Two Line Review: Star Trek: Into Darkness (2013)

A rather weak blockbuster that focused more on gun-fights and cheesy one-liners than developing a story. Even Cumberbatch felt like he was re-tracing old ground, yet Pegg brought light into darkness.

Thinking Film Rating: 4.5/10

Public Opinion: 7.9/10
Critics Opinion: 8.7/10

Star Trek: Into Darkness - J.J. Abrams

Two Line Review: Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

Zero Dark Thirty makes a decent dramatised reconstruction, but as a film there are many areas that felt lacking. Characters and plot detail are particularly underdeveloped, in favour of shock value.

Thinking Film Rating: 5/10

Public Opinion: 7.4/10

Critics Opinion: 9.3/10

Zero Dark Thirty - Kathryn Bigelow

Exciting Trailer: The Wind Rises

The Wind Rises

Director: Hayao Miyazaki

Starring: Hideaki Anno

               Mirai Shida

               Jun Kunimura

UK Release Date: Unknown

Two Line Review: Moneyball (2011)

Although focusing on baseball, this interesting film looks more at the challenges of breaking tradition and attempting the untried. Great writing with impressive performances, particularly from Jonah Hill.

Thinking Film Rating: 8/10

Public Opinion: 7.6/10
Critics Opinion: 9.4/10

Moneyball - Bennett Miller

Two Line Review: The Iron Lady (2011)

Streep gives a stunning performance playing the Marmite prime minister Thatcher, wonderfully supported by Broadbent. Sadly, the flashback storytelling technique does not work well here.

Thinking Film Rating: 6/10

Public Opinion: 6.3/10

Critics Opinion: 5.1/10

The Iron Lady - Phyllida Lloyd 

Two Line Review: The Sessions (2012)

A fascinating true-story, with some amazing performances from Hunt and Hawkes. This life-altering situation was told in a light and accessible way, with respect and heart for the late Mark O'Brien.

Thinking Film Rating: 7.5/10

Public Opinion: 7.2/10

Critics Opinion: 9.4/10

The Sessions - Ben Lewin 

Exciting Trailer: Cuban Fury (2014)

Cuban Fury (2014)

Director: James Griffiths 

Staring: Nick Frost

             Chris O'Dowd

             Rashida Jones

             Oliva Coleman

UK Release Date: 14th February 2014 

Two Line Review: The Counsellor (2013)

With so much potential, it is a shame that The Counsellor is just a mess of shallow stereotypes of the crime genre. Poor writing, leading to poor performances from a usually stellar line-up.

Thinking Film Rating: 3.5/10

Public Opinion: 6.0/10
Critics Opinion: 3.6/10

The Counsellor - Ridley Scott

Exciting Trailer AND Amazing Advert: Sainsbury's "Christmas in a Day"

Oscar-winning director has created Sainsbury's first festive advert in the form of a trailer for upcoming YouTube feature film 'Christmas in a Day'. Using 360 hours worth of footage of real-life British Christmas's.

Two Line Review: Spring Breakers (2013)

At times, some very debatable, social critique is the only saving grace in an otherwise pancake-flat film, that goes entirely for shock value. Ridiculous drama, lacking in substance and realism.

Thinking Film Rating: 2/10

Public Opinion: 5.5/10
Critics Opinion: 6.6/10

Spring Breakers - Harmony Korine

Two Line Review: X-Men: First Class (2011)

Started strong exploring the interesting bond between Xavier and Erik, but soon got caught up with over-the-top CGI, training montages and stereotypical superhero music, a standard blockbuster.

Thinking Film Rating: 6/10

Public Opinion: 7.8/10
Critics Opinion: 8.7/10

X-Men: First Class - Matthew Vaughn

Exciting Trailer: Winter's Tale

Winter's Tale

Director: Akiva Goldsman

Starring: Colin Farrell

               Russell Crowe

               Jennifer Connelly 

UK Release Date: 21st February 2014

Two Line Review: Philomena (2013)

Judi Dench shines in an emotional and heartfelt tale that delivers a perfect mix of drama and comedy.  Coogan supports brilliantly, with fantastic chemistry between the pair. Worthy British fare!

Thinking Film Rating: 8.5/10

Public Opinion: 7.7/10
Critics Opinion: 9.4/10

Philomena - Stephen Frears

Two Line Review: The Time Traveller's Wife (2009)

A very serious love story that shows all the sad moments of a relationship without showing the happy times, still there is good chemistry between McAdams and Bana, and an interesting concept.

Thinking Film Rating: 7/10

Public Opinion: 7.0/10
Critics Opinion: 3.7/10

The Time Traveller's Wife - Robert Schwentke

Two Line Review: The Raid: Redemption (2011)

Now don't get me wrong, as a spectacle this film is awesome, with incredible choreography and feats of human capabilities, if only there was a little bit of plot to guide us through the story.

Thinking Film Rating: 5/10

Public Opinion: 7.5/10
Critics Opinion: 8.5/10

The Raid: Redemption - Gareth Evans

Two Line Review: V for Vendetta (2005)

With a decent storyline and great production design, it is a shame that the acting, particularly from Portman, does not live up to the rest of the film. Still, this is enjoyable and worth a casual viewing.

Thinking Film Rating: 6/10

Public Opinion: 8.2/10
Critics Opinion: 7.3/10

V for Vendetta - James McTeigue

Two Line Review: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)

There are moments that reach the heights of the first film but overall this sequel is much weaker. The characters and storyline are there but overly exaggerated, it is still an enjoyable romp.

Thinking Film Rating: 6/10

Public Opinion: 7.2/10

Critics Opinion: 5.4/10

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - Gore Verbinski

Two Line Review: Saw (2004)

As with all successful franchises, the first is by far the best, and surprisingly well-written and executed. The twists and turns of the plot maintain the intrigue. A refreshingly clever horror flick!

Thinking Film Rating: 8/10

Public Opinion: 7.6/10
Critics Opinion: 4.8/10

Saw - James Wan

Two Line Review: Thor (2011)

Full of cheesy posing, bad CGI and unnecessary slo-mos, this is one of the weaker superhero franchises. It was hard to buy into Asgaard and the film's comedy almost seemed to mock itself.  

Thinking Film Rating: 3.5/10

Public Opinion: 7.0/10
Critics Opinion: 7.7/10

Thor - Kenneth Branagh, Joss Whedon

Exciting Trailer: Labor Day

Labor Day

Director: Jason Reitman

Starring: Kate Winslet
               Josh Brolin
               Tobey Maguire

UK Release Date: 7th February 2014

Two Line Review: Frankenstein (Recorded Theatre) (2011)

With Cumberbatch as the Creature, this was an amazing adaptation of a classic, timeless story. The set design, along with the performances, were fantastically directed. A brilliant piece of theatre!

Thinking Film Rating: 9/10

Frankenstein (Theatre) - Danny Boyle