Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

UK Release Date: 30th July 1999

Dr. Evil is back...and has invented a new time machine that allows him to go back to the 60's and steal Austin Powers's mojo, inadvertently leaving him "shagless" (www.imdb.com).

Director: Jay Roach (Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery)

Starring: Mike Myers, Heather Graham, Michael York, Robert Wagner, Robert Lowe, Seth Green, Verne Troyer

The Spy Who Shagged Me, Austin Powers' 2nd installment, hits the funny bone a lot harder than International Man of Mystery. The story is easy going; Dr. Evil (Myers) wants to destroy the world, Austin Powers (Myers) wishes to save it. That's it. This time though, he must do it without his mojo; the Doc went back in time to the 60's and stole it from Austin's cryogenic form. It reverses its role from the previous outing. IMOM saw the hero and villain hit the future with naivety, TSWSM has them bringing the 90's back with them. It makes little sense, has no new gags, but its execution is better. The poo and dick jokes outweighs the flops, which comes down to two things; new faces and old. Heather Graham surpasses Hurley in looks and sensuality. She's the girl that likes to 'hop on the good foot and do the bad thing'. Evil is Myer's more intricate character, the relationship with his son Scott (Green) is a constant barrel of laughs, from their family dispute on Jerry Springer to father & son therapy. Myer's new addition Fat Bastard is a loose cannon who gets the worst (jokes) of the worst, but Verne Troyer's Mini Me adds discrimination to the fold. Same as before, fans of the first will love, but it's very unlikely that TSWSM will gain new ones.

4/5

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

UK Release Date: 5th September 1997

A 1960s hipster secret agent is brought out of cryofreeze to oppose his greatest enemy in the 1990s, where his social attitudes are glaringly out of place (www.imdb.com).

Director: Jay Roach

Starring: Mike Myers, Elizabeth Hurley, Michael York, Robert Wagner, Seth Green

Mike Myers is the chalk to your cheese, the salt to your sweet. He can improve a mix, or outright destroy it. He's exploited James Bond's core attributes, ruining the stereotypes and the cliches we've grown use to, and come up with not one, but two egotistical maniacs that allow him to rein free and pretty much do as he pleases. The humour falls in to the slapstick category, and sometimes it scrapes the bottom of the comedy gene pool. It's clearly not for everyone. For every comedy gold there's a rusty, wooden pun. Austin Powers (Myers) is an English secret agent from the 60's whose charm, wit and stupidity gets him along in life. His evil nemesis, the aptly named Dr. Evil (also Myers), freezes himself in space and reappears 30 years later in the 90's. Powers follows in pursuit to once and for all bring Dr. Evil down. This crazy plot works because both hero and villain are out of their depth after missing so much from the last 3 decades. Dr. Evil threatens to destroy the world unless he receives $1m from the United Nations, and Austin realises he cannot sow his seed like he use to, thanks to a strong willed, sexy Elizabeth Hurley. If you can't stomach International Man of Mystery's first 5 minutes, don't bother with the rest. If you're a die-hard Bond fan, stay clear; Myers has duplicated Blofeld to shocking effect.

3/5

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

UK Release Date: 25th August 2010

Scott Pilgrim must defeat his new girlfriend's seven evil exes in order to win her heart (www.imdb.com).

Director: Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz)

Starring: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ellen Wong, Johnny Simmons, Mark Webber, Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick, Alison Pill, Chris Evans, Jason Schwartzman

Need a director to characterise a video game, comic book and action movie in one medium? Edgar Wright's your man. You don't need to be a nerd in order to enjoy Scott Pilgrim's adventure. Just a childhood fashioned with intricacy and a longing for 'that girl'. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World's starts how it intends to go on, its opening credits are loud and bright, and there's more to extract from it too. It plays on our geeky side whilst gaining new audiences. Sounds from Zelda: A Link to the Past are sly but obvious to some, 'SMACKS!' and 'THWONKS!' make a show like we're watching the original Batman, as do homages to Japanese Manga, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat and all sorts of fictional clientele. But is it all real for Scott?  Michael Cera's lovable rogue blossoms when he meets Ramona (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and immediately falls for her. Is she real or fantasy? Either way, Scott must defeat her 7 evil exes in order to gain her love. Each new ex brings a new style of play. It's consistently stunning and breathtaking, and non of it makes any sense. The best thing to do with SPvsTW is to go along with it. Cera is a relatable frontman, worrying about how his hair looks and seeing his ex-girlfriend. Strong support comes from Scott's nosey sister Kendrick, his gay best-friend Aces (Culkin), his band mates, and all the exes, especially Chris Evans' movie star (who cracks his neck in time with Universal's theme tune) and Jason Schwartman. Go with the flow. It doesn't make a lot of sense, and it doesn't need to.

5/5

Fast & Furious 7

UK Release Date: 3rd April 2015

Deckard Shaw seeks revenge against Dominic Toretto and his family for his comatose brother (www.imdb.com).

Director: James Wan (Saw, Insidious, The Conjuring)

Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Jordana Brewster, Ludacris, Jason Statham, Kurt Russell

Fast & Furious 7, or just Furious 7 as it's known in the US, is a fitting, endearing tribute to the late Paul Walker. Universal studios have taken the right path in his memory. Films 1-4 were all about the cars and the family, 5 and 6 upped the amp, focusing on the action whilst still holding a substantial plot. 7 follows the latter, resulting in the loudest, gutsiest ride yet. Dominic Toretto (Diesel) and his 'family' have crossed the wrong criminal. Derckard Shaw (Statham), brother of Owen Shaw (Luke Evans), want revenge on those who've put his brother in hospital. Toretto and the gang receive help from a goverment operation led by Kurt Russell. They cross countries performing some of the biggest feats in stunt history; some thoroughly believable, others highly ludicrous. You've come to the wrong place if you want an intricate plot, but if you want an action packed thrill-of-a-ride, look no further. It's funny, it's bold and the cast smash it with their various personalities. The big question is, how will they handle F&F8?

3.5/5

Maleficent

UK Release Date: 28th May 2014

A vengeful fairy is driven to curse an infant princess, only to discover that the child may be the one person who can restore peace to their troubled land (www.imdb.com).

Director: Robert Stromberg

Starring: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley

Disney has lengthened their stride with Maleficent. It comes 56 years after Sleeping Beauty, and acts like a parallel universe. The story we are all too familiar with has taken a different route. It's comes as both a surprise and a shock to the system. Angelina Jolie, as the magnificent Maleficent, does what she can do best: bring a daunting presence that dominates the screen. With her devilishly black horns and majestic wings, she's got the looks of a villain and the consciousness to do good, that is, until her heart gets broken. Falling in love with a human has its complications. The world in which Maleficent resides is split into two. There's the magical world, containing fairies and all sorts of mythical creatures adopting a humungous forest as their home, and the human world, with a kingdom, a royal family and plenty of knights. The world looks wonderful; it's drenched with all sorts of colours; the fairies' side is incredibly bright, the human's dark and bitter. It's heavy on the CGI and some of it's astonishingly scrappy in places. Sharlto Copley's acting is honourable, his usual South African accent hardly distinguishable. Elle Fanning's Aurora stares in to space, a lot. Her fate is predictable, Maleficent's curse on her is full-proof. Some viewers may relinquish in this new take, but old fans will undyingly wish for the same, linear route as the classic.

3.5/5

Dracula Untold

UK Release Date: 3rd October 2014

As his kingdom is being threatened by the Turks, young prince Vlad Tepes must become a monster feared by his own people in order to obtain the power needed to protect his own family, and the families of his kingdom (www.imdb.com).

Director: Gary Shore

Starring: Luke Evans, Dominic Cooper, Sarah Gadon, Charles Dance, Art Parkinson

It's hard to keep track of how many times the story of Dracula's been told. This is the 'apparent' untold story but it's more like a new(ish) story's been slapped on a renown vampire so the film studio can rake in some money. It doesn't work. Try as he might, Luke Evans cannot live up to the legend. A shoddy script gets in his way, as does a plot riddled with holes. Plenty of moments arrive where you'll think to yourself, 'why didn't they do that?'. Possibilities are ignored to fill the running time. Dominic Cooper yet again feels like the wrong person for his role. Just like his villain in Need for Speed, he lacks the intimidation, power, and ultimately, the look. Vlad (Evans) goes to extreme measures to save his son and his people from Turkish invasion. Some cool 'one man army' battles take place but it's not enough to keep us completely entertained.

2/5

The Forbidden Kingdom

UK Release Date: 9th July 2008

A discovery made by a kung fu obsessed American teen sends him on an adventure to China, where he joins up with a band of martial arts warriors in order to free the imprisoned Monkey King (www.imdb.com).

Director: Rob Minkoff (The Lion King, Stuart Little, The Haunted Mansion)

Starring: Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Michael Angarano, YiFei Liu, Collin Chou

The Forbidden Kingdom is Hollywood's answer to Asian cinema. Surprisingly it's the first time Jackie Chan and Jet Li have collaborated together, and it's been worth the wait. It's such a momentous occasion seeing the martial artists do what they do best and it has taken our attention away from what's deemed more important; the story itself. Our western friend Jason (Angarano) is the weakest link, overshadowed for reasons out of his control. Jason is the nerdy kid that's obsessed with kung-fu and visits a Chinese pawn shop in his free time. Touching a fabled magical staff transports him to ancient China where he ends up on an adventure to save the Monkey King (Li) who's been turned to stone by the evil Jade Warlord (Collin Chou). Accompanying him is drunken warrior Lu Yan (Chan), The Silent Monk (also Li) and love interest (because that's all she seems to be there for) Golden Sparrow (YiFei Liu). Many battles ensue; there are more fights and battles than there are plot advancements. TFK has enough might and steel to match Hero or House of Flying Daggers, and the world is beautifully layered like Middle Earth. This is adventure for all to enjoy, not just fans of martial arts. It plays it nice and easy, and it's worth the watch for Li and Chan alone.

3.5/5

Magic in the Moonlight

UK Release Date: 19th September 2014

A romantic comedy about an Englishman brought in to help unmask a possible swindle. Personal and professional complications ensue (www.imdb.com).

Director: Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris, To Rome with Love, Blue Jasmine) 

Starring: Colin Firth, Emma Stone, Marcia Gay Harden

Woody Allen needs to up his game if he's to get out of the rut he's in. It only takes a few moments to realise you're watching one of his pretentious, over-hyped films. Magic in the Moon Light starts with his usual opening credits, and then we're straight into 90 minutes of full-on chit-chat. Allen relies heavily on dialogue. It's Shakespeare without the Shakespeare. It makes narrow-minded magician Stanley (Firth) and apparent psychic Sophie's (Stone) relationship incredulous and unrealistic. Both actors create a bond that's playful and calmly ignores their age difference. They make what they can of it as the film focuses more on their affairs than Sophie being a fraud. The twist can be seen from a mile off, and gets little recognition when it comes.

2/5

John Wick

UK Release Date: 10th April 2015

An ex-hitman comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him (www.imdb.com).

Director: Chad Staheski, David Leitch

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Willem Defoe, Adrianne Palicki

Keanu Reeves is back with a vengeance. A real vengeance. John Wick is easy to follow; Wick (Reeves), having lost his wife and attended her funeral, is taking the time to mourn the one he loved. An unexpected delivery in the form of a new pet jolts him out of misery, that is until a mob of Russians break into his house, kill his dog and steal his car. They have unleashed the monster in him; he tears through New York city leaving a rather large body count in his wake. First time directors Staheski and Leitch makes John Wick an incredibly powerful film. They're known in the industry for their stunt coordination skills, so it's only right that they're at the helm. Keanu Reeves' martial arts is replaced with raw grappling and gritty kills. The action is smooth, energetic and dynamic. Reeves is ideal as the wounded hitman, saying little and expressing emotion through his brawling. The Russian gangsters and their boss play a familiar tune. Viggo (Nyqvist) knows his son's pissed off the wrong person. Humour accompanies his importance as a leader, adding value to the film's atmosphere. Topping that is the film's rich, dark blue hues in every shot, giving us a tease of NY City's underground scene. I mean, who wouldn't want to check in to a hotel where all the other hitmen stay? John Wick is stylish, sophisticated and compact. A sequel is already in the works.

4.5/5

Date Night

UK Release Date: 21st April 2010

In New York City, a case of mistaken identity turns a bored married couple's attempt at a glamorous and romantic evening into something more thrilling and dangerous (www.imdb.com).

Director: Shawn Levy (Cheaper by the Dozen, Night at the Museum)

Starring: Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Mark Wahlberg, William Fichtner, Ray Liotta

Try as he might, Shawn Levy can only take improvisation so far. In some films it's comedy gold, in others it blows over like a soft breeze. Date Night is saved a huge embarrassment thanks to Steve Carell and Tina Fey. They make us easily believe that their marriage is in a rut. A night out in the city centre goes awry when they decide to nick a couple's dinner reservation, and they're believed to be someone they are not. Their personalities bounce off each other, whether it's them bickering or attempting to get out of a mess, they're a pleasure to watch. Accompanying them is a boring, washed out story with a bunch of actors who're unaware of starring in a comedy. Date Night is rife with cameos. Some shine brighter than others, the most notable is Mark Wahlberg's Holbrooke, whose pecks garner more laughs than Fichtner and Liotta put together.

3/5  

The Rover

UK Release Date: 15th August 2014

10 years after a global economic collapse, a hardened loner pursues the men who stole his only possession, his car. Along the way, he captures one of the thieves' brother, and the duo form an uneasy bond during the dangerous journey (www.imdb.com).

Director: David Michod (Animal Kingdom)

Starring: Guy Pearce, Robert Pattinson

It's not quite clear what kind of world The Rover is set in. It opens with the caption '10 years after the collapse'. Civilisation has thinned in the wasteland that is now Australia. Guy Pearce's Eric is a lone wolf. His past is unclear although his silence speaks volumes. The lines on his face coupled with his unkempt look show he's living with burdens. Life as he now knows it doesn't swing his way, especially when three strangers steal his car that he has sentimental attachment to. Eric will stop at nothing to find it. He crosses paths with Rey (Pattinson), a brother of one of the thieves. This southern-American bumpkin has more to him than meets the eye. Pattinson's accent is spot on, bringing out a fleshy character whose twitchyness has been caused by years of childhood troubles. Together they put in some of the best acting seen in recent years. The Rover is simple to follow. Powerful peformances add complexity and depth to a world we know so little about. The ending is mellow, playing down expectations. We expect certain films to go out with a bang, but The Rover's closure fits its bleak, desolate world.

4/5 

The Hundred-Foot Journey

UK Release Date: 5th September 2014

The Kadam family leaves India for France where they open a restaurant directly across the road from Madame Mallory's Michelin-starred eatery (www.imdb.com).

Director: Lasse Hallstrom (Dear John, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, Safe Haven)

Starring: Helen Mirren, Om Puri, Manish Dayal, Charlotte Le Bon

We're safe in the hands of Helen Mirren and co, The Hundred-Foot Journey is a secure, painless ride, neither offensive or apathetic. The Kadam family, led by East is East's Om Puri, after facing turmoil in India, seek refuge in France (after a small spell in England) and set up a restaurant in a small, faraway town. Opposite their new abode, exactly one-hundred feet away, is a Michelin star restaurant owned by the antagonistic Mallory (Mirren). Although she sets out to ruin their appetite, this film is lighthearted and full of atonement. Standing in the middle of it all is Puri's son Hassan (Dayal). He's following his dreams; to become a respected chef. Mirren may not convince us with her accent, but she does in villainous territory. She's neither full-on, and neither too subtle, but this isn't her game, it's Hassan's. His relationship with 'the enemy' Marguerite (Le Bon) is sweet but yields zero flare and his exotic cooking will have you craving for an Indian instantaneously. The Hundred-Foot Journey is causes no harm and fills the heart with compassion.

3/5

Get Hard

UK Release Date: 27th March 2015

When millionaire James King is jailed for fraud and bound for San Quentin, he turns to Darnell Lewis to prep him to go behind bars (www.imdb.com).

Director: Etan Cohen

Starring: Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart, Craig T. Nelson, Alison Brie

Get Hard is ridiculous and absurd in every sense. Cliches and stereotypes consume this comedy, relying on class, light racism and dick jokes just to squander a feeble laugh. Will Ferell's James King, a stock-broker at a finance company is the 'upper-class white man', wrongly accused of fraud. He seeks the help of Darnell (Kevin Hart), the 'lower-class black man' who owns the car washing company at the bottom of the same building. Believing Darnell to have served some jail time in his life, James asks Darnell to teach him how to 'get hard', so he can handle himself in prison. See where this is going already? Their backgrounds open up a film's worth of cannon fodder, purposefully setting us up to pity those who don't deserve to be. Kevin Hart and Will Ferrell's background and class differences aren't taken advantage of. Darnell asks James to start a fight in the park, but when he fails to prove his muscle, he resorts to other, cringe-worthy means. The script doesn't live up to the talents of both actors, they struggle to click unlike Ferrell and Wahlberg in The Other Guys, or Hart and Gad in The Wedding Ringer. The laughs rely heavily on what's said. Ferrell has gotten rusty with his style of humour and Hart puts the performance in but a poor script holds him back.

2/5

The DUFF

UK Release Date: 6th April 2015

A high school senior instigates a social pecking order revolution after finding out that she has been labeled the DUFF - Designated Ugly Fat Friend - by her prettier, more popular counterparts (www.imdb.com).

Director: Ari Sandel

Starring: Mae Whitman, Bella Thorne, Robbie Amell, Bianca A. Santos, Skyler Samuels, Romany Malco, Ken Jeong

For those who have been waiting for a new Clueless or Mean Girls, look no further than The DUFF, the Designated, Ugly, Fat Friend. Every group has one, at least according to Wesley (Amell) and the high school he attends, but this isn't about him, it's about his childhood friend Bianca (Whitman), who he accuses of being a DUFF to her two best friends. Times have changed since the discouragement of Mean Girls. A contemporary take on teenage life at school shows exactly this, and that there are different problems that American youngsters have to deal with. Bullying still exists, except now it is exploited by technology, just as Bianca comes to realise. The DUFF is funny in places, aided by Whitman's black sheep. Apart from its fetching phrase, this teen drama has little originality. The stereotypes are still there, as are the creepy teachers and boring headmaster. Ken Jeong flourishes as one of Biancas's teachers but improv actor Romany Malco is majorly underused. Moving these big names aside and you'll find Whitman a lovable rogue and Amell more than just a jockey.

3/5

This Means War

UK Release Date: 2nd March 2012

Two top CIA operatives wage an epic battle against one another after they discover they are dating the same woman (www.imdb.com).

Director: McG (Terminator Salvation)

Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy, Til Schweiger, Chelsea Handler

Male viewers want to watch the latest action movie. Female audiences would rather see a romantic comedy (as the stereotypes go). How do you keep both genders happily entertained with one film? By mixing the genres together, and with This Means war, it pays off. Reese Witherspoon's Lauren is the centre of attention. She's blissfully unaware that the two men she's dating happen to be best friends. She carefully juggles woman down-on-her-luck with the strong woman to aspire to (for the women, only). Pals and partners FDR (Chris Pine) and Tuck (Tom Hardy) bring the action, but their initial mission takes a back seat as they wage war against each other for her affection. FDR is the confident, often cocky type and Tuck is the silent, kind hearted British type. They eavesdrop on Lauren's conversations to win her over. This opens up an intelligent scene that sees Witherspoon dancing around her apartment making popcorn whilst Pine and Hardy expertly place cameras when she's not looking. As highly entertaining as their squabble is, it's foolish that they're allowed to use the CIA's resources to spy on each other. Blah blah's villain is wasted, Chelsea Handler is hilarious as Witherspoon's mad friend and potential competition between the agents could be used elsewhere, but This Means War is still an entertaining, funny watch thanks to its dogmatic love triangle.

3/5

Love, Rosie

UK Release Date: 22nd October 2014

Rosie and Alex have been best friends since they were 5, so they couldn't possibly be right for one another...or could they? When it comes to love, life and making the right choices, these two are their own worst enemies (www.imdb.com).

Director: Christian Ditter

Starring: Lily Collins, Sam Claflin

Love, Rosie's leads Lily Collins and Sam Claflin add strength to this adaption that struggles to convert its story from paper to screen. They both hide their love for each other instead of biting the bullet and opening up to each other. They spend 12 years in awkward oblivion (apparently it's longer in the novel). They keeps secrets from each other, Alex's being marriage and Rosie's is pregnancy. Amongst the hardships and the inconceivable privacy are two souls who look and feel normal, never sloping into the ludicrous, always down-to-earth. There is chemistry behind the acting. They push their affections to the front, more so than most rom-com partners pull off. The story doesn't stand-out, the performances do. This is a film to fill up those rainy days and delve into a relationship if only you take the leap.

4/5

Horns

UK Release Date: 29th October 2014

In the aftermath of his girlfriend's mysterious death, a young man awakens to find strange horns sprouting from his temples (www.imdb.com).

Director: Alexandre Aja (The Hills Have Eyes, Mirrors, Piranha 3D)

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Juno Temple, Max Minghella, Joe Anderson

The horns on Ig's (Daniel Radcliffe) head appear very quickly, making him out to be guilty of murder before we have a chance to decide for ourselves. He surely wouldn't be spending all his time and effort trying to find his girlfriend's (Juno Temple) killer if he were culpable?  The Potter kid is not here to be second guessed. It's everyone else that's the problem. Anyone Ig comes in contact with confesses their deepest, darkest secrets. Using his horny, new powers, Ig starts to uncover the truth, and other truths besides. The town this is set in looks beautiful, a juxtaposition against our main man's feelings. It feels like Bella and Edward are about to jump out at any second. Horns is unique because the team behind its making have managed to keep the film running smoothly and consistently whilst crossing different genres. It's a weird yet hitherto neat blend of drama, fantasy and dark comedy. Radcliffe takes another giant leap from the HP franchise, proving yet again that he's not just a typecast.

4/5

Cinderella

UK Release Date: 27th March 2015

When her father unexpectedly passes away, young Ella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and her daughters. Never one to give up hope, Ella's fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger (www.imdb.com).

Director: Kenneth Branagh (Thor, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit)

Starring: Lily James, Cate Blanchett, Richard Madden, Helena Bonham Carter, Nonso Anozie, Stellan Skarsgard

Kenneth Branagh's directing career is diverse, stretching far and wide, from action and classical, to fantasy and now the magical. His live action version of Cinderella plays it safe, following the 1950 animated classic to the letter. Cinderella is on the very predictable side, offering nothing new to the story, but it does hone in on areas an animation would have trouble finding. The scenery, characters and clothing are incredibly glamourous and aesthetically pleasing that we find our eyes attempting to drink it all in. Ella (Lily James) is a fine mix of innocence and purpose. Having a pure heart and a soulful nature means we want the best out of her. Her time is spent under the control of her evil Stepmother (Blanchett). Blanchett is brutal to Ella, testing our anger, raising our temperatures to boiling point. We want nothing more than to see sweet justice, even if we already know the outcome. Sparks fly between Ella and Richard Madden's Prince (Game of Thrones' Rob Stark). They make it easy to believe love at first sight. The film starts to bleed magic when Ella meets her Fairy Godmother (Bonham Carter), who turns the impossible into reality. Disney fans will relish in this wonderful remake because it doesn't try to outdo expectations.

4/5

Star Trek: Into Darkness

UK Release Date: 9th May 2013

After the crew of the Enterprise find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one-man weapon of mass destruction (www.imdb.com).

Director: J.J. Abrams (Mission Impossible III, Star Trek)

Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch, Peter Weller, Bruce Greenwood, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, Alice Eve

J.J. Abrams takes this new brand of Star Trek to the next level. It reaches greater heights that XI could not, starting with a hard-edged villain in the shape of Benedict Cumberbatch. He's a largely physical presence, saying little and conveying power through a stare or his baritone voice. He's more than a match for Chris Pine's Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise; after a devastating attack on earth, they spend most of their time one step behind him. The alternate reality/new time-line from the previous film has now branched off like a tributary, opening up possibilities for familiar characters with different stories. Into Darkness, rather than choosing to go further afield, stays close to home, looking no further than the Academy. Cumberbatch's space-terrorist is a member of the organisation, so trust is limited for Kirk and company. Pine, Quinto and the rest are as engaging as ever, but it's Cumberbatch that hogs the spotlight. The story is even more epic than the last, and the ending boldly goes where no man has gone before. This might be a slight exaggeration, but it's a significant improvement on the first (eleventh) film.

4/5

Star Trek (2009)

UK Release Date: 8th May 2009

The brash James T. Kirk tries to live up to his father's legacy with Mr. Spock keeping him in check as a vengeful, time-traveling Romulan creates black holes to destroy the Federation one planet at a time (www.imdb.com).

Director: J.J. Abrams (Mission Impossible III)

Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Eric Bana, Bruce Greenwood, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Anton Yelchin

J.J. Abrams has reinvigorated and revitalised the Star Trek franchise with this witty and convoluted 11th film, breaking the cursed odd film amalgamation. Scriptwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman have worked out a cunning way to keep Trek fresh for audiences old and new. The story is simple yet intricate; an alternate reality and a new timeline of events have been created due to Spock's undoing. Thus brings Chris Pine's James T. Kirk, a brash youngster that's persuaded by Bruce Greenwood's Captain Pike to join the Academy and outdo his Father's heroic actions. Events lead him to the Captain's chair of the Enterprise, where he's in charge of a group with a large personality. Quinto's (younger) Spock and Karl Urban's Bones McCoy are stand outs. Both constantly bereave Kirk for his behaviour. Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin and John Cho bring character traits we've seen before, and manage to add new spice to them as well. Star Trek XI upholds a consistent story, but the ending isn't as grand as it feels like it leads up to. Eric Bana's Romulan captain has limited potential even if his villain is intimidating. Maybe the next outing will see a more engaging brute, but for now, Abrams has hit the spot of our sci-fi needs.

4/5

Metallica Through the Never

UK Release Date: 4th October 2013

Trip, a young roadie for Metallica, is sent on an urgent mission during the band's show. But what seems like a simple assignment turns into a surreal adventure (www.imdb.com).

Director: Nimrod Antal (Vacancy, Predators)

Starring: Dane DeHaan, James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo

Metallica Through the Never gets you up close and personal with the band as they perform their greatest songs. Coffins descend the crowd, gunfire tears up the stage and lights descend on the unaware. Occasionally we follow Dane DeHaan's roadie Trip on a mission full of the weird and the unbelievable. It's a movie within a movie. It's a strange route to take, but it surprisingly fits with Metallica's formidable set. This is truly one for the fans.

4/5

Insurgent

UK Release Date: 19th March 2015

Beatrice Prior must confront her inner demons and continue her fight against a powerful alliance which threatens to tear her society apart with the help from others on her side (www.imdb.com).

Director: Robert Schwentke (Flightplan, RED, R.I.P.D)

Starring: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Kate Winslet, Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Jai Courtney, Zoe Kravitz, Octavia Spencer, Naomi Watts

Insurgent follows where Divergent ended. Divergents Tris (Woodley) and Four (James) are on the run from Jeanine's (Winslet) tyrannical charge in post-apocalyptic Chicago. Taking solitude with the Amity faction, the couple, along with Peter (Teller) and Tris's brother Caleb (Elgort), hide out until the time comes to strike back, and seek vengeance on those who've killed Tris's parents. Nowhere is safe and the five faction's ideologies are torn. Neither are right or wrong, expect for the malicious Jeanine and her intention on using and abusing Divergents. The deeper the story goes, the more implausible it becomes. Why was this society divided in the first place? Why are the Divergent such a threat? Hopefully this questions will be answered. Woodley's tremendous acting distracts us from suspending judgement, struggling with her past decisions. Winslet is satanical yet serene as the villain, Miles Teller has moments of redemption and Theo James is more than eye candy this time round. Everyone else misses their mark, just like every gunshot misses theirs. Insurgent is a 12A film that plays it safe where nobody's in any real danger.

4/5  

Tammy

UK Release Date: 4th July 2014

After losing her job and learning that her husband has been unfaithful, a woman hits the road with her profane, hard-drinking grandmother (www.imdb.com).

Director: Ben Falcone

Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Susan Sarandon, Kathy Bates, Nat Faxon, Toni Collette, Sandra Oh, Dan Aykroyd

Melissa McCarthy gets up to her usual tricks in Tammy. Taking her out of this equation would be an absolute shambles. Dumped by her husband and fired from her job, Tammy (McCarthy) sets out on an adventure to escape the burdens in her life. The only person who has a car is her crazy grandmother Pearl (Sarandon). The two of them never stray too far from home. The laughs are absent and replaced with awkwardness and raised eyebrows. Sarandon looks old enough to be McCarthy's mother, let alone her grandmother. Director and real life husband of McCarthy Ben Falcone relies heavily on McCarthy, and apart from a memorable robbery of a fast-food shop, McCarthy has little room to show off her moves.  

2/5 

The Gunman

UK Release Date: 20th March 2015

A sniper on a mercenary assassination team, kills the minister of mines of the Congo. Terrier's successful kill shot forces him into hiding. Returning to the Congo years later, he becomes the target of a hit squad himself (www.imdb.com).

Director: Pierre Morel (Taken, From Paris with Love)

Starring: Sean Penn, Jasmine Trinca, Javier Bardem, Ray Winstone, Mark Rylance, Idris Elba

Sean Penn spearheads this new action thriller by Taken director Pierre Morel. He's got backbone and spunk. He's a hench force to be reckoned with, and he makes it known by wearing tight clothing or being shirtless. It's a shame then that this heads down a route with no franchise. The story is all over the place, getting lost with each city Terrier (Penn) heads to. For a simple revenge story it's easy to lose track of what's going on. Penn holds the pieces together with love interest Jasmine Trinca, and the action is just as raw and well thought out as Morel's debut, but the star-studded support have little to do other than talk. That said, The Gunman could push Penn's action hero status to new levels.

3/5 

Crazy, Stupid, Love

UK Release Date: 23rd September 2011

A middle-aged husband's life changes dramatically when his wife asks him for a divorce. He seeks to rediscover his manhood with the help of a newfound friend, Jacob, learning to pick up girls at bars (www.imdb.com).

Director: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa (I Love You Phillip Morris)

Starring: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei, Kevin Bacon

A formidable cast have come together and provided us with what can only be described as a man's chick flick. It doesn't follow the formula seen so many times before. The main couple's relationship has already hit its peak. It comes crashing down within seconds when Emily (Moore) says to her husband Cal (Carell) that she's slept with someone else and wants a divorce. This is a punch in the gut for every loving couple out there. Crazy, Stupid, Love follows Cal dealing with what's hit him and the relationships that surround him, including his son's love for his babysitter (he's 13, she's 17) and Ryan Gosling, the womaniser he meets at a bar he drowns his sorrows in. Gosling's steers Cal into the world of the single man. Gosling is at the forefront of every scene he's in, up until the point he falls in love. It's lighthearted and fun up until it ups the severity. Smaller parts from Tomei and Bacon add flare to this heartwarming film. Apart from a little straying off, CSL is strong enough to be the best romantic-comedy out there because of its differences and loving characters.

4/5

Tron: Legacy

UK Release Date: 17th December 2010

The son of a virtual world designer goes looking for his father and ends up inside the digital world that his father designed. He meets his father's corrupted creation and a unique ally who was born inside the digital world (www.imdb.com).

Director: Joseph Kosinski (Oblivion)

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde

With Tron: Legacy looking gorgeous and Daft Punk providing an excellent soundtrack, what more could you ask for? Quite a bit actually. This remake has the guts of a mighty blockbuster, but that's all a facade, as it lacks emotional connection and raw power. Beautiful on the outside and tasteless on the inside. Legacy will appease the fans of the original and gains a few more with its unique look. A completely new story has been created that does little to offend the 1982 version. The story is most interesting and pleasurable when Sam (Hedlund) discovers his father's digital world. Feelings of wonder and excitement gather. The games he's forced in to are energetic and hold no bars. T:L takes a backwards turn when Sam meets Clu (Bridges) and his father (also Bridges). The younger, AI copy of Bridges looks computer generated, but it does match the world they're in. Olivia Wilde's digital-born Quorra brings life to a regimented world. Bridges, on the other hand, struggles to live up to Legacy's looks.

3/5

Pitch Perfect

UK Release Date: 21st December 2012

Beca, a freshman at Barden University, is cajoled into joining The Bellas, her school's all-girls singing group. Injecting some much needed energy into their repertoire, The Bellas take on their male rivals in a campus competition (www.imdb.com).

Director: Jason Moore

Starring: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Skylar Astin, Benjamin Platt, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Elizabeth Banks

Pitch Perfect; think Glee but bigger, stronger and wittier. This dramedy draws in a wider crowd thanks to some tenacious cast. The entertainment, similar to films Step Up and Street Dance, is refreshing, funny, with a tinge of seriousness. It's just the right blend. The singing is a tad cheesy but mostly catchy. Kendrick is sublime as new girl Beca. Rebel Wilson steals the show with her raucous newcomer. 'You call yourself Fat Amy? Yeah, so twig bitches like you don't do it behind my back'. They spice up the The Bellas, which includes different stereotypes that are cliche yet never feel like they are. The events inbetween the songs, duels and music keep things ticking smoothly, with The Bellas struggling to adapt and the Astin/Kendrick wobbly romance adding to PP's light yet serious feel. This film, after all, is for all, not just Glee enthusiasts.

4/5