Tyrannosaur (2011)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1204340/ 

Traumatic, grim, brutal, horrifying, disturbing… none of these quite get at just how harrowing Tyrannosaur is.  Extremely powerful performances from Peter Mullan and Olivia Colman (Peep Show) just work to make this all the more affecting. Excellent, but not recommended unless you are feeling of a particularly strong disposition.

Four stars*

* (I really wasn't sure what to do here - it's so horrible to watch but its power clearly means it's objectively a good movie...)

Attack the Block (2011)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1478964/

Absolutely unmissable! If you can get past the street lingo, Joe Cornish’s directorial debut is a glorious piece of sci-fi action comedy.  An engaging and tidy plot wrapped into a non-stop 88 minutes and fantastic characters in Moses and his gang.  Hilarious, warm and continuously entertaining from start to finish.

Five stars

Chronicle (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1706593/

Exceeded expectations!  The believably awkward protagonist and his buddies get superpowers and the delight they have in their new-found abilities feels genuine.  Funny and touching, despite things getting a little ridiculous with Andrew’s escalating psychosis.  Good use of effective not-too-shaky handycam shooting.

Four stars

Rocket Science (2007)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0477078/

This started so well, with a likeable outcast of a lead character, lightning-quick high school debates and some “laugh-out-loud” comedy moments.  However, the story veers way too far from coming-of-age drama into teen romance.  Less about Hal finding his voice and much more about his hots for Anna Kendrick.

Two stars

Real Steel (2011)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0433035/

Like Cowboys & Aliens the main problem here was always going to be the ridiculous premise (Hugh Jackman training giant boxing robots).  And, like Cowboys & Aliens, Real Steel manages to pull it off.  Complete with cheesy father-son side story, plenty of bot-on-bot action, and standard seen-it-all-before boxing movie plot.

Three stars*

* or two if you're not hungover enough