Mini Reviews
Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows (out Jan 5) is not as entertaining as the original. These characters have become too smart for their own good. The never-ending banter between Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law gets tired quickly. Also disappointing is new addition Noomi Rapace. I much preferred the spark and flair of Rachel McAdams in the first movie. Grade: C+.
Alvin & The Chipmunks 3: Chipwrecked (out now) is pretty average. Younger kids may find it entertaining (it's a simple storyline) but compared to other animated films, it's deficient. Grade: C+.
The Iron Lady (out now) underachieves. It left me with no new perspective on one of the most intriguing leaders of the 20th Century. Parts of the story aren't explored in enough depth and others felt overly fake. The film is almost rescued by a wonderful performance from Meryl Streep who seems destined to win a third Academy Award. Grade: B-.
Happy Feet 2 (out now) starts messily and could have used a few more laughs but it eventually won me over with its positivity and a nice selection of songs. In this follow up, Mumble is on a rescue mission to help his fellow penguins who have become trapped due to a rogue iceberg. Grade: B+.
We Bought A Zoo (out Dec 26) is summed up by the title - a single father and his two kids buy a zoo and try to restart their lives. There are a few nice scenes where characters interact (e.g. father & son) but for the most part, the film treats the audience like an idiot. It may be based on a true story but so many elements, including the ending, felt fake. Grade: C+.
War Horse (out Dec 26) is good but not great. It follows the life of a horse that ends up being involved in World War I. I had the chance to see the Tony Award winning play in New York which was brilliant! Unfortunately, this film version feels a little fragmented and the aversion towards blood and violence is too obvious. Grade: B+.
The Skin I Live In (out Dec 26) is from Spanish director Pedro Almodovar and stars Antonio Banderas as a plastic surgeon who has developed a new type of synthetic skin. That's about all I feel comfortable revealing. The less you know the better. Just trust me when I say it's one of the year's best films. Grade: A.
The Adventures Of Tintin (out Dec 26) is an unexpected highlight in what has been a disappointing year for animated features. Shot using motion capture, this film stands out with its high quality animation and a strong, action-packed story. Grade: A-.
Melancholia (out now) is hmmm, yeah, um, ah, yeah. The first half is about a lavish wedding spoiled by a "fruit loop" bride. The second half focuses on a planet that is on a collision course with Earth. The performances are great and there are some impressive visuals but I struggled with the story. Grade: B.
Tower Heist (out Dec 26) starts well. I particularly enjoyed the set up - a group of employees in a lavish apartment building try to rob a wealthy resident after he loses their retirement savings in dodgy investments. The cast is strong too! Was expecting a better conclusion however. Ends up being silly as opposed to creative. Grade: B.
Albert Nobbs (out Dec 26) stars Glenn Close as a woman who dressed as a man in 19th Century Ireland to conceal her sexual orientation. Directed by Rodrigo Garcia (In Treatment), this is one amazing character study. Close portrays Nobbs as a person who has completely lost her identity and social skills after having suppressed her urges for so long. Grade: A.
