22 Jump Street

****
UK Release Date: June 6th 2014

After making their way through high school (twice), big changes are in store for officers Schmidt and Jenko when they go deep undercover at a local college.

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

Starring: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube, Wyatt Russell, Peter Stormare, Nick Offerman

22 Jump Street follows exactly the same formula as its predecessor. For once a sequel manages to pull of playing the same stunt twice, but for Schmidt (Hill) and Jenko (Tatum), high-school is over and they're off to college. 22 has a few twists that makes it unique (as sequels go). High-school was a breeze for them and they soon realise it's not easy repeating the same actions.

22JS focuses on Schmidt and Jenko's bromance and it gets a little silly at times. Jenko's new best friend Zook (Russell) spoils their love as the football player who shares a similar taste with Jenko and accepts him in to his friendship group but leaves Schmidt out. Ice Cube returns as Captain Dickson, stealing every scene he lands in.

This sequel has the ability to take the piss out of itself, which works well. 'The Koreans bought the church back, so we had to move across the street... to 22 Jump Street', a Vietnamese church with a Vietnamese Jesus.

You'll have no problem loving 22 if you loved 21. All I say is bring on 23. 

21 Jump Street

*****
UK Release Date: July 9th 2012

A pair of underachieving cops are sent back to a local high school to blend in and bring down a synthetic drug ring.

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

Starring: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube, Dave Franco, Brie Larson

21 Jump Street probably holds the best cop duo since Rush Hour. If you, like me, think Tatum and Hill are an odd pairing, prepare to be mistaken. Tatum fits into the comedy aspects very well and Hill, who helped write the script, peaks with his performance.

A flashback to high-shcool allows us an insight on their friendship. Eminem wannabe Schmidt (Hill) is a social recluse and gets picked on by meathead Jenko (Tatum). Fast-forward in time and they become friends and partners.

After an unfortunate attempt at a drugs bust, Jenko forgetting his Miranda Rights ('you have the right to...suck my dick, motherfucker!') and a public embarrassment, they are both assigned to 21 Jump Street, an undercover operations unit for youthful looking officers. Run by angry Captain Dickson (Ice Cube), the pair are off to high-school to 'infiltrate the dealer' and 'find the supplier' of a drug called HFS (Holy Fucking Shit).

School isn't how they remember it being. Schmidt is now in with the popular kids and Jenko is forced to hang with the chemistry nerds.

There are too many funny moments to pick out any particular one. 21 Jump Street steers clear from the original series enough to warrant its own credit, but doesn't stray too far by having minimal references and great cameos that any fan of the series will be delighted with.

It's not all about Hill and Tatum, as a great supporting cast have their moments to. Dave Franco is fellow cool kid and dealer Eric and Bridesmaids' Ellie Kemper is Ms. Griggs who's infatuated with Jenko and his mighty abs. Ice Cube is a scene-stealer with his take no shit attitude.

21 Jump Street is hilarious, a breath of fresh air (even with its gross-out moments) and highly entertaining. It's one of those comedies that's memorable from beginning to end.

Edge of Tomorrow

*****
UK Release Date: May 30th 2014

An officer finds himself caught in a time loop in a war with an alien race. His skills increase as he faces the same brutal combat scenarios, and his union with a Special Forces warrior gets him closer and closer to defeating the enemy.

Director: Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Jumper)

Starring: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, Brendan Gleeson

Tom Cruise's career has taken a huge turn. He was in drama after drama in his early days, but since the 2000's he's become one of the biggest action heroes there is. It seems that he has an interest in sci-fi, with Oblivion and a new Van Helsing falling either side of Edge of Tomorrow. EoT is a welcome sight in an industry full of sequels and do-overs.

Cruise completely shocked me by playing a character who's not cocksure and not arrogant from the beginning. Instead Lt. Cage is a cowardly fool that, after disobeying orders, is forced in to the front-line of an all-out battle with aliens. It's definitely Groundhog Day science fiction style. Cage has to replay the same day again and again, but has to die each time in order for the day to start again.  

Edge of Tomorrow is filmed and scripted so well that even we are left out of the loop, constantly wondering what Cage and hardened battler Rita (Emily Blunt) have already experienced, if they've experienced it at all. It works amazingly well as Cruise and director Liman keep the loop spiced up so we experience something different every time Cage's day resets. There's a level of humour too; Cage's deaths all vary. The next one is always gorier than the last. Cage goes through the same day so many times that he says or does things before others do. A very annoyed Master Sergeant Farell (Paxton) is one to watch out for.

Emily Blunt gets to kick as much ass as Cruise. The limelight is not being hogged by Cruise this time. Rita AKA Full Metal Bitch plays a vital role, helping Cage until the end. Their relationship works surprisingly well under circumstances. Cage knows Rita well but Rita has just met Cage for the first time (again and again).

The ending (set in Paris) may feel a little rushed but that's a little gripe from a film that's fresh and one of Cruise's best since 2011's Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. This is a film that should be put on repeat.

A Million Ways to Die in the West

***
UK Release Date: May 30th 2014

As a cowardly farmer begins to fall for the mysterious new woman in town, he must put his new-found courage to the test when her husband, a notorious gun-slinger, announces his arrival.

Director: Seth MacFarlane (Ted)

Starring: Seth MacFarlane, Charlize Theron, Liam Neeson, Amanda Seyfried, Giovanni Ribisi, Neil Patrick Harris, Sarah Silverman

Seth MacFarlane is a master of voices. He's the voice of not just Ted in Ted, but many characters in Family Guy including Peter, Brian and Stewie Griffin. If you're a lover of his previous work then you're bound to love AMWTDITW. 

The film's humour breaks the suspension of disbelief that would usually be maintained in a western. It's silly, the gags are crude, and they come thick and fast. Some are memorable, such as the references to other films and some great cameos, but others fester, like the long running joke between Albert's friend Edward (Ribisi) and hooker/fiancee Ruth (Silverman) who's pulling the cord of around 10 different men a day.

Although the film might not suit her acting capabilities, Charlize Theron keeps Macfarlane's first live action appearance above water. Neeson isn't in it long enough to make his stamp. A few How I Met Your Mother jokes are thrown in to the fray with Neil Patrick Harris' character Foy (Louise's new love). The weakest link has to be MacFarlane himself, gawping at things more often than not.

AMWTDITW isn't as funny as Ted (a sequel to Ted has been announced for a 2015 release) and will more than likely warrant interest with fans of Family Guy than newcomers.

Moonrise Kingdom

****
UK Release Date: May 25th 2012

A pair of young lovers flee their New England town, which causes a local search party to fan out and find them.

Director: Wes Anderson (The Royal Tenenbaums, The Darjeeling Limited, Fantastic Mr. Fox)

Starring: Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, Bob Balaban

Wes Anderson has a very familiar way of presenting his work. His films stand out by their sweeping camera shots, far-fetched storylines, low budget settings and dry humour.

The A-List celebrities in Moonrise Kingdom (Willis, Norton and Murray in particular) are supporting actors. The focus is on newcomers Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward, who play runaway lovers Sam and Suzy respectively. They are ones to watch out for. Their quirky mannerisms and awkwardness around each other hold a chemistry unlike any other. Their homes are on an island, so there's only so far they can run from their friends and family. A great scene worth mentioning sees the young lovers square off against Sam's fellow scouts.

There are no boring characters in this film. Everyone has an agenda and everyone stops what they're doing to look for Sam and Suzy. Scout Master Ward (Edward Norton) and his scouts are standouts as well as Bruce Willis' Captain Sharp who's having an undisclosed affair with Suzy's mother.

MK's pace is swift. There's no messing around. It's consistently funny from beginning to end. Wes Anderson is one of the best directors out there when it comes to pure entertainment.      

X-Men: Days of Future Past

 *****

UK Release Date: May 22nd 2014

The X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.

Director: Bryan Singer (X-Men, X-Men 2)

Starring: Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Ellen Page, Peter Dinklage, Halle Berry, Nicholas Hoult

X-Men: Days of Future Past is the best to come out of the X-Men franchise yet. Bryan Singer has made a welcome return and in doing so has created a masterpiece that holds mutants old and new.

This time the enemy is far bigger than both humans and mutants realise. The year is 2023 and robots known as the Sentinels have ravished the world of all (or most) mutant life. The humans that are helping mutants have also suffered. The world is an apocalyptic wasteland, a massive, foreboding spectacle.

Thus far only a handful of mutants have survived. Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) sets the tone with his mighty voiceover, talking about hope, glory and despair. With him is Magneto (Ian McKellen) and it's taken years of turmoil for them to realise that they need to work together in order to stop this ominous threat.

They must send Wolverine's (Hugh Jackman) consciousness back to 1973, where the First Class team is at its most fragile, reunite them (somehow) and stop them from heading down a gloomy future. Stopping Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) kill Sentinal creator Prof. Trask (Peter Dinklage) is vital.

The original X-Men cast take the backseat (Stewart, McKellen and Berry) and the First Class mutants are at the front. Even though Wolverine was the one sent back, he's in no way the centre of attention like previous X-Men outings. All of the FC team get their fair share of screen time.

Relish in the fact that this film manages to render X-Men: The Last Stand pointless. There are plenty of surprises to come, with an end credit scene worth watching for the major comic fans. Some mutants have little screen time (Shawn Ashmore's Iceman and newcomer Bishop to name a few) that I'd like to have see more of but too many characters can spoil the party. New additions have a chance to shine, but it's Lawrence, McAvoy and Fassbender that keep this party going.

Stay in this until the end, the story is intricate and well thought out, similar to the new Star Trek's alternate reality. DOFP is amazing. Let's hope Singer's around to stay.   

Godzilla (2014)

UK Release Date: May 15th 2014

The world's most famous monster is pitted against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence.

Director: Gareth Edwards (Monsters)

Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bryan Cranston, Elizabeth Olsen, Juliette Binoche, Ken Watanabe

It's been 16 years since Godzilla graced our screens, and this new release is an improvement on the old one. Godzilla himself is bigger and better than before, reaching about 350ft. The build-up of tension seems deceivingly worthwhile when we (finally) get to see the creature.

It's nice that the trailer doesn't give too much of the story away, but it's also a little deceiving. Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston is in it less than you might think, focusing on Aaron Taylor-Johnson's military man instead. Gareth Edwards tries to focus more on character development, but ends up giving us an annoying lead with little emotion and pushing other interesting characters into the background (mainly Taylor-Johnson's father Cranston and wife Olsen). The most intriguing character of all we don't to see for at least an hour and by then feels like a supporting actor rather than a main feature.

The set-pieces in Godzilla are undeniably creative and aesthetically pleasing. Paratroopers attempt to enter the city via the sky whilst a battle between montsers rages on. The CGI is impressive (no, Godzilla isn't real!) and the artistic work put in to the creatures is unique.

By the end, I couldn't help feeling slightly short changed. Just when you think you're about to see the climatic battle and lots of death and destruction, the camera decides to fade away and we miss a good chunk of it. A lot of time is spent zooming in on character's gawping faces (mainly Ken Watanabe's Dr. Ishiro Serizawa) instead of the matter at hand. We're in this for Godzilla, and Godzilla alone.

4/5

Coming Soon to 2014 and The Best of 2014 So Far

So we're nearly halfway through the year and it's been a fantastic already! Last year saw Frozen and Iron Man 3 top the box office with a total of $1.23bn and $1.21bn respectively. Who will it be this year? X-Men: Days of Future Past? How to Train Your Dragon 2? Maybe the fourth Transformers film will top the bill. So far Captain America: Winter Soldier is in the top spot with takings stretching over the $700m mark. This doesn't mean they are the best films out there. Here are my suggestions on what to watch that's coming soon or already on DVD.

(Check out www.boxofficemojo.com for more info on box office grosses)

1. Lone Survivor - out 9th June

One of the best war films since Saving Private Ryan.

2. The Wolf of Wall Street - out now!

DiCaprio and Scorsese collaborate for the fifth time to show you the rise and fall of Jordan Belfort.

3. The Lego Movie - out 21st July

A great animation for all ages. Who doesn't like lego?

4. Godzilla (in cinemas now)

Stays true to its historical routes. Welcome back Gojira!

5. X-Men: Days of Future Past (in cinemas now)    

An absolute masterpiece that incorporates both the young and old. Plus it shits all over The Last Stand.

6. Dallas Buyers Club - out now!

Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto both won Oscars for their roles, and deservedly so.


Coming soon to Cinemas

1. 22 Jump Street - out 6th June

Follows the same method as 21 and has been received well by critics.

2. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes - out 17th July

Set to be a great sequel to Rise, with a possible all out war between humans and apes.

3. How to Train Your Dragon 2 - out 27th June

There's no bigger animation coming out this year. The first one was a success with the younger audience.

4. Transformers: Age of Extinction - out 10th July
 
The Transformers films that have already racked up an amazing $2.6bn. Expect loads of CGI and Michael Bay's explosions.

5. Guardians of the Galaxy - out 31 July 2014

New Marvel film set in space. Starring Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper.

6. The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies - out 12th December

The penultimate ending to The Hobbit trilogy. The name was changed due to There and Back Again not fitting well.

7. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 - 21st November

The first of two films that make up the third book. Catching Fire ending on the mother of all cliffhangers. It's eagerly awaited by YA's.

Hancock

****
UK Release Date: July 2nd 2008

A hard-living superhero who has fallen out of favor with the public enters into a questionable relationship with the wife of the public relations professional who's trying to repair his image.

Director: Peter Berg (The Kingdom, Battleship, Lone Survivor)

Starring: Will Smith, Jason Bateman, Charlize Theron

Hancock isn't your typical superhero. He drinks heavily, has a major attitude problem and overall an asshole. At least that's what everyone else calls him. Hancock has a bad reputation with the citizens already. He wreaks havoc and leaves a wreckage whenever he attempts to save the day.

What's so refreshing about this anti-hero movie is its differences. It doesn't follow the winning formula used in most superhero movies. Hancock's debauchery and selfishness is interesting and captivating. He's easier to relate to than other superheroes because first and foremost he acts like a human being (whether it's for the good or bad).

Ray (Bateman) a very unsuccessful businessman, is saved by Hancock. He's the only one that bothers to thank him for his efforts. Ray decides to lead Hancock on the straight and narrow to gain money from the situation and much to the annoyance of his wife, Mary (Theron).   

A low-cost budget has hindered the CGI. This is most notable in the final act where the film takes a different turn. Instead of following Hancock on his path to greatness, the mood shifts. I will refrain from divulging anymore information because big plot twists come with it. You might like it, but for me it stopped Hancock from being the perfect (anti) superhero movie.

Rush Hour

****
UK Release Date: December 4th 1998

Two cops team up to get back a kidnapped daughter.

Director: Brett Ratner (Money Talks, Red Dragon, X-Men: The Last Stand, Tower Heist)

Starring: Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Tom Wilkinson, Tzi Ma, Ken Leung, Chris Penn

Chris Tucker starred in the sci-fi hit The Fifth Element only a year before Rush Hour. His eccentric character bought mixed feelings. Thankfully, it's toned down in this action/comedy. Tucker is incredibly funny and Jackie Chan brings the action.

From the moment they meet one another there's chemistry. Detective Lee (Chan) is calm, collective and does things the right way. Detective Carter (Tucker) is erratic, disjointed and never does anything by the book. Their differences (mainly their backgrounds and cultures) make a great partnership.

Rush Hour may not score any points with its plot. What Rush Hour does is give you a rollicking good time. The action is entertaining (seeing Carter keep up with Lee's martial arts is beyond hilarious), Tucker's one liners are priceless, and the supporting cast (although a little stereotypical) fall in to place well.

Movies don't always need to be unpredictable. The outcome of Rush Hour isn't going to surprise anyone. It's the combined talents of Chan (his first film overseas) and Tucker that make this a film worthy of being in your 'great night in'.

Life as We Know It

***
UK Release Date: October 8th 2010

Two single adults become caregivers to an orphaned girl when their mutual best friends die in an accident.

Director: Greg Berlanti

Starring: Katherine Heigl, Josh Duhamel

Life as We Know It covers many lessons in parenthood. No one is prepared for it, no matter the circumstances.

This film tries to focus on the funny side of things. There are plenty of laughs, but they come at the expense of cliche characters who, at first hate each other, but over time grow to love one another.

There's nothing new that we haven't seen before. Katherine Heigl is Holly, a slightly haughty 30-something with relationship issues. Holly is very similar to characters that Heigl has previously portrayed. Duhamel is the stereotypical ladies' man/sleazeball who struggles with grown-up responsibilities.

The tone of the film changes often; it doesn't feel right to laugh at jokes shortly after the accident. We're swiftly moved on, and everything is light-hearted again.

One thing is for certain about Life as We Know It; it's a feel-good film. If you're a fan of the rom-com genre then this will not disappoint. 

Welcome to the Punch

****
UK Release Date: March 16th 2013

Ex-criminal Jacob Sternwood is forced to return to London when his son is involved in a heist gone wrong. This gives his nemesis, detective Max Lewinsky, one last chance to catch the man he's always been after.

Director: Eran Creevy

Starring: James McAvoy, Mark Strong, Andrea Riseborough, Johnny Harris, David Morrissey

East-end London has never looked so good. A metallic blue flair has been washed over Canary Wharf. It's clean, sleek and almost futuristic. We see Detective Lewinsky (McAvoy) chasing Jacob Sternwood (Strong) along the deserted streets of the city centre, but he ends up incapacitated because he doesn't follow direct orders.

The opening scene sets the pace nicely, and you can tell from the get go that this is a revenge movie. At least that would be the case if it lacked its shocks and twists. After years of pain and suffering, nothing will stop Lewinsky from catching Sternwood. Along for the ride is detective Hawks (Riseborough). Between them they being to reveal a conspiracy that's buried underneath the death of Sternwood's son.

Eran Creevy has focused so much on the plot that the characters, although they stand tall, have little room to expand. It's thanks to the superb acting that we have a connection with them at all. A romance never ignites where it should but never fear, what Welcome to the Punch lacks in with emotion, it more than makes up for in intensity.

A scene that has a Reservoir Dogs feel to it is tense and thrilling. Johnny Harris is assassin Dean Ward. He's forced to sit in front of his nan with the enemy and stay cool and not attract any unwanted attention (from the even unaware nan). This scene is one of the many that is full of tension. Great camerawork and some fine scripting makes for gripping action that stays with us until the end.

Overview: Welcome to the Punch has a magnificent cast that manage to rise above the plot.