The Descendants is a bittersweet tale of a family sticking together in trying times. With the perfect mix of grief, humour and charm this is the best thing to come out of Hawaii since Dog the Bounty Hunter.
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Reviews
The Damned United
Would have been one of the better football dramas (facing stiff competition from practically none) had it not been based on a vastly superior book. This football love-in really needs a darker edge to make it more The Wrestler than Escape to Victory.
Life, Above All
Worthwhile, worthy, haunting, harrowing – a film that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.
Zulu
An old school war epic that will be sure to entertain and have you rooting for the surrounded British troops as long as you ignore the total glorification of the Empire (the British one, not the one that struck back).
Carnage
Polanksi takes a risk with a cast of non-comedians (Reilly included) for this comedy drama but it pays off as Carnage is funny, tense and full of choice dialogue.
Waltz with Bashir
Ari Folman has definitely created one of the best, most harrowing and memorable ever movies about war. The decision to use a mixture of animation styles was an inspiration and sets it aside from the rest.
A Separation
The best (only) Iranian film I have ever seen is a well-crafted and intelligent family/courtroom drama with a shoe in for the Best Foreign Language Oscar.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
More of the same from Robert Downey Jr. and company as Ritchie takes the spirit of Sherlock Holmes and gives it a modern twist. A fun watch but sometimes the special effects need to be toned down a little.
The Iron Lady
Oddly this is simultaneously a brave movie and a toothless biopic. It’s certainly lifted by a stellar performance from Meryl Streep that goes beyond mere impersonation.
The Darkest Hour
Transferring a tried and tested formula to a new location is normally a banker but thanks to poor acting and characterisation and ridiculous aliens this horror sci-fi is just awful.
