John's Reviews

The best that can be said about this is Martin Freeman -- a perfect choice as Bilbo. The worst... well, where to start. "The Hobbit" is a children's book: brief, fun, exciting. This movie is instead a drawn-out carbon-copy of the LOTR movies... start at Hobbiton, meet new people, walk for a bit, visit the weird elves of Rivendell, walk some more, have trouble crossing mountains, get caught in snow, find a cave entrance, have a big CGI fight... then wait for the next movie. Peter Jackson: no. This is NOT the book I was read as a young child, and it shouldn't have been bloated-out into three movies simply because you miss directing. For those of you that don't know the book and enjoyed the previous movies, you're gonna love it. For lovers of the original book... be prepared.

A simple story let down by inconsistent characterisations. Maggie Smith's character is a horrible diva one minute; sweet and apologetic the next. Her ex-husband is a perfect gentleman; then suddenly starts shouting obscenities at a kitchen hand because she won't give him marmalade for breakfast. I've always found Dustin Hoffman to be slightly odd, and his erratic personality really shows in the way he's directed this wonderful cast. A shame... could have been cute. Instead, you're better off watching "Best Exotic Marigold Hotel"... twice.

I don't know who this Rza guy is, but he should really stick to directing rather than acting. My prediction for the year: Russell Crowe will become the next Jenny Craig spokesman.

Does the job, even if it is a little slow.

What a shame this script wasn't funnier... there's a lot to work with, especially Kevin James, whose likeable manner could really do with some funny material (as it is, it feels a bit more Adam Sandler-ish). The biggest clash is the feel-good factor versus the context: a teacher decides to get beaten-up in the most violent sport there is, so he can save a music program at his school. Nerds cheering him on as his face is disfigured. There's probably a PhD waiting to be written about this...

Most fans of the stageshow (like me) will know this back-to-front... all the words to the songs, the characters, etc etc. And most fans would have seen this already and be completely gobsmacked at the set pieces, and the clever way they've introduced some small spoken lines (the musical has no spoken parts at all -- it's all sung). For those of you that don't know it, this is going to be a hard slog. Watching familiar actors sing AND act can be confronting and often weird... particularly Russell Crowe, who bravely sings every line but often seems to struggle. For the fans I'd say this is a 5 star effort, but for the uninitiated I'd give it a cautious 3.

An interesting idea, but just not clever enough. This reminds me a lot of the Saw movies, or the original "The Cube"... the concept is sound, but there's nothing unique in the way it plays out. All a bit dull really.

The first half of this movie is pure genius. Watching this as a child of the 70s-80s, I could see all the references and characters from the older video games, and the absolutely brilliant way their "world" hangs together. One of the most imaginative things I've seen for a long time. However, when the second half of the film gets stuck in one particular game world, the movie regresses into a fairly simple moralistic tale and doesn't really go anywhere. A pity they couldn't maintain that intrigue... but still, a fabulous watch for kids of all ages.

Reasonably well acted and paced, but nothing new, and all a bit ho-hum... not what you really want in a vampire flick. Underworld, Daybreakers, or Ultraviolet are much better choices.

Another "found video footage" disaster (disaster in the worst sense). The first half of the movie has the protagonists walking through the jungle looking for smugglers/scientists/skulls; the next half has them running from... something (it's never actually shown), with them firing wildly into the air while it shoots fireworks back at them. The only redeeming thing about these types of movies is the reveal of the Big Bad near the end, and its eventual defeat. But in this, neither of those things happen. Err, what? Disaster indeed...

Not a total disaster, but also not one I'd watch again. Two things it does prove: beards make you evil, and not all nuts are good for you.

People are getting so familiar with animated movies that they tend to ignore the design values: this is a stunningly beautiful piece of work. The only drawbacks are the familiar voices of the main characters -- why they have to use famous people, I don't know. But a ripper of a film, with some unique ideas.

Another made-for-TV movie... all a little silly, but there's enough here to keep interest. We played the game of trying to guess how far into the movie they realise what's actually causing the "snowmageddon" (hint: it takes them a looong time)...

A good watch, if a touch self-congratulatory (do women fall in love so easily?). Poetic license perhaps, but there's some superb acting here, and Helen Hunt is looking surprisingly well preserved...

Yes, it's incredibly slow... but there's enough interest there to maintain, assuming you're not tired or distracted easily. Apart from an extended, wasteful slow-mo romp through an old building (what the...?), the film does well to give that isolated, claustrophobic feeling of being totally remote. The ending feels a little too open, and I'm still trying to work out why their International Space Station has gravity (??). A curious film that may/may not reward your patience, depending on your mood...

Worst. Movie. Ever. Well, maybe that's an exaggeration, but this film has some serious issues -- poor script, dumb idea, and Ving Rhames channelling his inner Frankenfurter (is he creepy, predatory, or has he just forgotten how to act?). One thing it reinforces: Val Kilmer is a looong way from his Iceman days. Let's NOT do this time warp again...

A prime example of good actors wrapped in shoddy direction and camerawork. A lot of this is incredibly dark, so it's hard to see exactly what's happening; and the chase sequences are awkward and often unnecessary to the plot (at one point the good guys chase the baddie, then suddenly they turn around and the baddie starts chasing them!?). Henry Cavill is a good actor, but his confused role (is he a hero? is he just an ordinary guy in a bad situation?) makes him look completely out of his depth. Time has definitely run out on this one...

Not too sure why they remade this so soon -- fairly topical with North Korea, I suppose. Chris Hemsworth is a star, but the other kids are just annoying. New ideas please!

As you would expect... some dodgy performances, a weak script, and special effects that look like someone phoned them in. I'm guessing Sarah Brown is a stunt-woman-turned-actress, as her range is as good as Arnie's Hummer. And Adrian Paul really needs to find a new profession. One extra star for the dancing scene.

Yes, it's a well made movie. And yes, Liam Neeson is perfect as the older version of John McClane. But the film takes a loooong time to get to the actual "taking", and once that's happened it's a series of frustrating cat-and-mouse chases. Nothing new to see here, move along...

Reminds me a little of the Michael Douglas flick "Falling Down" -- unattractive American loser decides to take judgement into his own hands, care of legalised firearms. The script is good, the pace consistent (which is surprising, seeing it was written and directed by the frenetic Bobcat Goldthwait). Could have been terrific, if not for the slightly preachy tone, and the odd way the young girl becomes his muse. I wonder how many fat, middle-aged Americans are out there right now, polishing their Colt 45s...

I like Hamish & Andy. And I love Flight of the Conchords. But this takes the stupidity of both and forgets to be funny. Another embarrassment from the Aust/NZ school of film...

I don't understand the point of this movie. They mention "Anchorman" in the promotion, but it's nothing like that... not funny, quite dull, and nothing memorable you can quote in the sauna. Plus, it's entirely in Spanish (what the?) with subtitles that are really hard to read. American audiences must have been completely confused...

I've never really been a fan of this series, more a casual observer, having always thought the casting and makeup throughout was terrible (why do vampires need to look so effeminate? are Pattinson and Stewart really the best they could find? could Michael Sheen look any more ridiculous?). But this conclusion really ramped it up -- once you get past the first hour of post-teen-angst, the action sequences are terrific... plus a few OMG moments to surprise even the most jaded cynic. A good way to wrap up a largely ineffectual (and largely forgetful) series.

Superb. Part 1 seemed a bit a of a let down, with not much really happening -- but this conclusion kicks it up and provides some breathtaking sequences. I'd read the original comic a while ago, and this has done it justice. A must for DC fans.

Star-studded cast, but a largely pointless script... an old man gets a robot "minder" and befriends it. The friendship isn't overly developed, and the old man's grip on reality is often questionable -- making it hard to decide if he's developing or not. "Marigold Hotel" did the age thing so much better, and the Finnish "Real Humans" is a superior take on the robot-as-companion idea.

Simply extraordinary. The music, the performances, the script... this is not the sort of movie I'd normally go for, but it's probably the funniest, most uplifting film I've seen in the past year. Not just worth watching -- worth buying!

Has everything it should (good acting, creepy setting) but turns into a jumbled mess of ideas and set pieces. Not only is the protagonist confused -- so are we. Probably best to give this a miss, unless you're a hardcore Silent Hill fan...

Reminds me a bit of "Momento"... the film tends to jump around, from the past to the present, but it's so skilfully done that you rarely have to think too hard. This would have made a fabulous Twilight Zone episode -- as it stands, there's not really enough to fill in the movie-length time. Even so, it's a good watch for sci-fi fans.

One for the younger ladies. Very well acted, but tends to be a bit lackluster on excitement or tension. An obvious re-work of a novel, as there are various sub-plots that are started but aren't resolved (eg: the teacher's kiss). And what's with the moths?

A Korean "Oceans 11" clone that's surprisingly well done -- doesn't have any of that bizarre slapstick humour you tend to see in these Westernised Asian films. Runs a little long, but is (mostly) quite entertaining.

Cute, cute movie... not one for the kiddies, but a joy for adults who enjoy a bit of monster mash.

Forgetting the liberties they may have taken with the truth (and obviously there's a few -- the "close calls" are many and often), this is a superbly crafted and acted film. Takes a bit of time to get going, but when it does it's a terrific ride.

Another exorcist movie. Takes a bit of time to get moving, and there really isn't anything unique about it. But the acting and production values are sharp, and some of the concepts work well. Never has looking at your tonsils in a mirror been more creepy...

More like a martial arts demo than a movie -- lots of flashing white lights, confused-looking beefcakes, and a bald Van Damme (who could be either good or bad... the script doesn't give you much help in deciding). I Googled a really good recipe for carrot cake while I was watching this... the most exciting thing I can say about it.

Malaysian movie dubbed into English. They try very hard with this one, but ultimately it's let down by woeful special effects (I've seen better video games) and a story that copies almost ever sci-fi robot flick that's come before (keep an eye out for the Cylon Raiders, the Tron suit, the Iron Man armour, the Transformers robot, and more). Another Asian film that tries desperately hard to look Western, but misses the mark entirely.

David (below) is right... the acting is simply woeful. And any film that touts Jake Busey as a drawcard would have to be bad -- geez, what a terrible actor. How do these people manage to find work?

While the original was probably one of the scariest movies ever, this format has now run its day. Because you know how it works, you sit there scanning every long scene like a "Where's Wally" picture book: did that photo move? Did that door open a little? Becomes a bit boring really. Let's move on...

Reminds me a lot of the Cronenberg dud "Cosmopolis"... so ridiculously full of it's own importance that it forgoes any sort of overarching plot. I can hear the director now: "We do not have zee script, so just do zee most bizarre behavious you can, and we will pretend it is good!". Oddly, Rotten Tomatoes calls this "science fiction", which it certainly isn't. Even more oddly, they give it a 90% rating. I must have missed something important, or maybe I'm just not patient enough to appreciate this sort of arty garbage. At your own risk...

Wonderful feel-good flick. Chris O'dowd is a revelation (where has this guy been?) but the rest of the cast occassionally struggles with the right level of emotion (tone it down a bit girls). If they'd spent a bit more time buffing the performances this could have been extraordinary.

I wasn't too sure about this... another indie film with a weird premise, starring leads I barely know. But it turned out to be an insightful, curious, and quite delightful study into relationships. Perfectly timed, there's a whole lotta love in this clever script. Cute!

Certainly not a sc i-fi movie (as the premise suggests) -- more a rom/com with some very odd participants. Nevertheless, it's a cute take on the weird-boy-meets-lonely-girl thing, and the excellent cast make it a fun watch.

A simple, cheaply done, straight-to-DVD thriller. Not at all scary, but it does keep the ball rolling. It feels as if it were made ten years ago... nothing innovative, and very little to set it apart from the myriad of other "real" vampire flicks we've seen over the years. Just okay.

One of those quirky "eclectic" films... not much happens, but enough to keep things ticking along. Much of the time the plot is left to your own guesswork... so you get out of it what effort you put in. Unfortunately I just wasn't in the mood for guesswork.

A great film -- superb animation, classy jokes, and some very clever visual humour. Adam Sandler is (shock! horror!) really good as the overly-protective father Dracula, with a fine supporting cast. Although, once again, there's a stupid musical number at the end that sours the film. In all, a terrific movie for kids at heart.

This should have been good, but a lame script and terrible direction have created a dog. I have a feeling Sean Bean didn't read the script before signing up to this one...

Fabulous movie. A bit of a thinker, so if you don't like cerebral movies best to give this a miss. The only drawback: it plays fast and loose with the time travel paradox, and in that respect is wildly inconsistent. Watch for the scene where an old man is systematically amputated by the torturing of his younger self -- makes no sense at all, but it's powerful stuff.

Cassandra (below) nailed it -- horror "lite". Well made, just not very innovative or scary.

I hated the kid in this soooo much... beheading by circular saw is sometimes a good thing.

A wasted opportunity. While the original is a bit cheesy by today's standards (actually, a lot cheesy) this instalment lacks the wow-factor -- apart from a fantastic battle scene in the arena, most of the film is people standing around talking, riding solar sailers, talking a bit more, then running to the next talking scene. Err... you're in a virtual world guys. Surely something a bit more incredible could happen? A very disappointed three stars.

What more can be said... an all-time classic. While it doesn't have the simplicity or feel-good factor of the previous film, there's a lot more depth here... obviously wrought by a better director. I've always found it interesting that Han Solo overtakes Luke in this film as the lead protagonist (a reflection of the character's popularity?). Great viewing.

Imagine "Ghostbusters" if it was set in the suburbs, had an alien instead of ghosts, and was ad-libbed for about half the movie. This may have been enjoyable if the cast had stuck to the script and it had been an hour long... but as it stands it's slow, dull-witted, and the impromptu "comedy" really isn't that funny. A bit sad really, as there's some talent on both sides of the camera...

The script is light, the acting painful (did anyone ever think Dolph Lundgren should act?) -- but this movie's like deep-fried Mars bars... a guilty pleasure. There's something wonderful in seeing all the old action stars come together, even if it is just to splatter goons who seem to be firing blanks. Silly, enjoyable, disposable.

Brilliant television. It's so laid back and casual, it's easy to forget that underneath there's a powerful commentary on what it means to be human, and how fearful we are of the dissimilar. I'd bet money this will be picked up by HBO or some other American network to be remade in English (apparently Americans can't read subtitles)...

My biggest concern is that Chris Pine's forehead may one day overbalance the planet.

I'm sure this was very popular in its native Thailand, but here the oddball escapades of a bicycle delivery girl come across as cheap slapstick. Some of the fight scenes are quite innovative, but the rest is quite difficult to watch -- embarrassing characters, stupid protagonists... very odd people indeed.

Shockingly bad. Would make an excellent case study in film school -- what happens when bad music, effects and acting meet an exact duplicate of the "Alien" script. And I'm still wondering what the "alien" part of the title is referring to...

If the fate of the world depends on a boggle-eyed scientist, his wife, and a kid with a ham radio, I think we're in big trouble. Typical made-for-TV fare -- good CGI mixed with some absolute shockers; acting that's sometimes good, sometimes embarrassing; and ignorant government officials galore. Not as bad as some disaster flicks, but nowhere near feature-film standard.

Hmmm... not sure what happened with this franchise. This seems to be a rehash of everything that's come before (I mean, literally: the scenes from other movies are repeated, often verbatim). The visuals are striking as always, but now the story is just sounding silly. The cast seems to recognise that too, and looks increasingly uncomfortable. Watch it at your own risk.

Ummm... what can I say about this that's nice. Nothing. Seagal looks like a painted, bored manatee, and everyone else in the cast seems to be as bewildered by the plot as he is. Utter rubbish.

Greg has it spot on (see review below). Good, cheap fun.

I'm hating myself for saying this: Jack Black is superb. He easily carries this cute little interview-style flick, and proves that, just maybe, the stupid roles he's played in the past may actually be the fault of the script writers and not his. I even watched the credits to check if it was him singing -- which it was. Remarkable. Pigs really can fly.

I'm not sure what the point is to these movies... to emphasise how closely we're all connected? It's been done before, and more skillfully -- the weaves in this aren't particularly inspired, with characters seemingly added to fill in time. Sure, it's cute in places, but in the end the premise proves to be less enlightening than it should be.

A great ride. We've seen most of the set-pieces before (there's a LOT of Minority Report in this) but that doesn't mean it's not entertaining. Give it a shot.

Pompous rubbish. Like watching your grandfather rap at your birthday party -- it tries to be cool, but comes across as try-hard and pathetic. All of the actors struggle with the material, particularly Pattinson, whose performance highlights his failings (this may well be another nail in the coffin of his acting career). Cronenberg has at times created some brilliant movies -- "The Fly" is a classic -- but the utter stupidity of this film is simply embarrassing.

Could this be the worst horror movie ever? If you're going to make another version of "a village where bad things happen to girls when they reach a certain age because they've looked in a mirror" then at least do it well. Who funds these things?

An odd one... we agreed it was almost as if a miniseries had been cut down to movie-length: hardly any of the characters are developed properly, but you're expected to keep track of a vast number of them (as they either get eaten or shot); and there are long scenes that seem pointless, like a lengthy disemboweling that does nothing to further the story. A reasonable effort, but sadly one of the weaker werewolf stories out there.

A nice surprise. Many of Ferrell's movies just collapse into a mess of crass (e.g. Taledega Nights) but this was, in parts, cleverly funny. Zack G doesn't play it for laughs, and turns out to be the movie's strongest performer -- something I didn't think possible after The Hangover 2. Not one for the kiddies (there's still a lot of swearing), but it's a fine commentary on the lunacy of the American political system.

A bit like Bond lite... plus it has the longest chase scene in the history of movies (gets a bit ho-hum after the first 15 minutes). Normally I like Jeremy Renner, but he just seemed really awkward in this. Bring back Matt Damon.

Technically, it's great -- terrific effects and some really exciting fight scenes. Story-wise, it's also pretty good... "believable", as much as story about a US President fighting vampires can be. But there's something about it that just doesn't gell... can't put my finger on it, but sadly it's not one you'd want to watch over and over again.

Very well made for a little independent movie... but unfortunately it's just plain boring. Poor story and screenplay let down good production values.

A real surprise. Entertaining, unexpected... a very well made horror/thriller.

Oh gosh... it's like watching an extended version of Glee, but with aging movie stars. Way to cash in Hollywood -- but I think we're over the rock-anthem musical thing now, thanks

Much more coherant than the second, and more realistic (gritty?)than the first. My gripe: batman feels largely useless in this... nowhere near to his apparent "superhero" status. While I appreciate Nolan's efforts to make the world feel real, in the process Batman has lost his superhuman skills -- after all, he's supposed to be "The World's Greatest Detective". Instead, he's just a guy in costume, seeing who can punch the hardest. Oh well, maybe next reboot...

One of those indie movies that really surprises you. Great performances, creepy atmosphere... really well done.

What is it with Pixar and hair? The girl's hair in this is so realistic and... flowing?... it's completely distracting. The movie itself is a good effort by Pixar, but the mother/daughter focus tends to alienate male viewers. A little slow as well, which may bore the kiddies. Best to get out "The Incredibles" instead.

As a long-time fan of "Family Guy" and "American Dad" I was sorely diappointed. Crass, cheap humour for the most part, and far too much swearing (not that I'm a prude, but it was beyond ridiculous at times). There was scope for this to be so much better... you can feel the scenes resolving into something clever, then it's spoilt by a barrage of profanities and some stupid joke about vaginas. Keep in kind: this is NOT a kids movie. Only for purile adults.

Agree with Vanessa -- whatever you do, don't watch the dubbed version. The original German with subtitles is much better -- the acting seems to make much more sense, with the correct intonations. It's actually a reasonable movie... very much in the "Game of Thrones" mold, if a little slow at times. Superb sets, likeable characters. Just needed a little more editing and it would've been terrific.

Jason Statham continues to surprise me. He seems like such a thug, but he's always convincing (albeit in the same role every movie) and very likable (despite killing anything that moves). This movie's plot has been seen many times before, but the speed, energy and interesting edits make for a great journey. And the swearing's at a minimum, which is a rarity these days...

Fabulous movie. Probably exponentially enjoyable the older you are.

I don't think it's anywhere near as bad as what the other reviewers have said -- certainly not in the "made for TV" movie basket. It's more like "Final Destination" without the clever deaths... not an overly exciting story, but at least the performances are convincing. Enjoyable.

What a great monster movie -- like a grown-up version of "Super 8". The acting is superb -- I totally disliked Noel Clarke in Dr Who, but here he's far more mature and measured. And the girl -- Laura Haddock -- looks like a blonde version of Angelina Jolie, but with a British accent (OMG). Worth watching.

Simply bizzare. It's like watching the goggled-eyed creature animations from "Howl's Moving Castle" gone wrong... everything is drawn and animated to the extreme, and most of the time far too quickly (it can be hard to see exactly what's happening). There are moments of imagination, but it's all eclipsed by the frentic, and often disturbing, animation style. Watch only if you're a pure Manga fan.

Fabulous movie -- very well done indeed. Chris Hemsworth is undoubtedly the next big thing in Hollywood -- but why anyone would think Kristen Stewart is "fairer" than the beautiful Charlize Theron, I have no idea...

Very good "slow burn" scary movie... although the ending was a bit "meh". This director certainly has a lot of skill at building tension from the smallest things.

Hmmm... it's an entirely capable film, but there's just something about Andrew Garfield that feels a little inconsistent (it's hard to tell if he's a good actor, or just emotional). It's also nice to see Spidey up against an enemy who's vastly more powerful... although he doesn't seem to be very clever about how he fights (why keep hitting him if it does nothing?). An enjoyable movie, if a bit pointless... and as Joffa says (below): haven't we seen it all before?

Terrific film. I don't agree with what other reviewers said about shortening it into an hour-long documentary... the character progression was helpful and explained much of their motivations. My only gripe would be the speed at which they talk... like Gilmore Girls, but with more nerd talk.

Lame... the movie can't even decide what title it's supposed to have. Poorly acted, dull and predictable. There's one moment of imagination in an auditorium fight scene, but everything else is a vague rip off of Star Wars, Dune and *cough* The Last Samurai. Two stars.

It's dull as dishwater... but there's something about it that's also quite inspiring. It's easy to dismiss these introspective movies against the Hollywood blockbusters, but I think they do have a place, if you're in the right mindset. Oh, but it's DEFINITELY not a comedy... don't expect to be laughing (as I initially did).

Spaz (reviewer below) is right... the Bollywood ending was just embarrassing (a true WTF? moment). Apart from that, it was watchable and moderately interesting, although you would think there could be so many more "magical" moments in a modernised fairlytale. Armie Hammer's interesting too... the next Clooney?

Hmmm... Beautiful animation (except for the weird lip syncing). However, it's like watching someone else play a third-person shooter... you tend to phase out at times because it's just so dull. I did like the character of the female president, though...

It isn't particularly clever or funny, but it tells a story (slowly) and the ending's kinda cute. And I still think I'm in love with Emily Blunt...

I'm really not sure why they continue to produce these made-for-tv movies... do they have a quota to fulfill? This sort of effects-heavy stuff invariably looks cheap without a big budget, and detracts from what might otherwise be a fairly decent film. Seriously networks: stick to one hour series episodes, rather than these one-offs -- you're just embarassing yourselves.

It could have been much, much worse... made-for-TV movie with some passable effects and the least exciting finale since "Wargames". Watch it if you like snow.

Interesting enough. John Cusack is a peculiar choice for Edgar Poe... I guess they wanted "wacky, but not Nic Cage wacky". Three stars.

Bizarre... a Finish/German movie filmed mainly on the Gold Coast. And funded largely by fans of a YouTube Star Trek parody. I wasn't expecting much, and largely got just that... although the special effects are terrific.

Cohen's humour is best when he's interacting with moronic people -- Borat was brilliant in that respect. But here, the whole film is fully-scripted and nowhere near as insightful. Funny, but not really his best work. I hope he goes back to the "unscripted" humour in his next film.

Great animated movie -- not for the kiddies, more a mature fan's film. Looking forward to Part 2.

Spanish movie with subtitles, which usually means if it's been released in Australia that it's either good or at least interesting (eg: "The Skin I Live In"). In reality, it's neither. First foreign movie I've seen in a long time that was simply awful. Although the female lead is amazingly beautiful...

Fabulous movie. Nicely paced, well acted... I could be in love with Emily Blunt. One for the mature crowd.

A huge surprise... I'd expected complete rubbish, and found myself laughing often. The humour's crass for the most part (with a huge amount of swearing), but it does prove that Americans can still produce scripts with quick, insightful humour. Give it a shot if you don't mind the f-word. Three and a half stars.

Reasonably entertaining. I'd expected a lot worse -- but the acting is convincing and the storyline, while familiar, is solid slasher fare.

Groundbreaking for it's time, but watching it now may have you thinking "hasn't this been done before?". Just keep in mind that this movie was first, and we have a lot to thank (and curse) for it.

Yep, a great Aardman movie -- fantastic animation, as always. A fairly simplistic plot will appeal to kiddies, and the impressive visuals will keep the adults' attention.

Good film -- creepy in all the right places. Particularly Daniel's eyebrows.

It's a good effort from this largely Irish cast... the only problem is that very little happens! There's hundreds of other dragon and knight movies out there that would do better to hold your interest.

Clever and funny... but also a bit convoluted and slightly rehashed. Josh Brolin is simply amazing as a young Tommy Lee (has he been taking mimic lessons from Meryl Streep?). While I liked it, I'm hoping this is the end of the "trilogy".

Superb. What's not to love when you combine Marvel's best superheroes? Actually, it could have been complete tripe, but Joss Whedon's skill at giving each character their own development curve really pays off. I still think Tony Stark is a jerk... and who would have thought The Hulk could be so lovable?

I'm really not sure what to score this. There are moments that are decidedly scary (ala "Paranormal Activity")... but there's also moments that will either bore you silly or have you wondering what the hell is going on. Typically French then, I suppose. Two directors, two different directions?

You're either going to love this or hate it. Me, I thought it was desperately trying to be a "cult" movie, but failed on every account. Not funny, not scary, not insightful. And the last act is just stupid. A complete (and embarrassing) waste of time.

Bit a slow-burner, this one. It's the typical "aliens attack and we concentrate on family issues" sort of thing (what exactly are the governments of the world doing?)... but the performances are good and there's a few interesting reveals along the way. I'm hoping it picks up the pace in Season 2, or that might be its swan song...

This really highlights everything that's wrong with current movies: action overrules plot, every second word is f***, and nothing stays on the screen for long (unless it's in gratuitous slo-mo). The movie equivalent of fast food... enough to keep you interested, but instantly forgettable.

More a teenage love story than a MMO-based sci-fi film (which is what I'd been expecting). Interesting enough, but not one for the Tron fans.

Excellent movie -- Streep is frighteningly good and a dead ringer for Thatcher. My only negative is that the transition from brilliant politician to controlling despot was a little abrupt. Highly recommended.

No exactly what I'd expected... almost like a stageplay that'd been converted into a movie (it doesn't take place in too many locations). But the performances are top notch (even for New Zealanders!) and the story is rehashed but effective. Not at all scary though...

Awful. I tried to give this a good go after seeing the Movie Show's 5/5 rating... but it's just so terribly depressing. The acting may be convincing, but constant confrontational dialogue and mournful events are not my idea of good entertainment. Not once in the whole film did anyone smile. Maybe I'm just not the target demographic, but if you enjoy your movies as entertainment rather than distressing reality, give this a miss.

See Cindy's review below... sums it up nicely. I won't be as harsh as her, though -- still quite enjoyable, if a little protracted.

A disaster. And not in a good way.

I haven't read the book, but as a stand-alone movie it's hugely entertaining. The shaky-cam footage is a bit much at times, but it progresses well and the lead actress is superb. Four stars.

A little convoluted, but the action scenes are brilliant and you can actually follow who's hitting who (Michael Bay please take note). I couldn't believe the number of famous faces... until I realised it was Soderbergh directing. I'm guessing he pulled in a few favours for this one...

It's no Gladiator, but it was certainly watchable. A touch slow in the second act, but if you're not expecting huge action then you should enjoy.

Oh dear... it tries very hard, but fails on just about all fronts. Plus: longest opening explanation of any movie. Ever.

Well paced, terrific music... a good film for all ages (unless you're a Grinch).

Surprisingly good! Reminds me of Top Gun, with a bit of Pearl Harbour thrown in. The only thing that grated was the constant stream of pop songs as backing music... how much is ACDC getting from royalties still??

Riding on the back of the success of "The Host" (a superb monster flick), this movie ticks most of the boxes... but throws in some weirdos for flavour (overacting much?). And that's where it fails -- the attemps at slapstick humour and screaming dialogue detract from the overall tone, and make you wish the monster would hurry up and eat them all. The CGI is world-class, but the acting and character development is bizarre (even for an Asian movie), and quite often annoying. Watch it for the monster, not the people.

Why do Australian movies always show the embarrassing stereotypes? Logging thugs and oddball greenies... sure, Tasmania has them, but there are normal people here too. It was hard to enjoy the movie through all the cringing.

Hmmm... this was supposed to be a reboot of the awful first Ghostrider movie. But apart from some interesting camera quirks and a great sequence in an old mine, much of it is embarrassing. Please, put Nicolas cage out to pasture, or at least give him some botox to reduce those crazy-face moments...

Entertaining, if a little silly. The pace is good, which helps you ignore the fact you're watching an ex-brickie trying to act...

NOT a happy movie... and a bit pointless. You may get something from this is you're searching hard (or if you're high), but for the rest of us it's moderate entertainment.

A touch drawn-out, but it's one of the better Japanese movies out there. A worthy successor to the first Gantz... let's hope there's more.

Entertaining! There's a few peculiar things about it (the typical Japanese angst, their refusal to use their guns even when you're yelling at the screen) but it's a great story and well told. It says "to be continued" right at the end... is there a sequel?

Some interesting reactions from the reviewers below... yes, it is ponderously slow and often frustrating ("just tell her dammit!"). But there's a resonance at the end and it does provoke discussion. For me, the intrigue couldn't overcome the lack of momentum, so I'm giving it a 2 out of 5.

Starts out with promise and rapidly dives into predictable stupidity. The things they make Paul Rudd do are just cringeworthy... I really hope the poor guy got paid a packet, as it won't do his career any favours. Wanderlust indeed.

I'd expected a great deal from this (an entertaining director plus a well-worn and loved story)... but it pretty much fell flat. Disjointed scenes, far too many protagonists, and a male lead about as exciting as John Howard at a book reading. I'm not sure how it went so wrong, and why Disney didn't see the train wreck coming. Average sci-fi, sadly.

Not bad... highlights the stupidity of the American political system and the flippancy of the voting public. May the candidate with the best spin team win!

Worst acting ever.

A made-for-TV movie that doesn't really accomplish anything -- one of those midday movies you see on and think that mowing the lawn might be more interesting. I'm a sci-fi fan, but this just didn't thrill me.

A made-for-TV movie that actually isn't too bad. Fairly ordinary effects, but the cast are good and things progress well from disaster to disaster. "2012" lite!

Garbage. Complete garbage.

Not hugely funny, but quite likeable. Feels like a small indie movie that doesn't really have a point...

Interesting enough, but quite slow and often baffling. And the use of strobe lighting set my teeth on edge! One for the thinking sci-fi fan...

Good movie, but a little plodding... as if the audience is one step ahead and waiting for the movie to catch up. I would have liked a bit more "magic". The cinematography is absolutely beautiful though -- a good one to show off a new HD TV or projector.

First movie in a long time where I've been thrilled for the protagonists... the scene with the football is brilliant. Loved it.

The reviews below are all pretty accurate -- depends what sort of movies you like to watch. There's a typical disjointed awkwardness to the acting, which you see with most Japanese movies... but that doesn't detract from the interesting premise. Not a huge favourite of mine, but I'm glad I've seen it.

Joffa (below) is right... simply pathetic. Got to be one of the worst movies on here... dull, stupid and pointless.

I like Dluth's description (below) as an "uneven comedy" -- very accurate. It goes off the rails often, very rarely finding the funny groove of it's predecessor. Crass, dull-witted and stupid for most of its running time. A real shame.

Two films on one disc... both a little light on story and interest. I'd recommend this to existing anime fans, and those that enjoy beautiful artwork. As a counter to the typical Hollywood blockbuster, it's not that effective.

Loved it. While it's not the most involving story, it takes the best bits of the first film and stretches them into something similarly entertaining. Great for good sub effects too (lots of explosions and growls!).

Not bad, if a little silly. It's just a shame the lead teenager is such a prat (note to casting directors: pleeese stop giving him work!).

Superb acting, but you *really* need to be on the ball with this -- miss a pivotal scene and you'll be wondering for the rest of the movie "who the hell are they talking about now"? The book was a milestone for it's time -- the genesis of the whole whodunnit spy thriller. Sadly, other films have done it better since then, so this one looks a bit contrived. Three stars from me.

It's hard to be harsh about this, as you can see the effort they put into the animation (best described as a sophisticated "South Park" clone). However, there are real disadvantages to having limited facial movements and, in particular, the difficulty the characters have turning their heads. We get so many cues from body language, and just about all of those are missing from these cutout characters. The story's quite interesting, if a little protracted -- it feels a lot like a short that's been stretched out. Nothing too groundbreaking though, and occasionally illogical (eg: why would the controller reveal himself in the first place?). Two stars from me.

I'm intrigued to see so many good reviews -- this film sets itself up as a "Mission:Impossible" clone, but gets bogged down in character development (not usually a bad thing, unless you're expecting action!). The heist itself isn't clever, and you won't see any fabulous stunts. A well rounded film, but essentially dull.

Nick nailed it with his review (below) -- the opening was brilliant, the rest, hard to watch. I'm wondering if it was a stageplay converted to movie -- it only really takes place in a handful of rooms, and plays heavily on the emotional impact of being isolated from the rest of the world. "Lord of the Flies" for this generation... just not as interesting.

I'm not sure I agree with the two reviewers below me -- this one felt a bit disjointed and not nearly as clever as the first. It could be I'm just overawed by Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock on TV, but Downey's Sherlock just seems a little... dumb? If you haven't seen the TV series, definitely grab that instead of this movie. Otherwise, enjoy the explosions...

Great effects, dull story. And Peter's right -- the English dub was simply terrible.

A bit dull really -- the car race scenes that made the first so enjoyable are now few and far between. If you're a car fan, you'll be sadly disappointed.

Interesting enough -- just a series of sound bites from various fans and critics, questioning Lucas's reasons for the entire Star Wars series. Sadly, all the footage is from fan films and not the actual movies (copyright issues perhaps?). One for the true Star Wars fans only.

Shockingly boring, but also oddly compelling... I think it comes down to what sort of mood you're in at the time. The person I watched it with fell asleep -- make of that what you will.

Phil's right... it's definitely NOT like "Kick Ass". More a "Malcolm" clone. Not meaning to be rude, but why is there such a large proportion of Australian movies about either mentally-challenged or gay people?

Terrific casting, apart from that annoying teenager.

It's okay. Some of the ideas are great (you can see the comic book influence coming through) -- but at times it just feels clunky and staged. When a climactic final battle has you yawning, it can't be good. The jury's out on Brandon Routh too: is he just a bad actor with distracting good looks?

Brilliant premise, but seems to run out of steam. They could have done so much more with it -- instead it devolves into a Bonnie and Clyde resolution. Still, it's a good watch.

A little dull. Clever premise, but takes a long time to get to the point.

Great production values, although the story is a little plodding (one fight scene ends, interlude, another begins -- rinse and repeat). Jason Momoa is a fine looking Conan, although his voice teacher needs to be sacked. Ron Perlman never fails to impress. Overall, not bad at all.

I agree with Rick -- I'd expected a shocker, but it really isn't that bad. Bit short, bit lacking in ideas... but Josh Brolin is simply superb. Megan Fox, on the other hand... you can hear the bells tolling on her career with each shot she's in...

Not scary. Not funny. Just sick -- and not in a good way. I had expected something unique and slightly twisted, as per the first movie -- instead, this is just poorly acted garbage. Uwe Bolle would be proud.

The original and the best. Even today it feels fresh and exciting. Easily one of the best films of all time.

Surprisingly watchable! It can panned by the critics, but it's really not that bad -- and the robots are simply amazing.

Loved it! Although the title character is a touch annoying, the film flows as a good movie should, never really stopping so that the kiddies get bored. Great for kids and kids at heart.

I have to agree with Azure -- purile humour. Actually, I think I only laughed twice in the whole movie, and the rest of the time either cringed or wondered what I was missing. If you're expecting a classy superhero movie, you're in for a nasty shock...

Sharp, clever and measured... not often you can say that about sci-fi movies. The ending tends to devolve into typical fare, but the rest of the film is a great ride.

A wasted opportunity -- these guys can do so much better. The movie flows well and elicits a few chuckles, but nothing you'd repeat to your mates at the pub. And just like the wise man said: "Rampant swearing does not a good film make"...

Daniel Craig... I don't get it. Why is he a sex symbol? He goes through this movie looking like a grumpy garden gnome (that hat is atrocious!). And poor Harrison Ford... he's so doddery now that it feels like sympathy casting. But the effects are good, if a little silly (a horse can keep up with a spaceship??) -- worth a watch, if you can suspend a LOT of disbelief...

It's actually better than you would think -- I'm guessing "Legion" turned everyone off anything with Paul Bettany as an action hero. The finale feels a little lame (another "stop the train" movie?) but it does the job in a reasonably effective Matrix-like way. (Worth noting: Karl Urban channels Judge Dread, and it works! Diversity seems to be his middle name.)

What a huge disappointment. Fake looking sets, wooden acting and a dull screenplay make this "300" clone a waste of time. If Mr Cavill doesn't pick up his game for "Superman", we could be in trouble...