February 2010
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MicMacs
I'm sure MicMacs mish-mash of ideas is catnip for Jeunatics, but for me it's just another flight of French fancy or a less-entrancing Gonzo version of Gondry.
***

Leap Year
Oh dear. Just what were you thinking Amy Adams and Matthew Goode? You're soooo much better than this (see Enchanted and The Lookout respectively). "Yer eejits" (Irish stereotye used 100% ironically. Unlike in the film).
*

From Paris with Love
The Luc Besson hit (pun intended) factory continues with the the wickedly funny, chubbolta scene-stealing, vase-carrying, plot basic, brutal OTT-actioner FPwL. I've gotta admit, that is some impressive shit. Sequel please.
****

The Crazies
If Zombieland was Hollywood's Shaun of the Dead then this is its 28 Days Weeks Later: action, horror and Government conspiracy thriller all rolled into one. Plus underrated leading (law) man Timothy Olyphant. Which is always a plus in my book.
****

Solomon Kane
Evoking sword 'n' sorcery memories of Van Helsing or In the Name of the King rather than Conan or Lord of the Rings should tell you all you need to know about this potential-filled but sadly-lacking pantomime, computer game adap level, direct-to-rental-esque medieval romp.
**

The Lovely Bones (full review)
Visually-arresting, tightly-plotted, uncompromisingly-adapted but a little emotionally cold, The Lovely Bones is a lesser Peter Jackson book-adap but yet another film for his hit parade all the same.
****

Crazy Heart
Crazy Heart is The Dude's Country 'n' Western The Wrestler, 'cept he won his Oscar for his lost in mumbly, grizzled, hangdog comeback character performance. Deserved, but then so was Rourke's.
****

The Princess and the Frog
The Princess and the Frog is a toe-tapping, magical, musical, memorable return to classic 2D animation for the Mouse House with more than a hint of that Lassiter magic about proceedings.
****

The Wolfman
The good just about outweighs the bad in this classic Hammer horror throwback. Disappointing overall though.
**

Ponyo
A magical Miyazaki interpretation of The Little Mermaid, Ponyo contains the indelible and unmistakable touches of nutso Ghibli genius but it's certainly no Spirited Away.
***

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
PJ and the Ridiculously Long Title is a fast-paced special effects extravaganza that is entertaining enough although lacking that unidentifiable magic that makes the world of witchcraft and wizardry so appealing and enduring.
***

Valentines Day (according to CBK)
Valentines Day may be a poor attempt at an American version of Britain's five-star Love Actually but, actually, it still provides all the cliches that a girl can relate to (plus an all-star cast) making it an easy snuggle in your bed film-to-watch when you need a welcome break from the on-going boyfriend-provided "film education"!
***

Youth in Revolt
Arteta's Revolting adaptation is sharp, smart, caustic, witty and observant just like (but not as good as obviously) C.D. Payne's superbly funny and engrossing journal-style coming-of-age novel it's based on.
*** (and a half)

Invictus
Invictus is pretty light and fluffy as a Mandela biopic goes considering the source material and the rugby scenes are laughably bad in an Escape to Victory kind of way, but overall its far better than the risible trailer suggested.
***