The Beach

***
Release Date: February 11th 2000

Twenty-something Richard travels to Thailand and finds himself in possession of a strange map. Rumours state that it leads to a solitary beach paradise, a tropical bliss - excited and intrigued, he sets out to find it.

Director: Danny Boyle (Trainspotting)

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert Carlyle, Tilda Swinton

Not long after The Titanic comes The Beach, a cult classic that's hard to love and hard to dislike. It's strangely unique; it's story is a catastrophe of young travellers starting afresh, escaping the burdens of the world, only to find out that paradise isn't what it seems.

All goes down the pan when Richard (DiCaprio) turns up with French backpacker couple Francoise and Etienne. Everything that the other islanders got away from comes back to them with the newcomers.

Danny Boyle is a genius in the psychedelic, man-gone-crazy field. All you need to do is watch Trainspotting to know what The Beach is like. Leonardo DiCaprio is a perfect fit as Richard, showcasing his capability as an accomplished actor. Flipping the mental switch comes naturally. Like Boyle's previous work, The Beach won't impress everyone. This is not a way to travel, it demonstrates a group of young adults running away from actual responsibilities. The characters can come across as childish. Maybe this is aimed at a younger audience only.

What the film lacks in depth, easily makes up for in cinematography and its soundtrack. With music from New Order, Moby and Bob Marley and visually exceptional landscapes it's simple to forget all else.

Apart from Richard and the French couple, the only other interesting character is Robert Carlyle's Daffy, who's off his rocker, telling Richard about beach paradise. It's just a shame he's not in it for long.

Overview: Danny Boyle's films are unique, keeping you hooked whether you like it or not. The Beach fits this, with DiCaprio being favoured over Boyle's usual favourite Ewan McGregor. It's hard to imagine anyone else play the part.       

The Purge

***
Release Date: May 31st 2013

In the future, a wealthy family is held hostage for harboring the target of a murderous syndicate during the Purge, a 12-hour period in which any and all crime is legalized.

Director: James DeMonaco (writer of The Negotiator and Assault on Precinct 13)

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey  

When watching The Purge, go in with an open mind. It suffers with an endless amount of improbabilities, and with such an unlikely event to happen every year (read above), you can't help thinking it's absurd.

The biggest, most foolish deed comes from Charlie, the son of James (Hawke) and Mary (Headey) Sandin, who has certain responsibilities that someone of his age wouldn't usually have. After thinking 'what, why and how' (and there's plenty of these), The Purge can make for quite the engaging thriller. It's theme touches on moral values, and how far would anyone go to save their family.

Don't expect to get the time to know the Sandin's. Clocking just under 85 minutes, The Purge puts us straight in to the annual event. Some of the family members are more annoying than others (the daughter (Zoey) acts like a stroppy teenager and is constantly disrespectful to her father). The parents are a little egotistical, rubbing it in the neighbours' faces that if it weren't for them then they wouldn't have such secure houses.    

It all goes awry when Zoey's boyfriend attempts to kill her father. On top of that Charlie lets a stranger in, unaware that an angry masked mob is seeking this very person, and will do anything to kill him. This is what society has resorted to, the working class fight for their lives and the rich folk sit comfortably within their fortified shells.

Overview: The Purge is not always predictable, there are a few twists so it's at least watchable until then end. Where the budget was small ($3m) and the gross amount was high (over $89m), expect a sequel.  

Robocop

***
Release Date: February 7th 2014

In 2028 Detroit, when Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman) - a loving husband, father and good cop - is critically injured in the line of duty, the multinational conglomerate OmniCorp sees their chance for a part-man, part-robot police officer.

Director: Jose Padilha

Starring: Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, Abbie Cornish, Samuel L. Jackson

There is always a lot of hate towards remakes. Why redo them? Are film studios running out of ideas? Because they make a ton of money and yes, probably. Look at the likes of Spider-Man and The Millenium trilogy, they are successful remakes that have happened too soon. For Robocop, it's been 27 years since the original. It may be that enough time has elapsed for a new generation of people might enjoy this new take. Still, there will be the minority that has scorned this up to its release.

2014 Robocop takes a different turn to its 87 classic. There's enough change here to warrant its own uniqueness, but thankfully doesn't venture too far from its routes so diehard fans should have little to moan about.The film opens with Samuel L. Jackson's Pat Novak, a T.V network host who supports the OmniCorp's weapon systems. He shows the American people how effective the companies' robots are when it comes to safety. Politics is heavily connected to the turnout of this film. The American people don't like the idea of machines keeping the streets free of crime.

Raymond Sellars (Keaton), President of OmniCorp, comes up with the idea of fusing mechanics with humans, that way the streets will be kept safe by humans who have the ability to think for themselves. Enter Alex murphy (Kinnaman), an honest cop who's in a critical condition after being seriously injured in the line of duty. Things start to go well when Robocop is unleashed, but it's short-lived when Alex tracks down the criminals responsible for his (near) death.

With a 12A rating, Robocop tries to make up in action what it loses in gore. It holds no bloody magnificence like the original. Instead of shutting down a huge amount of emotional thought and rendered unaware of how he looks (like the original), Alex is mindful of everything. He doesn't want to play by the rules.

This Robocop has a more famous casting than the previous one, but not necessarily better acted. Gary Oldman is Dennett Norton, the doctor working for OmniCorp who saved Alex's life. Abby Cornish plays Alex's wife, Clara. She is constantly oblivious of OmniCorp's dealings with her husband, and can never see him when she wants to.

Average and standard are the words that come to mind when I think about this film. The script is a little hit and miss, lines that are serious are seriously upended, the action is good, yet unexciting, Alex's wife Clara is constantly crying, so much that we can taste the salt. Pat Novak's biased attitude pops up every now and then, which is the most compelling scenes to lay eyes on. Besides all this, the story is strong enough to hold itself above water. At least it makes politics seem interesting.

Overview: Diehard fans may not like the remake, but there's enough there to garner the attention of new ones.      

The Lego Movie

*****
Release Date: February 7th 2014

An ordinary LEGO minifigure, mistakenly thought to be the extraordinary MasterBuilder, is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil LEGO tyrant from gluing the universe together.

Director: Christopher Miller, Phil Lord (21 Jump Street, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs) 

Starring: Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Morgan Freeman, Will Ferrell, Will Arnett, Liam Neeson

The Lego Movie can do no wrong. Aimed at young children and adults alike, it's a film for the whole family. Anybody whose as only heard of Lego let alone played with it will enjoy this film. 

It's a surprise that a Lego movie hasn't been done before. I'm not talking about the Bionicle or Marvel spin-offs, they're likely to cash in some profit just because of the brand, I'm talking about a stand alone movie. Similar to Wreck-It Ralph, The Lego Movie is full of all sorts of characters, from Batman and Superman to Gandalf and Han Solo.

It's not all about them though, it's about the main character, an average, generic Lego figure. Emmet (Pratt) is accidentally chosen to be the "special one", a Master Builder who's part of a prophecy to save the universe. Along with Wyldstyle (Banks), Batman (Arnett) and others, Emmet attempts to thwart Lord Business (Ferrell), the malevolent ruler of the Lego universe.   

Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are free to do as they will and have used an open world wisely to create an invigorating, cinematic experience. The Lego Movie moves from genre to genre as the Lego heroes travel from the futuristic metropolis to the western and sci-fi worlds, pursued by the ever relentless Bad Cop/Good Cop (Neeson).

There are some great twists to the usual animation template. Stop motion  is mixed with CGI, a technique that's not used very often and contributes heavily to the humour; half of the jokes are based on what we see rather than whats been said. All are above spectacular. Anyone who watches a film or two will be playing guesswork, trying to figure out which celebrity voices which character. Listen out for the likes of Charlie Day, Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum and Cobie Smoulders to name a few.

Kids will be trying to work out the madness of it all. 3D will hurt the eyes as various scenes have a lot of Lego pieces ricocheting and rocketing about. Piecing the middle of the story brick by brick is essentially heart-warming, but getting to it is the difficult part.

Overview: The Lego Movie is the first animation to come out this year (all with Mr. Peabody & Sherman), but is already turning out to be the best of 2014. 

Role Models

****
Release Date: January 9th 2009

Wild behavior forces a pair of energy drink reps to enroll in a Big Brother program.

Director: David Wain

Starring: Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bobb'e J. Thompson, Jane Lynch, Ken Jeong

Role Models is one of those rare comedies that isn't out of the ordinary yet it's ingenious because of the acting talent. It has some of the hottest comedians out there. Christopher Minrz-Plasse has jumped in celebrity status since his nerdy, enthralling character Fogell/McLovin from Superbad, Seann William Scott is widely familiar in the American Pie films, and Paul Rudd... well he has a impeccably natural skill unlike any other, notably so in Anchorman and The 40-Year-Old Virgin.

The fourth individual has a lot to live up to surrounded by this well-known trio. Bobb'e J. Thompson is the youngest of them, releasing this new energy through his four-letter cussing and erratic attitude. A filthy mouthed youth is funnier on screen than it is on paper.

The scene accompanying the opening credits not only introduces us to the main characters, but sets up what's to come. Wheeler (Scott) and Danny (Rudd) represent energy drink company Minotaur, going from school to school advertising their products by proving it's a fine alternative to drugs. Stuck in a habitual rut, Danny is dumped by long-term partner Beth (Banks) because of his negative attitude. Going (a little) off the rails, Danny and (not necessarily) Wheeler end up stuck in an ultimatum of jail time or community service. They choose the latter and are forced to mentor two youngsters in the Sturdy Wings program.

They have difficulty relating to Ronnie (Thomspon) and Augie (Mintz-Plasse). Ronnie accuses Wheeler of touching his 'junk' whilst Danny cannot comprehend Augie's love for Laire (Live Action Interactive Roleplaying Explorers). Getting to know them is the trickiest part of their service.          

Role Models is all fun and games up to the point where Danny and Wheeler make mistakes, then learn life long lessons, and grow up in the process. No thoughts occur that they're irresponsible 'bigs to their 'littles'. The actor's improvisation is key to this film recipe and the way the actors handle their dialogue is excellent. Danny and Wheeler's chemistry is believable like they've been the best of friends for years.   

Some of the more absurd, funnier quotes come from the supporting cast. Joining Thompson and Mintz-Plasse is Jane Lynch (The 40-Year-Old Virgin), the head of Sturdy Wings, incessantly badgering on about her cocaine addiction and bullshitters bullshitting are a little awkward but a barrel of laughs ('Me and the judge have a special relationship... I don't wanna get too graphic but I sucked his dick for drugs.'), and Ken Jeong, king of Laire, familiar from Knocked Up and Pineapple Express, is a clear winner in the nonsensical humour.

Overview: A very entertaining film with plenty of laughs. The acting helps make Role Models outshine the average comedies.    

21 & Over

*
Release Date: March 29th 2013

The night before his big medical school interview, a promising student celebrates his 21st birthday with his two best friends.

Director: Jon Lucas, Scott Moore (writers of The Hangover Trilogy)

Starring: Miles Teller, Skylar Astin, Justin Chon

Jeff Chang (Chon) is a respectable 20 year old, not wanting to celebrate his 21st birthday until the day after because of an interview with a top medical school, but no, he's effortlessly roped in to partying by his idiotic best friends Miller (Teller) and Casey (Astin) on a night he should be resting. Not all the blame goes to them, as Jeff has next to no will power.

Anyone and everyone that use to drink and party in their early teens/late twenties know that nights out like these never exist, and if they do, they would be stopped quickly. All their debauchery is over-exaggerated and over-used.

21 & Over has significant themes similar to Project X and The Hangover, drunken antics with friends being real friends who take the royal mick out of each other. This has all been seen before and chafes like a crap pair of jeans.

Most will expect the smart and sensible Jeff would have a central role. We miss out on all the booze-fueled revelry as it cuts from Jeff's first drink to complete and utter inebriation. He spends a good hour in a comatose state whilst his friends waste their time finding someone who knows his address so they can get him home before his extremely strict father picks him up next morning.  Miller and Casey should have poured water on Jeff's face to wake him up, and asked him, rendering this film pointless.

There's no sense of accomplishment or positive feeling left at the end of the road. The only thing to learn from 21 & Over is don't be a complete and utter douchebag to your friends, regardless of their condition. If Miller and Casey knew about Jeff's secrets, then they would be better friends to begin with.

Overview: Stick to Project X and The Hangover. By the same writers as The Hangover, they definitely lacked the finesse and attitude, so probably copied and pasted the same template.       

Monsters University

****
Release Date: July 12th 2013

A look at the relationship between Mike and Sulley during their days at Monsters University -- when they weren't necessarily the best of friends.

Director: Dan Scanlon

Starring: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Helen Mirren, Charlie Day

Monster University is a daring and risky film from Pixar. It's widely known that Disney's past experiences of sequels have been an all round mixed bag. It's almost as if Disney are struggling to come up with new, innovative ideas. Thankfully Monsters University pays off because it's still as fun and loving as its predecessor (Monster Inc. was released 13 years ago).  

A great deal of thought and detail has gone in to the making of this film. Forsaking the corporation in Inc for education, we're taken back to when Mike (Crystal) and Sulley (Goodman) first met. It introduces a whole new generation of children that will grow to love these characters. MU starts off as Inc. finishes; on the scare floor, but this time round, Mike Wazowski is on a school trip. Bullied by his classmates and unable to see what's happening due to his tiny complexion, he does what no other kid has done before, enter the human world. The outcome is his desire to be a scarer.

Jump forward in time and Mike is beginning his major at Monsters University. When Mike meets Sulley, it's opposites collide; Mike is a nerdy student working hard but Sully is a 'wing it' kind of monster. Monster University is about their relationship and how they go from enemies to best friends.

In order to pass their finals they need to impress the highly intimidating Dean Hardscrabble (voiced by the impeccable Dame Helen Mirren). Hardscrabble is one of the many stereotypes that MU has, from frat boys to popular girls and the nerdy outcasts. Mike and Sulley are forced to join Oozma Kappa, one of the six fraternities competing in the Scare Games. They need to learn how to work as a team, and not just compete against each other if they want to win.

Monsters University made over $743m at the box office. There may be a small selection of people that complain about film companies making (too many) sequels, but the majority must be enjoying them because the BO takings reflect this. It may be aimed at a younger audience, but it contains adult humour as well. The pace is consistent, all the gags are in the right place and Mike and Sulley are the coolest animated characters out there (well, maybe next to the minions). U-rated films can be as entertaining (if not better) as PG's or 18's, given the right formula.

Overview: Monster Inc. was so revolutionary that it's impossible for University to better it. What it does do though is keep the rhythm of Inc. going by adding fresh faces and the conflict between the two main characters, plus we get to see more Monstropolis.        

Lone Survivor

****
Release Date: January 31st 2014

Marcus Luttrell and his team set out on a mission to capture or kill notorious Taliban leader Ahmad Shah, in late June 2005. Marcus and his team are left to fight for their lives in one of the most valiant efforts of modern warfare.

Director: Peter Berg (Battleship, Hancock, The Kingdom)

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster, Eric Bana, Alexander Ludwig

I'm not sure if the Taliban are the real enemy in Lone Survivor. Yes, the Navy SEAL's mission is a simple one; to eradicate a Taliban chief, but it's a moralistic decision that turns their 'straightforward' assignment in to living hell.

The turning point comes when three locals stumble across the quartet, Marcus Luttrell (Wahlberg), Michael Murphy (Kitsch), Danny Dietz (Hirsch) and Matt Axelson (Foster). The decision they make with what to do with the Afghans connected to the Taliban is conscientiously the right one but you can't help thinking did they make the right choice?

What develops after their judgment is an hour long gun fight that rivals the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan. It's chock-full of flying bullets and intense explosions. Based on a true story, Lone Survivor hits home more so than if it was an over-dramatised, patriotic piece of fiction. There are no steady, clear shots. We're in the heart of the battle, supporting these brave soldiers. Peter Berg does a fine job placing us there, as the shaky cam ducks behind foliage, swerves to avoid bullets, or pans to bullets hitting their mark, all in glorious first person viewing.         

The team's escape is blocked by terrain and the surrounding Taliban. In order to withdraw from the battle, they need to jump off a very steep cliff. In doing so they endure more pain and suffering from nature than they did from other humans. Your emotions will feel battered as they hurtle in to trees, smash against rocks and nearly break themselves in the process. You may go in to this feeling comfortable but by the end you'll feel the agony.

The second half of the film takes a different turn as the title of the film comes in to place. The overall pace changes. The roller-coaster may have ended, but safety is still not guaranteed. Not enough time is put into this second sequence, so as soon as a heroic act is made by local villager Gulab (Ali Suliman), we don't get time to enjoy it, as our heads are still spinning from previous activity.

At the beginning of the film, we see honest, good men going about their business sharing a joke or two. There is no room to get to know anyone else, let alone the main four. Eric Bana shares a smaller role with newcomer Alexander Ludwig (recognisable from The Hunger Games). Fantastic performances help bolster the audience's connection with the characters. This is easily Wahlberg's finest acting to date. He's surely becoming one of the best actors in Hollywood.

Overview: One of the fiercest wars films since Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima, this will please if your a fan of the genre, or a fan of emotional strain.

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

****
Release Date: May 19th 2005

After three years of fighting in the Clone Wars, Anakin Skywalker falls prey to the Sith Lord's lies and makes an enemy of the Jedi and those he loves, concluding his journey to the Dark Side.

Director: George Lucas (Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Indiana Jones Trilogy)

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee

Finally a Star Wars film worthy of its franchise! Deeper and darker than ever before, Revenge of the Sith gives us the one thing we've been waiting for; Anakin's turn to the Dark Side.

Starting with the best and most intense opener of the prequels, Obi-Wan Kenobi (McGregor) and Anakin Skywalker (Christensen) are on a mission to save the captured Chancellor Palpatine (McDiarmid) from the clutches of General Grievous. What follows the title credits is a 76 second continuous shot that pans over the ongoing battle between the clone and droid armies. 

There are over 2, 200 visual effects shots in ROTS, more than Phantom and Clones put together. Everything we see is strikingly stunning. Industrial Light and Magic, the effects team behind the whole saga, have spent hours upon hours to open up the Star Wars universe even more; Utapau, a planet in the outer regions, is where Obi-Wan travels to find Grievous is contrasted against the fiery planet of Mustafar where the last and greatest battle contains real footage of Mt. Etna.

The mood and the tone considerably darkens as Anakin's switch to Darth Vader is near. Ian McDiarmid's Palpatine has more attention this time round. He takes on Lucas' script with ease and pulls off the inevitable stunt of manipulating Anakin.

The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones lack a lot of plot-driven set pieces that means Revenge of the Sith could be the one and only prequel film that's worth watching (when it comes to the story of Darth Vader). ROTS feels a little rushed because of this. Hayden Christensen pulls off the shift from Light to Dark without fear but from the moment Anakin starts having troubled visions, to his confrontation with Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) it all happens too fast.

Lucas' scriptwriting is marginally better than before. The dialogue has hard edges, but it's mainly down the flawless acting. Well let's face it, it's only taken two films for the actors to start warming to their characters!

Revenge of the Sith was the last chance that George Lucas had to impress his fans, so it's safe to say that he didn't disappoint.  

Overview: The best of the prequels, Revenge of the Sith is all we want from a sequel-prequel, and much, much more.

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

***
Release Date: May 16th 2002

Ten years after initially meeting, Anakin Skywalker shares a forbidden romance with Padmé, while Obi-Wan investigates an assassination attempt on the Senator and discovers a secret clone army crafted for the Jedi.

Director: George Lucas (Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Indiana Jones Trilogy)

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Christopher Lee, Samuel L. Jackon, Ian McDiarmid

Three years have passed since the release of The Phantom Menace, and George Lucas has listened to the fans. Jar Jar Binks has very little screen time, most actors warm into their characters and Yoda looks less out of place now that he's built from CGI.  

Attack of the Clones is a stone's throw ahead of its predecessor. It takes a darker turn as Lucas decides to split up master and apprentice. Obi-Wan Kenobi find bigger problems that affect the whole galaxy whilst Anakin fights his inner demons and breaks many Jedi codes in the process.

Ewan McGregor's revitalised and improved Obi-Wan Kenobi is witty and far more engaging in AOTC's plot. He comes out of the back seat and proves to be a powerful lead. A great deal of pressure is on newcomer Hayden Christensen's shoulders. Will he go above and beyond Jake Lloyd's boring presence? In some senses yes. He' still arrogant and brash, but isn't as annoying as the younger Ani. Christensen makes greater impact in the later scenes that renders Lloyd's Anakin a distant memory.

None of this can hide the fact that Lucas' scriptwriting is still diabolical. There's more pointing out the obvious, and other actors are less relaxed with their roles because of this. Padme (Portman) and Anakin's secret romance is dull and feels as romantic as a wet fart. Padme comes out of her rigid shell when she has something more to do than talk (and she does become increasingly nice to look at).

CGI has taken over the Star Wars universe. It has taken over the way the audience uses their imagination to shape the rest of the world. Coruscant is a wonderful blinking metropolis, Kamino's persistent weather and darkness is foreboding and intense (this is the planet where Kenobi finds the clone army) and Geonosis has an arena that looks similar to the one in Gladiator and holds the greatest roster of Jedi and lightsaber dueling Star Wars has ever seen. This will be Mace Windu's (Samuel L. Jackson) finest hour.

What follows will make fans scream with excitement. Yoda (after 3 films) gets to unleash a heavy dose of the force, and Christopher Lee nails it as Sith Lord Count Dooku. He kicks some serious ass for someone much older than the Jedi around him.

Overview: A vast improvement to The Phantom Menace. The actions is better but the dialogue worsens. George Lucas has many fans to please but there's slim chance he can please them all.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

**
Release Date: July 16th 1999

Two Jedi Knights escape a hostile blockade to find allies and come across a young boy who may bring balance to the Force, but the long dormant Sith resurface to reclaim their old glory.

Director: George Lucas (Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Indiana Jones Trilogy)

Starring: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Samuel L. Jackson, Keira Knightley, Jake Lloyd, Ray Park

I was only 11 when I first watched The Phantom Menace. The kid inside me will still loves watching it, because, first and foremost, it's a film that's highly entertaining for the whole family. This is what got me (and many other younglings of that time) into the franchise. It has everything a child wants in a film; great action, likeable, heroic characters and sense of good vs. evil.

Since then (now that I'm much older), and for anyone over a certain age, it's easy to notice the flaws in episode I. TPM is the weakest of the Star Wars films by far. A lot of explanation is needed to set up what we already know (from IV, V and VI), and plenty of introductions are made that could be cut out.

It's easy to question George Lucas' motives, none more so than his script-writing abilities. It's been 22 years since his last effort, and let's just say it hasn't improved. Certain parts of the dialogue feels clunky and disconnected. As the Trade Federation invades Naboo, Governor Sio Bibble says 'a communications disruption could mean only one thing, invasion'. I suppose the warships surrounding Naboo weren't a giveaway.

Even the incredible cast look out of place and struggle to pull off their lines. What dialogue cannot accomplish, the action makes up for. The Jedi (Neeson and McGregor), realising danger is coming to Naboo, save Queen Amidala but end up stranded on Tatooine after their ship takes damage. In the next half hour to 45 minutes that follow, we meet bratty, game changing, cocky little Anakin Skywalker (Lloyd). The galaxy may be in turmoil, but for now, Qui-Gon Jinn leaves everything in the hands of a boy. At least the 12 minute pod race is a delight to watch.

Not all is unwell though. Jar-Jar Binks, the (supposed) friendly, lovable character isn't as annoying as die-hard fans make out (although he takes away the focus of the Ewoks from Return), a trio of fights are neatly edited (Gungans vs. the Droids, Anakin vs. the Trade Federation and Jedi vs. Sith) and we finaly have some Jedi worthy of a decent lightsabre battle. Ray Park's Sith apprentice Darth Maul lives up to the title of menace. His expertise in martial arts goes well with the choreography during the lightsabre battles.

Overview: The weakest one of the three prequels, The Phantom Menace has many plot-holes but still remains to this day an enjoyable film. Maybe Lucas should hire some experienced writers next time.  

Dallas Buyers Club

****
Release Date: February 7th 2014

In 1985 Dallas, electrician and hustler Ron Woodroof works around the system to help AIDS patients get the medication they need after he is himself diagnosed with the disease.

Director: Jean-Marc Vallee (The Young Victoria)

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto

What Dallas Buyers Club shows, to a younger audience especially, is the ability to be in a world where the unknown is not just frightening, but something to repel against. For Ron Woodroof (McConaughey), being told he has 30 days to live after contracting HIV is a joke. After rejecting this possibility, Ron subsequently ignores the advice given to him, and tries to lead the same life of binge drinking, snorting cocaine and sexual activities.

DBC fixates on Ron's personal life and those around him. In the minds of everyone in the 80's anyone with HIV or AIDS is seen to have had homosexual activity. Being such a taboo in this time (nothing like it is now), it's difficult to accept the hate that Ron takes. We accept Ron for who he is, as under circumstances, who knows how we'd react.

Soon Ron realises that he's very unwell and needs to act swiftly. In order to get the correct medication for both himself and others, Ron travels to various countries to get what he needs. 'It's not illegal, it's merely unapproved'.

Ron is met by cross-dresser Rayon (Leto) who's also suffering from HIV. Rayon is the sweet hospitable type to Ron's sour hostility. Both lead and supporting actors are admirable. Their performances are so real and enthralling and the work they've put in may be distressing for them (at least for one of them) but aesthetically pleasing for us.

It's a surprise to hear that McConaughey and Leto didn't see eye to eye during production because it doesn't show in the final cut. Leto, as a method actor, stayed in character as often as he could, whilst Matthew McConaughey shed almost 3st 7lbs to portray Woodroof. It's clear that McCanoughey and Leto are in the lead to receive Oscars for their roles.

Overview: A true story that's ambitious and full of inspiration. Dallas Buyers Club is very insightful and teaches its audience a lot about the outbreak of AIDS in the 80's.  

Spring Breakers

*
Release Date: April 5th 2013

Four college girls hold up a restaurant in order to fund their spring break vacation. While partying/drinking/taking drugs they are arrested only to be bailed out by a drug and arms dealer.

Director: Harmony Korine

Starring: Vanessa Hudgens, Selena Gomez, Ashley Benson, Rachel Korine, James Franco

Spring Breakers tries so hard to be something unique and fails miserably. It has received generally good reviews from most film analysts, yet terrible ones from the general public.

Don't get me wrong, I like a film that's different. Cinema would be very boring if all movies were the same. Spring Breakers is more of a live action artwork than a straight story. There are so many gripes with it it's difficult to end on a high note.

Three of the four girls, Candy (Hudgens), Brit (Benson) and Cotty (Korine) come across as the most selfish teenagers because they complain about not having the money to make spring break. And what do they decide to do? Hold up a restaurant and steal a ton of money to fuel their immature greed.   

So off they go to party, bringing Faith (Gomez) with them. On the outside they seem care-free, but on the inside they are naive, never aware of how deep into the unknown they go.

The story cuts continuously to party-goers having a good time. The partying involves drug abuse, nudity and tonnes of alcohol. Harmony Korine's perception of spring-break-partying is completely exaggerated. Most would be disappointed that the real outcome of a spring break party is tamer than what is shown.

The girls are bailed out of further trouble by famous artist and drug-dealer known as Alien. James Franco plays this character, and to be quite frank, he's a laughing stock that can't be taken seriously.

Spring Breakers is very repetitive. The script is repetitive. The beach party scenes are repetitive. It's a piece of avant-garde work that would be better suited in late night galleries and student exhibitions.

On a better note Selena Gomez shows promise at the beginning of her acting career. It's a shame that she disappears before we really get the chance to relate to the only likeable character in this 96 minute befuddlement.

Overview: As bizarre as the acting is comical (mainly on Franco's part), Spring Breakers needs to stop trying to be different.

Salt

****
Release Date: August 20th 2010

A CIA agent goes on the run after a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy.

Director: Phillip Noyce (The Bone Collector, Patriot Games)

Starring: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor

According to a source through IMDB, Salt 'was originally written with Salt as a male (Edwin A. Salt), and Tom Cruise was approached to play him. Ultimately, he backed out and the script was rewritten with a female lead and Angelina Jolie was cast.'

What western cinema needs more than ever is a strong female lead in the action/adventure genre. Others have tried and been less successful in popularity like Columbiana and Haywire to name a few. Salt trumps these with the fantastic lead that is Angelina Jolie. With a back catalogue that includes Wanted, Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Tomb Raider, Jolie is the right actress for the role.

To enjoy Salt for the first time the only information you'll need is the blurb above. Salt always leaves its viewers reveling in the unknown. Questions are raised multiple times. It's safe to know that even though ambiguity is ripe throughout Salt ultimately answers the questions we ask. Evelyn Salt leaves a trail of shocks and twists. Everything comes unexpectedly.

Teaming up with Jolie comes great supporting cast from Liev Schreiber and Chiwetel Ejiofor. No one can pull off absolute bemusement (when it comes to Evelyn's actions) more than these guys. Evelyn is effortlessly unstoppable, relying on sheer brutality and emotional output. For the most part, Jolie has little dialogue. This works in her favour, as the mysteriousness shrouding Salt is deftly captivating.

Overview: Salt is uniquely unpredictable and a burst of fresh energy that Hollywood has lacked lately. An anticipated sequel is (hopefully) in the works. 

The Other Guys

****
Release Date: September 17th 2010

Two mismatched New York City detectives seize an opportunity to step up like the city's top cops whom they idolize -- only things don't quite go as planned.

Director: Adam McKay (Step Brothers, Talladega Nights, Anchorman)

Starring: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan, Eva Mendes, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson

One of Will Ferrell's better films, The Other Guys works mainly because the two out-of-place heroes Allen (Ferrell) and Terry (Wahlberg) have little in common, but has effective results.

This is the fourth time Adam McKay and Will Ferrell have collaborated together (the other three being Anchorman, Talladega Nights and Step Brothers) and it is by far their most lucid and entertaining. Allen Gamble is your stereotypical desk-jockey working for New York police who enjoys his rather feeble, monotonous life. Terry on the other hand, was forced in to desk work after accidentally shooting real-life baseball played Derek Jeter. Terry's anger is set off by the little things. He's held back because there are others that do their job successfully, or with more flare. 'I'm like a peacock, you gotta let me fly' he says on occasions.

Allen and Terry have their chance to shine when Highsmith (Samuel L. Jackson) and Danson (Dwayne Johnson) make an unforeseeable exit. It's up to the other guys to bite the bullet and (somehow) carry on their legacy.

The plot is what let's The Other Guys down slightly. All we ever know is David Ershon (Steve Coogan), a big money businessman, is involved in an investment scam who owes a lot of people extortionate amounts of money. This is no major fault, as fantastic one-liners and witty scenes fill that broken void. Big credit goes to Mark Wahlberg on his comedy acting debut, who has all greatest quotes that stick in the mind for years to come. Terry once describes Allen's farts sounding 'like a baby blowing out birthday candles.'

The Other Guys has plenty of action, thrills and bold courage that the other three Ferrell/McKay films lack. If they were to remove the comedy, TOG would still make a great action film.

Overview: Will Ferrell holds that Marmite factor very close to heart. If you don't like most of his films, this would be the one to you think differently.

The Wolf of Wall Street

*****
Release Date: January 17th 2014

Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.

Director: Martin Scorsese (Shutter Island, The Departed, The Aviator, Gangs of New York)

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Jon Bernthal, Kyle Chandler

Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese are familiar with the way each other work. The Wolf of Wall Street marks their 5th collaboration. All five (Gangs of New York, The Aviator, The Departed, Shutter Island and Wolf of Wall Street) are Oscar-worthy material from both.

The greedier Jordan Belfort (DiCaprio) becomes, the more interesting this film is. This is not for the faint hearted or easily offended; this is a blockbuster that packs a lot of punch. Sex, drugs and rock n' roll dominate from the start. It takes a fast paced epic that see the rise (and eventually fall) of a young cub turn wolf.

Jordan's first real job as a stockbroker lands him in Wall Street company L.F. Rothschild. His afternoon lunch with big boss Mark Hanna (McConaughey, who is undeniably funny) is intuitive and crazy. This is where the adventure begins. He learns a lot about the stock market, that everything is 'fugazi', snorting cocaine is a must and 'jerking off at least twice a day' relaxes the mind. Last but not least, 'the name of the game... moving the money from the client's pocket to your pocket.'

Jordan meets Donnie Azhoff (Jonah Hill, who is absolutely brilliant) shortly after. When Donnie find out that Jordan makes over $70k a week, he quits his job and starts working for him. Then on October 19th, 1987, the market crashes (now none as Black Monday) and L.F Rothschild is the first to go under.

The then already 'Wolfie' Belfort joins a penny stock firm in Long Island. He manages to take over the establishment by impressing his co-worker schmucks that have less common sense than brains. Jordan hires old friends from Queens that will help him with his business (they mostly sell weed). As the establishment increases in revenue and popularity, the FBI start to question Jordan's actions.

You will, like myself, be surprised at how funny The Wolf of Wall Street is. Scorsese manages to keep what was great about the likes of Goodfellas and The Departed and add very dark comedy. The utterly ridiculous moments that will make you laugh take away the seriousness that would usually exist. Wall Street is not portrayed in a way that we might expect and it redundantly characterises drugs as the right thing to do. It exploits Wall Street in this fanatical way because the connotations behind stock-brokers are the complete opposite.

Take TWOWS for what it is, and you won't be disappointed. This is DiCaprio's finest performance since Inception, and if he doesn't win a well deserved Oscar for Best Actor (he missed out in 2004 for his leading role in The Aviator and in 2007 in Blood Diamond) then there will be an uproar (mainly from me).

Clocking up approximately three hours, it doesn't feel rushed. You'll be too busy wondering what shenanigans Jordan and his crew have in store for us than looking at your watch thinking it's going on for too long. One scene that stands out sees Jordan and Donnie tripping on some aged drugs that take effect after a long period of time.

Overview: TWOWS is an epic film to be taken lightly. If you can get past the dirt and filth, it'll impress. This is a tough year for the awards ceremonies, and this is likely to reap a fair few. Probably Scorsese's best work to date, at least with Leonardo DiCaprio.