The Godfather: Part II

UK Release Date: 15th May 1975

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

Director: Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather)

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

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

5/5

The Godfather

UK Release Date: 24th August 1972

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

Director: Francis Ford Coppola 

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

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

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

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

5/5

Black Mass

UK Release Date: 25th November 2015

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4/5

Jupiter Ascending

UK Release Date: 6th February 2015

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

Directors: The Wachowskis (The Matrix, Cloud Atlas) 

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

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

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

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

2/5

Super

UK Release Date:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3.5/5

John Carter

UK Release Date: 9th March 2012

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3.5/5