FILMDUDE

A woman brings her family back to her childhood home, where she opens an orphanage for handicapped children. Before long, her son starts to communicate with an invisible new friend.

There are not many things creepier than a house haunted by ghost children. In a scare climax, a medium channels the voices and cries of the sick orphans. It might be a little clichéd, but this film is far from shallow. It also deals with grief and loss, themes supported by impressive performances. While the story lingers in these times, the twists of the finale forgive the build-up. A beautiful story of life and death, the Orphanage is one not to abandon.

A frustrated office worker learns that he is the son of a professional assassin, and that he shares his father's superhuman killing abilities.

The major problem with Wanted is that it is really stupid. It requires an absolute suspension of disbelief, as looms of fate prove quite fatal. Story aside, some of the sequences are alright in their slow-mo gun-toting computer-generated kind of way. If the film didn't take itself so seriously, the setup would not be completely ridiculous. Over-the-top choreographed action cannot save this film from a predictable plot and a fraternity of two-dimensional characters.

Maxwell Smart, Agent 86 for CONTROL, battles the forces of KAOS with the more-competent Agent 99.

The only thing smart about this film is the cunning marketing plan that involves releasing old TV shows to the cinema, and playing on the nostalgia of the audience to convince them to watch these far inferior interpretations. There are a few jokes scattered about from a cast who should know better, but a notable absence of laugh-out-loud moments or substance fail to sustain this feature-length film. I'm afraid Get Smart is another shameless cash venture in line with the trend of TV adaptations and sequels that continue to curse our cinema screens.

A hard-living superhero who has fallen out of favor with the public enters into a questionable relationship with the wife of the public relations professional who's trying to repair his image.

In the wake of the superhero blockbuster movement, Hancock provides a unique and hilarious perspective of an alcoholic with gifted powers, resented by the people and equally vulgar in return. This setup is fun until Hancock faces his only real villain in the film, the story-arch enemy. The humorous setup can only take you so far and doesn't fly for the entire length of the film. The shaky cgi can be forgiven, but the plot that ensues cannot.

Famed archaeologist Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones is called back into action when he becomes entangled in a Soviet plot to uncover the secret behind mysterious artifacts known as the Crystal Skulls.

It has been 18 years since the last instalment and those looking to cure those archaeological cravings will be satisified. The same characters, crew and triumphant score are reunited to recreate the wonderful fun and action of the series. Our hero may have aged, but like the audience, his passion is reignited when we embark onto the next adventure. After waiting for so long, it's disappointing we don't find anything new to treasure.

21 is the fact-based story about six MIT students who were trained to become experts in card counting and subsequently took Vegas casinos for millions in winnings.

This decidedly Hollywood account of the MIT Blackjack team is fair entertainment that will please gamblers and confuse others. After a slow setup we race through the rules of 21 and jet off to Las Vegas to enjoy the highs of bringing down the house. The movie can't maintain this level of fun, with its weak plot rising to the surface in a manufactured ending that doesn't belong to this film. Once you see past the flashy bright lights, you realise 21 isn't a big winner.

The girls are back in town.

If the idea of watching 4 back-to-back episodes of Sex and the City sounds alluring, then you will love this. The length of the movie might be epic, but the pace is aligned with the TV show maintaining all the fun, fashion and sex. We love spending time with these characters as they face some of the tougher challenges in life like marriage and divorce, a step above the usual frivolous banter of the series. On the other hand, if you're not a fan of our mid-forty heroines, you will despise the glimpses into their lives. Fans of the show will find this film fabulous.

Into the life of a widowed professor comes a new love and an unexpected visit from his adopted brother.

Smart People is a comedy with a pretentious title, but enough wit to make it enjoyable. The film centres round a naive professor and how most of the people in his life loathe him. He falls in love with his nurse, a former student with an infatuation with the arrogant scholar that is questionable. It's the playful dynamics of his gifted family and in particular, the sarcasm and rudeness of his daughter which are the most fun to watch. If only all those other issues didn't get in the way of spending time with this family. Interesting people but not the smartest film.

When wealthy industrialist Tony Stark is forced to build an armored suit after a life-threatening incident, he ultimately decides to use its technology to fight against evil.

Iron Man is a fun action flick with wide appeal. Set in the real world, Tony Stark deals with issues prevalent today that make the movie believable. In all comic-book adaptations, it's the transformation that is the best part and this is no exception. The lustrous suit is very nice, and its construction is a hilarious process. If only the suit looked better in the cgi-mess which is considered the final fight. Iron Man is a superhero movie that is actually good.

Tom Ludlow is a veteran LAPD cop who finds life difficult to navigate after the death of his wife. When evidence implicates him in the execution of a fellow officer, he is forced to go up against the cop culture.

Street Kings is a dull, clichéd and terrible episode of life on the streets of LA. You have the African Americans brother, the Mexicans esé, the Korean triads and hard-boiled cops who always look out for each other and play the tough guy. The whole setup is embarrassing with very mediocre and laughable dialogue, and unthreatening criminals who always end up helping the police. Filmed in a style where excessive grittiness is king, this is bad.

A successful, single businesswoman who dreams of having a baby discovers she is infertile and hires a working class woman to be her unlikely surrogate.

Baby Mama possesses plenty of comedic talent that is wasted in a predictable and sugar-coated plot that induces morning-sickness-like nausea. Sometimes, rare moments of wit is shared between characters, exchanges easily forgotten when the story trails down the safe Hollywood path of superficial charm and happy-endings. Once it becomes apparent this film isn't as original as it first appears to be, it lulls and dulls and rocks you to sleep.

A prehistoric epic that follows a young mammoth hunter's journey through uncharted territory to secure the future of his tribe.

I can only imagine how the film's pre-production underwent. We can have a script or generate a woolly mammoth? We could cast decent actors or generate another woolly mammoth? Maybe consider throwing in some pre-historic authenticity, or just go with another one of those impressive woolly mammoths? As empty as the desert and unintelligent as the dialogue and cavemen that inhabit this film, 10000 BC is one of the worst films in history.

The mythical world starts a rebellion against humanity in order to rule the Earth, so Hellboy and his team must save the world from the rebellious creatures.

Hellboy II is a cgi camp of cogs of creatures. We still love the band from the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defence, a bunch of down-to-earth superheroes who fight the bad guys at night, and amusingly discuss their personal relationships at day. Like Abe and Hellboy, it's an odd mix that relishes in a refreshing world of supernatural creativity and action. The film doesn't take itself too seriously, and is all the better for it.

A send-up of superhero films, from Batman Begins to Fantastic Four.

Everybody involved in this project should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. Anytime I think about the fact there was a script for this movie makes me want to bang my head against the wall. Superhero is so terribly bad and not funny at all. The only thing that can considered funny is that people are still paying to watch these films. Please don't watch this movie as they will only make more.

The true story of Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby who suffers a stroke and has to live with an almost totally paralyzed body; only his left eye isn't paralyzed.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is both a beautifully inspiring and tragic story. With clever use of the medium, the director throws us into the perspective of our unfortunate patient. Elle's cynical outlook provides more laughs than sympathy as he serves his imprisonment and takes the opportunity to seek closure and follow his dreams. Such a task our able-bodied selves often find too difficult. A wonderful film and celebration of life.

With a Rashomon narrative style, the attempted assassination of the president is told from several different perspectives.

Vantage Point might seem interesting at first, with its "different points of view" storytelling, large ensemble cast and the American president. In truth, it's a bit repetitive and formulaic, with revelations only coming after we endure the assassination again and again. In the end the bad guys die, there's a car chase to please all the confused viewers, and the story gets nicely wrapped up. Entertaining enough but still annoying.

Through a series of freak occurrences, a group of actors shooting a big-budget war movie are forced to become the soldiers they are portraying.

Tropic Thunder could have easily been titled "War Movie", inline with the many other spoof films. The premise is understandably contrived, and a challenge to be convincing. If you're seeking wit, you won't find it in this jungle. Jokes consist of recreating classic war scenes and actor parodies, ironically commenting on their retarded role choices. Tropic Thunder has a big cast and big budget, but relies too heavily on props and stereotypes to elicit laughs.

Devastated Peter takes a Hawaii vacation in order to deal with recent break-up with his TV star girlfriend, Sarah. Little does he know Sarah's travelling to the same resort as her ex.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a delightful comedy filled with many interesting characters. The best parts are the small snippets that fall in-between scenes. These whimsical moments contain some of the best jokes, but also some welcome insights into our protagonists. The only disappointing bits are the undue vulgarity and contrivance towards the end. This film is a memorable mix of laugh-out-loud scenarios and genuine heartbreak.

A stoner and his dealer are forced to go on the run from the police after the pothead witnesses a cop commit a murder.

If you smoke weed, more often then not, you end up in crazy scenarios. They are often highly contrived, outrageous, and equally hilarious. When the bad guys over-estimate the good guys, suspecting they're intelligent hired professionals, is always hysterical. Like a number of characters, some jokes are not great, though never resorting to vulgarity. Pineapple Express is a ridiculous comedy of ridiculous people, stuck in ridiculously funny situations.

A story about family, greed, religion, and oil, centered around a turn-of-the-century prospector in the early days of the business.

There Will Be Blood is a raw and compelling film about one man, driven to succeed if only to be regarded as successful rather than flourish in riches. Any person who stands in his way is a considered a threat and a competitor, a philosophy that makes him neurotic and psychotic. A vigorous score heightens the dread and tension and evokes strong emotion in this story of entrepreneur of undeniable intensity and greed.

A man whose brain becomes magnetized unintentionally destroys every tape in his friend's video store. In order to satisfy the store's most loyal renter, the two men set out to remake the lost films.

A wave of nostalgia hits you in Be Kind Rewind as our affable heroes go about to remake a list of video classics that include Ghostbusters, Robocop and Rush Hour. The intention is to inspire the filmmaker in all of us, but often feels a little too self-indulgent on the director's part. The video sketches provide plenty of do-it-yourself innovation and a lot of fun; it's the rest of the film you want to fast-forward.

Faced with an unplanned pregnancy, an offbeat young woman makes an unusual decision regarding her unborn child.

There is much to love and hate about Juno. She believes she is very clever with her contrived banter, undermines the process of giving birth, and is immature and naive when it comes to adult issues. It's a credit to the film that we still find sympathy for our smart-mouth hero. She takes responsibility for the impregnation and is deeply appreciative of the varied idiosyncratic characters that support her. Juno is an admiring tale that will frustrate and amuse.

Upon moving into the run-down Spiderwick Estate, twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace, along with their sister Mallory, find themselves pulled into an alternate world full of faeries and other creatures.

The Spiderwick Chronicles is another children's fantasy with very little to separate it from the rest. After a slow introduction, we finally delve into the mystical world of faeries and goblins, a group of computer generated creatures who bring some excitement and joy. Apart from a big exploding finale of tomato sauce, the rest of the story is rather insipid and dull, despite the excellent performances of the young cast. The film is fun and fantastical, but all too familiar.

Based on the true story of the 1971 Baker Street bank robbery which was prevented from being told for over thirty years because of a Government gagging order.

The Bank Job spends little time on the planning and execution of the robbery, giving a false impression of the relative ease of the operation. The film's prize is to investigate the ramifications of the heist, countless sensitive materials in the hands of common thieves caught in a very dangerous situation. Extortions, guns, cars, photos, brothels, dodgy politicians, and the mob all play a part. A slow and erratic start pays off in the rewarding final.

Batman and Gordon join forces with the new DA to take on a psychotic robber known as The Joker.

There is so much to admire about this film. The much darker tone resonates with an audience that live in a not-so-perfect world. The grand-scale action sequences involving trucks, bikes, money better spent on explosions than computer graphics. An assortment of characters, all given their due screen-time, all shadowed by the Joker, so genuinely frightening and creating an unprecedented sense of dread and anarchy. The Dark Knight is so good that you forget about its comic origins, as it stands alone as exceptional action and crime classic.

Two sisters contend for the affection of King Henry VIII.

The Other Boleyn Girl is a perfectly serviceable period drama of a rather unpleasant story. It paints a time of great class divide, where there is no shame in marrying into wealth and using seduction as a perfectly acceptable way to do so. While the film could have drawn parallels with sex and politics in society today, it's forced to rush scenes to fit in the decades of history. It has more in common with a soap opera with a number of bitter characters than we can't relate or pity, and their struggles which leave you unfavourably depressed.

Three American brothers who have not spoken to each other in a year set off on a train voyage across India with a plan to find themselves and bond with each other.

It's difficult to relate to this wealthy family, so far detached from reality. Rather you laugh at their bickering, addiction to cough medicine, fondness of snakes and pepper spray, and other mishaps aboard the Darjeeling Limited. The Indian people and culture suffers from the little attention they receive in this feature, which delivers more of a postcard snapshot than an enlightening journey. What the film lacks in spirit is equalled in family camaraderie.

A chunky, clueless guy leaves his pregnant fiancée on their wedding day only to discover 5 years later that she is his one true love.

It's difficult to describe what bad comic-timing is, but Run Fatboy Run is surely an adequate demonstration. There is too many unbearable characters and too many bad jokes that race towards a neat and predictable ending. A marathon to endure, this film is not as funny as it thinks it is, and one you should run away from.

A genetic anomaly allows a young man to teleport himself anywhere. He discovers this gift has existed for centuries and finds himself in a war that has been raging for thousands of years.

Our young hero entertains when exploiting his gift to rob banks and travel the world. It's unacceptable to spend the entire film showcasing how cool this teleporting is. Whenever our protagonist meets other participants of the story, the interactions are simply woeful. This film constantly jumps scene to scene skipping any traces of plot or action and leaving a scar of disappointment no person should go through.

Two terminally ill men escape from a cancer ward and head off on a road trip with a wish list of to-dos before they die.

The problem about these two men, apart from their uninspired performances, is the fact we don't care if they pass away or not. Their ambitions are more comparable to household chores, as they trudge along each adventure in vapid fashion. The whole act is a little too cheesy, corny, and convenient for my liking. Better suited for a TV midday movie, this film should not be on your list.

Po the Panda is the laziest animals in all of the Valley of Peace, but unwittingly becomes the chosen one when enemies threaten their way of life.

Animated films continue to lead the way in family entertainment with Kung Fu Panda being an exceptional example. The picture is invariably breathtaking, set on impressive landscapes and showcasing the very fast and fluid kinetics of martial arts which are exciting to watch. The film presents enough vibrant and infectious fun to make it impossible to despise. Kung Fu Panda is funny, witty, and truly awesome.

A science-fiction writer, recently widowed, considers whether to adopt a hyper-imaginative 6-year-old abandoned and socially rejected boy who says he's really from Mars.

Martian Child is a well-produced film with a simple message and good heart. The titular Dennis is the most frustrating of all the characters. One scene you want to slap him, the next you want to hug him. The film deals with these problems, how parents struggle with troubled kids, and how kids have trouble facing the real world. Not the most exciting film of the year, but a genuinely human and heartfelt story.

A freak storm unleashes a species of blood-thirsty creatures on a small town, where a band of citizens hole-up in a supermarket and fight for their lives.

The Mist is your stock standard horror film where you throw a bunch of people in a room, endanger their lives and see how they react. The result is colourful quarrel of religion, reason and rationale. The joy comes from watching the locals get their comeuppance as the poor-looking monsters feast on them. In these films you always find yourself questioning the decisions the characters make. Our protagonists' judgement at the end is truly mystifying.

A drama based on a Texas congressman Charlie Wilson's covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets have some unforeseen and long-reaching effects.

A man hidden from the radar, Charlie Wilson is an amazing character with cause against the Soviets to rival his passion for girls and whiskey. The movie is propelled by the charisma of its lead characters, and all-star cast who delightfully play off one another. There are also many moments in the story that frighteningly resonate with the politics of today. This film is about Charlie's success, America's failures and the causalities along the way.

The story begins with Speed Racer who is a young man with natural racing instincts whose goal is to win.

Speed Racer is a cgi flurry of cars and colours under lit by a story of corporate corruption, a matter that would float past the intended audience of little ones. The themes of art vs business vs family are as clear as the Mach 5's slick exterior, but get lost in the frenzy of car-racing and kung-fu. The racetracks are loop-to-loop monsters, providing the best thrills in some sharp and edgy editing that puts you in the drivers seat. The film is a long and inconsistent race, worthy of watching if only to revel in all the bright colours.

A small-time rancher agrees to hold a captured outlaw who's awaiting a train to go to court in Yuma.

The track to Yuma is a windy road that will keep you constantly guessing. The landscape and period is captured beautifully, from the small humble towns and shining pistols to the humble town-folk. Unlike your traditional western, these characters have names and bring their colourful history to the screen. They create a conflict of conscious as you guiltily admire the charismatic bad guy and resent the bitter and weak good guy. This film harbours a swag of strong performances in an enjoyable and riveting ride.

Six Californians start a club to discuss the works of Jane Austen, only to find their relationships begin to resemble 21st century versions of her novels.

Having read zero Jane Austen books, I still found this film mildly entertaining. The fun comes when each member of the club relate the stories to their own tragic lives. The process causes them to break down, and to make spiteful and bitter comments to each other that are often amusing. There is also the benefit of having one guy in the group to serve the males watching this chick flick. The only sour note is the predictable ending where they all invariably find love.

The infamous story of Benjamin Barker, a.k.a Sweeney Todd, who sets up a barber shop down in London which is the basis for a sinister partnership with his fellow tenant, Mrs. Lovett.

Sweeney Todd is a dark and twisted tale, and also a dull and boring one. We know Sweeney wants revenge, but can't he stop singing and staring angrily out his window and just get on with the job. Few of the songs are enjoyable, and they all tend to slow the plot to an unbearable point. Some will enjoy the throat-slashing and corpse-thudding antics of the barber. After watching this film, I find myself seeking my own vengeance and salvation.

A gun-for-hire known only as Agent 47 is ensnared in a political conspiracy, which finds him pursued by both Interpol and the Russian military as he treks across Eastern Europe.

47 is best described as a focused man, more satisfied in making his kill than pleasuring his women. It's these anti-bond heroics that are refreshing to watch. Unfortunately the film suffers from the uninteresting police in his pursuit, overplayed in typical hammy performances. The action scenes are also wasted in some bad forms of style and nuisance editing. This adaptation is still a hit above your usual video game exploit.

A classic Disney fairytale collides with modern-day New York City in a story about a fairytale princess who is sent to our world by an evil queen.

In an attempt to bring quintessential Disney to the youth of today, Enchanted fantastically throws the adorable Princess Giselle into a busy city metropolis. Her journey is ultimately amusing as she searches for Prince Charming, a purpose that could quite literally echo our own ambitions. The conclusion is predictably out of a Hallmark Card, but the film is still charming enough to appeal to all the wicked witches of the world.

Revolves around a monster attack in New York as told from the point of view of a small group of people.

Cloverfield is filmed from the perspective of its protagonists using a hand-held camcorder, a technique which is effective for the majority of the short running time. The monster is a mighty sight to behold, and you wish it featured more. It's the monster's spawn that stars, their calls and cackles leaving me in fits of laughter, rather than frightened from their beckoning bite. By the end, you are exhausted from the non-stop footage. This film is a no-breaks adrenalin ride that comes to a crashing and fiery end.

In 1970s America, a detective works to bring down the drug empire of a heroin kingpin.

American Gangster is an epic story of two people. The titular Frank Lucas, a religious and devoted family man, and his polar opposite Richie Roberts, the incorruptible cop, troubled at home but determined in his lonely pursuit. You can't help but take Frank's side, relishing his journey from rags to riches, and joining his vast corrupted network of cops and soldiers who succumb to greed. It's not until we see the effects of 'Blue Magic' are we reminded his business is heroine. A brilliant and engaging crime classic.

Years after a plague kills most of humanity and transforms the rest into monsters, the sole survivor in New York City struggles valiantly to find a cure.

This post-apocalyptic thriller is all too familiar, with too much focus on a barren New York that becomes dull quickly after the excessive panning. More tameness comes in the form of the terrible infected, tanned a bland grey and lacking physicality. A group of computer generated embodiments are simply not as menacing as real people dressed in pale makeup and blood. Often tense but far from legendary.

Jenna is a pregnant, unhappily married waitress in the deep south. She meets a newcomer to her town and falls into an unlikely relationship as a last attempt at happiness.

Far from a mid-life crisis, I found little to relate to in this sorry tale. Nonetheless, it's impossible not to sympathize with our titular waitress as we suffer her arduous imprisonment. As it hits an all time low, Jenna finally breaks free from her mundane lifestyle. We share her wry smile as she engages in a mischievous relationship with the hilarious bumbling doctor. Waitress is a saccharine and sometime quirky dish that everyone should try.

Fledgling writer Briony Tallis, as a 13-year-old, irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister's lover of a crime he did not commit.

Atonement is a love story torn by unfortunate circumstance. Briony's interpretation of events are marred by jealously, and cleverly presented in style to show the points of view of all involved. These key events play alongside a beautiful score, complete with resounding keys of the type-writer that haunt throughout. This film is a timeless period piece and admiral adaptation that shows the power of the written-word.

Violence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon some dead bodies, a stash of heroin and more than $2 million in cash near the Rio Grande.

Watch this to see the psychotic Anton Chigurh, his very presence on screen is terrifying as he pursues the naive Llwelyn Moss, his greed limiting a return of the briefcase haul. The chase is brutal and intense with their confrontations providing breathtaking suspense. The film also serves as an analysis of the human condition, questioning the value of money and principles we follow in life. No Country For Old Men is a mesmerising thriller that all should visit.

A man who specializes in debunking paranormal occurrences checks into the fabled room 1408.

Your typical bad guy comes in the form of a mask-wearing knife-wielding bandit, or some kind of monster or creature. But a hotel room? Funny enough a room can be scary, frightening enough to question your very own alarm clock, telephone and the walls of your home. This lodge haunts your past, with plenty of suicidal ghosts to keep you company. It's thrilling and chilling stuff, only suffering in the certain level of unease that comes in the frantic finale. A terrifying film of terrifying heights.

The warrior Beowulf must fight and defeat the monster Grendel who is terrorizing towns, and later, Grendel's mother, who begins killing out of revenge.

A motion-capture animation of breathtaking visuals, Beowulf is a story of one enigmatic warrior, his gruff voice and the monsters he meets. The most merry-making of them all, a large dragon with a fiery breath that blasts from the cinema speakers at full volume. The action will please the fantasy fans, the rest will marvel at the computer graphics that tends to overshadow the plot, characters, and any other elements of the film.

A US Fighter pilot's epic struggle of survival after being shot down on a mission during the Vietnam War.

This film combines two of my favourite things: jungle and escaping prison. The jungle is captured beautifully: green, luscious and dense, impossible to penetrate without a machete. Escaping prison is slow, and painful. But this movie goes as far as showing many negligible details, from a crash-course in picking locks to converging the guards. The prisoners are a colourful bunch, the interplay in their state of delirium is very amusing. This is an exceptional war movie of survival and the jungle.

The film follows the mysterious and ruthless Nikolai, who is tied to one of London's most notorious organized crime families.

Glimpses at the criminal underworld will always interest us ordinary nice folk. Eastern Promises is no different, with its shady Russian mafia conducting business in equally shady parts of London. A film of mixed emotions, the charismatic performances undermine the atrocities we witness and listen to in a narrated diary. At times this flurry of conscience is uncomfortable, a minimal hinder in this compelling and disturbing piece.

Two separate sets of women are stalked at different times by a scarred stuntman who uses his "death proof" cars to execute his murderous plans.

Homage to classic Grindhouse cinema of the 80's, Death Proof is an suspenseful thrill-ride featuring many delightful ladies. With a killer soundtrack, the only thing that slows this vehicle is the tenuous dialogue. Most of the pop culture babble will interests you, and a large portion of it won't. But let's not forget we're in a surreal world, where the crazed predator engages in a climatic pursuit which is possibly the best car sequence in history.

In the war between the forces of Light and Dark, a device is found that can restore life to Moscow.

Day Watch is an eternal struggle between good viewing and bad. You have the good watch, its dark gothic style, impending dread and gloom, and an interesting support cast, whose stories and developments expand the scope of the others, showing more to war than the two bosses and the great ones. And you have the bad watch, a long running time, an out-of-context lesbian kissing scene, and the entire fate of the future lying in a piece of chalk. An entertaining sequel that suffers in its departure from darkness.

September the 1st, 2001. Elliot, an American CIA agent holding top secret information on the immediate future of the world.

This film is best summarised in its title. It simply follows a couple of people spending a few days in September. They talk; sometimes they meet people, only to have to wait a day to meet them again, allowing more hapless discussion. The direction features a series of blurry shots throughout, with an impact undermined by the headaches they induce. The dialogue is ambiguous, characters ever-so irritating and an ending more irksome than profound.

The film is based on Mariane Pearl's account of the terrifying and unforgettable story of her husband, Wall Street Journal reporter Danny Pearl's life and death.

A mighty heart is a genuine and heartfelt account of tragedy. The excellent performances reflect a true sense of the frustration, determination and suffering of all those involved. The film struggles to draw the audience into the investigation, presumably of little concern to the director with motives favouring accuracy over entertainment. An authentic portrayal with a good heart, but little excitement.

After an attempted assassination on Ambassador Han, Lee and Carter head to Paris to protect a French woman with knowledge of the Triads' secret leaders.

Rush Hour 3 is a comedy riddled with contrivances. Before the franchise can sink any lower, our first genuine laugh arrives in the sewer. It's the last laugh to come till the finale, in which an over-computer-generated sequence of fights and thrills on the Eiffel Tower are less than spectacular. You will find the outtakes the most enjoyable part, and they're not even in the movie! Don't rush to see this one.

A secretary's life changes in unexpected ways after her dog dies.

Peggy is a thirty-something single women, fixated on her pet dog Pencil and finding it difficult to deal with his death. She cannot hide from her friends or the director's camera, always in her face. This style highlights the talent of the actors, whose detailed facial expressions speak louder than words. It may sound sad, but there are cute dogs and humour to be found. Peggy's transformation into crazy dog lady is both beautifully tragic and utterly hysterical. Animals aside, it's a nice story that shows the consequences of forcing our ideals on others.

A team of US government agents is sent to investigate the bombing of a facility in the Middle East.

The Kingdom is an entertaining venture into a world of foreign affairs and war against terror. The reality is frightening, in particular a bomb-making sequence where the device is constructed under careful and meticulous preparation that sends chills down your spine. Unfortunately much of the weight of discussion is lost in the final chapter, where a questionable chase rocket-launches into action. The forensics, politics and explosions will find an audience, but the message is lost in all the debris.

A documentary comparing the highly profitable American health care industry to other nations, and HMO horror stories.

This film will convince you that America has the worst health care system in the world, and that France is a good country to live in. There is nothing more powerful than showing the price tags of body parts, supplemented by uncovering the greed and corruption of the government and insurance companies. How can the same medicine be 2400% more in the US than Cuba? This highly entertaining documentary will make a socialist out of you.

A modern-day musical about a busker and an immigrant and their eventful week, as they write, rehearse and record songs that tell their love story.

The best songs are born from grief, and in Once we are introduced to the loveable guy and girl, who's loneliness and music bring them together. The acoustic overtures not only signal beautiful songs, but a time of reflection to look at our own relationships. This film shows how the most unlikely of people we meet in the world may share passions and dreams similar to ours, and whose simple friendship can bring joy to our sometimes stale lives.

A young FBI agent is assigned to observe the more senior Robert Hanssen, suspected of selling secrets to the Soviet Union in the biggest security breach in US history.

Join the investigation as you watch the screen closely, looking for clues and scrutinising every move. It's a real joy uncovering and unravelling the secrets of the case. The motives behind the characters are portrayed clearly in a story that holds true. This tense espionage drama breached all expectations.

Two co-dependent high school seniors are forced to deal with separation anxiety after their plan to stage a booze-soaked party goes awry.

Superbad is the most hysterical movie of the year so far. A simple story and adept insight of life growing up, it truly captures the awkwardness in meeting girls and the difficulty in obtaining alcohol underage. Delivered with brash dialogue that is fresh and funny, this film is Superbad-Ass.

Remy, a sewer rat makes an unusual alliance with a restaurant's new garbage boy Linguini.

A story about a rodent that can cook may not sound very appetising, but don't under-estimate one of the most beautiful films of the year. From the glowing Paris skyline, to the buffet of foods you wish to grab straight off the screen, Ratatouille is a warm animation that is fast and fun. The highlight is the affable Linguini, a lanky and dopey character, but once puppeteered by Remy, is uproariously amusing with his comical antics. It succeeds in making us sympathise with a rat and believing anyone, human or animal, can cook.

A Las Vegas magician who can see into the future is pursued by FBI agents seeking to use his abilities to prevent a nuclear terrorist attack.

Next is an embarrassing action thriller propelled with a terrible superfluous score and bland, random dialogue. It looks like the actors are only after their next pay cheque, their empty expressions throughout the movie scarily simular to the audience. The gift of foresight is portrayed well, but could have been used in better context than the numerous cgi-ridden chases that provide an excuse for action. This should not be the next movie you want to see.

McClane takes on an Internet-based terrorist organization who is systematically shutting down the US.

This film will appeal those who like their action old school; bad guys and henchman vs the reluctant good guys, carrying an array of bullet wounds and the burden of the country. The director has a real eye for action, the first half of the movie is a refreshing and entertaining thrill of big booms and familiar wisecracks. It's a lot of fun when the baddies die hard, usually with big thuds from large falls. You know it's wandered too far when the pursuits take John to the top of the fighter jet. I prefer my new school action grounded in reality.

A theatrical documentary on the planet's dwindling oil resources.

This film is terribly powerful because it affects everyone. There is no end to the list of products fuelled by oil, and such a spoiled lifestyle of abundant cheap energy will come to a conclusion sooner than you might think. An irritating flaw in this feature is the simple and repetitive structure, a small hindrance among the wide number of interviews and facts that enlighten us on how fossil fuels have been very good to us, but all good things must come to an end.

When Homer mistakenly pollutes the river with toxic waste from his "Pig Crap" silo, he causes the EPA to encase Springfield in a glass dome.

Cheeky and mischievous, the Simpsons Movie starts well with the jokes fast and funny. It's when we pass the usual episode length of time the movie stumbles and bores. The revamped animation and widescreen transfer do add value, but there is nothing new or surprising in this film that warrants the cartoon to reach for the cinema. We should all listen to the wisdom of Homer, and watch this on TV for free.

Through the neighborhoods of Paris, love is veiled, revealed, imitated, sucked dry, reinvented and awakened.

It takes time to get accustomed to the vignette format of this film. As a result, the first stories will disappointingly finish too early. There are a few stories you will treasure (Bastille), some won't make any sense (Porte de Choisy), and some you would like to forget involving mimes (Tour Eiffel). Nonetheless, you a get a true experience of falling in Paris and falling in love.

The pirate lords of the world must unite to defend themselves against the East Indian Trading Company. This includes Captain Jack Sparrow, who must be retrieved from Davey Jones' Locker at World's End.

Pirates is long voyage of excruciating proportions that will leave you befuddled and confused. Don't worry if you don't understand any of it, as the monkey will do something funny after each key plot point is revealed to relieve you of the frustration of trying to comprehend the story. The director struggles to garner any credible performances from the crew, favouring computer action sequences over coherence. This movie sinks.

Harry and Dumbledore are targeted by the Wizard authorities as a bureaucrat seizes power at Hogwarts.

Harry endears Hogwarts, a home of magic tricks, lavish feasts and Quiddich heroics. Not as much fun when he who should not be named (Voldemort) is tormenting his mind. The time of innocuous tricks of repairing glasses and picking locks is over. Potter must defend against the dark arts, blind dementors and stun evil Azkaban escapees. Join the wonderfully played ensemble cast of Dumbledore's army in the most terrifying and suspenseful instalment of the series and fight real evil. Darker is better.

For fun loving party animal Ben Stone, the last thing he ever expected was for his one night stand to show up on his doorstep eight weeks later to tell him she's pregnant.

A cocktail mix of crass jokes and baby sentimentality, Knocked Up is a surprisingly touching story that will leave you drunken with laughter. With a premise that is borderline believable, it introduces a unique perspective on birth, one not afraid to poke fun at all parts of the 40 week journey. It shows the miracle of birth, the trials of marriage and how fantastic, difficult and funny life can be.

Duelling alien races, the Autobots and the Decepticons, bring their battle to Earth, leaving the future of humankind hanging in the balance.

Transformers is a relentless blockbuster fuelled by comedy and powered by action. When the sentient robots transform, it's an opera of sight and sound, ten thousand moving parts clicking and turning to excite and astound. A geek's delight, the toy line has been credibly transported to the silver screen, fully realised with the magic of computer graphic designers that continue to reshape the cinema of today.

The Fantastic Four learn that they aren't the only super-powered beings in the universe when they square off against the powerful Silver Surfer and the planet-eating Galactus.

The F4 have become a group of scientists without any chemistry. We don't see enough of our beloved Silver Surfer. If only the producers gathered even more conspicuous product placement, they could have extended his stay. Overshadowed by the Surfer, Reed and Sue's relationship is not interesting. The innocuous jokes that sustained the first film are all gone, and all we are left is another sequel that is high in special effects, and nothing else special.

A preteen's life is changed after befriending the new girl at school.

This is a rare film that encourages children to use their imagination. The beauty of Terabithia is its growth parallels the children's minds and does not appear instantly on the other side of the looking glass. A large proponent of the film confronts relevant issues facing young adolescents. While bullying gets the most attention, the story also touches class distinction, religion, friendship and death. This fable shows how the power of imagination can help cope with the real world and bearing an "open mind" is good.

28 Weeks after the initial rage virus outbreak, the American Army have brought London into quarantine.

The first movie explored the realisation of civilisation destroyed. It starts promisingly with the same tone, forcing the characters to make vital decisions: family or zombie? It's about the time the Americans lose control that the film also loses it. The remainder of the film follows this fatiguing sequence: run, hide, kill zombie... run, hide, kill zombie... invariably losing extras on the way. At this point you lose interest and strain to sustain the gore. The movie does well to keep you in suspense, but I prefer Armageddon over shoot-em-up.

Story of the 1960's Zodiac Killer who committed a series of murders and taunted police.

Zodiac is a movie of obsession, set comfortably in the pale inner city of San Francisco. The start is fractured with murders, orchestrated in a fashion that exhibits the killer's sadistic nature. You can sense the frustration of detectives, an emotion shared for the length of this film. The pace livens on the enthusiasm of cartoonist Robert Graysmith, as you share his fixation in finding the right suspect while sacrificing family commitments. This film rewards patience with the final breakthrough providing a fitting conclusion to a well-told story.

Peter Parker is having relationship issues with Mary Jane, continued conflict with Harry and faces the threat of three new villains. One is alien goo that bonds to Peter amplifying his darker qualities.

The 1st delightfully explored the transformation of Peter into Spidey. The 2nd he encountered Dr. Octopus. The 3rd... more villains? They must have run out of ideas with the introduction of many new characters, all with cobweb thin backgrounds. The only relief is when Peter relishes the power of the Venom suit, transforming him into dancing fool causing him to swat Mary Jane, a guilty highlight in the film. This spider has finally been squished.

This film takes you on board spaceship "Icarus II" where an international crew of scientists attempt to reignite a dying sun with a payload of explosives.

The mission is dangerous (the sun is pretty hot) and it's interesting to see how the crew react when their lives and the future of mankind is at risk. Thrilling stuff that will entertain those who don't favour science fiction.

Stéphane works in a boring calendar job. He's only joy lies in his infatuation with his neighbour Stéphanie, where their relationship blossoms in his imagination and dreams.

The dream sequences are magical, a collage of intricate cardboard cut-outs, floating cotton clouds, and swimming through the sky. The lovable Stéphane escapes from his mundane life interweaving reality and imagination, a vague existence that eventually overwhelms and restrains him. It shows to live the life we want, we must craft our reality and not our fantasy.

Four turtle brothers, mutated from toxic ooze and master ninjas, must work together and battle an ancient mysterious evil to save the world.

When you're young, turtles are the ultimate pets, ninja is cool and pizza is your favourite food. I still enjoy pizza, but I also enjoyed the rubber suits from the old TMNT movies. Replaced with CGI, the new TMNT is targeted at a much younger audience. The story is a bit silly, but sweet nun-chuck skills and a happy ending will be a lot of fun for kids. It needs to make more funny's to be totally bodacious.

A city cop, too good for his job, is reallocated by his colleagues to the English country town of Sanford. The cop soon discovers a lot of suspicious accidents in this supposedly quiet town.

There are many laughs in this tribute to the buddy cop films of the eighties with countless references (some purposely orchestrated). The last 20 minutes should have started earlier in the film, but was not unwelcome and provide the best satire. If your humour welcomes fly-kicking elderly citizens to the head, you will enjoy this.

A Mayan village is overrun by a vicious tribe, imprisoning the men and sentencing them to be sacrificed.

Apocalypto throws you deep into the forest, welcoming the simple life of hunting to eat, tribal dances and procreation. The editing is fast, setup brilliant and characters superb. I was gripped and curious and always anticipating the fate of our heroes.

A group of six woman organize an adventure trip to go cave exploring. Things start to go wrong when they venture down unchartered caverns.

This is a classic genre movie exploiting the chilling atmosphere of murky caves and uncomfortably claustrophobic tunnels. As our adventures descend into the dark, the tension increases and the Gollum-like creatures come out to play. These predators are vicious, predictably narrowing our crew one victim at a time… with excessive blood so thick, it forms pools. A delight for horror fans who don't plan to delve into the sub terrane in the near future.

Dreamgirls follows the lives of three young women who form a singing trio called the "Dreamettes". Their rise to the top is not as smooth as their lyrics.

This film is a continuous exposition of music, illuminated brilliantly on the stage. It's all visually stunning, in particular the montages that race through time. Casting real-life singers to the main roles is an inspired choice that draws strong vocal performances to the screen. But like many good songs, they are overplayed and tire towards the finale.

A wrongly convicted man is picked to participate in the "Running Man" game show, where the contestants are hunted down and killed.

This film is a cross between the embarassing Gladiator TV show and Russell Crowe's epic. In true gladiator fashion, the stalkers have ridiculous names such as Buzzsaw (the chainsaw guy), Fireball (the fire guy) and Captain Freedom (the... freedom guy?). While not technically brillant, the movie runs on our thrill of watching criminals slaughtered for entertainment and the undeniable charisma of Arnie.

The story of French Queen Marie Antoinette, crowned at the age of 19 and living the glamorous life.

This movie showcases a beautiful 18th Century France, a portrait of extravagant costumes, intricate set pieces, lavish parties, all playful and frivolous. Don't expect a pressing insight into the trials of ruling an empire. The most difficult decision Marie Antoinette has to make is if she should sneak out of the castle to attend a costume party (spoiler warning, she does). Like the numerous cakes the Dauphin indulges in, the film is sweet but not quite fulfilling.

Two women, both with men issues, go on holiday for two weeks by swapping. This can only lead to love.

A romantic comedy with characters you are entirely unsympathetic for. It wouldn't even classify as a comedy, as the over-the-top antics on display are not lovable, only annoying. It wouldn't even classify as a romance, as the contrivances that bring the leads together leave little work for them to impress each other. This movie is simply stupid and it hurts watching it.

A troubled family go on a road trip to enter their daughter into a Young Miss America Pageant.

This eclectic bunch faces all kinds of issues on their trip. From drugs and suicide, to homosexuality and death, all scenarios that will make you cry, make you cringe and most importantly make you laugh. It highlights the value of family and camaraderie, no matter how disturbing your family might be.

A tap-dancing penguin called Mumble is outcast from his colony because he can't sing. The leaders blame him for the lack of fish in the region. Mumble goes in search for the real problem.

The penguins dancing concept is much a gimic, and due credit should be given to the CGI wizards behind this flick. After a slow start, the laughs come fast once Humble begins his journey with his Latin companions. By the end, you won't be able to stop tapping your feet.

In his first mission, James Bond must stop Le Chiffre, a banker to the world's terrorist organizations, from winning a high-stakes poker tournament at Casino Royale in Montenegro.

A more realistic Bond was definitely what the cards ordered, and Daniel Craig was in no doubt of delivering it. All in world we can relate to, the constant threat of terrorism and the rise of the game of poker. We all want to be James Bond... Now it's even more believable we can be...

In 2027, as humankind faces the likelihood of its own extinction, a disillusioned government agent agrees to help transport and protect a miraculously pregnant woman.

This is disturbing look at London in Anarchy, rife with violence and refugees impounded in cages. The future is glim when not children exist. The Bexhill refugee camp scenes towards the end are breath-taking. If you don't understand why there are no children in this movie, or continue to question it, this movie is not for you.

Kazakhstan TV reported Borat is sent to the US and A to report on the greatest country in the world.

Yes it's funny, and it pokes fun at Jews and the yanks... and he pisses alot of people off. But a thing all great comedies have is memorable. Apart from many "Hi-Fives" I have given to my peers, nothing else really stuck from the film. To be pure comedy gold, we need to be able to recite those lines so we can pretend to be as funny as Borat.

A story of two rival magicians. When one magician pulls off a miraculous trick, the other becomes obsessed in discovering the secret of it.

The performances in this film are terrific. From the actors, to the magicians and tricks, all apart of a visual sleight of hand that will keep you mesmerized and enthralled. When the final trick is revealed, you will be anxious to watch it again.