Mini Reviews
The Lovely Bones (out Dec 26) is chilling in places, soothing in others. Yet I left the cinema feeling hollow and unsatisfied. It's as if every second page from the novel had been torn out. The characters were poorly developed and aside from the opening half-hour, there was no suspense. I wanted to like this movie but sadly, it disappoints. Grade: B-.
Nowhere Boy (out Dec 26) shows us the teen years of John Lennon, before he found fame with The Beatles. He had a rather troubled upbringing - raised by his aunt after his mother gave up on him. I liked the exploration of Lennon's relationship between these two people but the scenes with his developing band were dull. A great performance from Kristin Scott Thomas. Grade: B.
Sherlock Holmes (out Dec 26) sees the famed detective try to uncover the mystery behind a villian who has returned from the dead. Robert Downey Jr is terrific in the lead and Jude Law isn't too bad either. Sadly, there's not enough suspense or humour and I think director Guy Ritchie has taken an approach which is too dark, too serious. Grade: B-.
The French Kissers (out Dec 26) has been aptly described as the French version of American Pie. Hervé is a pimple faced teenager who thinks about nothing but sex yet has no idea when it comes to girls. This was a little edgier than I thought and there are some dark, cringe worthy moments. Nice soundtrack too. Grade: B+.
Did You Hear About The Morgans? (out Dec 26) is a tale not worth hearing about. Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker star as a separated couple who come together after witnessing a murder and entering the witness protection program. Need I say any more? People laughed at the preview. I sat there in shock. Must be something wrong with me. Grade: C.
Away We Go (out now) is director Sam Mendes' first attempt at a comedy (after such great films as American Beauty and Revolutionary Road). It's the story of a unmarried couple who are travelling across America, looking for an ideal place to start a family. There are some nice touches but I was disappointed. Maybe I need to see it again. Grade: B.
Avatar (out Dec 17) isn't perfect but it's not far from it. The bar has been raised. This is the most spectacularly visual film ever seen on a big screen. It made me feel like a kid again. The "critic" side of my brain was switched off - I just sat back and immersed myself in this epic adventure. James Cameron, the wait has been worth it. You know how to make an action film. Grade: A.
Religulous (out now) sees comedian Bill Maher poke holes in the world's major religions. It's fun to watch such a witty guy insult so many people without them realising. He takes sarcasm to a new level. Some may not think it's fair but I side with Maher on his opinions. Grade: A-.
Broken Embraces (out Dec 17) is the latest from Spanish director Pedro Almodovar (All About My Mother, Talk To Her). A blind man must confront his past following the death of an old acquaintance. Everyone has secrets and they're about to come out into the open. I was able to predict a few too many of the plot developments but this is still a well told story. Grade: B+.
Planet 51 (out Dec 10) is a likeable kids film about an astronaut who finds himself as the "alien" after landing on a far-away planet inhabited by another race. Can he find a way home? Plenty of holes in the story but kids won't mind - it's just fun entertainment. Justin Long the pick of the voices. Grade: B.
Zombieland (out now) is a funny zom-com about two girls and two guys who travel across the States trying to outrun and outsmart a hoard of zombies. I loved the opening (especially the credits) but the film starts to lose its way through the middle stages. Thankfully, it's rescued by an awesome Bill Murray cameo and finishes on a high. Grade: B+.
