Too much style over substance in a slightly predictable outing from Danny Boyle. James McAvoy remains unconvincing as an action hero – his undoubted talents are better deployed elsewhere. 5/10
Author: Jonathan Turton
Dull dull dull. Nicole Kidman can’t save this dire outing from Park Chan-wook. It’s not scary, it’s not big and it’s definitely not clever. 3/10
Engaging and tense with the right degree of ambiguity. Jessica Chastain is excellent (and does well to avoid comparisons with Claire Danes’ Carrie Matheson). The film also gives some insight into the messiness of ops. Some definitely feel it’s too propagandist, and maybe have a point, but as a piece of film making it’s gripping.… Read More
Spielberg’s Shakesperean drama is wordy and theatrical and has a towering central performance from Daniel Day-Lewis. I loved it, but suspect it’s one for the American history buffs and fans of exposistion. 9/10
This Tarantino outing is more a “southern” than a “western”. It’s overlong (how many endings does one film need?) and Christoph Waltz carries the film while Foxx struggles. Di Caprio’s cameo is the best thing in the film, which is hugely entertaining, occasionally horrendously violent, but ultimately not quite interesting enough. 6/10
Stretched out, but still enjoyable. Lacks menace of the Lord of the Rings flms; but more rambunctious fun. 8/10
We all know the song, but how many of you have seen the film? Unsuprisingly it feels dated, and it lacks the refined charm of some other musicals of the era, but there are some great scenes and you have to just go with it. 7/10
Everyone knows this is the best Bond film. Because it is. After the disastrous Quantum of Solace, Daniel Craig reasserts his claim to be the number one double-o seven in this much more modern (dare one say “realistic” for a Bond film?) take on the genre. No wonder Barbara Broccoli wanted Sam Mendes back for… Read More
An astonishing other-worldly film that’s captivating and sad and uplifting. Tremendous (and much lauded) debut performances from the two principal cast members Quvenzhané Wallis and Dwight Henry. Well worth watching – it’s never quite what you expect. 9/10
Nonsensical enjoyable entertainment, with Bruce Willis owning this weird time travel alternate reality film from the outset. 7/10
Some absolutely brutally violent scenes in this otherwise fairly humdrum gangster flick. 6/10
Broody Bale still the best Batman, but mumbling Bane – oh dear oh dear. Promised much but underdelivers. 7/10
Good coming of age film – surprised it’s not better known. Check out a young Dennis Quaid and Daniel “voice of The Wonder Years” Stern. It’s even better when watched outdoor on a screen powered by cyclists! 7/10
Made before life for Woody got even more uncomfortable – but hardcore fans will enjoy. 8/10
Wes “Whimsy” Anderson keeps the story going strongly here helped by great leads. Tilda Swinton less so. 8/10
One of my all-time favourites. Nicholson is absolutely outstanding – anyone who knows him only from his later films should watch this (or many other films from early in his career) to see why he’s so fêted). It’s such an unlikely plot for a gripping film, which makes it even better. 10/10
How can you not love this film? Great reboot (even under Disney) for our furry friends. Maybe a bit saccharine for some, but even this ol’ cynic enjoyed it greatly. Maybe you have to be an original muppet fan. 8/10
Pleasant, but not worth a cinema ticket. Worth sticking with though. 6/10
Think I enjoyed it at the time, but forgettable some time later. 5/10
Stunning performance from Di Caprio (oddly not even Oscar nominated) in insightful and surprisingly pacy biopic of the former director of the FBI directed by Clint Eastwood. 8/10