Seven Psychopaths (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1931533/

Martin McDonagh’s long-awaited follow-up to (five-star) In Bruges replicates its predecessor with fantastic acting (what a cast!), a top-notch script and an intriguing plot.  The tale of a stolen shih tzu and an unwritten screenplay is almost too self-referential in parts, but the performances are Oscar-worthy and it’s laugh-out-loud funny.

Five stars

Alex Cross (2012)

http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1712170/

Went to see this by accident, and it certainly lived up to my expectations…  Expectations that it was going to be a cheesy piece of shit.  Jack from Lost massively overplays the “sociopath” baddie whereas everyone else acts like they’re made out of cardboard. Instantly forgettable drivel.

One star

End of Watch (2012)

http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1855199/

If you liked Training Day, you’ll love this.  Outstanding performances from Gyllenhaal and Pena make this feel like an honest portrayal of cop life, even though it almost definitely isn’t.  Bromance abounds, and despite a clumsy finale this really delivers the whole package.

Five stars

Sightseers (2012)

http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt2023690/

Ben Weatley’s follow-up to Kill List is just as dark, and a LOT funnier.  It’s a hugely original and wonderfully British dark comedy, with plenty of Wheatley’s characteristic shocking violence.  However, the protagonists are fairly hard to relate to, and this could leave audiences feeling a bit distanced.

Four stars

Argo (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1024648/

How such a fascinating premise could turn into such an un-fascinating film is beyond me, but this tale of a fake Hollywood movie used by the CIA to extract fugitive diplomats from Iran failed to excite me.  Excellent performances and script, but it’s a little disjointed, and very one-sided.

Three stars

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1045658/

Extremely believable, natural performances from Cooper and Lawrence as two people suffering from loss and mental health issues render the movie stimulating and enjoyable.  However, the pleasure is dampened by some late-on implausible decision making by peripheral characters and the ultimately clichéd feel-good ending.

Four stars

Blood Simple (1984)

http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0086979/

The Coen Brothers’ first film, and they sure started as they meant to go on!  A tight thriller with several twists and a cracking soundtrack, the small cast of this cinematic masterpiece deftly meddle in and around each other’s lives as blood is shed.  This one is a must-see!

Five stars

Kill List (2011)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1788391/

A horror film that spends a long time pretending it might not be a horror film, Kill List comprises ninety minutes of nail-biting tension-mounting interspersed with some unhinged hit-man brutality.  But the unexpected end-piece is the real shocker, and it’s this overly-deliberate and under-explained finale that will leave you reeling.

Four stars

Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2125435/

One of the most astonishingly accomplished child acting performances I’ve ever seen, this heart-wrenching tale of Hushpuppy and her Daddy trying to survive in their flooded community rests entirely on the shoulders of untrained Quvenzhané Wallis.  She is enthralling, and her story is magical and moving. Expect tears!

Four stars

Skyfall (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1074638/

Mendes has treated 007 with such love and respect that the resultant caper is Bond at its purest in decades.  Fights and explosions combine with fantastically British wit to produce a more classic, light-hearted affair than Craig’s other outings.  Skyfall undoubtedly belongs amongst the cream of the Bond-movie crop.

Four stars

Stitches (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2126362/

A killer zombie clown returns to murder the nasty (now teenage) kids that tormented him during life. Genius premise! Some fantastically inventive deaths, tonnes of gore, and some laugh-out-loud moments make it entertaining, but its crappy editing and relatively low budget give it a clunky B-movie feel.

Three stars

Rust and Bone (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2053425/

Beautifully shot and disquietingly atmospheric, this French tale of love, loss, family, and trauma pulsates with honesty and raw emotion.  Cotillard gives a staggering performance (Oscar, anyone?) and Matthias Schoenaerts’ pulls his weight too.  Undeniably moving, but perhaps not as powerful as it could have been. Hugely recommended though.

Four stars

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1659337/

An American coming-of-age drama about a kid struggling to fit in = pretentious nonsense, right?  Not entirely.  Perks opens with some fantastically cringey scenes as our protagonist bumbles his way through his high school beginnings, then takes a turn for the highly pretentious, before stunning with a highly emotive end-piece.

Four stars

Ruby Sparks (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1839492/

For the most part, this quirky romcom trundles along with the requisite mix of laughs and love, warming us both to Paul Dano’s lonely writer and his imaginary-turned-real girlfriend Ruby.  However, it gets worse as the angst levels elevate, and the climax is clumsily jarring.

Three stars

The Tree of Life (2011)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0478304/

Pretentiously abstract to the point that almost nothing happens, whatever Terrence Malick was aiming for with the combo of 1950s family life, reflection on one’s past, and experience of the cosmos, he failed. Unless it was to bore us all to death. In which case, congratulations Mr Malick.

One star

Untouchable (2011)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1675434/

With enthralling performances from the main cast, this French tale of an aristocratic quadriplegic and his unlikely carer is so warm, honest and funny that I would dare anyone not to be uplifted.  Highly recommended feel-good comedy.

Five stars

Palindromes (2011)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362004/

Mostly extremely bleak, with flashes of humour that due to the uncomfortable subject matter (a young teenager puts it about to try and get pregnant) aren’t all that enjoyable.  Interesting use of the cast, and definitely a challenging indie watch, but fairly unpleasant.

Two stars

Killing Them Softly (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1764234/

Pitt is on excellent form; exuding cool whilst surrounded by misguided characters all doomed to fail where he will persistently succeed. Stunningly shot (especially the shots!) with a nicely contained criminal plot and a desolate urban atmosphere, my only complaint is the incessant hammering home of the media-based political economics.

Four stars

Paranorman (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1623288/

The animation in this stop-motion zombie kids film is outstanding, but everything else about it is almost instantly forgettable. Yawn!

Two stars

Looper (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1276104/

Yes, it’s brilliant. No, Joseph Gordon-Levitt does not look anything like Bruce Willis. Maybe, they’ve managed to make a time travel movie that doesn’t blag your head with innumerable impossibilities. A great story, as you’d expect from Johnson (plus violence!), but still ultimately leaves room for too much “yeah, but…”.

Four stars

Hope Springs (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1535438/

Unsurprisingly engaging performances from Streep and Jones render this middle-aged rom-com emotionally stirring and gently amusing. No surprises to the story arc though, and Jones’ ultimate change of heart still feels implausible.

Three stars

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1340800/

This mole hunt mystery is fairly hard work, with many characters, shady dialogue and unclear chronology. But at the same time it’s gripping and superbly acted, and as the climax approaches it’s difficult not to want Gary Oldman’s Smiley to crack the case.  Requires high levels of concentration though.

Three stars

Premium Rush (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1547234/

Spectacularly silly but fantastically fun, this fast-paced cycle-courier thriller has one of the most bat-shit mental baddies I’ve seen in a long time and a hero you can’t help but root for in Joseph Gordon-Levitt.  If you don’t take it too seriously it’s a hugely entertaining chase.

Three stars

Dredd 3D (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1343727/

Fantastically violent and drastically cool, this 18-rated remake is a worthy reinvention of the comic books’ Judge.  It’s short, brutal, low on dialogue, and set almost entirely in a scaled-up 3D version of the block from The Raid.  Silly and straightforward, but so much fun.

Four stars

Lawless (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1212450/

Stunning cinematography, bleak and brutal violence and extremely powerful performances don’t quite combine to produce the heroic classic that this could have been.  Undoubtedly accomplished, but lacking that special something that draws you mind, body and soul into a movie. Lawless but not flawless!

Four stars

The Brothers Bloom (2008)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0844286/

Another quirky, funny and heartfelt indie masterpiece from Rian Johnson.  The bizarre tale of conmen brothers follows a lovely trajectory from their first con to their last.  Johnson has created a fantastic set of characters that are handled perfectly by a solid cast (particularly Brody and Weisz are magical).

Five stars

The Watch (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1298649/

Mediocre comedy from four comedians that should have combined to give us much more than that. There are a few funny jokes but several of the plot turns are misguided and Ayoade is underplayed. Worth a watch for the laugh-out-loud moments but it’s not going to be a memorable one.

Two stars

The Imposter (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1966604/

This intriguing and unsettling documentary leaves you feeling suspicious of everyone involved. Although the balance of viewpoints doesn’t feel quite fair, the mystery is presented from enough angles to keep you guessing. It’s cinematographically accomplished too, with skilled combination of interviews, real footage and re-enactment.

Four stars

Brave (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1217209/

Pixar absolutely nail the animation (in particular an arrow-flight slow-mo impressed) and enough writing talent was employed to create another winning Disney collaboration.  The resultant Highland romp is a funny and touching fairytale.

Three stars

Total Recall (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1386703/

If you hadn’t seen the original AND you hadn’t seen the trailer AND you didn’t have a broad experience of sci-fi action films then you’d probably love this. The cast does a pretty decent job and it’s surprisingly violent for a 12A. Hopelessly unsubtle and unfalteringly straightforward though.

Three stars

The Bourne Legacy (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1194173/

Thrilling and action-packed, this delivers on its promise of keeping the franchise alive and kicking.  An overly long setup and some incredulous aspects to the chase (which makes up the majority of the second half) keep this from true excellence, but Renner and Weisz are both cracking Bourne replacements.

Four stars

Ted (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1637725/

This could have been so funny, but toilet humour needs to be humorous, and sadly this mostly wasn’t. A few good gags and brilliant bear animation but the essentially rom-com plot was more thumb-twiddling than side-splitting. Such a shame.

Two stars

Magic Mike (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1915581/

Strippers! And a story! Channing Tatum is so natural it’s not surprising to find out that Magic Mike is in part autobiographical.  The whole film oozes easy, believable banter which makes it hard not to like most of the characters.  Plus, most of them also strip. Bonus.

Four stars

Let The Bullets Fly (2010)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1533117/


This frankly farcical attempt at a Chinese Western was for the most part incoherent.  The comedy was mostly out of balance, leaving me confused rather than amused, and the ratio of gun-fight to fist-fight was all wrong. A cool hero, but difficult to follow his quest.


Two stars

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1345836/

This had to meet gargantuan expectations using essentially the same premise as its prequels: Batman KICKS SOME ASS and SAVES GOTHAM. A difficult task. The scope of the action is astounding, but the expanded scale left Bane underdeveloped (not scary!), the passage of time poorly represented, and the emotional focus missing.

Four stars

The Dark Knight (2008)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468569/

Topping its predecessor, this is comic book perfection. The Joker is terrifying, and Nolan successfully builds a sense of inevitable dread that really, the good guys cannot win.  But then, of course, Batman KICKS SOME ASS and SAVES GOTHAM. A darker movie all round, and all the better for it.

Five stars

Batman Begins (2005)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0372784/

A successful and emotional charting of Bruce Wayne’s growth from traumatised child to masked vigilante.  The ninja training, bemused entry into playboy life, and adaptation of Fox’s ‘toys’ all impress. And then, transformation complete, Batman KICKS SOME ASS and SAVES GOTHAM amidst cracking SFX and a sterling supporting cast. Awesome.

Five stars

Killer Joe (2011)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1726669/

Pretty messed up, but not in the ways I was expecting. Obviously based on a play, with its small cast and set, the characters’ interactions are integral. As a trailer-trash family fall apart in their dealings with (Matthew McConaughey’s) Joe, the brutal violence is used to an effective minimum.

Four stars

Jeff, Who Lives At Home (2011)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1588334/

Funny, sad, happy, and thought-provoking, this well-cast and well-written story of a stoner searching for his destiny was hugely enjoyable.   All the characters are well-developed and you’d be cold-hearted not to want it to work out well for everyone.  A bit too fantastical later on, but highly recommended.

Four stars

The Amazing Spiderman (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0948470/

Geeky, funny, and gorgeous, Andrew Garfield excels as Peter Parker – bringing warmth and believability to the role.  This is a more grounded and emotional telling of Spidey’s origin story and therefore still feels original.  The suit is great, the baddy mean (and green!), and the action looks stunning.  Delightful!


Five stars

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1611224/

A great fantasy-action piece with plenty of satisfying axe-wielding vamp-bashing. Benjamin Walker (as Benedict Cumberbatch) is convincing as the troubled youngster leading a double life, but why on earth the writer chose to use Abraham Lincoln is beyond me  – completely unnecessary and lets down the second half of the plot.

Three stars

Men In Black 3 (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1409024/

Josh Brolin looks exactly like a young Tommy-Lee Jones, Will Smith acts exactly like in MIB 1 and 2, and Emma Thompson is exactly where she does not belong.  A great alien baddy but overall this really lacked the excitement and laughs of the original.  Worth a watch though.

Three stars

Prometheus (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1446714/


Despite plot holes galore and some hammy acting, this delivered what it promised: epic sci-fi with a human touch.  The quest is questionable and some characters’ decision making unfathomable but there are some seriously gruesome elements and the whole movie is appropriately permeated with a creepy air of alien weirdness.


Four stars

This Means War (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1596350/

On paper this should have been shockingly awful but was actually rollicking good fun.  Some great action and dry humour throughout make for an easily accessible and mostly rewarding rom-com-action.  The chemistry between the male leads is great and Witherspoon is right at home in her role. Cheesy ending though.

Three stars

My Week with Marilyn (2011)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1655420/

More like My Week with Michelle Williams.  She does a good job of being angsty but I can’t see the transformation.  Kenneth Brannagh is great as Laurence Olivier but I have to sympathise with him and declare Williams’ Monroe impossible to get along with.  Loads of insipid romantic rubbish to deal with too.

Two stars

Moneyball (2011)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1210166/

Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill work well together in this sports film with no sports. Enjoyable despite my complete lack of baseball knowledge, this is follows a traditional underdog-to-superstar story arc with a nice balance of feel-good and rock-bottom moments.  Entertaining but forgettable.

Three stars

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1735898/

Great locations (Lake District!), great special effects, great fighting, a great baddy, great dwarves, great soundtrack. But overall a pretty average take on a great fairytale.  With so much style but not enough substance, the excellent cast and sophisticated cinematography were let down by the screenwriting.

Three stars

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1748122/

Film-making at its finest here from Wes Anderson. Nothing is superfluous in this exquisitely shot and fantastically acted tale of young love on a small island.  Eccentric characters abound and both they and their stories are so well written it’s impossible not to be sucked in. A real treasure.

Five stars

Dark Shadows (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1077368/

Disappointingly this was a total disaster despite the usually winning combination of Burton, Depp, Bonham-Carter, and some dark fantasy subject matter.  Terrible costumes and make-up lead to a complete lack of immersion, and although there were some laugh-out-loud moments the plot was boring and incoherent. *sigh* what a shame.

Two stars

Men In Black (1997)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119654/

Classic comedy sci-fi with more inventive alien characters than you can shake a stick at.  Expert balancing between Will Smith’s clumsy but innovative rookie and Tommy Lee Jones’ stoic old-timer leads to laughs at every turn, and it has some surprisingly impressive action scenes for 1997. A must-see!
 

Five stars