X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST

Basically…

When mutant-fighting robots - known as senetals - threaten to wipe out their species, the X-Men send Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) back in time to change the course of history. He has to stop the creator of the senetals from collecting the vital research that will make them strong enough to rid the world of what they deem to be dangerous creatures.

In other words…

Superheroes take on Skynet.

The main men and leading ladies…

A star studded cast sees Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart team up as unlikely friends in the future. Hugh Jackman plays the never aging Wolverine while back in their younger days James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender are the younger Professor X and Erik Lehnsherr. Real-life couple Jennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult return, while Ellen Page’s role is small but vital to the storyline. 

In the chair…

He’s been hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons lately, but Bryan Singer is finally making us talk about him for his films once again. For the first time since 2003’s X2 (X-Men United), the Usual Suspects director returns to the franchise and avoids what many feared – making Wolverine the central character.

So…?

Haven’t seen any of the previous X-Men films? Do a quick search on YouTube for a round-up and you’ll be ready to go within minutes. It’s a fairly easy storyline to follow if you keep thinking of it along the Terminator premise, and if you manage to remember who’s who in their elder days and not get the actors round the wrong way. (Thinking Patrick Stewart is playing an old Michael Fassbender will hurt your brain). Singer makes sure the door is kept open for those of us who aren't keen on the whole superhero /saving the world movies deal. It’s entertaining and ambitious without relying on braindead special effects to carry the plot. My main grievance with action sequels and such like is the plot and characters have already been established so you’re thrown straight into the action before the opening credits have even rolled. But despite this, Days of Future Past manages to strike a balance between mutants battling robots, a storyline with real substance and characters with real personalities and emotions. Time travel certainly adds a welcome dimension to a typically standard superhero franchise.

Worth the money?

One of the better superhero movies, so yes. 

WALKING ON SUNSHINE

Basically…

Set to the music of big ‘80s hits, Taylor, (Hannah Arterton), visits her sister Maddie, (Annabel Scholey), who’s away ‘finding herself’ in a beautiful coastal Italian village. On finding out she’s engaged to Raf, (Giulio Berruti), her holiday romance from three years ago, though, Taylor decides to bury her feelings and not to tell Maddie about the past.

In other words…

An eye opener for anyone who thought Mammia Mia was cringy.

The main men and leading ladies…

Giulio Berruti, Annabel Scholey and Hannah Arterton (yes, sister of Gemma) all star in their first major movies. Sense and Sensibility’s Greg Wise plays the sleazy ex-boyfriend who can’t keep his mouth shut, and comedian Katy Brand returns from her 2010 work in Nanny McPhee. X-Factor winner, Leona Lewis, is apparently an actress now too – and is shown up for having the worst voice out of the leading stars. Awkward…

In the chair…

You have directing duo Max Giwa and Dania Pasquini to blame for this outrageous explosion of cheese. After doing so well with StreetDance 3D, they’ve stayed committed to producing feel good musicals that’ll get us itching to move.

So…?

The acting is over the top, the songs are predictable, the script makes your toes curl and plot is like something out of an ironic soap spinoff. Not a single word of dialogue is spoken before the first hit is belted out and it immediately sets the tone of this Mamma Mia wannabe. It’s cringy, it’s awkward to watch and at points the audience were laughing at how ridiculous it is rather than its intended humour. Despite a similar setting and plot path, it lacks the warmth, elegance and soundtrack of Mamma Mia. The ABBA classic was unusual because the actors performed ‘live’ but you definitely notice the difference when they don’t. It also makes the theatrical acting in 90210 look Oscar worthy.

But in saying all that, it’s epic.

It’s fun, it’s joyful and it doesn't take itself seriously. If you take it with a pinch (maybe a fistful) of salt, and embrace the cheese that is oozing out of every scene, you’ll be captured by the overly choreographed dances and wish you were in one of those mass choruses. While other screens are showing films about cancer struck teenagers, transforming machines and an Irish tranny who’s as funny as a funeral, this is the sort of escape that will light up your day and put a smile on your face. It’s infectious so don’t bother fighting it.

Worth the money? 

Every single penny.

DEVIL'S KNOT

Basically…

Based on the true story of the West Memphis Three, Damian Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley are arrested for the murders of three young boys. But as more and more evidence is discovered it becomes clear they weren't involved in the crime, and their satanic interests make them easy scapegoats for the Bible belt police.

In other words…

If the police want a solution, they’ll invent one.

The main men and leading ladies…

Reese Witherspoon plays mum of murdered Steven excellently, capturing the emotions of a grieving, suspicious and intelligent sufferer. Alessandro Nivola is chilling as her husband, Terry, while Kevin Durand accurately depicts John Mark Buyers, the sinister dad of murdered Christopher. James Hamrick (Echols), strikes a challenging balance between the messed up teenager and the unfairly targeted victim he is, and manages to win the audience over despite his cold attitude. Colin Firth is just Colin Firth, again, and as ever, Dane DeHaan is perfect.

In the chair…

Specialising in cold, clinical thrillers this story about sacrifice and loss is almost an inevitable path for Atom Egoyan. He chooses not to focus on the detective aspect but instead the suffering and frustration of so many people involved in the tragedy.

So…?

There’s been four documentaries (Paradise Lost I, II III and West of Memphis) made about the deaths of the three school boys, the wrongful arrests of the three teenagers and the conspiracies surrounding the murders in 1993. There’s a lot to fit into one movie, but at just under two hours long this captures the hurt, confusion and desperation from all the victims involved. At the same time, though, including so much means it loses a cinematic feel and ends up more like a docudrama, basically taking us through a factual narrative. Egoyan’s choice to make it more about how different people dealt with the emotional challenges rather than the contradicting evidence that pointed towards two of the fathers, meant he missed an opportunity to turn the third act into a gripping court drama. Sticking so strictly to the facts and refusing to fabricate a cinematic ending, also frustratingly leaves us without a conclusion - as it is in real life. 

Worth the money?

I’m biased because I was hooked on each of the documentaries – but as one of the films of the year, don’t miss out.

FRANK

Basically…

Young wannabe musician, Jon, (Domhnall Gleeson), joins an eccentric and mysterious band as they set up camp in a cabin in the woods to record an album. The group is fronted by Frank, (Michael Fassbender), who wears a giant fake head. Tensions mount as the troubled band members try to find their sound and make an impact on the market.

In other words…

Taking the term head case to a new level.

The main men and leading ladies…

Fassbender plays the genuine, disturbed Frank, bringing personality and soul to a character who hides away from the world behind a mask. Maggie Gyllenhaal is excellent as the psychotic and possessive Clara while Gleeson takes a completely different direction from last year’s About Time. Speaking from the perspective of the audience, he shares their confusion and often disbelief at some downright odd situations.

In the chair…

Lenny Abraham is probably best known for helping Transformers’ star, Michael Bay, make a career for himself, having given him $40 and setting him on his way to LA. That was after he’d worked with him on What Richard Did, another film about misfits and complex characters.

So…?

Set in a chilled, melancholic mood, Frank focuses on changing group dynamics when a collection of socially awkward artists come together and minds start to clash. It’s creative and quirky, while also showing how powerful a marketing tool Twitter is in this day and age. But at the same time it’s awkwardly serious about mental illness and as a result makes it’s an intense and unsettling viewing experience. So much of Fassbender’s performance relies on body language while the personalities of the other diverse band members carry the sad and frustrating plot along. Much of the story is based on writer, Jon Ronson’s, experiences playing in the ‘Oh Blimey Big Band’ while  the character of Frank combines elements of Captain Beefheart’s Daniel Johnston and Chris Sievey, from ‘The Freshies’.

Worth the money?

If you feel like a trippy road trip, then yes.

GODZILLA

Basically…

Determined to prove his wife died in vein, Joe Brody (Bryan Cranston) continues to research the scientific reason for his loss. But when human naivety subsequently creates creatures that live off radiation, it takes something a lot bigger and stronger than mankind to defeat them.

In other words…

The myth meets its match 

The main men and leading ladies…

Aaron Taylor Johnson is a far cry from his teen heartthrob symbol in Angus, Thongs - forget the floppy locks and baby cheeks, it’s all about the gun show these days. He takes his superhero status in Kick-Ass one step further and helps save the world for real this time. Ken Watanabe, Sally Hawkins, Brian Cranston and Elizabeth Olsen also star (she’s the oldest sister by the way, even though she looks like their triplet).

In the chair…

Gareth Edwards was chosen to direct Godzilla because of the work he did on Monsters – another film about the people who are affected by, well, monsters (funnily enough). He did that one on a budget of half a million dollars and managed to pull it off so creators naturally got a bit excited at the thought of what the visual effects master could do with a decent budget.

So…?

Family blockbuster season is upon us now the summer months are getting into full swing – but you don’t need superheros, explosions and special powers to tick the boxes. Monsters, destruction and all things big should be enough to seal the deal. And you don’t really get bigger than Japan’s very own Nessie. It’s enjoyable and consistent, with an even blend of human interest and brain dead action. A good use of framing puts the size of people in proportion to the creatures, but not enough wide shots allow you to put it all into context with the overall landscape. We learn the complexity of the main characters fairly quickly, but with the main body of the plot being set over such a short period of time, a lack of personality is given to the monsters themselves.

Worth the money?

If you like Jurassic Park then this'll be right up your street. 

BAD NEIGHBOURS

Basically…

When a frat team move in next door to new parents Mac and Kelly (Seth Rogan and Rose Byrne), they try and deal with the situation by being a sensible…but end up just realising how much they've left that generation behind.

In other words…

A harsh reminder youth is wasted on the young. 

The main men and leading ladies…

Can Seth Rogan do anything wrong? Well no, not if you consider his already glistening CV and the fact he just added to it with yet another compelling performance in yet another original comedy. His contribution is effortlessly believable as the Dad who’s not quite sure if it’s time to grow up.

Zak Efron follows up Parkland and That Awkward Moment with another strong performance and is perfectly cast alongside on-screen best friend Dave Franco who is equally super cool, uber hot and insanely popular. A third consecutive comedy, though, could see Efron typecast after doing so well to break away from his teen heartthrob status with Paperboy and Parkland.

In the chair…

Considering Nicholas Stoller’s previous work with Russell Brand and Jim Carey on films you really wouldn’t want to shout about from the rooftops (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek, Fun With Dick and Jane, Yes Man…oh and The (awful) Five Year Engagement too) you wouldn't be blamed for expecting the worse (again). But Rogan and Efron manage to pull him through on this occasion – he owes the casting director a lot.

So…

If you’re googling this film and can only find ‘Neighbours’ don’t be confused – that’s what it’s called in America. The title was only changed for the UK and Australia to stop us confusing it with the soap (is that even still going?!) Bad Neighbours isn't one of the funniest films of the year, let’s settle that now, because with the actors and plot it could have got the sides hurting a lot more. At times the humour is even more immature than previous Rogan films so in that sense it lets itself down. But on the plus side it has the energy to keep you hooked and conveys the depth and growth of the four main characters. It’ll leave you missing the freedom of your student days but at the same time make you appreciate going home to that pile of ironing.

Worth the money? 

It’s another one you can leave your brain at the door but where’s the harm in a fun night out with mates.

THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN 2

**Spoiler alert: My undying love for Andrew Garfield may become slightly obvious**

Basically…

Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) continues his quest to discover the truth about what happened to his parents and how they’re connected to Oscorpe’s hidden secrets. This in turn creates more villains for him to face as Spiderman at the same time he unexpectedly welcomes old friend Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan) back into his life.

In other words…

If all spiders looked like Andrew Garfield the world would be a much better place.

The main men and leading ladies…

Whether you prefer the nerdy Tobey Maguire or the isolated Andrew Garfield depiction of Peter Parker, the Amazing adaptations work in an entity of their own. The latest arachnageek may be bordering on 31 but he still passes as the uncomfortable teenager trying to settle into the big bad world after high school. His adorable nervousness around Gwen (Emma Stone), shyness around adults and awkwardness in any sort of social situation compliments the entirely opposite traits he possesses while in the lycra and hiding behind a mask. The unquestionable chemistry between him and his real-life girlfriend is to be expected and is extremely satisfying, natural (and enviable) at the same time.

In the chair…

Maybe it was the incredible irony in his surname that attracted Marc Webb to the Spiderman franchise but regardless, it was a huge challenge trying to reboot the already flawless Sam Raimi trilogy from just a decade earlier. With that success still fresh in everyone’s minds he had to take a different path and introduce new challenges for the hero to face. And while the first failed to do that in many ways, taking the viewer on a very similar path to the original, the sequel doesn’t. Webb successfully left Spidey geeks questioning how and when events would occur while those watching it blindly were entertained by the unknown.

So…?

Spiderman as a movie ticks all the boxes for superhero and special effects fans just as much as it does for those looking for a sentimental, heartfelt story about love, loss and confused teenage angst. But as expected, the sequel loses what it’s really about and becomes a mess of action packed drama with too many characters and too much happening. At least with the first movie in a superhero franchise most of the plot is dedicated to introducing the story and developing their transformation. With sequels though, he’s saving the world (again) before we’ve barely taken our first handful of popcorn. And Webb? You’re guilty as charged. If CGI shots of Spiderman swinging through the streets of New York and lifting cars with one hand is what you want then you’ll get your money’s worth. Those looking for more of Peter Parker’s journey away from the mask will feel short-changed though. This isn’t a classic, it’s just a continuation.

Worth the money? 

For two hours of Andrew Garfield...?