QUICKIES
Couples Retreat - Actors, producers, directors. Someone thought that this cliche ridden anti-comedy was funny, God only knows why. Vince Vaughan has a schtick and it is becoming increasingly tedious. This movie is insultingly unfunny and is a waste of all the talent involved. No, wait, it isn't a waste. The only, very little, highlight in this movie Peter Serafinowicz. Final Rating: 1.5/5
The Iron Lady - There is possibly no more controversial figure in the UK than Margaret Thatcher. Sadly, this film never takes a side, never even leans toward a side, and just looks at the "Iron Lady" with neutrality which causes the film to suffer overall. This film feels like a TV movie that looks at an aging woman as she descendeds into senilty. However, aided by strong performances by Broadbent and Coleman, it is Streep with an utterly superb performance that makes this film watchable. Final Rating: 2/5
50/50 - A wonderful film with a warm and witty script that never shrinks away from its subject matter. Gordon-Levitt turns in another fine performance, ably supported by a fine supporting cast. Final Rating: 3.5/5
The Sitter - Who the Hell thought this nasty movie was funny? A man takes young children with his whilst he picks up drugs? In what universe is that at ally funny? There is nothing redeemable about this truly awful piece of trash. Final Rating: 0/5
Snow White and the Huntsman - A solidly entertaining movie with a fine visual style. Theron turns in a good, if shouty, performance whilst Hemsworth does a decent turn, even with an inexplicable Scottish accent. However, I just do not get the appeal of Stewart. She has one facial expression and is slightly wooden. The true crime of this film is having Ian McShane, Toby Jones, Eddie Marsan, Ray Winstone and Bob Hoskins as the dwarves and then completely wasting them. The dip into Narnia that takes place in the second act is jarring. Snow White and the Huntsman is an interesting retelling of the classic fairy tale. Final Rating: 3/5
Arthur (2011) - First off, it is not as good as the original. That said, this movie is fairly amusing and, whilst no Dudley Moore, allows Brand to have a fine comedy showcase. Whilst there is no real chemistry between Brand and his love interest Gerwig, there is chemistry in abundance between Brand and Mirren, who turns in an exceptional performance. Final Rating: 2.5/5
MIB 3 - It has been 15 years since the first movie and 10 years since the sequel, and whilst the first was enjoyable the sequel was just poor. So was there a need for a threequel? Well, actually, no. But I'm glad one was made. The trailers and TV spots generally showed the funniest bits of the film so the jokes where slightly tired on viewing the movie and the time travel plot was the standard "don't think about it rationally" time travel cliche. What this movie was made to be entertaining and fun and that just seeps out to the audience. Jones and Smith still have that easy on-screen chemistry which makes them fun to watch, even though Jones' screen time is no more than a cameo. Enter Brolin as the young J/Jones. Brolin is the true star of this movie as he turns in an uncanny performance that captures Jones, even down to the voice, whilst never turning into a caricature or losing himself. Final Rating: 3/5
Prometheus - What an utterly disappointing film. Prometheus tries to be prequel to the original Alien and, at the same time, tries to be an original sci-fi horror movie in its own right. What this does to the film is make it very uneven. Plot points come from nowhere and, almost unashamedly, telegraph where the story is going. A fine cast is let down by paper thin characterisation. From a visual and design point of view, mind you, there a very few films that can match or are better. It is nice, also, to have a Fassbender performance where his accent does not descend into his natural Irish lilt. Final Rating: 2.5/5
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