Sunday, 31 January 2016

Spy (2015)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3079380

Melissa McCarthy doesn't get into full swing until about halfway through, but once she does, everything that comes out of her mouth is hilarious.  Miranda Hart and Jason Statham provide excellent support and the tone is an enjoyable balance between ridiculous comedy and cracking spy action.

Four stars

Get Hard (2015)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2561572/

Characteristically stupid slapstick Will Ferrell comedy.  Way too many race jokes for me, but it's laugh-out-loud funny in parts and Ferrell is as excellent as ever (if he's your cup of tea).

Three stars

Thursday, 14 January 2016

The Hateful Eight (2015)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3460252

Not one of Tarantino's finest.  Fairly boring for the first hour, much too long, and almost a parody of his now well-known character style.  That said, the gun-slinging characters are great fun, the acting as high calibre as you could hope for and the direction just as we like it.

Four stars

Wednesday, 13 January 2016

John Dies at the End (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1783732

Entirely surreal and mostly incoherent tale of two young Americans who time travel a bit and fight beings from other dimensions.  Sort of.  I was never quite sure what was going on, which I'm sure was entirely the point.  Gory and darkly funny you'll either love it or hate it.

Four stars

Tuesday, 12 January 2016

It Follows (2014)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3235888

This nail-biting, nerve-shredding horror follows a group of teenagers trying to escape a curse that literally follows them.  The creepy basis of the story, jarring soundtrack, masterful horror direction and authentic script and acting all combine to make It Follows an utterly enjoyable and completely terrifying triumph.  Full marks!

Five stars

Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2488496/

Old resistance helps new resistance against new baddies reminiscent of old baddies.  Droids tag along and hide secret information. Family matters. Whilst this much anticipated episode is in no way original (quite the opposite in fact!) it will definitely satisfy your yearning for adventuretastic swashbuckling Jedi funtimes.

Four stars