Lucy (2014)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2872732/

A bold attempt to address the question of what humans could be if we used 100% of our brains, Luc Besson’s thriller looks cool and packs a serious badass-heroine punch (love Johansson as always). But both the science and the philosophy feel so hollow that it’s hard not to scoff.

Three stars

Charlie Bartlett (2007)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0423977/

Perhaps an attempted homage to Ferris Bueller, this falls short of the mark.  Rich-kid Charlie tries to fit in at “public school” and achieves this through offering psychiatry to his peers.  The downright quirky bits are tremendous (Charlie’s mother!!) and it’s laugh-out-loud in parts but also monstrously cheesy and clichéd.

Three stars

Frozen (2013)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2294629/?ref_=nv_sr_1

With all the winning elements of classic Disney (dead parents, underdogs, hilarious comic relief character, unexpected-but-actually-totally-expected romance, catchy songs), what’s not to love?  Well, it’s missing a really bad baddie and plot-wise it’s no Lion King* but it’s as emotional and fun as you could hope for in the 2010s.

Four stars

* Feel free to replace with your favourite pre-millennium Disney film

Get Low (2009)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1194263/?ref_=nv_sr_1

This quirky tale of an old hermit’s quest for a “funeral party” begins well with a folksy vibe, twangy soundtrack, bright and crisp cinematography and Bill Murray.  But Murray is wasted and the initially funny and mysterious plot later descends into a boring and sappy story of love and guilt.

Three stars