The Ridiculous 6

Netflix Release Date: 11th December 2015

An outlaw who was raised by Native Americans discovers that he has five half-brothers; together the men go on a mission to find their wayward, deadbeat dad (www.imdb.com).

Director: Frank Coraci (Zookeeper, Here Comes the Boom, Blended)

Starring: Adam Sandler, Terry Crews, Jorge Garcia, Taylor Lautner, Rob Schneider, Luke Wilson, Nick Nolte

I'm a Taurus, so naturally, I'm short tempered. If I'm made to feel stupid then walking out of certain situations is the best thing to, before the heckles rise. The Ridiculous 6 is aptly named. It is ridiculous, but most of all, it's stupid, and makes you feel stupid. Adam Sandler, this time in a western setting, piles the dick, sick and shit jokes very high. Sandler and his five brothers with different mothers go off on a quest to save their shared Dad. They steal money from bad people to pay off a ransom. I think of them as a really poor version of Robin Hood and his merry men. All cast members fail to live up to previous standards; Terry Crews is probably the better of them but isn't funny in the slightest. Rob Schneider's Mexican is as painful as his flatulent donkey. Taylor Lautner's stupidity goes full distance ('everybody knows you never go full retard - Kirk Lazarus, Tropic Thunder) and Adam Sandler attempts a Clint Eastwood style serenity that doesn't match the film's tone. And that tone is way low. There's one positive out of this: you won't have to pay any extra to view it. I only hope the next film in the Netflix/Sandler contract is better.

1.5/5

Absolutely Anything

UK Release Date: 14th August 2015

A group of eccentric aliens confer a human being with the power to do absolutely anything, as an experiment (www.imdb.com).

Director: Terry Jones (Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Life of Brian, The Meaning of Life)
Starring: Simon Pegg, Kate Beckinsale, Sanjeev Bhaksar, Rob Riggle, Eddie Izzard, Joanna Lumley, Robin Williams, the voices of Monty Python

Absolutely Anything is absolutely abysmal in countless number of ways. Simon Pegg earns the gift of (you guessed it) absolutely anything, thanks to a band of aliens and their experiment. His newly found powers are used to great effect, but that's the only good point. It didn't make me laugh. In fact, I spent most of the time cringing at its poorly executed plot. For such a stellar cast of comedians, which includes Eddie Izzard, Simon Pegg and the Monty Python crew, it should be both funny and memorable. It's probably the biggest shame in film history, especially as it's Robin Williams' last hurrah. At least Pegg's dog is cute.

1/5

Sisters

UK Release Date: 12th December 2015

Two sisters decide to throw one last house party before their parents sell their family home (www.imdb.com).

Director: Jason Moore (Pitch Perfect)

Starring: Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, James Brolin, Dianne West, John Cena, John Leguizamo

Two ingredients are needed to make a good comedy. First up it needs to be funny. The second is having a good enough reason to like its lead, like any film in any genre. Fortunately for us viewers the laughs are aplenty, and at least one sister in Sisters is appealing. Sisters does takes a while to lift off. The chuckles start to flow around the 20 minute mark, when older sibling Kate (Fey) and Maura (Poehler) have one last shindig in their family home before the house is sold. Biggest problem for these half-fledged adults? An adult party is nothing like a teenage party. The gradual rise (or decline, depending on how you look at it) of the party's debauchery is immensely enjoyable. Sub-plots add to the overall feeling of carnage. Kate has a daughter she barely sees and Maura tries to get back in to the dating game but is in major need of help. Most of the support cast fair well, which includes WWE superstar John Cena and Bridesmaids' Maya Rudolph. Fey's character can grate at the worst of times, whereas Poehler has enough warmth to go round.  

3.5/5

Brooklyn

UK Release Date: 6th November 2015

An Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a new romance. When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within (www.imdb.com).

Director: John Crowley

Starring: Saiorse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson, Emory Cohen, Jim Broadbent, Julie Walters, Emily Bett Rickards

Saiorse Ronan needs to be in more movies. She's an absolute delight, whatever she's in. Brooklyn is Ronan's finest 111 minutes to date. All the anguish, all the emotion she portrays, is seen through her eyes. Eilis (Ronan), is torn between two worlds: Ireland and America, missing her family back home and starting afresh halfway across the world in Brooklyn, New York. Events that occur only make it harder for Eilis. Emory Cohen's Tony sparks confidence in our out-of-sorts protagonist. Ronan's acting is so brazenly from the heart that I can't help but feel everything she feels, even during her hardest times. Special mention goes to Julie Walters who oversees the girls in the boarding house that Eilis resides. Brooklyn is an extraordinary watch due to class acting from all round. It's funny, clever and charming. 

4/5

Suite Francaise

UK Release Date: 13th March 2015

During the early years of German occupation of France in World War II, romance blooms between Lucile Angellier, a French villager and Bruno von Falk, a German soldier.

Director: Saul Dibb (The Duchess)

Starring: Matthias Schoenaerts, Michelle Williams, Kristen Scott Thomas, Sam Riley, Ruth Wilson, Margot Robbie

Suite Francaise poses a big dilemma during German-occupied France in WWII: not all Allied forces are good, and not all Nazis are sinners. For example, Matthias Schoenaerts' soldier Bruno is admiral, calm and polite, especially towards village girl Lucile (Michelle Williams), with whom he's staying with. Their feelings for each other grow, much to blah's disgust. Schoenaerts and Williams are on fine form, especially the former of the two. Lucile is a little too callous and hostile, but not as much as Kristen Scott Thomas, who plays unlikeable too well. Schoenaerts I weirdly felt is the one to route for. Suite Francaise is more village drama than history lesson. It's a love story without much heart, a bit of history and a rocking cast.

3.5/5

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

UK Release Date: 17th December 2015

Three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises. The First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a rag-tag group of heroes can stop them, along with the help of the Resistance (www.imdb.com).

Director: J.J. Abrams (Super 8, Star Trek: Into Darkness)

Starring: Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Max von Sydow, Peter Mayhew, Gwendoline Christie, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill

After a really long decade Star Wars is back! J.J. Abrams has done us proud. The Force Awakens, or episode VII (the first in a new trilogy of films to come every other year) as it's been named, is a superb science-fiction film. For the die-hard fans its only gripe is it's a little too familiar in territory, but that's genuinely it. For the newer, younger audiences, TFA leads a path to what's to come. When the blue letters 'A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away' followed by the trademark yellow words swiping up the starry backdrop, I felt like I was 11 again. There's a strong scent of nostalgia mixed in to the story, but for every old memory there's 10 new ones. So many emotions washed through me within a short space of time, as I know my expectations (and everyone else's) are, and were, going to be met. It only takes a few seconds to know we're in the capable hands of someone who's a major fan himself.

Now briefly on to what he's given us. The light side hangs in the balance. The forces of darkness, now known as the First Order, are stronger, bigger, more formidable than ever before. Characters on either side are equal throughout. TFA opens up the SW universe. Jakku's desert looks splendid, derelict AT-AT walkers and Star Destroyers are left abandoned and new arrivals provide different personalities that I want to know so much more about. Adam Driver's Kylo Ren switches from intimidating foe to deeply torn adolescent. All five main newbies (Isaac's fighter pilot Poe, Ridley's feisty girl Ray, Boyega's runaway Fin, Gleeson's evil man Snoke and Driver's Sith) get there chance to shine, just as the older ones so dear to me do as well.  

I'm eager to see The Force Awakens again, and even more for the next chapter. Episode VII will keep me feeling happy and young for a long time after its release. Next up, a spin-off called Rogue One!  

5/5

In the Heart of the Sea

UK Release Date: 26th December 2015

A recounting of a whaling ship's sinking by a giant whale in 1820 that would inspire the great novel, Moby Dick (www.imdb.com).

Director: Ron Howard (The Da Vinci Code, Frost/Nixon, Rush)

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy, Tom Holland, Ben Wishaw, Brendan Gleeson

In the Heart of the Sea is supposed to be the true account of the famous white whale we know from the novel Moby Dick. Herman Melville (Wishaw), an amateur writer, seeks out Tom Nickerson (Gleeson) to speak of his voyage at sea with the infamous first mate, Owen Chase (Hemsworth). This adaption is a stylishly contemporary approach. The way it looks, the way it feels makes it available for all, not just a particular audience. Chris Hemsworth's main man is the heart of the sea, making us feel his joy, feel his pain. Others barely make a stand. The sea and the creature it holds are much more interesting to watch than other characters. When things go bad it's hard to care what happens to them. ITHOTS's story unfolds very slowly, its 122 minute running time dragging harder than the feet of a sulking child. The whale's first glimpse comes around the half way mark, and by that point I'd lost interest. 

3/5

10,000 BC

UK Release Date: 14th March 2008

A prehistoric epic that follows a young mammoth hunter's journey through uncharted territory to secure the future of his tribe (www.imdb.com).

Director: Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow)

Starring: Camilla Belle, Steven Strait, Marco Khan, Cliff Curtis

Looking up what people have to say about Roland Emmerich's 10,000 BC, it's safe to say that the story is historically inaccurate. None of the events portrayed occur around the year it suggests. Scrap the title and all of this goes away. Pushing amicable squabbles aside, 10,000 BC's imagery is outstanding. That's it. Story isn't much to go by, as tribesman D'Leh (Steven Strait) works his way through perilous tasks to save the one he loves (Camilla Belle). There are no twists. There are no turns. Just a linear, predictable-ness that has me wondering why I'm watching this to the end. Roland Emmerich can do so much better. 

1.5/5

Still Alice

UK Release Date: 6th March 2015

A linguistics professor and her family find their bonds tested when she is diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease (www.imdb.com).

Director:  Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland

Starring: Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart

Still Alice places us in the heart of a moving subject matter. Be wary, this film is an emotional ride. Julianne Moore is off the charts, superb in every way, shape and form. For someone who's not experiencing Alzheimer's in real life, Julianne draws all suspension of disbelief, from the moment she starts forgetting the simplest of things. Although Alice is central to the topic, writer/director duo Glatzer and Westmoreland show how family members are affected too. Kristen Stewart's usual awkward, hapless self fits the role of Alice's youngest daughter whilst Alec Baldwin tries to stay tough to keep the family from falling apart. The way the story unfolds on screen (because of its powerful performances) gives us all we need to know. Movies never make me cry (Green Mile and Marley & Me are exceptions), but one moment in the film nearly sent me over the edge. Still Alice is truly an amazing piece of work.

4.5/5

Blue Jasmine

UK Release Date: 17th September 2013

A New York socialite, deeply troubled and in denial, arrives in San Francisco to impose upon her sister. She looks a million, but isn't bringing money, peace, or love... (www.imdb.com)

Director: Woody Allen (Vicky Christina Barcelona, Midnight in Paris, To Rome with Love)

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin, Sally Hawkins, Bobby Cannavale

Woody Allen films are full of dialogue. Blue Jasmine is no exception. Woody Allen film's heavy dialogue also takes over the possibility of a sensational story. This is also the case for Blue Jasmine. Too much talk. Not enough action. At least this time round it's a good enough watch. We should be thankful for the movie's lead lady. Cate Blanchett's New York, upper-class snob moves to San Francisco to live with her sister (Hawkins). Jasmine is a wreck. She's divorced, without money and integrity, attempting to uphold the look of a patrician, but her eyes give away her anguish and sorrow. Only Blanchett can turn a petty, unsympathetic character in to the complete opposite. If it weren't for her expertise, then Jasmine would drag us into the hell hole she currently resides in. 

3.5/5

Bridge of Spies

UK Release Date: 27th November 2015

During the Cold War, an American lawyer is recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy in court, and then help the CIA facilitate an exchange of the spy for the Soviet captured American U2 spy plane pilot, Francis Gary Powers (www.imdb.com).

Director: Steven Spielberg (The Adventures of Tintin, Warhorse, Lincoln)

Starring: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance

Steven Spielberg. Tom Hanks. Mark Rylance. Joel Coen. Ethan Coen. Five reasons to love this film. Spielberg's directing is top notch, Hanks and Rylance's acting's cutting edge and the Coen's writing adds comedy to a serious film. There are two parts to Bridge of Spies. First part sees Hanks' lawyer defending Soviet spy Rudolf Abel (Rylance) during the Cold War. In the second part Hanks' James B. Donovan negotiates a prisoner exchange; Abel for a captured American pilot. The coming together of the cast and crew make Bridge of Spies a riveting watch. Tensions are constantly high, even though there's minimal action. The few jokes spread throughout make it no less thrilling. Mark Rylance and Hanks are superb. It's hard to say whether one outdoes the other when they share the screen time. 

4.5/5

Daybreakers

UK Release Date: 6th January 2010

In the year 2019, a plague has transformed almost every human into vampires. Faced with a dwindling blood supply, the fractured dominant race plots their survival; meanwhile, a researcher works with a covert band of vamps on a way to save humankind (www.imdb.com).

Director: The Spierig Brothers 

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, Isabel Lucas, Sam Neill

Daybreakers' concept is highly intriguing. In a world where vampires rule, the human population is dwindling and supply of blood is running low. Ethan Hawke's scientist Edward is trying to find a long-term solution to the vampires' problems. Edward comes across a human faction who may have the answer he's looking for. Sounds great, right? For the majority, it is. The action and acting coincide well with the story, but it's easy to see that The Spierig Brothers are handling a craft too broad for their own good. Sub-plots diminish under the bigger picture, and a slight romance between Edward and an insurgent human (Isabel Lucas) never quite catches flame. The CGI is under heavy scrutiny. It looks as if the effects budget was mostly used on one, gory scene.  

3.5/5

Victor Frankenstein

Uk Release Date: 3rd December 2015

Told from Igor's perspective, we see the troubled young assistant's dark origins, his redemptive friendship with the young medical student Viktor Von Frankenstein, and become eyewitnesses to the emergence of how Frankenstein became the man - and the legend - we know today (www.imdb.com).

Director: Paul McGuigan (Luck Number Slevin, Push)

Starring: James McAvoy, Daniel Radcliffe, Jessica Brown Findlay, Andrew Scott

Victor Frankenstein is the umpteenth time the Frankenstein story has been told. What makes this one different I hear you ask? This movie is about the maker not the monster. McAvoy's V. Frankenstein recruits a hunchback from the local circus (Radcliffe). This film shows the duo's relationship, and how they came to make the creature we have known so well for several decades. Igor is an eccentric fellow, highly passionate about his work. Same goes for Radcliffe's nameless man. Their enthusiasm is infectious. We're more than welcome to this party. Three (us being the third) is NOT a crowd! Victor Frankenstein looks terrific, with wonderful settings and lavish dress-up and make-up. This latest outing almost has us believing their experiments could happen. 

3.5/5

The Campaign

UK Release Date: 28th September 2012

An incumbent congressman embroiled in personal scandal faces a no-holds-barred challenge from a naive newcomer funded by two unscrupulous billionaire lobbyist brothers (www.imdb.com).

Director: Jay Roach (Austin Powers in Goldmembers, Meet the Fockers, Dinner for Schmucks)

Starring: Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis, Jason Sudeikis, Dylan McDermott

With two well proportioned comedian/actors, there should be plenty of laugh out loud jokes in The Campaign. Ferrell and Galifianakis are running for congress of a small town in North Carolina. Ferrell is outrageous and nonsensical whilst Galifianakis is a bit of a dork. They never quite gel in their battle of wits. Scenes that separate them are stronger than those united. The story doesn't progress past each candidate attempts to outdo the other, until the inevitable conclusion of a winner. At least The Campaign is a lighthearted film, even if the comedy's below average. 

2.5/5

Wild Card

UK Release Date: 20th March 2015

When a Las Vegas bodyguard with lethal skills and a gambling problem gets in trouble with the mob, he has one last play...and it's all or nothing (www.imdb.com).

Director: Simon West (Con Air, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, The Expendables 2)

Starring: Jason Statham, Milo Ventimiglia, Michael Angarano, Hope Davis, Stanley Tucci, Sofia Vergara

Jason Statham is a typecast. He falls largely in to the same category as JCVD or Steven Seagal. Wild Card shows what Statham's capable of doing, but only that. His security specialist come extreme gambler gets on the wrong side of a mobster (Milo Ventimiglia). This mobster is a coward. Not scary and very comical, which brings the tone of the film to a major low. And where exactly is Wild Card trying to go? Famous actors come and go (Stanley Tucci, Sofia Vergara) like a soft breeze, and the Stath's gambling addiction is attacked once before moving swiftly on. A particular scene involving Statham breaking random goon's body parts is entertaining to say the least, but its raw energy is taken away by the accompanied music. That's as good as it gets. Statham can do better. Milo unfortunately need more cojones. 

2/5

The Godfather: Part III

UK Release Date: 8th March 1991

In the midst of trying to legitimize his business dealings in New York and Italy in 1979, aging Mafia don Michael Corleone seeks to avow for his sins while taking a young protégé under his wing (www.imdb.com).

Director: Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather, The Godfather: Part II)

Starring: Al Pacino, Andy Garcia, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Eli Wallach, Joe Mantegna, Sofia Coppola  

The Godfather: Part III takes place many years after Part II. Al Pacino's Michael Corleone a.k.a The Godfather is older, wiser and better than before. His nephew Vincent (Andy Garcia), who he takes under his wing, is irrational and short-tempered, just like his father (Sonny Corleone, as played by James Caan in Part I). Part III sees Michael trying to correct the wrongs and wipe away his sins. III should've been filmed shortly after II. Time has sapped The Godfather's intensity. Pacino and Garcia are on top form. This film's success is partly down to the others. A fine film in its own right but one that will never reach the heights of its predecessors.  

4/5

The Godfather: Part II

UK Release Date: 15th May 1975

The early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York is portrayed while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on his crime syndicate stretching from Lake Tahoe, Nevada to pre-revolution 1958 Cuba (www.imdb.com).

Director: Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather)

Starring: Al Pacino, Rober De Niro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, John Cazale

Pacino outdoes himself in The Godfather. He's just as powerful as Brando was in the role of The Don. Michael Corleone (Pacino) expands his cartel, making friends and enemies alike. Michael's story is spliced with his father's uprising. Vito is played by the mesmerising Robert De Niro. Vito's story could stand alone from Michael's, but both compliment the other in ways that cannot be described. Scenes end on cliffhangers. When one starts, we want to be back with the other. The Corleone family is corrupt, and Part II just shows how deep their roots run. This second act is more intense, more involving, incredibly climactic, leaving it's audience wanting more. Absolutely fine displays from Pacino and De Niro. The Godfather: Part II almost outdoes its predecessor. 

5/5

The Godfather

UK Release Date: 24th August 1972

The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son (www.imdb.com).

Director: Francis Ford Coppola 

Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, James Caan, Diane Keaton, Richard S. Castellano, Talia Shire

There isn't a gangster film out there bigger or better than The Godfather. It's hard to some it up in a few words, but here goes. At the centre of this film is the family. The Corleone family, headed by Vito (Marlon Brando), a.k.a. The Don, or The Godfather. His daughter's wedding tells us all we need to know about the Corleone's; key individuals, small but incredibly thought out sub-plots and a running theme of business and personal matters never mix. 

The Godfather is based on the simplest of foundations. Love thy family. Think before you act. Never betray your own. Vito attempts to keep the peace between the crime families. When things go south Vito's youngest son Michael (Al Pacino) gets involved. Michael's innocence is torn apart as he takes control of the family business.

With every view comes a new discovery, a piece of the puzzle missed the last time round. The Godfather is a labyrinth waiting to be deciphered. Brando is sublime. He's able to radiate warmth and coercion with the smallest of reactions. It sets up careers for James Caan and Robert Duvall, who're brothers with dissimilar attitudes. The best is to come for Pacino, as this first part in a trilogy only shows his potential. The Godfather is a one of the most intense gangsters films you're ever likely to see. 

5/5

Black Mass

UK Release Date: 25th November 2015

The true story of Whitey Bulger, the brother of a state senator and the most infamous violent criminal in the history of South Boston, who became an FBI informant to take down a Mafia family invading his turf (www.imdb.com).

Director: Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart, Out of the Furnace)

Starring: Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kevin Bacon, Jesse Plemons, Peter Sarsgaard, Dakota Johnson, Adam Scott

Black Mass is supposed to be Johnny Depp's return to form. After the dismal Mortdecai earlier in the year, Depp has got some making up to do. His take on the notorious Boston gangster James 'Whitey' Bolger is one heck of a performance, one that's expected of his caliber. His transformation far exceeds the act. His piercing blue eyes is enough to make anyone flinch.

This movie follows the chunk of Bolger's life accredited to his relationship with the FBI, chiefly agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton), who he knew growing up. They strike a deal; the Bureau will leave Whitey alone if he gives up the location of rival gangsters. This gives him free will to do whatever he likes, whenever he likes.

Black Mass has an open narrative. A select few of Whitey's men tell stories of their time they spent with Bolger. Just as much focus goes on Edgerton as it does Depp, which greatly hinders the man we want to know more about. 

What we do see though, looks fantastic. The low-key lighting and the dark, gloomy exteriors fit Bolger's ever cloudy mood. This is a gangster films that broods and will be remembered for its main performer. 

4/5

Jupiter Ascending

UK Release Date: 6th February 2015

A young woman discovers her destiny as an heiress of intergalactic nobility and must fight to protect the inhabitants of Earth from an ancient and destructive industry (www.imdb.com).

Directors: The Wachowskis (The Matrix, Cloud Atlas) 

Starring: Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Sean Bean, Eddie Redmayne, Douglas Booth, Tuppence Middleton

I don't know if I actually cared about the events taking place in Jupiter Ascending or if I wasn't completely paying attention. It was a bit of both. I lost interest very quickly for a number of reasons. First and foremost, JA is a cold, hollow movie. The dialogue's heavy and clunky, leads Mila Kunis and Channing Tatum feel the blow. Kunis isn't shocked to learn that she's intergalactic royalty, and Tatum spends most of his alien life skating the skies, avoiding enemy fire from those seeking to hurt Kunis.   

Secondly the Wachowskis have tried too hard to create a piece of work that as unique as The Matrix. Much of film's time and effort is spent on how it looks, and it does look incredible, thanks to 99 shots out of 100 being computer generated. The actors are engulfed by it, chiefly Eddie Redmayne's ridiculous talking villain, who's hellbent on destroying Kunis just for being a greedy little planet hoarder.

It's best to end on a high note, because not all's bad. In between the scant story is a couple of really joyful set-pieces. Both are sky battles, one at both ends of the film. They are thrilling, but not long lasting. There should be more of them, to give JA reason to have our utmost attention. 

2/5

Super

UK Release Date:

After his wife falls under the influence of a drug dealer, an everyday guy transforms himself into Crimson Bolt, a superhero with the best intentions, but lacking in heroic skills (www.imdb.com).

Director: James Gunn (Slither, Guardians of the Galaxy)

Starring: Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page, Liv Tyler, Kevin Bacon, Michael Rooker

Frank (Rainn Wilson) is a man with an alter ego. On the outside he's a kind, sensitive man, giving tonnes of love to his wife who he doesn't receive it from. She (Liv Tyler) is stolen from him by some crack-addict dead-beat (Kevin Bacon). On the inside, Frank has an uncontrollable rage waiting to get out. 

Frank dons a hood, a wrench and decides to take matters in to his own hands. 'Shut Up, Crime' is his slogan. Very fitting for his persona, as he bludgeons any wrong-doers to near death. One stand out scene involves some queue cutting. Nothing's as funny or brutal as this. 

Super may seem like a copy of Kick-Ass to some. This is correct in most ways. Super picks substance over style, where as Kick-Ass's 2010 outing is the other way round. Wilson is superb in this role, very engaging and resilient, both as Frank (calm yet nervous) and the Crimson Bolt (violent but bold). Don't take him for granted just because he's a bit of a moron in The Office. 

Special attention should go to Ellen Page, who forces herself to be Wilson's sidekick. She names herself Boltie. She's just as thrilling as Frank, but for different reasons. Like a socially awkward nerd coming out of her shell, Libby is hilariously unhinged, spouting out profanities before thinking, and giggling like a young school girl whenever the Crimson Bolt performs some righteous act of defiance. 

Super is part parody, part its own thing. The disguised heroes are a thrilling, strangely likeable duo. Outrageous it is.

3.5/5

John Carter

UK Release Date: 9th March 2012

Transported to Barsoom, a Civil War vet discovers a barren planet seemingly inhabited by 12-foot tall barbarians. Finding himself prisoner of these creatures, he escapes, only to encounter Woola and a princess in desperate need of a savior (www.imdb.com).

Director: Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, WALL-E)

Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Willem Dafoe, Thomas Haden Church, Mark Strong, Ciaran Hinds, Dominic West, James Purefoy, Bryan Cranston

Star Wars. The Lord of the Rings. Harry Potter. These are loved film franchises. All are unique in their own way. John Carter, unfortunately struggles to make its own way. Copying others is what JC does best.

That's not to say it's dreadful. On the contrary. The story is decent; a headstrong princess on Mars is in need of help and a single man from Earth comes to her call. John Carter (Taylor Kitsch) is dropped in to the unknown. Being foreign in a different world isn't taken advantage of when Carter feels at ease very quickly. 

The war between two human-looking races (differentiated by red and blue garments), and a marriage proposal between Dominic West and Lynn Collins' princess detracts our attention from the alien race. The green-skinned, 12-foot tall barbarians are full of character and back-story which is what the human lookalikes lack. Tars Tarkas (voiced by Willem Dafoe) and his band of misfits are Disney greats.

There's nothing particularly wrong with this movie. It has all the right ingredients to succeed, but for some unknown reason John Carter's deprived of that 'wow factor' that other franchises bear. 

3.5/5

The Last Stand

UK Release Date: 24th January 2013

The leader of a drug cartel busts out of a courthouse and speeds to the Mexican border, where the only thing in his path is a sheriff and his inexperienced staff (www.imdb.com).

Director: Jee-woon Kim (The Good, The Bad, The Weird, I Saw the Devil)

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Johnny Knoxville, Forest Whitaker, Genesis Rodriguez, Eduardo Noriega

The Last Stand chucks Arnold Schwarzenegger in to a role where his gun does (most of) the talking. When all is quiet in the small town of Sommerton, the big man feels uneasy with the dialogue he's given, but when all hell breaks loose it's like he never gave up acting. TLS is his first full-length feature since governing California.

There's a roughly spun narrative, drawn together by Deputy Ray Owens (Schwarzenegger) and his police rookies, who're investigating a murder, and Forest Whitaker's FBI hot shots, who're made to look stupid as they're consistently outmaneuvered by an escaped drug lord (Eduardo Noriega) who's making his way to the Mexican border. 

Both stories are linked... or are they? Little information is given to justify the events taking place in Sommerton. When Owens and his team, which includes Jackass' Johnny Knoxville (he's actually quite entertaining) fortify their town, it's easy to forget when the bullets fly and the blood drenches the dirt. The action is almost perfect; the level of gore pushes its 15 rating to the edge. Even the car chase sequence is expertly played. 

South-Korean director Jee-woon Kim makes his first film for the west, and rightfully so. The Last Stand, with a few hints of dire acting, has a equal level of cheesy lines and ferocious action. One to watch for the Schwarzenegger lovers. 

3.5/5

Wish I Was Here

UK Release Date: 19th September 2014

A struggling actor, father and husband finds himself at a major crossroad, which forces him to examine his life, his family and his career (www.imdb.com).

Director: Zach Braff (Garden State)

Starring: Zach Braff, Kate Hudson, Joey King, Josh Gad, Mandy Patinkin, Ashley Greene

Zach Braff, as director, writer and actor, squeezes much in to an hour and a half slot, giving the five main cast members (Braff's Aidan, his wife, son, daughter and father) more than enough to do. It's a jumble at one time, and at utter harmony another.

Aidan is a family man with little income. He relies heavily on his father Gabe (Homeland's Mandy Patinkin) paying for his children's schooling. But when Gabe becomes seriously ill, Aidan must reconsider the route his life is taking. I want him to do well, regardless of his actions towards bad news.

Wish I Was Here is a drama with spurts of comedy. The humour's in the right places, never enlightening a rather somber tone.

Braff is a popular man. The movie is chock full of cameos, including Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory) and Donald Faison, who's a welcome sight after their Scrubs tenure. Josh Gad plays Braff's brother, his sub-story stretching out the running time.

As joyful or sorrowful as it is to watch, Wish I Was Here cannot help but feel like a short series. 

3.5/5

Steve Jobs

UK Release Date: 13th November 2015

Steve Jobs takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution, to paint a portrait of the man at its epicenter. The story unfolds backstage at three iconic product launches, ending in 1998 with the unveiling of the iMac (www.imdb.com).

Director: Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours)

Starring: Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, Jeff Daniels

Steve Jobs is arrogant and often unlikeable. All the money, power and fame obtained over the years of his illustrious career hides what's really behind the CEO of Apple. Jobs' attitude won't win over any hearts.

Fassbender, on the other hand, captures the man we know so little about. He's relentless, imitating every habit Jobs carries. Courtesy isn't expected here, but his talent is extremely beguiling.

Steve Jobs depicts the moments before three product launches. At these points in time everyone is at his throat. He'd be better off cancelling them, to save him the hassle and the drama.

Seth Rogan is an unlikely choice as Steve Wozniak, but he adds warmth to a film that's rather cold. Rogan doesn't just look the part, he acts it too. 

Danny Boyle is one of the best in the biopic/drama genre. Boyle lets the script do the talking (literally). Steve Jobs has his own personal flaws that doesn't reflect in Boyle's filmmaking.   

4.5/5

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2

UK Release Date: 19th November 2015

As the war of Panem escalates to the destruction of other districts by the Capitol, Katniss Everdeen, the reluctant leader of the rebellion, must bring together an army against President Snow, while all she holds dear hangs in the balance (www.imdb.com).

Director: Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1)

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Donald Sutherland, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, Willow Shields, Sam Claflin  

Mockingjay - Part 2, has the ability to stand alone, whereas Part 1 needed its arrival, turning a slow burner into a full-on fire. It's a heck of a journey, the tense action worth the wait. The downside is you'll see every twist and turn before it happens. Jennifer Lawrence truly stands alone. Her acting feels genuinely from the heart. Hutcherson and Hemsworth, in their awkward love triangle, can barely touch her (metaphorically speaking). One last rallying cry from Katniss is the last straw. Her voice cannot pull off those great speeches, and quite frankly there was enough of them in Part 1. Yes we know you're the Mockingjay, get over it. All four of The Hunger Games films stay true to the book. Everyone plays their part well (although some are short changed). They're faithful to both Veronica Roth's story and Francis Lawrence's visuals. 

4/5

Spectre

UK Release Date: 26th October 2015

A cryptic message from Bond's past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE (www.imdb.com).

Director: Sam Mendes (Road to Perdition, Jarhead, Skyfall)

Starring: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Lea Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes, Monica Bellucci, Ben Wishaw, Naomie Harris, Dave Bautista, Andrew Scott, Rory Kinnear

Skyfall changed the way we saw Jame Bond. The gadgets were stripped, cheesy one-liners thrown out the window, and a light hearted attitude was pushed aside for serious one. Craig's Bond means business, especially when things were personal. Spectre follows this by being an indirect sequel to Casino Royale, Quantum and Skyfall. It ties up ends that don't necessarily need tying up. If, like me, you love a bit of nostalgia in movies, you'll point out things and get overly excited. True Bond fans will be wanting more, but need not fear, Spectre's on par with its predecessor, just for different reasons. The opening scene is phenomenal. We follow a couple walking their way through the streets in Mexico City during Day of the Dead. Surely the most technical shot should be saved for last. Craig is on top form, Christoph Waltz's villain matching him blow by blow. Dave Bautista's henchman, similar to Goldfinger's Oddjob, is underused, whilst the Bond girls achieve what they always achieve. Q (Wishaw) walks as much as he talks, and Judi Dench is barely missed as Fiennes' M looks right at home with a sub-plot of his own. For every classic Bond forte there's a lack of another, or an under-usage of it. Time is still shaping James Bond. 24 films in and he's still full of surprises, just as Spectre has its own, assuming all forms of media have been avoided in your life.

4/5

Source Code

Uk Release Date: 1st April 2011

A soldier wakes up in someone else's body and discovers he's part of an experimental government program to find the bomber of a commuter train. A mission he has only 8 minutes to complete (www.imdb.com).

Director: Duncan Jones (Moon)

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright

Jake Gyllenhaal fleshes out the characters he portrays, and rightfully makes it his own. Whether it's Donnie Darko or Zodiac, he ups the ante. This is absolutely the case in Source Code. Think Groundhog Day meets the best sci-fi you can think of. Gyllenhaal is Colter Stevens, a soldier who's forced to use the Source Code: repeating a real-life train journey to Chicago, and its eventual explosion and the death of everyone on board. His mission is to find the bomb and its detonator. The investigation's only half the hoot. On the train opposite Stevens (who's in someone else's body on the train) is Christina (Michelle Monaghan), a beautiful, down-to-earth woman that knows the person Stevens has 'taken over'. Colter's subconscious actions bring them closer together, but is it a relationship destined to fail the moment he enters the Source Code? Only 8 minutes of time will tell, as director Duncan Jones successfully balances romance (or not time-travelling) with heart-stopping action. 

4.5/5

Man on a Ledge

UK Release Date: 3rd February 2012

As a police psychologist works to talk down an ex-con who is threatening to jump from a Manhattan hotel rooftop, the biggest diamond heist ever committed is in motion (www.imdb.com).

Director: Asger Leth 

Starring: Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Bell, Anthony Mackie, Genesis Rodriguez, Ed Harris, Ed Burns, Titus Welliver

Man on a Ledge. What a ridiculous name for a movie. And ridiculous is exactly what it is, albeit a story that's as wobbly as Worthington's accent. Nicky Cassidy's (Worthington) an escaped convict whose suicide attempt in front of tens of people on the streets of New York distracts the public from a ludicrous heist that his brother (Jamie Bell) and his brother's girlfriend (Genesis Rodriguez) are carrying out. They're after a prized diamond, to prove to the world of Nick's innocence. Man on a Ledge is an amusing watch, even if it breaks our suspension of disbelief. The suspense is equaled by stupidity, with the cast, including Elizabeth Bank's negotiator, Ed Burns' detective and Anthony Mackie's lawyer stretched out. Other cast members look as if they're enjoying themselves; Bosch main man Titus Welliver revels in being a jerk, whilst Ed Harris's villain should have more screen time. They make MoaL worth the while.

3/5

Deception

UK Release Date: 25th April 2008

An accountant is introduced to a mysterious sex club known as The List by his lawyer friend. But in this new world, he soon becomes the prime suspect in a woman's disappearance and a multi-million dollar heist (www.imdb.com).

Director: Marcel Langenegger

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Ewan McGregor, Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams 

Deception is a hard one to figure out. Ewan McGregor's socially awkward accountant Jonathan meets Hugh Jackman's Wyatt, a confident co-worker. He introduces Jonathan into a sex ring known only as The List. McGregor becomes animalistic, thinking with his libido, until he meets a beautiful woman (Williams). Jackman abuses McGregor's new emotions by abducting Williams. McGregor acts irrationally, driven by love for someone he's just met. Love at first sight, or acts of stupidity? He's not the most likeable of characters. Deception pans out with little feelings for its lead men and their final destinations. 

2.5/5

A Fantastic Fear of Everything

UK Release Date: 8th June 2012

A crime novelist whose research on Victorian serial killers has turned him into a paranoid wreck must confront his worst fears when a film executive takes a sudden interest in his movie script (www.imdb.com).

Director: Crispian Mills, Chris Hopewell

Starring: Simon Pegg

Simon Pegg is a cooky fellow. It's not surprising that he's taken on the role in A Fantastic Fear of Everything. Jack is his weirdest character to date. Pegg owns his character, moulding the story around his subversive behaviour. He's in too deep with his work, researching notorious serial killers for his book freaks him out to no end. A film-maker shows interest in his work, and a meeting's arranged. Jack must face the outside world in preparation for his big moment. Pegg and the team behind the scenes manage to turn a boring narrative into an intriguing one. Pegg spends the second third of AFFoE in a launderette, suspicious of fellow launderette-ers and in need of a beginners guide to washing clothes. This won't be for everyone. The comedy's dry. The story's farfetched and at times, drags. Pegg maybe exceptional enough to see you through to the bitter end, or lager end. 

3/5

Skyline

UK Release Date: 12th November 2010

Strange lights descend on the city of Los Angeles, drawing people outside like moths to a flame where an extraterrestrial force threatens to swallow the entire human population off the face of the Earth (www.imdb.com).

Director: The Brothers Strause (Alien vs. Predator: Requiem)

Starring: Eric Balfour, Scottie Thompson, Donald Faison, Brittany Daniel, Crystal Reed, David Zayas

Skyline: starts well, ends badly. Its potential is (almost) endless. It extracts the best parts of well known sci-fi's; mysterious, detailed creatures (Alien), impressive ships from outer space (Battleship) and an invasion of the human race (Independence Day). Skyline even looks flashy, with its pale, stark greys and and an over-usage of lens flare that would make J.J. Abrams proud. A storyline would be nice though. And a decent cast. And a relatively decent script. All we know is an alien race is attempting to take over the world, via Los Angeles. The Brother Strause's low budget shows, with the locations restricted to one skyscraper and its surrounding area. The well known T.V. cast, Eric Balfour (24), Donald Faison (Scrubs) and David Zayas (Dexter) evaporate under the crumbling dialogue, accompanied by the cheesiest on-screen you'll ever see. 

1.5/5

Lethal Weapon 2

UK Release Date: 15th September 1989

Riggs and Murtaugh are on the trail of South African diplomats who are using their immunity to engage in criminal activities (www.imdb.com).

Director: Richard Donner (Superman, The Goonies, Lethal Weapon)

Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Patsy Kensit

Lethal Weapon was just the beginning. It sets up the relationship between Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Murtaugh (Danny Well) well, with a strong story to boot. The second has the cops in a tight knit, their banter brushing off each other with satisfying effects. Murtaugh is still angry, and Riggs is still crazy, just less suicidal. They're the cop duo others try to replicate. LW2 carries over LW's best bits, while adding extra bonuses for all to revel in. Newcomer Joe Pesci ('I'm Leo Getz, and whatever you want, Leo gets.') is great but does grate, repeating 'ok' so many times I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The only drawback to LW2 is too much time and effort's spent on character development, as the South African criminals they face have no personalities. This is made up for by a shocking twist involving a key character's past.  

4/5

Suffragette

UK Release Date: 12th October 2015

The foot soldiers of the early feminist movement, women who were forced underground to pursue a dangerous game of cat and mouse with an increasingly brutal State (www.imdb.com).

Director: Sarah Gavron

Starring: Carey Mulligan, Anne-Marie Duff, Ben Wishaw, Helena Bonham Carter, Brendan Gleeson, Meryl Streep

History doesn't repeat itself. At least not for women's rights. It'll never happen again. A group of women in London known as the suffragettes fight for women's rights in every way they can. This film, starring Carey Mulligan, follows a select few. Maud (Mulligan) is the new recruit, dragged in fighting the cause due to principles alone. She's treated like a piece of dirt at work and at home, just for standing up for what she believes in. This was the norm back in the 20's and 30's, but devastating to watch now. Along with Helena Bonham Carter and Anne-Marie Duff, Mulligan stands strong, exceeding the men around her. Director Sarah Gavron and writer Abi Morgan haven't made this a tale of equal opportunity. Some men help the cause (Bonham Carter's on screen husband), whilst others are truly despicable in nature (Mulligan's boss) and see woman as 2nd class citizens. Suffragette, although focusing on women, sits comfortably on the fence. Because not everyone feels the same way. 

4/5

The Descendants

UK Release Date: 27th January 2012

A land baron tries to reconnect with his two daughters after his wife is seriously injured in a boating accident (www.imdb.com).

Director: Alexander Payne

Starring: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer

George Clooney dazzles in The Descendants. Whilst the story of death and coming to terms with it is morbid, Clooney, along with on-screen daughters Shailene Woodley and Amara Miller add a concoction of feelings to curb our interest. Matt (Clooney) juggles with a tough decision regarding his wife on life support, single-handedly looking after his two daughters, all the while dealing with work and other such pressing matters. Sounds like a lot of ground to cover, but in hindsight The Descendants is quite simple to grasp thanks to a well drawn out script and compassionate personnel to show it off.

4/5

What We Do in the Shadows

UK Release Date: 21st November 2014

Viago, Deacon, and Vladislav are vampires who are finding that modern life has them struggling with the mundane - like paying rent, keeping up with the chore wheel, trying to get into nightclubs, and overcoming flatmate conflicts (www.imdb.com).

Director: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi

Starring: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, Jonny Brugh, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer, Stu Rutherford, Ben Fransham

If you like Flight of the Conchords then you'll love What We Do in the Shadows. It's a parody documentary that follows the lives of a group of vampires living in Wellington, New Zealand. They each get to tell their story, including their illustrious backgrounds, hitting the city streets, trying to get in to nightclubs, who should do the dishes and confrontations with Wolves. Every character has different background, from Ben Fransham's Nosferatu and Jemaine Clement's goth, to Twilight-esque Deacon and newcomer (and general conflict maker) Nick. This is funny, even when it's not trying to be. Dryer than your everyday comedy, but never decreasing in momentum. FotC's regular Rhys Darby is an absolute scene stealer. A comedy following the lives of the werewolves should be next on their list.  

4.5/5

The Cabin in the Woods

Uk Release Date: 13th April 2012

Five friends go for a break at a remote cabin in the woods, where they get more than they bargained for. Together, they must discover the truth behind the cabin in the woods (www.imdb.com).

Director: Drew Goddard

Written by: Joss Whedon

Starring: Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchinson, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford

I'm not sure where to begin with The Cabin in the Woods without giving too much away. This will be brief and probably not very helpful, but this films needs to be seen with as little known about it as possible. Five friends go on vacation to a... yes you named it... cabin in the woods. They're overseen by two office workers, Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford, from an underground-lab. What beholds the holiday-goers? Words cannot describe. Drew Goddard pumps out cliche after cliche, only to slap us in the face with outrageousness. This is unique, gory and funny, thanks to Joss Whedon's writing skills. Watch this, but be warned, you will never be prepared.  

4/5

The Human Centipede (First Sequence)

UK Release Date: 20th August 2010

A mad scientist kidnaps and mutilates a trio of tourists in order to reassemble them into a human centipede, created by stitching their mouths to each others' rectums (www.imdb.com).

Director: Tom Six 

Starring: Dieter Laser, Ashley C. Williams, Ashlynn Yennie, Akihiro Kitanura

'Did I really just watch that?', is the reaction felt after watching the first sequence of The Human Centipede. A twisted concept exists in the mind of director Tom Six, but it's one that doesn't take shape due to a number of factors. First off, the acting is undeniably questionable, chiefly the trio that make up the 'human centipede' and the doctor whose mental state engulfs rational thinking. Grief is not felt for the blithering three, as the girls' (Ashley C. Williams and Ashlynn Yennie) common sense doesn't kick in until miles after it's too late. They're strapped to hospital gurneys, ready for their procedure, just as a young Japanese man is. The questions that will be filling your mind do come (no spoilers here) as Dr. Heiter (Dieter Laser) runs through the conventional duties an owner would do with his pet. Loopholes are aplenty, the most obvious being the centipede's attachments and whether it's possible. Others exists, but that's for you to find and decide for yourselves. The Human Centipede has quickly become a cult film, but for the wrong reasons.

1.5/5

Kung Fury

UK Release Date: 23rd August 2015

In 1985, Kung Fury, the toughest martial artist cop in Miami, goes back in time to kill the worst criminal of all time - kung fuhrer Hitler (www.imdb.com).

Director: David Sandberg

Starring: David Sandberg, Jorna Taccone, Leopold Nilsson

Cops. 80's TV. A norse god. Adolf Hitler. An ass kicking cop. Time travel. A dinosaur-riding, mini-gun wielding barbarianess. A triceratops cop. All of these appear in the 30-minute short film Kung Fury. Nothing makes much sense in the opening 5 minutes. Get past its weird action and you're in for a rollicking, funny satire. David Sandberg is Kung Fury, a cop with super martial arts abilities, who goes back in time to Nazi-Germany and take down Adolf Hitler. Kung Fury catches attention by mocking popular medium of the 80's. It's wacky, good fun.

4/5

The Love Punch

UK Release Date: 18th April 2014

A divorced couple scheme to recover the retirement money that was stolen from them (www.imdb.com).

Director: Joel Hopkins (Last Chance Harvey)

Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Emma Thompson, Timothy Spall, Celia Imrie

Love Punch is absurd. The story, going from believable divorcees in their daily routines, to mischievous, reckless wrongdoers plotting to steal a $10m necklace. Unfortunately, veteran actors Pierce Brosnan and Emma Thompson's acting matches the modest script. They head to Paris to retrieve their retirement pay that's been stolen from them, only to then make a rash decision, and persuade their friends the blah's (Timothy Spall and Celia Imrie) into helping them. The fact it only takes 10 seconds for them to approve only goes to show the ludicrous direction we're succumbed to. There is no punch to this love story, the few heartfelt moments are predictable, brushed aside for mundane jokes and terrible impersonations. An older generation of viewers may be attracted by the names tagged to what can only be assumed a romantic comedy. 

2/5

Serena

UK Release Date: 24th October 2014

In Depression-era North Carolina, the future of George Pemberton's timber empire becomes complicated when he marries Serena (www.imdb.com).

Director: Susanne Bier (Things We Lost in the Fire, Love Is All You Need)

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Sean Harris, Rhys Ifans, Toby Jones

Serena was filmed when Silver Lining's Playbook was being aired, but didn't reached its audience until two years after. Set during the American depression, Serena (Lawrence), a feisty, headstrong woman, becomes the wife of bureaucratic timber-man, Pemberton (Cooper). They have dreams of living far away from their home town in North Carolina, but Pemberton's past threatens to destroy everything they're working for. Serena is rife with potential. The settings are beautiful, the costumes, hair and make-up are extraordinarily detailed. It's ruinous then, that its material isn't profound enough to interest us in the lead characters and their problems. 

2.5/5

Drive

UK Release Date: 23rd September 2011

A mysterious Hollywood stuntman and mechanic moonlights as a getaway driver and finds himself trouble when he helps out his neighbor (www.imdb.com).

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn (Bronson, Valhalla Rising)

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Oscar Isaac, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, Christina Hendricks, Ron Perlman

Ryan Gosling is only known as The Driver, a movie stuntman that earns a few extra bob as the getaway man during heists. A particular job goes awry when helping the ex-con husband of the woman he gets close to. Less is absolutely more as Gosling gathers the attention with a forceful presence and few chosen words. A hard look and a slight expression is all that's needed to sway ours and Mulligan's affection. Drive's dialogue is compact, only making a show when the mise-en-scene needs a small boost. It's powerful cinema that's grandiose and slightly arty. Drive is one tense thriller, with intricate characters (including Bryan Cranston and Oscar Isaac) and an explosive story, never relaxing until it comes to an end.

4.5/5

Crimson Peak

UK Release Date: 16th October 2015

In the aftermath of a family tragedy, an aspiring author is torn between love for her childhood friend and the temptation of a mysterious outsider. Trying to escape the ghosts of her past, she is swept away to a house that breathes, bleeds...and remembers (www.imdb.com).

Director: Guillermo del Toro (Hellboy, Pan's Labyrinth, Pacific Rim)

Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, Charlie Hunnam

Small spoilers are contained in this short review.

The big names attached to Crimson Peak give nothing of its story away. Something's not quite right at the spooky manor on Crimson Peak. Young Edith (Wasikowska) is warned against going by a supernatural presence. Her newly wed husband (Hiddleston) and his domineering sister (Chastain) have a big secret to hide in their house that's a horror film lover's gold mine. It's a run down labyrinth, bleeding from the clay underneath and eroding from a lack of affection. Hiddleston and Chastain are complex siblings whose broad characteristics push the narrative in to territories with unexpected flare. Crimson Peak is fierce and hematic. Stands out amongst the now-a-day horrors.

4/5

Far from the Madding Crowd (2015)

UK Release Date: 1st May 2015

In Victorian England, the independent and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene attracts three very different suitors: Gabriel Oak, a sheep farmer; Frank Troy, a reckless Sergeant; and William Boldwood, a prosperous and mature bachelor (www.imdb.com).

Director: Thomas Vinterberg (The Hunt)

Starring: Carey Mulligan, Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Sheen, Tom Sturridge

Far from the Madding Crowd, a well respected novel with an adaptation already to its name, hasn't got much new ground to cover. This 2015 film, starring Carey Mulligan, upholds the book's reputation. Bathsheba (Mulligan) is a headstrong farm owner who meets three possible suiters in a short space of time; Gabriel the farmer, William the nobleman and Frank the soldier. All bear distinctive qualities. All wish Bathsheba to marry them the moment they lay eyes on her. FftMC favours one man over the rest. We're smitten before even given the chance to decide. Mulligan's the charismatic, leading lady, making decisions that come at a price. Schoenaerts, Sturridge and Sheen add flavour to this period drama, their personalities and dialogue capturing what action cannot. 

4/5