The Incredible Hulk

UK Release Date: 13th June 2008

Bruce Banner, a scientist on the run from the U.S. Government, must find a cure for the monster he emerges whenever he loses his temper. However, Banner then must fight a soldier whom unleashes himself as a threat stronger than he (www.imdb.com).

Director: Louis Leterrier (The Transporter, Unleashed, Transporter 2)

Starring: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt

It boils down to this: what makes The Incredible Hulk incredible? Is it the newly appointed Edward Norton? Or love-interest Liv Tyler? Actually, it loses out on incredible credibility, as Norton's Bruce Banner chooses to flee rather than fight. He's a passive man on the run from the U.S. Army, looking for a cure. His ability to change in to a raging muscle-man is what they want.

TIH covers the origin story in the opening credits (sensible move, we've seen it before with Ang Lee's The Hulk). Banner's brute only surfaces when the army won't leave him be. Leave him alone they do not, as they crunch the middle act in to overdrive. Super-human military nut-job Tim Roth makes a cool central villain (the showdown is glorious). Tyler trades whimsical damsel for astute catalyst. It's our second helping on the lead-up to an Avengers movie. Leterrier's effort is a noble one, as Marvel know what direction they're heading. And did anyone think that Norton would make a fine Banner? I didn't see that one coming.

3.5/5

Iron Man 2

UK Release Date: 30th April 2010

With the world now aware of his identity as Iron Man, Tony Stark must contend with both his declining health and a vengeful mad man with ties to his father's legacy (www.imdb.com).

Director: Jon Favreau (Elf, Iron Man)

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Scarlet Johansson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Mickey Rourke, Sam Rockwell

If you appreciated Jon Favreau's Iron Man, then you'll love IM2. There's not much new on show, but once had a taste of what Tony Stark has to offer, you'll know what to expect. Although Robert Downey Jr.'s character thrives as a philanthropist and making the world a better place, unrest broods in the background. Two villains occupy Stark's attention. The maniacal Ivan Vanko (Rourke), who disproves Stark's theory that every country in the world is far behind his technology, and Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell), the CEO of a competing weapons/defence manufacturer. The one that sways heads is Scarlet Johansson, the Marvel Universe's much needed heroine (sorry Pepper).

Ultimately IM2 is only as strong as its hero, so pretty damn strong then. Having less superhero smash-ups and more human character development is attractive to comic-book fans and movie lovers.

3.5/5

Iron Man

UK Release Date: 2nd May 2008

After being held captive in an Afghan cave, an engineer creates a unique weaponized suit of armor to fight evil (www.imdb.com).

Director: Jon Favreau

Starring: Robert Downey  Jr., Kevin Bridges, Terence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow

Robert Downey Jr. is more than fitting as the rich, intelligent, swagger-man Tony Stark. Iron Man is just a suit, so Tony is just a person. He's not a superhero, he's a man thriving in decadence, an entrepreneur with personal gain. His business, Stark Industries, manufactures and sells weapons for war. It takes his kidnapping and subsequent three month imprisonment to realise the wrongs in his life. The suits helps him right his wrongs. Obadiah Stane, work partner and friend of Tony's Father, is against Tony's decisions. With his shiny, bald head, Bridges is a brooding, intimidating figure, taking some of that huge burden laid upon Downey to do so well. 

The finest aspect for me (and some may disagree) is director Jon Favreau's spends more time with the man than the suit. It's about the characters, and it pays to see some real heart in a Hollywood blockbuster.

4/5

Gone, Baby, Gone

UK Release Date: 6th June 2008

Two Boston area detectives investigate a little girl's kidnapping, which ultimately turns into a crisis both professionally and personally (ww.imdb.com).

Director: Ben Affleck

Starring: Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris,

The Affleck Brothers have collaborated on a deeply political and morally moving story. Ben directs this morbid feast. Private investigators and romantic-partners Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan are on the look-out for a missing girl in Boston. Not much else is known, keeping us at a frustrating arm's length. Casey is an under-rated actor, juggling toughness with anxiety, the rights with wrongs. Gone, Baby, Gone will have us divided, scrupulously contemplating whether Affleck and Monaghan make the right decisions. Both Affleck's have heads spinning and temples aching. Boston has never looked so bleak and uninviting. Avoid watching if you're planning a trip there.

4/5

Hail, Caesar!

UK Release Date: 4th March 2016

A Hollywood fixer in the 1950s works to keep the studio's stars in line (www.imdb.com).

Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen (No Country for Old Men, True Grit, Inside Llewyn Davis)

Starring: Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Alden Ehrenreich, Raplh Fiennes, Jonah Hill, Scarlet Johansson, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Channing Tatum

The weird and hugely wonderful Coen Brothers strike again with a movie that's as odd as it is dry. The movie focuses around film studio 'fixer' Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin). Any complication the studio has, he will suppress. Many burdens need tackling on this particular day; a star on their latest blockbuster goes, twin reporters working for different papers harass him, an insufferable actor who lacks talent, and an actress lacking romance. Brolin crosses the tees and dots the eyes, linking all the other film's participants into one erratic comedy. The dialogue flourishes, the farce entertains and the production's a blast to the past, with a few hidden easter eggs to boot.

4/5

Green Lantern

UK Release Date: 17th June 2011

Reckless test pilot Hal Jordan is granted an alien ring that bestows him with otherworldly powers that inducts him into an intergalactic police force, the Green Lantern Corps (www.imdb.com).

Director: Martin Campbell (Goldeneye, The Mask of Zorro, Casino Royale)

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, Tim Robbins, Taika Waititi

Green Lantern deserves some credit. It tries, and it tries hard. Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) has his work cut out for him, his Green Lantern's completely outs-muscled by DC favourites Batman and Superman. He's chosen by the universe's greatest to represent Earth, tackling a bulbous headed professor (Peter Sarsgaard), a giant tentacle-looking creature, a romance with fellow pilot Blake Lively and some been-there-done-that daddy issues. This film only dapples in its plot points, but none quite gel. Harder to believe is Hal left on his Lal to save the world. TGL's leader Sinestro (Mark Strong) and his buddies are left out of what could have been an epic showdown. 

Some good scenes are amongst the mundane, and the CGI is terrific. Hal Jordan though, promptly suffers, left without an audience to care for him. The Green Lantern is good, but never coming out its superhero origin, romance, showdown-with-villain formula.

3/5

Dad's Army

UK Release Date: 5th February 2016

The Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard platoon deal with a visiting female journalist and a German spy as World War II draws to its conclusion (www.imdb.com).

Director: Oliver Parker (St. Trinian's, Johnny English Reborn)

Starring: Toby Jones, Bill Nighy, Michael Gambon, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Blake Harrison, Tom Courtenay, Daniel Mays

2016's Dad's Army movie is a big fat homage to the T.V. series, but painstakingly so. Silly, stupid and seriously not funny, Toby Jones' Captain Mainwaring and his team of blithering fools lead the Home Guard, too old or unfit for the front-line. There's a spy in their midst but they'e too loved-up with Catherine Zeta-Jones' provocative journalist to see past their noses, which is infuriating, as it depicts men in a flawed vision. Zeta-Jones looks terrific, Jones, Nighy and Gambon nail their roles but a lack of laughs and a long, drawn-out plot diminishes any interest in the plot. Dad's Army's for the fans, no one else. 

2/5

London Has Fallen

UK Release Date: 3rd March 2016

In London for the Prime Minister's funeral, Mike Banning discovers a plot to assassinate all the attending world leaders (www.imdb.com).

Director: Babak Najafi

Starring: Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Radha Mitchell, Melissa Leo, Colin Salmon

Major cliches and minor patriotism aside, London Has Fallen is a good gig. Agent Mike Banning (Butler) protects President Asher (Eckhart) during a state visit to London. All the world's leaders have come to mourn the loss of the Prime Minister. Little do they know that a plot is ripening to kill them all. Banning (present days answer to John McClane) must single-handedly take out the enemy and recuse the captured President. The British allies are made to look stupid (Arrow's Colin Salmon stares frequently at CCTV screens making horrible decisions) as Gerard waves his metaphorical starred spangled banner. Other participants are demoted to staring, gawping or dying. Butler's a one-man army, surrounded by acute action and dazzling set-pieces. 

Turn off that logic button in your head, LHF could be worse (the action is better, but the script is poorer). 

3/5

The Town

UK Release Date: 24th September 2010

As he plans his next job, a longtime thief tries to balance his feelings for a bank manager connected to one of his earlier heists, as well as the FBI agent looking to bring him and his crew down (www.imdb.com).

Director: Ben Affleck (Gone, Baby, Gone)

Starring: Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively, Pete Postlethwaite, Chris Cooper

Certain aspects of The Town assimilate Michael Mann's Heat, as do most heist epics since its creation. Luckily enough for director/actor Ben Affleck and all on board there's plenty of new ideas that help the film stand on its own two feet. Heist expert Affleck and his crew, which consists, infiltrate a bank, kidnapping a member of staff in the process. Affleck's oddly infatuated with the kidnapped Rebecca Hall, who's unaware of who her kidnappers were. The Town follows his working life and personal life coming together. 

Affleck has scored as both director and actor, creating tension and feud with animosity. Affleck's is humble, the relationship with Hall is cast in romantic misery. Blake Lively's short but bitter cameo as a 'lady of the night', abusing our criminal-come-protagonist, only coming out her shell when FBI agent Jon Hamm muscles in. The person to watch out for is Jeremy Renner as Affleck's harrowing, temperamental partner-in-crime. The scene's he's in are jaw-clenching.

The Town's packs enough heat to keep my interest the whole way through. Well done, Ben Affleck. Gone, Baby, Gone wasn't a fluke.

4/5

Grimsby

UK Release Date: 24th February 2016

A new assignment forces a top spy to team up with his football hooligan brother (www.imdb.com).

Director: Louis Leterrier (The Incredible Hulk, Clash of the Titans, Now You See Me)

Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Strong, Isla Fisher, Penelope Cruz, Rebel Wilson, Ian McShane

Grimsby, for all the cringeworthy-ness in the world, is funny. There's no consistency, some jokes are subtle, others are trivial. Sacha Baron Cohen's work is least of all full of surprises. We know it's going to be crass, misogynistic and outrageous. His latest character Nobby, a hooligan from Grimsby, spends his time in an England football shirt and flip-flops, annoying his straight-laced brother Sebastian (Mark Strong), who counters his stupidity with an uptight seriousness. Sebastian's an Mi5 agent whose latest assignment gets disrupted by Nobby. Grimsby is fun for sure, but tires quickly, the 83 minutes running time feeling longer than it should. 

2.5/5

Secret in Their Eyes

UK Release Date: 26th February 2016

A tight-knit team of rising investigators, along with their supervisor, is suddenly torn apart when they discover that one of their own teenage daughters has been brutally murdered (www.imdb.com).

Director: Billy Ray 

Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nicole Kidman, Julia Robert, Michael Kelly, Dean Norris, Alfred Molina

Secret in Their Eyes is a remake of a well drawn out Argentinian film known as El secreto de sus ojos, so a lack of originality is apparent, but only to those who're aware of it. There's no happy-go-luck tune here; a dark, slow ambiance fits the plot, as ex-FBI agent Ray Kasten (Chiwetel Ejiofor) believes he's found the killer to a close work-friend's daughter. Julia Roberts is sensational as the grieving parent, her expressions more powerful than any dialogue written. SiTE could do with some fining on the editing front, as two timelines (the events after the murder/present day investigation) are a little muddled. As the pieces start to add up (Kidman and Ejiofor's romance however, does not) the endgame is clear but fails to peak when crime/thrillers should. Roberts and Ejiofor unequivocally make SiTE worth watching for their raw performances. 

3/5

Zoolander 2

UK Release Date: 6th Feb 2016

Derek and Hansel are lured into modeling again, in Rome, where they find themselves the target of a sinister conspiracy (www.imdb.com).

Director: Ben Stiller (Zoolander, Tropic Thunder, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty) 

Starring: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Penelope Cruz, Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell

Wow, what happened here? Zoolander was silly, but utterly hilarious. Actor and director Ben Stiller has taken Z2 several steps too far, breaking that suspension of disbelief I like to rant about so much. Hansel and Derek (Wilson and Stiller respectively) are not funny, and it's embarrassing for all when they try. The audience at the Cineworld Crawley screening me and my fiancee attended were just as unimpressed as us, as awkwardness follows
 awkwardness. Zoolander's charity building collapses, killing his wife and injuring Hansel. After many years of living like a hermit, he's on the search for his son, and will hopefully revamp he career at the same time. The plot's all over the place, characters that should be funny (Ferrell and Wiig) are left to wither and die. I found myself playing 'spot the cameo' I laughed hard once in the 102 minutes running time, which isn't near enough for what's deemed a comedy.

2/5

How to Be Single

UK Release Date: 19th February 2016

There's a right way to be single, a wrong way to be single, and then...there's Alice. And Robin. Lucy. Meg. Tom. David. New York City is full of lonely hearts seeking the right match, be it a love connection, a hook-up, or something in the middle (www.imdb.com).

Director: Christian Ditter (Love, Rosie)

Starring: Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, Leslie Mann, Alison Brie, Anders Holm, Damon Wayans Jr.

How to Be Single should be named How Not to Be Single. Not that it's material is bad, because it's very good indeed. However, it may give off the wrong impression to its younger audience. Dakota Johnson makes some very rash decisions, not knowing who she wants to be with, and where she wants to be. Her newest, closest chum Rebel Wilson hits life hard. Her opinion of a good night is ending up in a strangers house, having many sexual encounters and not remembering much of them. Leslie Mann is the older sister to Johnson, an independent woman with a younger love-interest rattling her cage. And then there's the weird Alison Brie, the egotistic Anders Holm, and the family man Marlon Wayans Jr. These are characters picked out fresh from the stereotype's pool. Gags are thrown in, coming mainly from the outrageous Wilson (no surprises there). Apart from its misleading title, manages to make us chuckle, if not smile. Most women (and men) out there will fall for the adorable baby that Mann has to briefly look after in a very early, very memorable scene. It will be hard to contain yourselves.

3/5

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

UK Release Date: 29th April 2009

A look at Wolverine's early life, in particular his time with the government squad Team X and the impact it will have on his later years (www.imdb.com).

Director: Gavin Hood (Tsotsi, Rendition, Ender's Game)

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Kirsch, Will.i.am, Lynn Collins

This origins film in the X-Men universe doesn't stand up well against the others, even compared to The Last Stand, and even with Hugh Jackman kicking ass and looking buff. Wolverine (Jackman) enters an experiment to become even stronger, and defeat his 'sworn brother' Creed (Liev Schreiber), who's on a rampage, killing the mutants that were once close to him. Creed's intentions and motifs aren't plain to see. The mutants that lack blades coming out their knuckles hugely lack character, so comic favourites Gambit (Kirsch) and Deadpool (Reynolds) are ruined. They're pawns to draw us in and take our money. I'd say don't bother with this and go straight to First Class, it's (a lot) better than XMOW by a long shot. And don't get me started on the CGI.

2/5

X-Men: The Last Stand

UK Release Date: 25th May 2006

When a cure is found to treat mutations, lines are drawn amongst the X-Men, led by Professor Charles Xavier, and the Brotherhood, a band of powerful mutants organised under Xavier's former ally, Magneto.

Director: Brett Ratner (Rush Hour, Rush Hour 2, Red Dragon) 

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ben Foster, Anna Paquin, James Marsden, Famke Janssen, Ellen Page, Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Rebecca Romijn, Shawn Ashmore, Vinnie Jones

Bryan Singer should have never declined The Last Stand. The reigns went to Brett Ratner, who's taken us on a severe rollercoaster of emotions. Now having watched this more than once, I can safely say I feel warmer towards it, knowing full well what takes place, and to be honest, it's not all that bad. TLS doesn't stand up to X2, but it has big guts with a battle to end all battles. The government are giving mutants a 'choice', by providing an antidote to cure them of their powers. Whilst some mutants accept this bargain, others refuse and unite against this 'threat'. Stuck in the middle are the X-Men, who have Jean Grey to contend with. Her powers are too strong for her to handle. Her alter-ego Phoenix threatens to destroy everything. The Last Stand is both riveting and insanely annoying, because it dare do what other superhero films (or most of films for that matter) do not. The aggravation comes from certain events being brushed swiftly under the carpet. The end show-down more than makes up for the haphazard middle section, so it does not end on such a sour note. 

3/5

X-Men 2

UK Release Date: 1st May 2003

The X-Men band together to find a mutant assassin who has made an attempt on the President's life, while the Mutant Academy is attacked by military forces (www.imdb.com).

Director: Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects, X-Men)

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, Famke Janssen, Rebecca Romijn, Brian Cox, Alan Cumming, Shawn Ashmore

X-Men 2 surpasses X-Men. And sequels never usually do. Bryan Singer has royally upped his game, with a bigger budget, astonishingly in-depth mutants (old and new) and a story thick with layers. Starting fiercely with a mutant attacking the Whitehouse, X2 focuses on Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and his hazy past with military man William Stryker (Brian Cox), who's now against all mutants after the scare in Washington. The mutant/human divide is constantly marred in various ways. The young Iceman (Shawn Ashmore) struggles to maintain a relationship with the familiar faced Rogue (Anna Paquin). He also has to contend with his family discovering his secret. Mystique (Romijn) breaks out Magneto (McKellen) to form an uneasy alliance with the X-Men, and stand against the opposing government and their new anti-mutant laws. All sub-plots are equally distributed. There's a huge amount to process in 134 minutes, with Singer and writing partners David Hayter and Zak Penn creating a superhero sequel others should inspire to be. Now for the grand finale.  

4/5

X-Men

UK Release Date: 18th August 2000

Two mutants come to a private academy for their kind whose resident superhero team must oppose a terrorist organization with similar powers (www.imdb.com).

Director: Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects, Superman Returns, Jack the Giant Slayer)

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Anna Paquin, Rebecca Romijn

Hugh Jackman makes a good Wolverine. His persona is strong. A hard-nut, the anti-hero, the anarchic mutant. The X-Men, led by Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart), want him to join them. One mutant can shoots lasers from his eyes (Cyclops -James Marsden), another controls the weather (Storm - Halle Berry) and two can read people's thoughts (Jean Grey/Xavier). 'What kind of power would I have?' is what I find myself asking often. Super-strength, psychic powers, the ability to manipulate metal? Any of those will do, because the ones with these powers are equally the most enticing. Xavier's old friend Eric Lensherr (Magneto) wants the new recruits, which includes the oddly powered Rogue (Anna Paquin). Magneto sees Mutants as an advanced race, and pursues a deadly course of action in order to prove their class. Bryan Singer hooks me immediately, providing us with characters that need little back-story, actors who relish in their roles and the cheesy dialogue, and a beginning to a huge franchise that won't slow down any time soon.

3.5/5

The Terminal

UK Release Date: 3rd September 2004

An eastern immigrant finds himself stranded in JFK airport, and must take up temporary residence there (www.imdb.com).

Director: Steven Spielberg (Saving Private Ryan, Minority Report, Catch Me If You Can)

Starring: Tom Hanks, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Stanley Tucci,  Zoe Saldana

Anything Tom Hanks touches, turns to gold. The Terminal is yet another hit in his incredible filmography. Spielberg and Hanks have worked together before (SPR, CMIYC). We're definitely in safe hands. Viktor Navorski (Hanks) is a Russian man stuck in limbo. The terminal at JFK, New York becomes his home for the foreseeable future. He's not allowed to enter the country or go back to Russia, due government collapse. Viktor strives off the basics; collecting trolleys for quarters, gathering intel for a man in love and having to deal with the jealous manager Frank (Stanley Tucci). Viktor and Catherine Zeta-Jones's constant traveller fail to spark any believable affection, as time is cut short between them, and their opposites barely attract. Hanks is a class beyond reach, but a harmless story doesn't grant him space to bloom.

3.5/5

Deadpool

UK Release Date:10th February 2016

A former Special Forces operative turned mercenary is subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopting the alter ego Deadpool (www.imdb.com).

Director: Tim Miller  

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Ed Skrein, T.J. Miller, Morena Baccarin, Gina Carano

I bet 20th Century Fox are kicking themselves that they didn't take Deadpool off the shelf sooner. Big thanks should go to Ryan Reynolds for sticking with it since X-Men Origins: Wolverine. He reprises the role as Wade Wilson (which was considerably underused in Origins) running free in the new Marvel expedition. Profanity follows even cruder profanity, as Wade, or Deadpool, pulls us into a kamikaze of nonchalance and amusement. Rather than follow the same formula as other Marvels, Deadpool starts near the end, backtracking to parts of Wade's life that eventually brings us up to speed. Without the humour, Deadpool would lightly suffer, and blend in with other superhero movies (origin, save the girl, final showdown). Its comedy outweighs its action, but when the action comes round, it flourishes. Deadpool is at its most beautiful and crass when Wade 'breaks the fourth wall', mocking everything these types of films set out to be. The title credits alone let you know what you're in for. And don't forget that end credit scene!

4/5

Zoolander

Uk Release Date: 30th November 2001

At the end of his career, a clueless fashion model is brainwashed to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia (www.imdb.com).

Director: Ben Stiller (The Cable Guy, Tropic Thunder, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty)

Starring: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, Christine Taylor, Milla Jovovich

Zoolander is as silly as it is funny. Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) is a fashion icon who's stupidity matches his Blue Steel looks. His competition, Hansel (Owen Wilson) ends up winning VH1's model of the year award, beating Derek to a fourth time. A small blip in Derek's career throws him off the rails. It's all hilariously ludicrous, and it (almost) pains me to admit, because this comedy is quite an average film made good by its gags and cameos. Zoolander's brain-washed, by the evil guru Mugatu (Will Ferrell), to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Take it with a pinch of salt, there's much to enjoy if the mind's in the right place, with the fashion face-off between Derek and Hansel, and Derek's accidental award pick-up standing out the most.

3/5

Planet Terror

UK Release Date: 9th November 2007

After an experimental bio-weapon is released, turning thousands into zombie-like creatures, it's up to a rag-tag group of survivors to stop the infected and those behind its release (www.imdb.com).

Director: Robert Rodriguez (Desperado, From Dusk Till Dawn, Sin City)

Starring: Rose McGowan, Freddy Rodriguez, Josh Brolin, Marley Shelton, Bruce Willis, Fergie, Quentin Tarantino

Planet Terror is director Robert Rodriguez's film that's half of a double-film set that pays homage to Grindhouse Cinema. Tarantino's Death Proof is the believable spoof, with nutty people, intense action in and around sexy cars, and an ability to be unpredictable. PT swerves into the zombie apocalypse and survival counters, with over-the-top clichéd characters, and a lead lady with machine gun for a leg. Crazy doesn't cover it, as a band of roughy-toughies fight off hordes of the living dead. What makes Planet Terror extra special is it's weird characters, play on cheap production, gimmicks and general hilarity.

3/5

Death Proof

UK Release Date: 21st September 2007

Two separate sets of voluptuous women are stalked at different times by a scarred stuntman who uses his "death proof" cars to execute his murderous plans (www.imdb.com).

Director: Quentin Tarantino (Jackie Brown, Kill Bill: Vol, 1, Kill Bill: Vol. 2)

Starring: Kurt Russell, Zoe Bell, Rosario Dawson, Vanessa Ferlito, Rose McGowan, Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Now Death Proof is technically Tarantino's 6th feature length, though it's labelled his fifth due to Kill Bill being originally made as one unit. His 2007 excursion is one of two parts also. This time it pays tribute to Grindhouse Cinema (exploitation films), alongside Robert Rodriguez's Planet Terror. They overlap in the smallest of ways, and hold many easter eggs to films in their catalogues, the most obvious being Kill Bill. Death Proof follows two sets of girls who're shadowed by a grizzly, despicable stuntman that drives a 1970 Chevy Nova (for the first half of the movie) and a 1969 Dodge Charger (the second half of the movie). One set of girls fair better than the other, trading a conventional lacklustre damsel act for femme fatale's, or what I like to call 'male butt-kicking heroes'. The women are the focal point, with their lively personalities and feisty temperaments, leaving room for the one man. Tarantino supplies the gaff only he can do so well. The final act of each tale without a doubt syphons Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill. Death Proof is for the anarchistic, and say no to the traditional ways of cinema going.

3.5/5

Cast Away

UK Release Date: 12th January 2001

A FedEx executive must transform himself physically and emotionally to survive a crash landing on a deserted island (www.imdb.com).

Director: Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, Contact)

Starring: Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, Wilson

Tom Hanks is an incredible actor. He never ceases to amaze his audience. He's truly alone in over two-thirds of Cast Away. Chuck (Hanks) is a Fed-Ex manager who ends up stranded on a small island after the plane crashes that he's aboard. Much hardship and toil follow, as Chuck tackles with the forces of nature. There are no stand-out scenes, no music, no non-diagetic sounds, only Hanks and the materials he can use around him. It's a absolutely phenomenal performance, sorrowful and weirdly joyful, with Hanks at his best when he's alone. His single friend, Wilson (a football), almost resonates human emotion through Hanks' communication with him. Robert Zemeckis has done well with relying on their solitary performer.

4/5

Forrest Gump

UK Release Date: 7th October 1994

Forrest Gump, while not intelligent, has accidentally been present at many historic moments, but his true love, Jenny Curran, eludes him (www.imdb.com).

Director: Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Contact, What Lies Beneath)

Starring: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Sally Field, Mykelti Williamson

Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) is sat on a bench waiting for a bus. He's hardly the most intelligent person in the world, but he's definitely the most caring, heart-warming and relatable character to ever appear in film. Gump tells his story to other bus-waiters who come and go and only hear snippets of the whole tale. The path towards present day is packed full of events and achievements, some of which include the Vietnam war, meeting the President (twice), unveiling the Watergate Scandal and running non-stop for over four years. Sounds ludicrous. Above all else Gump has accomplished feats that would occur over many lifetimes. Tom Hanks though, fills Gump's story with tenacity. He has an eventful life, one full of ups and downs. Very sad, but very humorous. A great film controlled by its lead man.

4.5/5

Triple 9

UK Release Date: 19th February 2016

A gang of criminals and corrupt cops plan the murder of a police officer in order to pull off their biggest heist yet across town (www.imdb.com).

Director: John Hillcoat (The Proposition, The Road, Lawless)

Starring: Teresa Palmer, Kate Winslet, Gal Gadot, Norman Reedus, Aaron Paul, Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anthony Mackie, Clifton Collins Jr. 

Triple 9 is one slick, cool film, and quite frankly a surprise to watch. Five guys: two crooked cops (Anthony Mackie, Clifton Collins Jr.) and three crooks (Norman Reedus, Aaron Paul, Chiwetel Ejiofor) complete a audacious heist, obtaining valuables for a Russian mobster (Winslet). This mobster kills one of them and leaves the others sweating. She's not done with them. One more heist and she may let them off her leash. The only way the remaining law breakers can achieve this heist is by killing a cop; calling a Triple 9 ('officer down') so every cop in one jurisdiction heads to a single destination, and give them plenty of time to finish their business. 

Now it's neither immediate or ambiguous how this movie plays out. The A-List cast and their parallel storylines intertwine to make one hugely complex (but compelling) story. Woody Harrelson is the lead investigator. His son, Casey Affleck, is at the centre of it all. He's not liked much by his peers, ruffling feathers by sticking entirely by the book. Heading up the criminal activities is Chiwetel Ejiofor. Personal issues with the mob boss lands his fellow compatriots in trouble, which includes an unstable Aaron Paul. 

The acting cannot be faulted. We're given no time for breathers as powerful scene follows even more powerful scene. Winslet's accent is a tad ropey, but it's very prestigious seeing a female character pull all the strings. Triple 9 had me fully gripped from its opening heist. 

4.5/5

Kill Bill: Vol. 2

UK Release Date: 23rd April 2004 

The Bride continues her quest of vengeance against her former boss and lover Bill, the reclusive bouncer Budd and the treacherous, one-eyed Elle (www.imdb.com).

Director: Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill: Vol. 1)

Starring: Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Michael Madsen, Daryl Hannah

Vol. 2, Tarantino's fifth film, follows Uma Thurman's ass-kicking Bride on her revenge mission. Two members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad are down, two (and Bill) to go. Where Vol. 1 was a homage to Asian cinema, Vol. 2 is one to western films of old. Character story is chosen above the action this time, as 'The Bride', gets closer to who main target. Uma Thurman is outstanding. Routing for her until the very end is no issue, no matter the cost or the conclusion. Vol. 2 wraps up this very thick plot ('and so the plot thickens', says Bill) beautifully. It's not easy for The Bride. The harder it is for, the better it is for our viewing pleasure. Tarantino is hit his peak, slapping us in the face with slick music, quick edits and less dialogue than what we're use to.  

4/5

Kill Bill: Vol. 1

UK Release Date: 17th October 2003

The Bride wakens from a four-year coma. The child she carried in her womb is gone. Now she must wreak vengeance on the team of assassins who betrayed her - a team she was once part of (www.imdb.com).
Director: Quentin Tarantino (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown)

Starring: Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, Daryl Hannah, David Carradine, Julie Dreyfus, Michael Madsen

Films number four and five of Quentin Tarantino's, Kill Bill: Vol. 1 and Kill Bill: Vol. 2 are his most racy and daring, and easily my favourites. It's a revenge story at its greatest; Uma Thurman's The Bride (her real name's undisclosed for reasons unexplained) has a list, to kill those who've done her severe harm, starting with the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad (who she was a part of), and finishing with their leader, Bill. Nothing will stand in The Bride's way, not even a mother's love for her daughter or hordes of the Yakuza. Blood is shed (lots of it), many lives are lost, all for our entertainment. The story is delivered with panache. Every character is phenomenal, Thurman's being the only we can (and want) to relate to. Vol. 1 is also a homage to Asian martial arts films. It's dark humour and outrageous gore takes the edge off what could be a serious film. Vol. 2, on the other hand, takes a different turn. 

4.5/5

Stand by Me

UK Release Date: 13th March 1987

After the death of a friend, a writer recounts a boyhood journey to find the body of a missing boy (www.imdb.com).

Director: Rob Reiner (This Is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally..., A Few Good Men)

Starring: Will Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, Kiefer Sutherland, Richard Dreyfuss, John Cusack

A timeless classic. An uplifting adventure for four young lads, with many obstacles in their path. Their mission is to find a dead body somewhere in the wilderness before anyone else does. It'll be their discovery, their stamp on history. It's a film for the masses, focusing on an age where childhood merges into adulthood. Will Wheaton's older self narrates (played by Richard Dreyfuss), explaining his relationships with his nearest and dearest. Stand By Me's continual themes of friendship, and dealing with problems way beyond your time are things we can all relate to. The four boys, Will Wheaton, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell and River Phoenix have no trouble making Stephen King's novella a reality.

4.5/5

Bad Bromance (The D Train)

UK Release Date: 

The head of a high school reunion committee travels to Los Angeles to track down the most popular guy from his graduating class and convince him to go to the reunion (www.imdb.com).

Director: Andrew Mogel, Jarrad Paul (

Starring: Jack Black, James Marsden, Kathryn Hahn, Jeffrey Tambor

I'm not sure what to make of The D Train. It's disjointed, senseless and convoluted, but underneath the surface is drama with realistic characters making foolish decisions. Dan (Black) wants to be popular among his alumni peers. His idea of hiring hot shot Oliver Lawless (Marsden) will improve the 'class of 94's' reunion headcount. How he does it though, is both intriguing and bewildering. Dan lies his way through the film. The deeper he goes with his dishonesty, the harder The D Train is to watch. What starts as a man on an immoral mission, ends as a complete infatuation with one person's attention and approval. It's an awkward watch. I never felt truly settled knowing Jack Black's character had to come clean sooner or later.

2/5

The Finest Hours

UK Release Date: 19th February 2016

The Coast Guard makes a daring rescue attempt off the coast of Cape Cod after a pair of oil tankers are destroyed during a blizzard in 1952 (www.imdb.com).

Director: Craig Gillespie (Lars and the Real Girl, Fright Night, Million Dollar Arm)

Starring: Chris Pine, CaseyAffleck, Ben Foster, Eric Bana, Holliday Grainger, Graham McTavish

Picture the setup of The Perfect Storm. The Finest Hours is dreadfully similar. A clichéd American civilian becomes a hero by defying the odds (and the sea gods). There's two of them too: the not-so-liked sea-man Casey Affleck who's stranded on a ship in Cape Cod with 31 other men, and awkward coastguard Chris Pine is one of four men braving the terrible storm. The main characters are under-developed, so caring for them is challenging. The high seas are crawl, constantly barraging our saviours with terrible waves. When Pine and his crew (which involves an underused Ben Foster) reach the Chatham bar, the tensity rises and the adrenaline starts pumping. But once it's over, you'll be wishing nature would rise up again, and boost the interest levels once again.

3/5

Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse

UK Release Date: 6th November 2015

Three scouts, on the eve of their last camp-out, discover the true meaning of friendship when they attempt to save their town from a zombie outbreak (www.imdb.com).

Director: Christopher Landon (Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones)

Starring: Tye Sheridan, Logan Miller, Joey Morgan, Sarah Dumont, David Koechner, Halston Sage

In SGttZA's, three teenage scouts find themselves trapped in a town full of flesh eating zombies. Ever since 2010 we've been gifted with young adult films. There's little originality here. Zombies have been on the big screen so often it's often boring. Scouts on the other hand, have not. The three teenagers' (Sheridan, Miller and Morgan) many patches on their Scouts shirts get them out of tricky situations. They receive help from older gal Denise (Dumont) who's street-wise and makes the scouts look like a bunch of sissies. A couple of intelligent set-pieces (one including a trampoline) are great fun, not immediately funny but smart enough to put a smile on my face... and the rest of Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse does exactly that. Tye Sheridan is one to keep an eye on for the future. His acting is humble but strong, reserved yet convincing.    

3.5/5

Ride Along 2

UK Release Date: 22nd January 2016

As his wedding day approaches, Ben heads to Miami with his soon-to-be brother-in-law James to bring down a drug dealer who's supplying the dealers of Atlanta with product (www.imdb.com).

Director: Tim Story (Think Like a Man, Ride Along, Think Like a Man Too)

Starring: Kevin Hart, Ice Cube, Ken Jeong, Olivia Munn

Ice Cube and Kevin Hart lacked chemistry in buddy-cop film Ride Along. Ice Cube's 'take no prisoners' approach to Hart's serious (opposite) one actually pays off this time round. They're huge fun in comparison. Ride Along 2 is a significant step upward, but still doesn't pass what Mark Kermode calls the 'six laugh test. I laughed twice. The same joke gets rinsed and repeated; Ben (Hart) wants James' (Cube) affection and acceptance, whilst James belittles Ben round every corner. It's nearing Ben's wedding day, and the 'brothers-in-law' are off catching drug smugglers in Miami. A dialled-down Ken Jeong and strict cop Olivia Munn save this film from drowning, and give it the boost it very much needed.

3/5

Dirty Grandpa

UK Release Date: 25th January 2016

Right before his wedding, an uptight guy is tricked into driving his grandfather, a perverted former Army Lieutenant-Colonel "Special Forces" to Florida for spring break (www.imdb.com).

Director: Dan Mazer (I Give It a Year)

Starring: Robert De Niro, Zac Efron, Zoey Deutch, Aubrey Plaza, Dermot Mulroney, Julianne Hough

Dirty Grandpa could possibly be the worst film of the year, and even up for worst film ever seen. This is due to several aspects, the biggest of these and hardest to comprehend is Robert De Niro stooping very low into toilet humour. His distinguished career, which includes Raging Bull, The Godfather: Part II and Heat, is tainted by this monstrosity. Dirty Grandpa is full of jokes about farts, sex, drugs and general stupidity. De Niro's unbearably crass and homophobic. He spends all his time jamming his thumb up his grandson's behind and swooning over young tot Aubrey Plaza, and just a day after laying his wife to rest. 

Maybe I'm getting too old for this kind of humour. All I know is Dirty Grandpa is shamefully racist and misogynistic, and probably without knowing. The black people in this movie are either gangster or homosexual. Hugely insulting. What's even weirder was most people were laughing at the screening I went to. It must be me. 

0.5/5 

Goosebumps

UK Release Date: 5th February 2016

A teenager teams up with the daughter of young adult horror author R. L. Stine after the writer's imaginary demons are set free on the town of Madison, Delaware (www.imdb.com).

Director: Rob Letterman (Shark Tale, Monsters vs. Aliens, Gulliver's Travels)

Starring: Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush, Ryan Lee

Whether you owned some of R.L. Stine's Goosebumps books or not (I had over 30), it doesn't really matter, as this early 2016 release (Halloween release in other territories) caters to all. Director Rob Letterman and writers Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski (known for Man on the Moon and Big Eyes) create a story that boasts a bunch of monsters from Stine's well-loved children's horror stories. 

Creepy next door neighbour Stine's (Jack Black) daughter Hannah (Odeya Rush) makes friends with newcomer Zach (Dylan Minnette). Believing her to be hurt, Zach and new friend Champ (Ryan Lee) break into Stine's house. Being as inquisitive as youngsters can be, the boys release demons from the author's books, starting with the infamous Abominable Snowman of Pasadena. 

This isn't just a film for teenagers, there's plenty to for all of us to love, starting with a light yet well crafted script. The young trio, Minnette, Rush and Lee are talented stars, the latter wracking up the most laughs for being a giant scaredy-cat. Unlike the 90's T.V. series, Goosebumps is a funny, rollicking adventure, and not scary in the slightest. This is also one of Jack Black's best performances, significantly toned down, and all the better for it. 

Goosebumps has repeat viewing pleasure. Next time I watch it I will pause it on the monsters and see which ones I recognise.

And last but not least, that ferris-wheel scene is breathtaking. 

4/5

Turbo Kid

DVD Release Date: 5th October 2015

In a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a comic book fan dons the persona of his favourite hero to save his enthusiastic friend and fight a tyrannical overlord (www.imdb.com).

Directors: Francois Simard, Anouk Whissell, Yoann-Karl Whissell 

Starring: Munro Chambers, Laurence Leboeuf, Edwin Wright, Aaron Jeffrey, Michael Ironside

Turbo Kid exudes the 80's. The music, the low-budget, the sparing yet untidy use of CGI. And it works. A lonesome kid (Munro Chambers), in post-apocalyptic wasteland, is a fan of Turbo Rider, a comic-book hero who eradicates evil. The Kid's new friend Apple (Laurence Leboeuf), and Kiwi hotshot Frederic (Aaron Jeffrey) take on ruthless ruler Zeus (Ironside), who's taken over the wastelands with a small army with a razor-wielding masked man (Edgar Wright). Sounds mad, and it is. The story's tight, flinging out twists and turns down a topsy-turvy path. Laurence and Chambers are cute, their bond growing stronger over a short period of time. Aaron Jeffrey provides the most laughs in this sci-fi comedy. And the blood. The blood reaches ridiculously high levels of insanity.

Imagine Mad Max, Tron, The Running Man and Braindead mixed together. The outcome would be Turbo Kid. 

4/5

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

UK Release Date: 17th December 2003

Gandalf and Aragorn lead the World of Men against Sauron's army to draw his gaze from Frodo and Sam as they approach Mount Doom with the One Ring (www.imdb.com).

Director: Peter Jackson (The Frighteners, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers)

Starring: Sean Astin, Sean Bean, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd, Bernard Hill, Ian Holm, Ian McKellen, Dominic Monaghan, Viggo Mortensen, John Noble, Miranda Otto, John Rhys-Davies, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, Karl Urban, Hugo Weaving, David Wenham, Elijah Wood

In the epic conclusion of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Return of the King sees Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), well, return as the king. Him and his allies attempt to draw out the orcs that surround Mt. Doom, so Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) can destroy the One Ring. 

The last installment upholds the other film's themes, values and reputations. The battle on Pelennor Fields outdoes Helm's Deep's in scope and scale. The film's tone and feel is darker. Brutal enemies lurk the lands, dark and dank locations drain all hope and fills me with despair. The odds are heavily stacked against the remaining Fellowship. 

Howard Shore's score is just as beautiful and emotional as it's ever been. The Return of the King's art and design is intricate work, with incredibly detailed locations and costumes. J.R.R Tolkien would be proud of the coming to life of his book. Not even the long, drawn-out ending can hurt this flawless, incomparable trilogy.

5/5

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

UK Release Date: 18th December 2002

While Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor with the help of the shifty Gollum, the divided fellowship makes a stand against Sauron's new ally, Saruman, and his hordes of Isengard (www.imdb.com).

Director: Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings, The Frighteners, Heavenly Creatures)

Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd, Bernard Hill, Christopher Lee, Dominic Monaghan, Viggo Mortensen, Miranda Otto, John Rhys-Davies, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, Karl Urban, Hugo Weaving, David Wenham

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers immediately starts where The first film ends. The Fellowship have split, Merry (Monaghan) and Pippin (Boyd) are captured by the enemy, with Aragorn (Mortensen), Legolas (Bloom) and Gimli (Rhys-Davies) in pursuit. Ring-bearer Frodo (Wood) and his trusted companion Sam (Astin) continue their quest to destroy the ring. Although the Fellowship's disbanded, they are united under one cause; to prevent the Dark Lord Sauron from taking over Middle Earth.

New friends, enemies and obstacles are met along the way. Men become the focal point in this one, represented by Rohan and Gondor. Are they strong enough to defeat their common enemy? Will old alliance's with Elves and one another come together when they most need it? New themes accompany the old. The few are against many. Even in impossible circumstances the forces of good will try. The love between Aragorn and elven princess Arwen (Tyler) is threatened by morals and a lady of Rohan.

The Two Towers almost surpasses TFotR in terms of quality and depth. Howard Shore's composition is just as powerful than before, and the effects team up the ante with the biggest, jaw-dropping battle to rival Gladiator's or Saving Private Ryan's. J.R.R. Tolkien's work can do no wrong in the hands of Peter Jackson and his writing crew.

5/5

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

UK Release Date: 19th December 2001

A meek Hobbit and eight companions set out on a journey to destroy the One Ring and the Dark Lord Sauron (www.imdb.com).

Director: Peter Jackson (Bad Taste, Heavenly Creatures, The Frighteners)

Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Sean Bean, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee

Some may think this a biased review, but I grew up reading J.R.R. Tolkien's books and watching The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. I love them. They have everything I could possibly want out of a story. The Fellowship of the Ring encompasses nine companions; an elf, a dwarf, two men, a wizard and four hobbits (or halflings or small-folk). They're on the biggest fantasy-adventure ever to hit a book or screen; destroy a powerful ring so Middle-Earth (the land in which they reside) isn't covered with a 'second' darkness. The only way they can unmake what has been made is by throwing the ring into the fiery depths of Mt. Doom, but it's not an easy journey, as many troubles hit them, with the ring being a huge burden on ring-bearer Frodo (Elijah Wood). 

There's so many underlying themes that LotR has something for everyone; friendship, love, good vs. evil and facing unbelievable odds are just a few of them. What makes The Fellowship of the Ring so special is Peter Jackson's ability to draw us into a rich world that's a complete, visual masterpiece. CGI is used sparingly, the team behind the magic relying on costume, make-up and locations made from scratch. The script manages to push the story forward, yet give us time to know each member of the Fellowship. Howard Shore's score is unblemished, giving me tingles and  poignantly touching in a way most music only tries to be. For a cast so big, you'd think someone would stand out, but not here. Everyone is superb. The Fellowship of the Ring is a perfect block-buster and start to a trilogy that will be very, very hard to beat. 

5/5

The Intern

UK Release Date: 2nd October 2015

70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker has discovered that retirement isn't all it's cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back in the game, he becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by Jules Ostin (www.imdb.com).

Director: Nancy Meyers (Something's Gotta Give, The Holiday, It's Complicated)

Starring: Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, Anders Holm, Adam DeVine

Nancy Meyer's latest film, The Intern, shows the bond between a young successful woman (Hathaway) who owns a online clothing company and a retired man (De Niro) who becomes her intern. It differs from her other movies because love is out of the picture, well with De Niro and Hathaway's characters. A fatherly figure is what Ben is to  (Hathaway), their chemistry honest and pure. The Intern is a sweet film that does no harm, ticks all the right 'enjoyment' boxes, with very few upsets on the way, but nothing that we can't handle. 

3.5/5

Spotlight

UK Release Date: 29th January 2015

The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core (www.imdb.com).

Director: Tom McCarthy (The Visit, Win Win, The Cobbler)

Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci

Spotlight is a journalist-drama that the awards ceremonies will love. The content, acting and unbeatable script merge to make a dreadfully compelling story, one that doesn't scrimp or exaggerate its material to avoid hurting particular factions. Spotlight covers a monumental scandal of recent years: the cover -up of child molestation by the Catholic Church. Led by head journalist Robby (Michael Keaton), the Boston Globe's Spotlight team unravel the truth. The script is perfect, giving us information in spurts rather than spoon feeding it down our gullets. Every shock comes at a reasonable pace, dangling that juicy info I want to know. The four journalists in the Spotlight team put in some fantastic performances, but none so more than Mark Ruffalo, whose passion and assurance shines through. This is one of the most tense films without any action you will ever see. 

4/5

Jackie Brown

UK Release Date: 20th March 1998

A middle-aged woman finds herself in the middle of a huge conflict that will either make her a profit or cost her life (www.imdb.com).

Director: Quentin Tarantino (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill Vol. 1)

Starring: Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster, Bridget Fonda, Michael Keaton, Robert De Niro

Jackie Brown is Quentin Tarantino's third feature length film, and the only one is his roster that's not an original screenplay. And this is why, in my opinion, it's his least-best work. It's still a solid piece of work, but by filming an adaption Tarantino doesn't get the chance to break free like he's done with Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction. JB contains only fleeting moments of absurdity and outrageousness, toned down as if to keep the director in check. Jackie (Pam Grier) an air hostess, is forced to smuggle money from Mexico to L.A by the unconvincing weapons dealer Ordell (Samuel L. Jackson). Betrayal and double crossings ensue. Agent Nicolette (Michael Keaton) is on her case. Others involved include a bail bonds accountant (Robert Forster) and a couple of Ordell's friends (Robert De Niro and Bridget Fonda). A good hour could be cut from the 154 minute running time to make it quick, snappy and enthralling. Instead it drags in the 2nd act, and by that time, I had to pause, and split Jackie Brown in to parts. Of all of Tarantino's films, this is one I won't be rushing back to.

3/5

Macbeth (2015)

UK Release Date: 2nd October 2015

Macbeth, the Thane of Glamis, receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders his king and takes the throne for himself (www.imdb.com).

Director: Justin Kurzel 

Starring: Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Paddy Considine, David Thewlis, Sean Harris

William Shakespeare's style of writing, whether its reading chapters in his books, or listening to dialogue in the umpteenth telling of Macbeth, makes me feel stupid. Thankfully the story of Macbeth has been told plenty enough times to understand what's going on, and everyone in this 2015 telling more than make up for its insolence. The story as a whole is dark, horrifying and wicked. Macbeth, played by the impeccably flawed Fassbender, loses the plot when his wife, the sinister, manipulative Marion Cotillard, pushes him to kill the king of Scotland (David Thewlis). There's one battle Macbeth cannot win, and that's against the demons (or witches, in this case) that continually torment him. There are hints of Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings in there, dappling into the realms of fantasy through the eyes of Macbeth. This is gritty, dark stuff from director Justin Kerzel, a Shakespeare adaption that's not as hard to digest as originally thought.

4/5

Room

UK Release Date: 15th January 2016

After five-year-old Jack and his mother escape from the enclosed surroundings that Jack has known his entire life, the boy makes a thrilling discovery (www.imdb.com).

Director: Lenny Abrahamson (Frank)

Starring: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay

The depth and quality in Room stretches further than most emotional, heartbreaking films. If you're aware of the Fritzl case back in 2008, or any similar besides, there's a fair few hardships to view when watching Lenny Abrahamson's rare gem. Brie Larson, known as Ma, has been trapped in 'room' for several years. Her son Jack (Jacob Tremblay), who's just turned 5, has never been outside. His world is inside the four walls that surround them. This is sweet, sentimental material, but so, so agonising, showing the strengths of a relationship between mother and son, and their ability to overcome the odds. Larson is impeccable, a beautiful performance that'll have you smiling then crying moments later. The young Jacob Tremblay is a sensation, playing a part that would seem impossible for someone to even comprehend at such an age. Room is more than anything a love story, with added thrills and drama. Highly recommended viewing. 

5/5

Pulp Fiction

UK Release Date: 21st October 1994 

The lives of two mob hit men, a boxer, a gangster's wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption (www.imdb.com).

Director: Quentin Tarantino (Reservoir Dogs, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill Vol.1)

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, Tim Roth

Pulp Fiction: Quentin Tarantino's second film. Is it just as rich and mighty as Reservoir Dogs? Yes. This time, a budget and a cast come along for the ride, a ride that's chopped up into four stories circling a handful of people. There's a mob boss, the mob boss's wife, a boxer, a pair of raucous gangsters and a couple who resemble the contemporary Bonnie and Clyde. Now, you need to look at Pulp Fiction as an adaptation of a comic, and less as a linear story. There's no broad plot, only a smattering of small stories linking the oddballs on display. Surprisingly its style works wonders. Its cool, edgy, bombastic and just as outrageous (if not more) as Tarantino's first film, Reservoir Dogs. Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta and Uma Thurman make the biggest impact with personalities hard to beat. The dialogue is heavy, but witty and clever, the soundtrack glorious and the movie is wrought with memorable scenes. Mentionable moments include Thurman and Travolta's dancing, Jackson's reciting of a passage from the bible, and Travolta's accident. Tarantino proves that his first attempt at filmmaking wasn't a lucky one.

4/5