Thor: The Dark World

****
Release Date: October 30th 2013

Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.

Director: Alan Taylor (Game of Thrones, The Sopranos)

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Christopher Eccleston, Stellan Skarsgard, Jaimie Alexander

Thor: The Dark World is everything and more to expect from a sequel. This is the second singular Marvel adventure since Marvel's Avengers Assemble, the first being Iron Man 3 (who else but Iron Man making an appearance first), so each individual story needs to come off the back of this film to keep the consistency going. This second outing does this incredibly well, coming two years from the first film. 

All is explained in an epic prologue. Many years ago, a race known as the Dark Elves attempt to destroy the nine realms with a weapon called Aether. The Asgards, along with Odin's father, Bor, stop the Dark Elves, but Malekith (Eccelston), the Dark Elves' leader, escapes. Since the Aether cannot be destroyed, Bor decides to hide it.

This brings us up to the present day. It's been two years since Jane (Portman) last saw Thor (Hemsworth). She's on a blind date, with an actor making a delightful cameo as the bloke who doesn't stand a chance in competing with the likes of Thor (also the God of Thunder I might add). Loki (Hiddleston) is sent to the dungeons of Asgard for his crimes committed in Avengers Assemble.

This sequel could have been used to showcase Loki, because let's face it, Hiddleston's character has become incredibly popular over the three appearances, mainly because of his fitting personality as a villian and dry sense of humour. It's a surprise to sat that it's no shame that Loki and Thor don't encounter each other until way past the hour mark. It's definitely worth the wait.

Thor takes a backseat this time round. There is plenty of screen time for all main characters, Hopkins is thunderous as the mighty Odin, Portman's Jane 'coincidentally' encounters Thor again because she accidentally absorbs the Aether (making her character rather loose in the fray) and Stellan Skargard's Erik Selvig is found running around Stonehenge naked because he's mentally unhinged after Loki taking over his body in Avengers Assemble.  

The Dark World keeps up the fun as the last did. There's a great level of action and comedy. Some blinding moments come at the end, making you laugh and enjoy the carnage at the same time. This film is nowhere near perfect though, as it has an opportunity to further itself with a love triangle that includes Thor, Jane and Sif (Alexander). It's lightly touched upon, but goes no further than a couple of jealous stares. There is also a lot of scientific jibberish and for anyone who knows their physics, will know that none of it makes sense.

Overview: Director Alan Taylor has done well to keep up the pace with the other two films. Thor: The Dark World is a sequel to Kenneth Branagh's effort, not AA, with the story centred on Thor and the Asgardians.

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa

***
Release Date: October 25th 2013

86-year-old Irving Zisman takes a trip from Nebraska to North Carolina to take his 8 year-old grandson, Billy, back to his real father.

Director: Jeff Tremaine

Starring: Johnny Knoxville, Jackson Nicoll

I may be awarding this film a high rating in some people's eyes, but that comes with how much the team behind Jackass have improved with Bad Grandpa. Although Jackass 1-3 are a belly ache and a half, it's great to see a storyline added to the fray of silly, undeniably funny, pranks.

There is not that much to expand on when it comes to the story, as Johnny Knoxville's acclaimed old man Irving teams up with youngster Jackson Nicoll. Nicoll is on par with Knoxville's acting and ability at not letting slip. Both have incredible moments that will have you cracking up over it for ages.

Admittedly even though it is a step up from the others, the story is somewhat lacking in luster. Think of it as a road trip. Getting from A to B, with the occasional antics to terrorise the locals between Nebraska and North Carolina. 

Nicoll is definitely one to watch out for. If he keeps up the the standard seen here, then we're in luck because there will be someone to keep the legacy going (or at least we can hope).

There are some stand out comedic moments, like the opening up with Irving getting his genitalia stuck in a vending machine, a strip tease and Jackson's beauty pageant scene, but there are some jokes that fall flat. In these situations that they put themselves in there is never knowing what the outcome is going to be; i.e how the locals react to Irving and and Billy's (Nicoll) shenanigans.

I appreciate that this will not be for everyone. It's derogatory at times and it's toilet humour will make you wonder why they didn't try something else.

Overview: Knoxville has said he wants to work with Nicoll again. Can't wait to see what's in store for us next.

The Big Wedding

*
Release Date: May 29th 2013

A long-divorced couple fakes being married as their family unites for a wedding.

Director: Justin Zackham (The Bucket List, Going Greek - writer)

Starring: Robert De Niro, Katherine Heigl, Diane Keaton, Amanda Seyfried, Topher Grace, Susan Sarandon, Robin Williams, Ben Barnes, Patricia Rae

Have you heard of the saying 'too many cooks spoil the broth'? There should be one for too many actors spoiling the plot. Some example come from the likes of Movie 43, Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve, whilst others work in The Lord of the Rings, Ocean's 11-13 and Love Actually. This will all depend on how the cast is used within the confines of the film.

The Big Wedding recycles and churns out the same old stuff we've seen before. It starts with Robert De Niro's ex wife Diane Keaton walking in on him going down on new lover and her former best friend Susan Sarandon. Not a bad start most would think. It goes down hill from there, as De Niro and Keaton have to pretend to be husband and wife again for adopted son Ben Barnes' wedding, so as not to offend biological mother Patricia Rae.

So ensues an ensemble of terribly cliche stories that The Big Wedding somehow makes them boring. The more serious the problem doesn't necessarily make them the more interesting. Amanda Seyfried goes back to familiar territory and is a bride to be (Mama Mia!) and her fame is wasted by a small part. Katherine Heigl has a bun in the oven and a major problem with her Dad (De Niro) and other half. Topher Grace is a 30-something year old virgin, waiting for the right woman, until Rae's daughter Ana Ayora, who's there to ruin it for him. De Niro is a foul mouthed, careless ex-alcoholic who makes it hard to believe that he's put up with and Robin Williams is a judgmental Priest, making him a waste of a character and screen time.

This isn't as much a comedy but more a rambling of problems and bitter people. Jokes are recycled and seen before. The most notable being Grace getting whacked off underneath the dinner table by Ayora, whilst listening to the ramblings of Seyfried's upper class, racist parents. All stereotypes are here, it's such a shame that none of them were left out.

Overview: Don't bother with this film. Watch an alternative film with one of these actors in, like The Godfather.

Mama

***
Release Date: February 22nd 2013

Annabel and Lucas are faced with the challenge of raising his young nieces that were left alone in the forest for 5 years.... but how alone were they?

Director: Andres Muschietti

Starring: Jessica Chastain, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Megan Charpentier, Isabelle Nelisse

Mama is a far superior improvement on Guillermo del Toro's last presenting effort, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark. Where DBAotD was directed by Troy Nixey, this had a different one director in, Andres Muschietti, who had written a short film, also called Mama, back in 2008. del Toro was interested in the idea and expanded on it with him.

It's starts very morbidly, which sets up the the rest of the film nicely. Jeffrey (Coster-Waldau) escapes with his two daughters, from a crime that he committed due to losing his mind. He takes his daughters Victoria (Charpentier) and Lilly (Nelisse) to an abandoned cabin in the middle of the sticks (no cliches there, but don't worry, it doesn't last for long), and tries the most unthinkable act imaginable by a parent. His attempt is thwarted by an unknown presence.

Jump forward 5 years and Jeffrey's twin brother Lucas (also Coster-Waldau) has been searching for his brother and niece's since they vanished, sending out a small search party with the little savings he has left to try and figure out what happened to them. They, as we all know would happen, are found, but are not alone.

Mama stays consistent until then end, but it lacks jumps and scares. There are a few, creepy, shocking moments, but again, like Dark Skies, once we see the presence of "Mama", it loses its scare value.

Lucas' nieces have the acting that make your eyes glued to the screen. Both girls are naturals at acting already, they mould themselves to the characters and make them their own. The girls move like primates and cats at the same time, bounding and leaping everywhere and moving around on all fours, snarling and grunting at their uncle and his partner.

The acting of the adults is shadowed by the younger duo. Jessica Chastain's Annabel is an annoying, selfish person whose self-indulging (expressed through her grunge music) ways make her a person to ignore; there's no relating to this one. Game of Thrones' Jamie Lannister on the other hand, is off screen more than he should be.

The ending will leave you scratching you head and thinking, 'why like this'? It ends with a mixture of emotions, never quite knowing where to place itself. You may be wishing for an alternative ending on the DVD release. 

Overview: Mama doesn't go out of it's way to scare, but the girls will weird you out a treat. 

Dark Skies

**
Release Date: April 5th 2013

As the Barret family's peaceful suburban life is rocked by an escalating series of disturbing events, they come to learn that a terrifying and deadly force is after them.

Director: Scott Stewart (Priest, Legion)

Starring: Keri Russell, Josh Hamilton, Dakota Goyo, Kadan Rockett, J.K Simmons

Dark Skies goes from the worries and horror of life to the worries and horror of the supernatural. Daniel (Josh Hamilton) and Lacy Barrett (Keri Russell), and their two sons Jesse and Sam look like the normal, suburban living family. This is not the case, as they struggle with their finances; Daniel finding a new job, and Lacy finding it tough to sell a property.

As if that wasn't difficult enough for the family, they start to have paranormal activity in their house. From rearranged kitchen utensils and blackouts to flocks of birds flying at their house and amnesia, it's not looking like its going to get easy quickly.

Dark Skies struggles to break the pack of horror films. It's cliche after cliche, but that's to be expected when watching a certain genre. What it doesn't do is scare in the right places. The one time that it does, however, it's hard to take it seriously. What it does do is take on a different twist, and instead of usually involving ghosts and ghouls, it's an alien invasion (of sorts).

The acting is a little disconcerting when it comes to the parents. This adds to the lighthearted feel to the film especially when the couple seek out Edwin (J.K Simmons). They try too hard.

What I believe makes a great horror film is the evil force that the characters within have to contend with and the fact that it (whatever it is) cannot be seen. What we conjure up in our brain is far scarier than seeing the real thing. The mind plays tricks, sort of similar to a living nightmare. Dark Skies does not follow this path. It's not worth watching a horror if you're on the verge of laughing at it.

Overview: This film displays some similarities with The Shining and Paranormal Activity with its home video usage. Don't expect to be wowed here, but go in with an open mind.

Oblivion

***
Release Date: April 10th 2013

A veteran assigned to extract Earth's remaining resources begins to question what he knows about his mission and himself.

Director: Joseph Kosinski (Tron: Legacy)

Starring: Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Olga Kurylenko, Andrea Riseborough, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

The Sci-Fi genre is gradually increasing in popularity. This year sees an admirable amount; 6 of the top 10 highest grossing films this year are from the science fiction category. Unfortunately, Oblivion falls short, taking an estimated $286m from a $120m budget.

Cruise is Jack Harper, one of the last drone repairmen left on Earth. The planet is ruined by war with an alien race. Jack and his partner Victoria (Riseborough) only have two weeks left before they are free from duty. Jack discovers a crashed spacecraft, and what he finds turns his life upside down, and opens up questions about his existence.

It's great to see a sci-fi film with a completely new idea. Oblivion feels fresh and innovative, with CGI that's beautiful to look upon. Harper and his companion live high above the clouds, in a home that's away from any danger. The only harm that comes upon them is when Harper is out on a mission. Enjoy the landscapes as they come, because the plot takes a while to kick off. It is slow coming off the ground, and only picks up pace when Julia (Kurylenko) enters.

Oblivion is worth the watch if you can make it through to this far. I like many others, feel that Hollywood relies on CGI far too much these days. More human qualities are needed, characters need development. As soon as they start to, it's too late, and the film comes to an end.

This film may be aesthetically pleasing, but other films this year (Elysium, Ender's Game, Thor: Dark World) are likely to prove more popular due to strong story lines.

Little else can be mentioned after Julia's entrance, as it would include spoilers, but the one thing that can be mentioned is the humans that Harper comes across still on Earth. Led by Morgan Freeman, they force new questions and answers about the truth on Harper and rely on him not to rat them out to Mission Control. It's great to see a legend such as Freeman, but he gets very little screen time, and not much chance to find out reasons why, and how they are still on Earth.

Overview: Amazing to look at. Falls short on its story all the way through.