2010 - A MIXED BAG (OF POPCORN)

And so 2010 comes to an end, not the best year for movies, and clearly these last few months have not had me champing at the bit to get to a cinema…lets take stock shall we?

Everyone else is doing it…

2010 didn’t have any outright stinkers like last years Where The Wild Things Are (I. HATE. THIS. FILM) or Astroboy (So many childhood dreams shattered), though it did have some disappointments’; Sex & The City 2 and Scott Pilgrim VS The World I’m looking at you…the less said about Clash of the Titans the better…

On the plus side 2010 saw a resurgence of Australian films, or certainly Australian films I would pay money to see in cinemas. From the bright and colourful (and flawed) Bran Nue Dae, Peter Helliar’s uneven attempt at the Rom-Com with I Love You Too, and finally the all ages action adventure of Tomorrow When The War Began. Stay out of the dreary suburbs Aussie film makers and I’ll continue to support you!

There was no big break out comedy hit like last year’s The Hangover, with Date Movie and Hot Tub Time Machine being funny but somewhat lacking. Likewise action films were in short supply, though Salt put up a valiant effort, The A-Team entertained while The Expendables wasted its action movie all star cast.

3D continued its assault on the big screen, even if the 3D only added to the ticket price and not the experience. When you are witness to a piranha fight over a CGI penis (Piranha 3D) you know 3D has reached its limits…

It was a year of farewells as Shrek and Toy Story took their final bows – and Harry Potter began its extended swan song. The super hero movie took a year off, only Iron Man 2 and Kick Ass daring to leap from tall buildings – although 2011 looks set to be the year of the super hero with Thor, Captain America and Green Lantern all fighting for dominance.

Instead the thinking person’s film returned with the mind bending logic, and special effects of Inception, and the talky, but riveting The Social Network putting intelligently written and engrossing scripts back onto the big screen. More please!

But the best film of 2010?

For me it isn’t a tough call at all, while I enjoyed The Social Network and Inception, no film left me completely satisfied like Toy Story 3. As far as I am concerned it’s a masterpiece from beginning to end; it has it all – action, adventure, laughs, and moments that can turn a grown man into a blubbering mess. And when you pay your cash and sit in that big dark room of strangers that’s what you want from a movie?

Isn’t it?

Happy New Year…see you at the movies in 2011!

HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PT 1

For reasons that really amount to laziness, I have not completed a full Harry Potter review...I may post soon...

Needless to say this isn't the best Harry Potter film and it suffers, I think, from being split into 2 parts to satisfy the marketing machine of Warner Bros.

In fact this outing is most like the final book on which it is based, long, meandering and it spends way too much time camping. Honestly, get on with it! That sait the final moments are a thrill, even if they do leave you dissapointed that there will be a 6 month wait for The End.

10 years and 8 films is quite an acheivement, but for this outing I can't give full marks...yet...I'll reasses next year...

3 1/2 Stars

JACKASS 3D

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to a 3D movie after Piranha 3D along comes Jackass 3D; redefining what 3D technology means for filmmaking - namely capturing every body fluid imaginable in the glorious three dimensional slow motion.

Jackass began life as a TV show on MTV; Host Johnny Knoxville got together with fellow maniacs including Bam Magera and Steve-O to perform dangerous, outrageous, and at times offensive, stunts with total disregard for their own safety. Not content with small screen stardom the boys jumped to the big screen in 2002. 8 years later and the usual array of daredevil d***kheads have reunited to once again put their bodies through all manner of pain and indignity – with hilarious results.

The Jackass films are not high art and are not for anyone that is easily offended; but that said f**k they are funny. I would find it odd if you weren’t entertained, at the most base human level, by the assortment of bike stacks, bull rams, head punches and the always popular groin punch. The dwarf bar brawl featuring Wee Man aka Jason Acuna is easily a standout as is the man vs. jet engine sequence.

Jackass 3D does walk a fine line of good taste…sweat cocktail is disgusting and of all the animal stunts (and there are many – with all of the ‘jackasses’ coming off second best) seeing a pig eat an apple out of the behind of a large man is not something anyone should be subjected to; I still laughed though - does that make me a bad person?

I contemplated giving Jackass 3D a 4 star rating; it is what it is, and it does exactly what you would expect it to BUT the concept is feeling a little long in the tooth. Some of the stunts are spectacular – the Poo Cocktail Supreme being the piece de resistance – but others feel very scraped together, as though the guys were desperate for ideas in order to stretch out proceedings. The 3D element adds depth of field, and is at its best in slow motion replays, but isn’t really needed – vomit is still disgusting no matter what the dimension. Jackass 3D is a great way to kill time, and will have you rolling in the aisles in-between bouts of dry retching – what more could you ask for?

3 ½ of 5 Stars

THE SOCIAL NETWORK

The Social Network, adapted from the best selling book ‘The Accidental Billionaires’, charts not only the rise of the Facebook phenomenon but also its founder Mark Zuckerberg. Like all good stories it is a tale or romance, rejection, friendship and betrayal.

Rejected by his girlfriend a drunken Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) creates a website that rates girls from his university, the site proves popular, overwhelming the university server until it is taken down and Mark is disciplined. Soon after Mark is approached by the Winklevoss twins, wanting him to write code for their new website idea, a social network built exclusively for Harvard university students. Mark agrees to help, until he has his own ideas about a similar website, which he begins working on with the help of his best friend and business partner Eduardo Saverin (future Spider-man Andrew Garfield). And thus Facebook is born.

The Social Network centres around the lawsuits brought against Zuckerberg by the Winklevoss’ for allegedly stealing their idea, and by Saverin who Zuckerberg, with the help of Napster founder Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake) is shut out from Facebook just as it becomes a success. Jumping between the parallel lawsuits and the early days of Facebook’s creation The Social Network explores the questions and ethics around who ‘owns’ an idea. Did Zuckerberg steal the idea for Facebook from the brothers Winklewoss? If he creates the code doesn’t that mean he owns it? Does he resent his best friend’s campus popularity? And most importantly, is Zuckerberg this much of a socially inept jerk in real life? Whatever the answer screenwriter Aaron Sorkin has crafted an engrossing story filled populated by fascinating characters whose motivations are never clear cut.

However a great script is nothing without a great cast and thankfully they all bring their A-game. Eisenberg is fascinating as Zuckerberg, a role that calls for him to be repellent and sympathetic while Garfield brings pathos to his performance as Zuckerberg’s former best friend Saverin. Timberlake is in his element as shifty Napster founder Sean Parker and Arnie Hammer does a stellar job as the screwed over (depending on your view) Winklevoss twins– hard to believe he’s not really a twin!

Also of note is the stylish direction by David Fincher (Seven, Zodiac, Panic Room) – the crew sequence is particularly arresting – and Nine Inch Nails front man Trent Reznor’s subtle but intriguing score. Fact or fiction, when all is said and done The Social Network is a sure fire Oscar contender and one of the most engrossing movies of the year. Like!

4 of 5 Stars

EASY A

Easy A is the next in a never ending procession of high school teen comedies; except this one is actually good; and we haven’t had a good one in such a long time!

After lying to a friend about losing her virginity Olive Pendergast (Emma Stone) soon becomes the talk of her school. When gay friend Brandon (Dan Byrd) convinces Olive to pretend to sleep with him, so he can stop being bullied, it only further cements her ‘reputation’. Inspired by ‘The Scarlet Letter’ which she is reading for class Olive starts playing up her provocative image and soon all manner of social rejects are crawling out of the woodwork offering Olive gift certificates in lieu of spending some ‘quality time’ with her.

Enterprising Olive is happy to coast along until the lies start to take a personal toll, the only trouble is, how does she stop the school gossip grapevine? Can she win back her friends, and win over clean cut love interest Woodchuck Todd (Penn Badgley) in the process?

Stone owns Easy A; as a romantic comedy lead she leaves Katherine Heigel in the dust with her engaging screen presence and wonderful comic timing. Thankfully she is also supported by a strong biting script and fantastic array of supporting actors including Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson as her over sharing amorous parents. Easy A skewers the modern day high school experience, mining it for laughs, that just like its lead, aren’t easy.

3 ½ of 5 Stars

THE OTHER GUYS

Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg play miss-matched desk jockey Detectives Allen Gamble and Terry Hoitz, constantly in the shadow of precinct heroes Detective Danson and Highsmith (scene stealing cameos from The Rock and Samuel L Jackson). However when an act of stupidity leads to hilarious tragedy Hoitz sees it as his and Gamble’s chance to shine. Gamble on the other hand prefers his quiet life of paper work however said paperwork uncovers a case that could turn he and Hoitz into New York’s next big hero cop team – if they can survive each other first!

Look, I’ll be honest writing this review 2 months after I saw the movie has proven just how forgettable The Other Guys is, both in plot and performance. The plot which follows some sort of white collar ponzi scheme, run by Steve Coogan, is confusing and boring, and involves an unnecessary Anne Heche cameo – honestly why is she in this film? She contributes nothing…

Ferrell and Wahlberg play well off each other, and Hotiz shock that Danson appears so irresistible to women is one of the movies best running gags. The other highlight is the welcome of Michael Keaton who steals every scene is is in as the police chief who moonlights at a homewares store; and who provides words of advice unintentionally ripped form TLC song lyrics.

The Other Guys boasts an all star cast with an above average script and some over the top action; fun but forgettable.

3 of 5 Stars

I’M BACK!

It’s been a while. My ‘day job’ got hectic which didn’t leave a lot of time for movies. And to be honest there weren’t many that had me chomping at the bit to part with 20 bucks…

But now that we enter the final stretch of 2010 (already?) a slew of new movies are on the horizon including the beginning of the end for Harry Potter!

To catch up I’ll be posting quick reviews of EASY A and THE OTHER GUYS; both long gone from cinemas but still worth talking about. And then my thoughts on the much hyped and talked about The Social Network…

And then I hope to be back each week with a brand new review. So bring on the Christmas movie season – but please, don’t think that means I want ANOTHER Santa Clause…are you listening Tim Allen?

DESPICABLE ME

Gru (Steve Carell) is a super villain whose greatest claim to fame is stealing the Time Square Jumbo-Tron and the statue of Liberty or rather the Vegas replica. However Gru finds himself overshadowed by rival upstart Vector (Jason Segel) who manages to steal not only the great pyramids of Giza but the headlines. And so, desperate to beat Vector, and make his aloof mother proud (an under used Julie Andrews), Gru decides to steal the impossible…The Moon!

Trouble is Gru needs some money to complete his plan, and the Evil Bank (what bank isn’t?) won’t lend it to him until he obtains the shrink ray he needs to make the moon transportable; unfortunately Vector has that too. Enter the impossibly cute Margo, Edith and Agnes (Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier and Elsie Fisher), 3 little girls searching for a family. Gru realises that the girls would be perfect for his plan and adopts them with the intention of ditching them once he has his shrink ray; but that is only if they don’t melt his icy villain heart first.

Despicable Me is bright cartoony fun, nothing more, nothing less. Gru might be a villain but being voiced by nice guy Carell makes us root for him and he is at his most loveable interacting with the young girls as a reluctant parent. Vector is an amusing foil and his rivalry with Gru has a lot in common with classic Looney Tunes Coyote and Roadrunner. Similarly Gru’s army of diminutive yellow minions provide great slapstick fun and laughs; but disappointingly the movie’s biggest laughs are in the trailer. In the ranks of animated films Despicable Me never reaches the height of Pixar, but it does offer an enjoyable time for the whole family.

3 of 5 Stars

STEP UP 3D

Oh My God! Step Up 3D is one of like, seriously, the most deep movies I’ve seen in, like, forever. NOT.

Aspiring film-maker Luke (Rick Malambri) runs a wayward home/dance club for aspiring dancers (‘Born from the boom box’) so that they can live their dreams (without paying rent it seems). However his dancing utopia is under threat of bank foreclosure, or to make matters worse, being bought out by dancing rival dance crew leader Julien (Joe Slaughter). Rick and crew’s only chance is to win dance competition ‘World Jam’. And if that plotline wasn’t exciting enough you can also thrown in Luke’s budding romance with sexy dancer Natalie (Home and Away’s Sharni Vinson) who just might be hiding a secret that could tear Luke’s dance crew apart forever! OMG!

Shallower than an episode of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Step Up 3D is awash with under dog cliques, poorly drawn (and in some cases annoying) characters and trite dialogue.

Tired plot aside Malambri and Vinson do share great onscreen chemistry (both are also very easy on the eye) and do well with the limited material they are given. They are miles ahead of Adam G. Sevani as the irritating Moose who managed to grate on me every time he opened his mouth, or destroyed public property in the name of dance. Seriously, this kid kicks over balloons, steals a guys hate, and throws garbage cans around the street – its meant to be charming but I just wanted to see some bigger badder dancer stomp all over him! I’d also like to single out dancing twins Martin and Facundo Lombard who have 2 of the most grating screen presences in cinema history; stick to dancing boys.

In the end the kinetic dancing sequences are the only reason to see Step Up 3D. I’m no expert in dance, well aside from my A+ mark for my Year 10 School Certificate, but the dance sequences are some of the most impressive I’ve seen; a true visual treat. The 3D effect adds a greater feeling of depth – even if arms popping and locking towards the camera was an overused gimmick. The final dance sequence with its light up uniforms is particularly well choreographed. Fun note: Watch as the villainous Julien’s jacket disappears and reappears at will during the final face-off.

It’s not going to win awards, and I don’t think it wants to, but Step Up 3D does offer an exciting visual treat with attractive stars, dodgy CGI slurpees and some of the best dance sequences to hit the big screen.

3 of 5 Stars

TOMORROW WHEN THE WAR BEGAN

High schooler Ellie Linton (Caitlin Stasey) and her friends escape the small country town of Wirrawee for a much needed break in the bush. However once they return home they find their parents are missing, and their town – and the rest of Australia - has been overrun by a mysterious invading military force. Their backs against the wall the teens resolve to fight back hoping to free their parents and their town.

Based on John Marsden’s beloved series of novels (compulsory reading for many high school students) Tomorrow When the War Began (TWTWB) is director Stuart Beattie’s attempt at an Australian action film that offers Hollywood level spills and thrills. Is he successful? The short answer is yes.

TWTWB offers great action sequences including a car chase involving a garbage truck and a pair gun toting buggies. There are some genuinely suspenseful moments as the teens find themselves stalked by helicopters from above and soldiers on the ground. The film lags when the characters are forced to reflect on their changing circumstances, changes in behaviour while warranted at times ring hollow; but given the compressed nature of a book adaption this is to be expected (I haven’t read any of the books so I am not sure what, if anything, has been lost in translation to the big screen).

Overall the young cast including Rachel Hurd-Wood, Deniz Akdeniz, Pheobe Tonkin, Chris Prang, Ashleigh Cummings and Lincoln Lewis, do their best, making the rag tag group feel like a group of friends; former Neighbours starlet Caitlin Stasey is the definite standout as Ellie the films emotional anchor and narrator. Some of the more emotionally dramatic moments are overwrought so it’s a shame that scene stealer Andrew Ryan’s stoner Chris doesn’t turn up until halfway through as he brings much needed levity to proceedings.

Tomorrow When the War Began is the third Australian film I’ve actually bothered to see at the movies this year; and probably more than I have seen in the last 3 years combined. I applaud Beattie and his crew for making a mainstream film that will appeal to a variety of audiences, and not just those that enjoy small independent films about life in the dreary Australia suburbs! Hopefully box office results are healthy and more films of this ilk can be made – perhaps even Tomorrow’s sequels can find their way to the big screen.

3 ½ of 5 Stars

PIRANHA 3D

Avatar took 3D to a whole new level, transporting us to an exotic foreign planet filled with amazing flora, fauna and cool blue people; but did it have a naked underwater ballet with hot chicks (buxom Kelly Brook and porn star Riley Steele) making out? I didn’t think so…

Spring break finds the usually sleepy Lake Victoria a hot bed of boozed up and horny teenagers, partying it up on the lake free of inhibitions – and modest clothing. Unfortunately a seismic disturbance opens up a cavern between Lake Victoria and previously cut off prehistoric underwater lake; a lake filled with hungry prehistoric piranha all too eager to chow down on partying teenagers. It’s up to a rag tag bunch, including town Sheriff Julie Forrester (Elisabeth Shue) and her son Jake (Steven R. McQueen) to save the day.

But who cares about the plot? Director Alexandre Aja clearly doesn’t, using it only as an excuse to link a series of gruesome deaths and boob shots. Aja is a master of the gruesome death scene, his piece de resistance being the prolonged feeding frenzy that occurs at a wet t-shit competition - the lake soon red with the blood.

I don’t know what Oscar winning Shue was thinking signing up for this but at least she seems to be having fun as the gung ho town sheriff. However it is Jerry O’Connell that has the most fun, hamming it up as Derrick Jones a sleazy pornographer – his comeuppance proves be one of the stupidest, grossest and funniest in the film, and truly shows the majesty of 3D. Jaws fans will get a kick out of Richard Dreyfuss’ cameo.

Piranha 3D won’t win any awards (maybe a Razzie) but it offers a bloodbath of gruesome deaths, a wet t-shirt competition and boobies; lots and lots of 3D boobies. And really, those expecting more should not bother…

3 of 5 Stars – No, really…

SALT

CIA agent Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) finds her world turned upside down when she is accused of being a Russian double agent out to assassinate the Russian President. To make matters worse her husband appears to have been kidnapped – are the two incidences connected? So, with her own country turning against her Evelyn goes on the run to clear her name, save the Russian President and find the man she loves. But despite her protest of innocence can Salt really be trusted?

Director Phillip Noyce has crafted a well paced thriller full of twists and turns, expertly subverting expectations with each new revelation. Tension levels are constantly raised in a series of spectacular action sequences that prove that whoever she is Evelyn Salt is not someone to be messed with; the female Jason Bourne we have been waiting for.

Jolie handles the thrilling action sequences with aplomb while also imbuing Salt with a vulnerability to ensure that whatever her true identity we are firmly in her corner. She is supported by the talented Liev Schreiber as her CIA boss and Chiwetel Ejiofor as the man tasked with bringing her in at any cost.

While Salt is a tight thrill but I doubt the plots many twists and turns would hold up if put under close examination. Indeed its major failing is that the final revelation stretches the bounds of credibility just a bit too much. But despite that Salt remains a thoroughly enjoyable thriller which manages to build momentum right up till the final shot; which hints (hopefully) of a follow up adventure…

4 of 5 Stars

SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD

Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) has met the girl of his dreams in cool indie chick Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). However the road to true love is paved with complications, like Scott’s current girlfriend Knives (Ellen Wong), oh and Ramona’s seven exes; all of them evil and all of them wanting to lay the smack down on Scott.

Based on a series of graphic novels by Bryan O’Malley Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (SPVTW) is a quirky romantic comedy cum battle royal which plays out like a big screen arcade game complete with power-ups, extra lives and defeated foes turning to coin.

For reasons that only make sense within the Scott Pilgrim Universe Scott must battle and defeat each of Ramona’s exes before they can be together. Each of the exes had their own special set of powers or abilities to test Scott – the oddest being an Ex who derives his super powers from his veganism. While the exes are fun 7 of them start to take their toll. And as SPVTW devolves into endless fight scene after fight scene it neglects to give us a deeper reason for why Scott is willing to risk his life for Ramona, other than he really likes her; hardly the stuff of epic love.

It’s a shame that SPVTW focuses on the very dull Scott and Ramona because it is filled with quirky well drawn characters, from Ramona’s distinctive exes (including upcoming Captain America Chris Evans and former Superman Brandon Routh) to Scott’s gay roommate Wallace Wells (Kieran Culkin). Indeed Culkin is a real scene stealer, his character providing garnering the biggest laughs. SPVTW does try hard to be funny, but like the love story, the laughs fall flat; although tell that to the guy elsewhere in the cinema who laughed. Every. Damn. Time. Someone. Opened. Their. Mouth!

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is disappointing because while it is a spectacular visual treat (kudos to director Edgar Wright) the lack of a compelling story leaves it all sparkle and no substance.

2 of 5 Stars

THE EXPENDABLES

The Expendables promises to answer the burning question ‘What ever happened to all those 80’s action heroes?’ but ends up leaving us wanting to know ‘What the f**k happened to Sylvester Stallone’s face?’

The Expendables is writer/director Sly Stallone’s love letter to excessive action films of the late 80’s/early 90’s when men were men and the action was bloody, gory and over the top. The plot, or what passes for it, follows a rag tag bunch of mercenaries, led by Stallone’s Barney Ross, as they try and overthrow ruthless South American dictator General Garza (David Zayas) or rather the rogue CIA agent James Monroe (Eric Roberts) behind the dictator.

But let’s face it, you aren’t going to see The Expendables for the plot, it is for the cast and cast alone, and in that respect Sly has excelled. Stallone mashes actors from the old guard, Dolph Lundgren, Jet Li and Mickey Rourke with stars of today, Steve Austin, Terry Crewes, Randy Couture and Jason Statham; and a menacing but underused Eric Roberts as the villain of the piece.

Oh and lets not forget cameos from action legends Bruce Willis and Arnold ‘The Governator’ Schwarzenegger. That’s right the Holy Trinity of action heroes assembled together at last! Pity then that this undercooked tongue-in-cheek-less script fails to do the pop culture moment justice. A throwaway ‘president’ joke raises a laugh sure, but can’t we do better?

I’ll admit I wasn’t expecting much going into this movie, I hoped for a tongue-in-cheek True Lies style action romp. Instead, at 100 minutes, The Expendables is a bloated mess, things happen for no reason, characters motivations change on a whim and the action is at times so furious you end up having no idea what the hell is going on. It’s a real shame that Sly and co felt that aside from an ‘all star’ cast everything else like plot, story and character was…wait for it…expendable.

1.5 of 5 Stars

INCEPTION

What can you say about Inception, without spoiling it for those that haven’t seen it?

Not much.

So, the basics; Dom Cobb (Leonard DiCaprio) is a dream thief, entering others minds, usually business men, to steal their deepest secrets. Cobb is faced with a new challenge when former victim Saito (Ken Watanabe), hires him to implant an idea into the mind of business rival Robert Fisher (Cillian Murphy); a process known as Inception.

Cobb cannot perform the Inception alone, and gathers a team, including point man Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), forger Eames (Tom Hardy) and dream architect Ariadne (Juno’s Ellen Page). Complicating matters is Cobb’s unresolved issues with his wife Mal (Marion Cotillard) who makes frequent nasty attacks on Cobb as he goes about his business in the dreams of others.

It sounds confusing but Inception is quite easy to follow if you can keep up with the labyrinth plots twists AND keep track of which dream, and whose dream, the movie is occupying at any given time. Information is doled out slowly with the fate of Cobb’s wife overshadowing everything – and of course there is a twist…

Inception is perfectly cast and acted, with an engaging script and a foreboding atmospheric score, but it is the surreal dream state special effects that steal the show. Director Christopher Nolan pulls off some impressive visual trickery, including cities rising and falling and Arthur’s very cool ‘underwater’ swim through a hotel. There are clever touches sprinkled throughout, and the reason for a torrential rain downpour highlights a dry sense of humour.

While it does rung a little long Inception is a film that will benefit from multiple viewings, but that does not make the initial viewing any less satisfying. Inception will have you thinking about it, and asking questions long after the credits have rolled – and what other Hollywood blockbuster can boast that lately?

4 of 5 Stars

KNIGHT & DAY

Knight & Day sees Tom cruise return to his action star roots, not a Nazi in sight, dragging the impossibly gorgeous Cameron Diaz along for the ride. This time car restorer June Havens (Cameron Diaz) finds herself thrown into the world of high stakes danger and international espionage when she bumps into rogue FBI agent Roy Miller (Tom Cruise) during a supposedly routine domestic flight home. Only problem is the flight is filled with agents out to kill Roy. Roy saves himself and June, and afterwards June tries to go back to her normal life – however she is now a target – and Roy sees it as his duty to protect her as he globe trots his way to clear his name.

Knight & Day is a by the numbers action movie and while Diaz and Cruise have great onscreen chemistry it fails to fire here, a result of a script lacking in much logic or wit. A tacked on subplot about Roy’s family never fully develops and left me thinking that the whole thing is a wasted opportunity. Sure on the surface it looks pretty, and with a host of European locals that is inevitable, but dig a little deeper and you discover it has no substance.

Tom Cruise is very likeable as Roy, shaking of the couch jumping mania of his past - something he began with his turn in Tropic Thunder. Cruise handles humour and action in equal measure and really proves he has the chops as a big screen action hero – steer clear of dramatic vanity projects! Diaz is underused as the buttoned down June, spending most of the movie shrieking – what happened to the cool calm and collected Charlie’s Angel?

Knight & Day is only the latest in a slew of action romantic comedies (Mr & Mrs Smith, Killers and The Bounty Hunter – UGH!) that drop impossibly good looking actors into high octane situations so that laughs, and love, will hopefully lead to big box office bucks and while it doesn’t quite work it is fun, and I guess you can’t expect anything more than that – but when you have two of Hollywood’s biggest stars shouldn’t we expect more?

2.5 of 5 Stars

THE A-TEAM

30 years after it made its TV debut The A-Team finally makes its big screen debut. The story is still the same only this time it is Liam Neeson (Hannibal), Bradley Cooper (Face), Sharlto Copley (Murdock) and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson (B.A. Baracus) as the Army Rangers framed for crimes they didn’t commit and forced to take down those responsible. Also along for the ride is Patrick Wilson as snaky Agent Lynch and Jessica Biel as the sexy (if uptight) Charisa Sosa.

I have very faint memories of the A-Team TV show – and most of those just involve Mr T. saying ‘I pity the fool’ – but even I enjoyed this big screen remake. It’s light action fluff with some laughs and some so obvious you-see-them-coming-miles-away double crosses. The intercutting between the gang planning their missions and carrying them out is a great way to keep the action coming thick and fast; however the climax stretches the boundaries of logic and CGI believability.

Believability aside it has a great cast. Neeson lends a grizzled air to boss man Hannibal and Cooper is suitably charismatic as Face but it is Copley and Jackson who steal the show as an unlikely comic duo; with Jackson ably filling Mr T’s massive shoes (with nary a gold chain in sight). I wouldn’t mind another outing with this crew, but could we plase get a Mr T cameo next time?

All in all a solid action romp; just switch the brain off and enjoy.

3 of 5 Stars

TOY STORY 3

Toy Story 3 sees a grown up Andy (John Morris) off to college; his collection of toys (or what remains of them!) will not be going with him - except for faithful pal Woody (Tom Hanks). Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jesse (Jane Cusack), Rex (Wallace Shawn), Hamm (John Ratzenberger), and the rest are headed for storage in the attic – never to be played with by Andy again.

However the toys bleak predicament gets worse and they soon find themselves (along with Woody) abandoned at the local day care centre, Sunnyside; which is anything but sunny.

Tyrant Teddy Bear Lotso(Ned Beatty), runs Sunnyside with an iron fist and a crew of likeminded toys which includes the terrifying ‘Big Baby’ and a very fashion conscious Ken (Michael Keaton) of Ken and Barbie fame. If that wasn’t enough the tiny tots at Sunnyside prove to be wild untamed savages when it comes to ‘quiet’ playtime. There is only one thing left for the toys to do, escape!

There are genuine thrills to be had as the gang stage a Dirty Dozen style escape from Sunnyside only to wind up in an even grimmer predicament – imminent incineration! I can’t say much without spoiling it but this ends up being one of the film’s most moving moments; which also wonderfully pays off one of the longest running gags of the series.

Like the previous two, Toy Story 3 packs in plenty of laughs, made even funnier because we know these characters so well. Buzz Lightyear receives a Latin makeover, Mr Potato (Don Rickles) head proves that he may just be the world’s best secret agent and newcomer Ken’s extended fashion montage will have you laughing out loud.

But Toy Story has always been about Woody’s steadfast loyalty to his owner Andy and it is Woody’s reluctance to let go of Andy (and vice versa) that gives Toy Story 3 its heart. In the last 20 minutes Toy Story 3 really goes for the emotional jugular and I’d be very surprised if anyone isn’t an emotional wreck as we say a final bittersweet farewell to these characters and their story – I know I certainly was!

I LOVED this movie. I was 14 when the original Toy Story premiered in 1995, to think that 15 years later it and its sequel (even better than original) remain 2 of the best movies I’ve ever seen is quite an achievement. That the third could be just as fresh, funny and moving is astounding. Pixar have made some amazing “kids” movies, Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo, Wall-E, Up, the list goes on, but the Toy Story trilogy is their masterpiece, with Toy Story 3 the crowning achievement.

5 of 5 Stars

SHREK FOREVER AFTER

Shrek Forever After is the promised 4th and final chapter for everyone’s lovable ogre which goes back to basics to remind us why we loved these characters after the bloated and forgettable Shrek the 3rd.

This outing sees Shrek (Mike Myers) bored to death by the monotony of married life; sure he loves Fiona (Cameron Diaz) and his 3 little ogre babies, but Shrek is longing for the days when he was an outcast ogre, striking fear into the hearts of villagers throughout the land.

Enter Rumpelstiltskin (Walt Dohrn) a bitter little mischief maker with the power to make Shrek’s dream of a life with no responsibilities a reality – a reality that means he never saved Fiona, never met Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) is a fat pampered kitty. Of course once Shrek gets what he wants he realises that he misses what he had…

Shrek Forever After is basically It’s A Wonderful Life with a green ogre twist; that twist however breaths new life into characters that were on the verge of becoming over exposed and stale. Shrek 4 isn’t the laugh riot that the first two films were, but it does have more heart and a better story than the previous outing – though to be honest I can’t remember much of it!

Rumpelstiltskin is great as the main foil, complete with an assortment of mood wigs and water fearing witches, and the new ogre additions (including Mad Men’s John Hamm) don’t overwhelm the core cast. Fiona gets a chance to shine as a warrior woman and Puss in Boots continues to be the comedy highlight, even with his expanding waistband, and I look forward to his long rumoured spin-off.

And so the Shrek series (hopefully) comes to a close, one film too late but a fitting send off for the big green lug and the always annoying but adorable Donkey.

3 ½ of 5 Stars

SEX & THE CITY 2

They’re back! The once single ladies of Sex and the City return to the big screen in the sequel no one, except those who couldn’t let the show go, demanded.

I was a big fan of Sex & the City when it was the smart, funny, taboo busting TV show. It had heart and managed to make Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Samantha (Kim Catrall) feel like real life long friends. I thought the series finale was a great send-off to the characters, and leaving Carrie single, but attached helped drive home the message that you didn’t need to be married to be happy.

Then along came Sex & the City: The Movie. And while it wasn’t necessary it was entertaining, even if it did undermine the whole you don’t need to be married to be happy vibe of the TV series.

This brings us to Sex & the City 2 – and where do you go after everyone got their happy endings in the first installment? Apparently writer director Michael Patrick King wasn’t sure so he sent the girls on a ‘fabulous’, ‘decadent’, ‘all expenses paid’ trip to the United Arab Emirates, complete with some cringe worthy culture clash.

Having spent 10 years trying to get Big (Chris Noth) to marry her Carrie has suddenly decided marriage might not be for her, and when Big come sup with a solution she freaks out and takes off with her ‘girls’ on a holiday. What better place to run into former flame Aiden, the nice guy to Big’s bad boy. The big question is will she cheat on Big? The film wraps all this up in about 20 minutes, leaving the rest of the over 2 hour running time to be a bloated mess.

With Carrie’s storyline so light on the ground you would think this would give the other 3 girls time to shine. Think again. Charlotte is left to freak out that she is a bad mother (at least she doesn’t shit her pants this time), while Miranda hits a glass ceiling at work. Both women share a great scene together talking through their problems, but like the rest of the film it remains a little underdone.

And then there is Samantha. Samantha is trying to stave off menopause with any drug she can get her hands on. But when her drugs are confiscated upon entering the United Emirates she goes into meltdown, turning into a horny sitcom character version of herself. Samantha has always been larger than life, but here she is way too far over the top.

It might sound like I didn’t enjoy SATC 2 but I did. It was funny in places, and the established bond with the characters goes a long way in bypassing the flaws of the script. I wasn’t offended as a lot of people seem to be by the whole Muslim women modesty thing – but the last 10 minutes the girls spend in Abu Dhabi was some of the most ludicrous film making in a long time – like something straight out of a Carry On movie.

Whilst SATC 1 had an upbeat positive ending SATC 2 is far more subdued which gives the feeling that a 3rd film is all but inevitable (and Carrie will probably have a baby!). Hopefully they won’t feel the need to take off to an exotic local, and actually feature the city in the title. And please, for the love of god cut down the running time!

3 of 5 Stars

P.S. The 'I Am Woman' karaoke performance was way worse then the 2, count 'em 2, fashion montages in the first film

I LOVE YOU TOO

Peter Helliar is great, but sadly Brendan Cowell is not leading man material. Peter Dinklage’s role doesn’t belong in what was billed as a light fluffy comedy. It wasn’t the laugh riot Rom-Com I was hoping for but points for Australian filmmakers trying something new!

3 of 5 Stars

IRON MAN 2

It's not a bad movie just disappointing given the very strong first outing. Downey Jr. continues to impress as the swaggering billionaire with a suit of iron. Mickey Rourke does his best as the limited villain Whiplash, and Scarlett Johansson is smoldering as the Black Widow. That said I will still go see the inevitable Iron Man 3. Oh and all the Thor references really make me excited for the upcoming Avengers film. Avengers Assemble!

3 of 5 Stars

KICK-ASS

The aptly named Kick-Ass is awash with violence, swearing. It’s a shame the film has been overshadowed by the puritanical over reaction to violence. I’ve seen a lot more violent films in my time, maybe it’s just the fact that a fictional 13 year old girl seems to be committing it? Swearing and slashing ‘Hit Girl’ is one of the films highlights almost stealing the show from ‘Big Daddy’ Nicholas Cage and Aaron ‘Kick-Aass’ Johnston. McLovin as wannabe super-villain ‘Red Mist’ provides most of the laughs, even if the ending sets him on a more ruthless path for the sequel.

3 of 5 Stars

HOT TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

I really wanted to love this wonderfully animated tale about Viking boy Hiccup and his pet dragon Toothless; but I didn’t. I didn’t hate it, it just left me underwhelmed. It features good performances all round and the animation style is great. ‘Toothless’ will make anyone want a pet dragon of their own. If you like this then check out the criminally underrated The Iron Giant.

3 of 5 Stars

DATE NIGHT

Disappointing! The stars of the Office and 30 Rock team up for an action comedy - what could go wrong? Well nothing goes wrong, apart from Steve Carrell and Tiny Fey’s talents being underused in this comedy romp. Can’t help thinking how much funnier it would have been if these comic talents had been allowed to really let loose.

3 of 5 Stars

CLASH OF THE TITANS

Ugh, BORING! Those expecting a big screen sword and sandals epic better look elsewhere. Sam Worthington is as wooden as the horse from Troy. And Ralph Fiennes seemed to forget he was playing god of the underworld Hades not Harry Potter’s nemesis Voldermort!

2 of 5 Stars

HOT TUB TIME MACHINE

With tongue planted firmly in cheek Hot Tub is a great way to pass the time with some genuine big laughs, even if the story feels like it spent a little too much time overheating in a hot tub.

3 of 5 Stars

THE BOUNTY HUNTER

DO. NOT. SEE. THIS. FILM.

0 of 5 Stars

NINE

An interesting but enjoyable musical boasting an all star cast and some stellar cinematography. Nicole Kidman is more convingin as a singer than an Italian and Kate Hudson was a nice surprise; Marion Cotillard is the standout thou. Disappointed there was no big closing number!

3 of 5 Stars

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Johnny Deep + Tim Burton = what could go wrong?

Well noting really goes wrong, but Burton’s Alice in Wonderland just kinda falls flat – even though it is in 3D! Helena Bonham Carter is great as the mad Red Queen (And could Alan Rickman be a more perfect voice for the caterpillar?). Stephen Fry is good as the Cheshire Cat but he isn’t a patch on the Disney original.

Honestly, rent the Disney animated masterpiece instead (and it has significantly less eye mutilation).

2 ½ of 5 Stars

VALENTINE'S DAY

It's a little too much eye candy and sugar - and it is certainly no Love Actually; no matter how hard it tries to be...

3 of 5 Stars

THE BLIND SIDE

Based on a true story movies usually send me running but Bullock was very good, and it wasn't as overtly sentimental as I expected.

3 of 5 Stars

IT'S COMPLICATED

Baldwin. Martin and Streep! How could this movie go wrong? Well for one thing it is way too long and for another it wastes the talents of all involved. The less said about the poorly written ‘children’ characters the better...

2 of 5 Stars

BRAN NUE DAE

Bran Nue Dae is the first Aussie movie I’ve actually gone to the cinema for since Baz Luhrmann’s overblown epic ‘Australia’. It’s actually the first time in a long time I’ve wanted to see an Australian movie based on the trailer, so I was hopeful that it would be at least as fun as the trailer; it was.

Bran Nue Dae isn’t a masterpiece by any means however enthusiastic performances, and smile inducing musical numbers more than make up for a choppily edited and at times limited script. And can I say how good it is to watch an Australian film that doesn't feel the need to be 'worthy' and isn't afraid to have fun; more please!

3 ½ out of 5 Stars

BLOGGING BY POPULAR DEMAND

I’ve been told by many to start blogging my movie reviews so here I am.

I’m going to start by posting my old 2010 Facebook reviews chronologically to get back up to speed…