids while trying to impress his girlfriend who regularly takes advantage of him.

There is not a huge amount of originality in this film and an occasional tendency towards stereotyping but mostly the film manages to be inoffensive. When it comes to the humour there are funny moments but they are mostly fairly obvious gags and the plot pulls no surprises. What the film could have done with is a bit more depth to the characters who are token efforts for the most part.

 2/5

Don't go into the woods, again

Evil Dead II (1987)

 Directed by Sam Raimi this comedy horror sequel stars Bruce Campbell and Sarah Berry. A young man and his girlfriend head off for a romantic weekend at a cabin in the woods only to end up being attacked by evil spirits.

 This film functions somewhere between a remake and a sequel as it recycles elements of the first film and does not seem to have any reference to the events of it's predecessor. Certainly the larger budget on this film allows for better effects and more advanced sequences but there is still an element of cheapness about the film. There are some really funny moments but I am not sure there are enough to completely sustain the film which has a minimal plot otherwise.

3/5

Elementry again

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

 Directed by Guy Ritche this sequel stars Robert Downey jr, Jude Law and Noomi Rapace. The eccentric, genius detective is caught in a dangerous battle of wits with the evil Professor Moriarty.

As with it's predecessor this film's main focus is comedy and action over the more serious elements of the series. The film is good fun and some of the action sequences are really impressive, although not all of them. If you are looking for something more than a little mindless entertainment, however, this is probably not the film for you.

 3/5

Time to question the creators

Prometheus (2012)

Directed by Ridley Scott this prequel to Alien (1979) stars Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender and Charlize Theron. A scientific expedition travels to a planet they believe man's creators came from.

I am sort of conflicted about this film as it is one of those that skirts around being a really good film but never gets there despite how great it looks. Nearly all the problems with this film come from it's disjoint nature, the themes have little impact on the story and some scenes are shocking but never referred to again. It also does not help that it seems like so much of this film is set up for a sequel leaving this film to be a bit of a mess.

 3/5

Phenomenon

The Muppets (2011)

 Directed by James Bobin this film stars Jason Segel, Amy Adams and all your favourite muppets. An evil oil baron wants to take over the muppet's studio so he can drill for oil, can our heroes save the $10mil needed to buy back their studio?

What this film has going for it is that at no point does it ever take itself seriously, combining the usual silly antics with a great level of self awareness that fits the universe the muppets exist in. The plot is simplistic and largely aimed at younger viewers but there is the odd joke for older viewers that slips through here and there. Overall the personality of the film just about holds it together and while this may not be a classic, it is not a bad watch.

 4/5

Blistering barnacles

The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn (2011)

 Based on the famous comics of the same name this adptation from director Steven Spielberg stars the voice talent of Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis and Daniel Craig. A young reporter buys a model ship and ends up on the trail of lost treasure.

 Given all the writing, directing and producing talent involved in this film I found it to be a disappointment that lacks any real heart. At times it seems like you are watching someone else play a computer game switching between cut sequences for the story and mini games for the action sequences. There is also some depature from the souce material which I am rarely a fan of but despire all the underwhelming elements of the film it is still watchable if not as good as it should have been.

3/5

A clockwork man

Hugo (2011) 

 Based on the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret this film from diretor Martin Scorsese stars Asa Butterfield, Ben Kingsley and Chloe Grace Moretz. An orphan that lives at a Paris train station tries to replair an automaton while avoiding the local policeman.

 What this film does well is blend fact and fiction to provide a good story that is well executed despite a heavy reliance on CGI. While the plot is a fairly average family piece I did feel it was a little bit self indulgent when it came to the parts on film history but otherwise works well. It is really surprising to find Scorsese directing this film given how much it differs from every other film he has ever made but just shows his mastery of film making, there is also really good supporting cast of nearly all British stars.

5/5

I do my reviewing after breakfast

Back to the Future Part III (1990)

 Directed by Robert Zemeckis this second sequel stars Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd and Mary Steenburgen. Marty travels back in time from 1955 to save the Doc from being shot in the back while living in the Old West.

 Given all the problems of the various time traveling and alternate time lines the series has created up to this point it seems there may well be a few plot holes in the early part of this film if you think about the plot for too long. What the film does really well is wrap up the series, bring back character development and have some nice references to Sergio Leone films. Filming in Arizona does make some of the locations seem out of place with what we have seen of Hill Valley in the previous films but otherwise the film looks good.

 4/5

Hawaii hell

The Descendants (2011)

 Based on the novel of the same name this film from director Alexander Payne stars George Clooney and Shailene Woodley. A father has to deal with his two troublesome daughters after his wife goes into a coma she will not recover from.


 When released this film picked up a lot of praise and while it is fairly well made, stearing clear of the pitfalls of genre that has more than a tendency for melodrama there is not a lot of originality in this film. There are plenty of other films out there with similar tales that contain a lot of similar plot elements as well. The cast give decent performances but at the end of this film I did find myself wondering where all the hype came from.

3/5

Impossible 4

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)

Directed by Brad Bird this third sequel in the franchise stars Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg and Paula Patton. Agent Hunt and his team are framed for a terrorist attack and must top the bad guy starting a nuclear war.

As with every other film in the franchise this film comes with lots of stunts and special effects which are well done but nothing that revolutionary. The plot moves along pretty fast but contains little real depth mainly existing to provide a wide range of locations around the world. There is nothing really wrong with this film but it does seem to lack any sort of heart and ends up being not much more than a bells and whistle show.

3/5

those crazy kids

The Belles of St Trinian's (1954)

Based on the cartoons of Ronald Searle this film from director Frank launder stars Alastair Sim, Joyce Grenfell and George Cole. Staff and pupils at a notoriously rowdy girls boarding school get involved in a horse racing scam.

At the time of it's release this film was a big hit in British cinema and was recently remade but it has to be said a lot of the humour in this film is fairly cheap. The supporting character of the Sultan really dates the film and probably skirts around being an offensive stereotype. Overall there are some decent elements but I'm not really sure that the film ever fleshes out the more interesting parts of them, namely the crazy antics of the pupils.

2/5

The man in black

Walk the Line (2005)

Directed by James Mangold this biopic stars Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin and Robert Patrick. Country music star Johnny Cash leads a troubled life with strained relations and drug addiction.

I am sure for fans of the music of Cash the highlight of this film is the performance of the two leads who by all accounts give excellent impersonations of their real life counter parts. As with any biopic there are questions over the accuracy of the film and the depth in which it covers all the issues, here for example Cash's recovery from drug addiction does not really get enough screen time. While there is nothing wrong with this film it will no doubt have a greater appeal to Cash fans than the rest of us.

3/5

Bindings of sisterhood

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (2011)

Based on the novel of the same name this film from director Wayne Wang stars Li Bingbing, Gianna Jun and Hugh Jackman. Two parallel stories of female friendship are told over different time periods in China.

Even if you do not know ahead of watching it is not hard to guess that this film is based on a novel given the way so much of the conflict is internal, a common failing of novel to film adaptations. The plot is fairly good even if it does appear a little over dramatic at times and maybe a little clichéd. What works well is the story compares the ritualised life of the path to the responsibilities still expected of women in modern China.

3/5

Party chaos

Project X (2012)

Directed by Nima Nourizadeh this film stars Thomas Mann, Oliver Cooper, Jonathan Daniel Brown and Kirby Bliss Blanton. Three social outcasts plan a party to end all parties to celebrate one of their birthdays and raise their social profile at school.

There are a lot of negative reviews of this film and I think this arises from people confusing the views of the characters with those of the film makers. While the characters are immature, mean spirited and misogynistic they actually do reflect how a portion of young men behave at that age. What the film does really well is provide a warts and all picture of youth culture and the destructive nature of alcohol fuelled herd mentality.

4/5

Earth's mightiest

The Avengers (2012)

Written and directed by Joss Whedon this film stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner and Tom Hiddleston. Earth's greatest heroes are brought together to fight against an Asgardian god who wants to rule the planet.

First off this film is a lot of fun and does a good job of bringing the comic book characters to life but it also comes with a lot of hype and I was expecting a little more from the film. While having to deal with so many characters is a difficult task and the film does this well maybe it does so by sacrificing a little depth. There are plenty of great set pieces and witty banter along the way once the film does get going but you could say that it is a little heavy on the front end with exposition.

4/5

Hover boards and power laces

Back to the Future Part II (1989)

Directed by Robert Zemeckis this sequel stars Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Thomas F. Wilson and Elisabeth Shue. Marty and the Doc travel to the future to stop his son making a big mistake and end up causing problems through out the time line.

For this sequel the time travel shenanigans are really ramped up but the film does a great job with fitting itself in with the original, especially where events over lap. While predictions of the future were not exactly spot on the special effects really hold up and were ground breaking in a number of cases, hover boards are still iconic today. About the only criticism you can aim at the film is that it lacks some of the thematic depth of the original and this is in part to there being a lot of set up for the third film but you will be having so much fun watching this film you can over look any slight deficiencies.

5/5

It's not safe

Safe House (2012)

Directed by Daniel Espinosa this film stars Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Vera Farmiga and Brendan Gleeson. A CIA safe house operative ends up on the run with an uncooperative house guest.

This is a really well made thriller with plenty of action and suspense to keep you hooked all the way along. There are some good set pieces and the characters help hold the story together really well. What problems I did have with the film were that the ending could have been a little more original instead of finishing with the usual “twists”.

4/5

Paris of the Past

Midnight in Paris (2011)

Written and directed by Woody Allen this film stars Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams and Marion Cotillard. A Hollywood screenwriter struggling with his first novel visits Paris with his fiancée and her parents, he ends up travelling back in time and meeting his heroes.

I have never really been a big fan of Woody Allen but this is probably one of his best films in years. While it has a lot of similarities to a number of his other films, the protagonist essentially being Woody Allen, this film has a lot of charm with it's views on nostalgia and various bit parts of famous artists. Paris provides an excellent back drop for the film in all it's time periods and really reflects the romantic nature of the characters and the story.

4/5

Expendable

The Expendables (2010)

Directed by and also staring Sylvester Stallone this film also features Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren and cameos from a host of other action stars. A group of mercenaries are hired to take on the dictator of a small island in the Mexican gulf.

Basically this film is built around the gimmick of having as many action film stars in it as possible but ends up being a waste of talent. There is nothing wrong with making a film that is just out and out fun with some self awareness but the problem here is that this film lacks any personality to carry it's weaker elements. Of course the action sequences are going to be really important in any such film but here the direction just attempts to be as annoying as possible with confusing short cuts that just get in the way of anything looking cool.

2/5

Yippee ki yay

Die Hard (1988)

Based on the novel “Nothing Lasts Forever” this film from director John McTiernan stars Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman and Bonnie Bedelia. During a Christmas Eve party a corporate tower is taken over by bad guys who do not plan for a lone New York policeman.

Many an action film made following this film has been compared to it and that is because the plot is pretty simplistic and easily replicated in a number of different locations/situations. The main draw of the film is the stunts which are impressive but fit with in the film rather than dominate it. While the script has some famous lines the plot is good enough but probably does not bare too much thinking about.

4/5

Revolting fishermen

Edge of Darkness (1943)

Based on the novel of the same name this film from director Lewis Milestone stars Errol Flynn and Ann Sheridan. Residents of a small fishing village in Norway struggle under the yoke of occupation during World War 2.

Clearly this film was made as propaganda during the war to show those on the home front what they were fighting for but despite this obvious bias this is still a good film. No doubt restricted by the production code of the time the film still manages to hint at some pretty dark stuff but also manages to suggest that maybe not all Germans are evil. There are decent performances from the cast and the only trouble with the production is one that many films of the era faced having German soldiers using Allied weapons on screen.

4/5

Silence is golden

A Thousand Words (2012)

Directed by Brian Robbins this film stars Eddie Murphy, Kerry Washington, Cliff Curtis and Clark Duke. A slimy motor-mouth agent can only speak another 1000 words before he dies which causes problems in every area of his life.

Basically this is a Liar Liar (1997) remake with a minor twist to the set up so we end up with a pretty predictable plot. What the film lacks is any real comedy as laughs are few and far between leaving not much to carry this film. Eddie Murphy does the best he can with what he has but this is pretty much an ill judged affair all round.

2/5

GREAT SCOTT!

Back to the Future (1985)

Directed by Robert Zemeckis this film stars Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson and Crispin Glover. A young man travels back in time 30 years and accidentally stops his parents falling in love so he must try to get them together before returning to the present.

Nearly everything about this film is perfect from the acting, the plot, the score and even the little details seeded about the film that help contrast the two different time periods. Thematically the film may be a little on the thin side but being able to contrast the two different time periods does help flesh this out a little. The execution of the film is excellent with plenty of tension and excitement through out while Christopher Lloyd pretty much steals the entire film with his performance.

5/5

Not so Mysterious

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012)

Directed by Brad Peyton this film stars Swayne Johnson, Josh Hutcherson, Vanessa Hudgens and Michael Caine. A boy and his step father look for The Mysterious Island from the novel by Jules Verne in an attempt to find the boy's missing grandfather.

While the plot is inspired by the writing of Jules Verne there is a fair amount of other hokum thrown in and there are plenty of elements that do not bare thinking about too much. Several of the sequences are obviously designed for 3D and most of the CGI is pretty impressive. If you take this film for what it is, an action film for younger viewers, it is not too bad but beyond that you will be struggling to find much to say about it.

3/5

Rocky subject matter

Rocky Mountain (1950)

Directed by William Keighley this western stars Errol Flynn, Patrice Wymore and Scott Forbes. During the US Civil War a group of Confederates in Union territory are trapped by Native Americans.

There is not much unique about the plot of this film which is disappointing as it comes from a story by Alan Le May who also penned the novel behind The Searchers (1954). In general the film is disappointing because it never really tackles the subject of what the South was fighting for, providing only a sanitized and romanticised view. The performances and execution of the film are not bad but there was not much to work with to begin with.

2/5  

Or bust

Monte Carlo (2011)

Directed by Thomas Bezucha this film stars Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy. Two step sisters and their friend travel to France and end up impersonating wealthy socialites.

Originally this film was supposed to be based on the novel “Headhunters” but it appears the plot has departed substantially from it's source material. The plot is pretty much a mix of “The Prince and the Pauper” and Roman Holiday (1953) with a bunch of the usual cliches mixed in. Mostly the film is pretty well made but there is the usual suspect accents as Selena Gomez attempts an English accent.

2/5

House trap

The Desperate Hours (1955)

Based on a novel and play of the same name which was inspired by real events this film from director William Wyler stars Humphrey Bogart, Fredric March and Arthur Kennedy. Escaped convicts hold a family hostage while the police race against time to find them.

Given that so much of this film takes place in one location it is pretty obvious that it was based on a play but enough other locations have been added to at least make it seem a little more “cinematic”. The plot manages to hold plenty of tension and handles the dilemma facing the family well. There are some good performances from the cast but I can not help but wish Paul Newman had been given the chance to reprise the role of the antagonist which he had in the original play.

4/5

A death in the franchise

Batman & Robin (1997)

Directed by Joel Schumacher this sequel stars George Clooney, Chris O'Donnell, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Uma Thurman and Alicia Silverstone. The dynamic duo face off against Mr Freeze and Poison Ivy in the battle for Gotham's safety.

This film has a pretty terrible reputation and while it is not a good film by any means I do not think it is as bad as it is made out to be. The last vestiges of any real character depth or darkness have been stripped away from the franchise by this point and what we have is essentially a silly kids film. If you can accept the film for what it is then it is not too bad of a watch but some of the CGI certainly looks suspect and the dialogue will hurt your brain at times.

2/5

A lack of growth

Young Adult (2011)

Directed by Jason Reitman and written by Diablo Cody this film stars Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt and Patrick Wilson. A writer who has just had her series of books cancelled travels to her home town to steal her high school boyfriend back from his wife.

There is some real darkness about both the protagonist and the comedy of this film that is both entertaining and a break from the usual. Certainly there is plenty of fun to be had watching this film as the protagonist heads towards the inevitable car crash conclusion but I am not sure about the ending. The plot works well right up to the final moments when unfortunately it seems that the final scenes are really unsatisfying and provide no real growth or closure.

3/5

Get a hair cut

First Blood (1982)

Based on the novel of the same name this film from director Ted Kotcheff stars Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna and Brian Dennehy. Small town cops decide to pick on the wrong drifter and find themselves in conflict with a special forces veteran.

Unlike the rest of the film in this franchise, which descend into silliness, this film has a good grounding in exploring the experiences of veterans returning from the Vietnam war. While the film has some interesting themes it does lack a little tension and does make a few changes from the novel, including the ending. Some of the acting does appear to be a little suspect but overall this is still a really good entry into the “coming home” genre.

4/5

Bat pig disease

Contagion (2011)

Directed by Steven Soderbergh this film stars Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Winslet. People across the world struggle to deal with the out break of a new virus.

For a disaster film this film is unusual in that it is not an action film and instead roots itself in realism and science which makes a refreshing change. The plot does a great job of showing what could happen and the moral quandaries facing those living through a disaster. I really liked the 80s style electronic sound track and while the film should be praised for it's realism this does take away slightly from the suspense of the film.

4/5