Persepolis (2007)

It sure ain't no Disney movie, the black-and-white style of a graphic novel works a treat as we enter Marjane Satrapi's world of veils and Iron Maiden.

Janck 4 stars (Aug 2008)



Autobiography of Iranian girl on the cusp of the Islamic Revolution. Works surprisingly well as an animated feature, but misses the opportunity to be more emotive.


Mitch 3.5 stars

Basic Instinct 2 (2006)

Should have stopped watching after the Stan Collymore/DLR train cameos at the start..

2 stars

Step Brothers (2008)

Swearing, slapstick and killer one-liners give some decent belly laughs; yet add up to another average Will Ferrell movie. A few scenes do shine though.


3 stars

Star Trek (2009)

What the prequels should have been.

Janck 4.5 stars

To sum up in three words: Star Trek Wars. Highly entertainly on the big screen, J. J. Abrams has crafted a flat-out decent sci-fi spectacle.

Mitch 4.5 stars

Doomsday (2008)

A nation is quarantined in order to contain and eliminate a deadly viral epidemic (no, not swine flu). But in order to differentiate from the plethora of other infection-centric films, writer-director Neil Marshall cobbles together a clumsy pastiche of 28 Days Later..., Mad Max, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Gladiator; to name but a few. Despite some nice splatter and pockets of action, the end result is woeful and, at times, embarrasing. If The Descent was a hit, then this is certainly miss.


2 stars

Nixon (1995)

Better than W. but not as good as JFK.

3.5 stars

War, Inc (2008)

John Cusack, Hillary Duff, Marisa Tomei and numerous chilli shots should add up to more than..

2.5 stars

Tropic Thunder (2008)

I love the smell of boot polish in the morning.

Janck 3.5 stars (Mar '09)


Actors playacting at acting in Vietnam. Did make me laugh though.

Mitch 3.5 stars

W. (2008)

Stone paints Bush as a somewhat sympathetic character, with the manipulative Republican machine behind him being the real web of evil. Some good moments in the film, but it can also feel a bit dull at times too.

Janck 3 stars (Mar 2009)



Cherry picked moments from a very chequered Presidency. Not an out-and-out biopic, more of a fly on the wall of the Oval Office. Josh Brolin delivers too; it's amazing what a good wig can do.

Mitch 3.5 stars

Control (2007)

I've been waiting to see a transmission of this film for a few months now. Anton Corbijn pours his heart and soul into this feature, showing true control in his direction. This insight into the life of Ian Curtis deals with fame, isolation and how love will tear us apart. Decades on from his death, this is a moving and beautiful film that catches the atmosphere of the era perfectly. After viewing Control it becomes, quite simply, a known pleasure.

Janck 4.5 stars (Feb 2008)

Decent Ian Curtis biopic, with a fantastic lead performance from Sam Riley. Touching and well documented, this is well worth a look-in; but will strike a stronger chord with Joy Division fans rather than the masses.

Mitch 3.5 stars

La mala educación (2004) aka "Bad Education"

The boys go "meta" in this offering from Pedro Almodóvar, including another star turn from Gael García Bernal.

3.5 stars

Choke (2008)

"From the author of Fight Club" is always going to be hard to live up to, and unfortunately Choke does fall short. Despite a well cast Sam Rockwell (who must have enjoyed his role as a struggling sex addict), the main narrative does nothing to ever really draw you in. There are some nice comic moments, but can't help but think this must have worked far better as a novel.

3 stars

Righteous Kill (2008)

Look beyond the De Niro/Pacino hype and see this for what it is.. straight-to-DVD fair starring Curtis "Fiddy" Jackson.

Janck 2 stars (Apr 09)



In spite of bad reviews, the De Niro and Pacino match-up is too big a draw for even the casual viewer to simply ignore. However, these Hollywood heavyweights never get out of first gear, hindered by a bland and dated script. The end result is below average...but you will feel compelled to watch it anyway.

Mitch 2.5 stars

Die Welle (2008) aka "The Wave"

German students in dictatorship shocker ;-)

3.5 stars