Dredd 3D

SF: What an improvement on the last attempt to bring Dredd to the big screen (which was a 2/10). This was not the most amazing action I've ever seen but it does do what it sets out to. The effects are well executed thought the slow motion was a little over used. Nice touch by the film makers on not removing the helmet - as Dredd never does in the comic. Not sure if they really captured Mega City One and it did make me think of The Raid more than once but that's not a bad thing. If you like lots of guns and explosions its one to see. 6.5/10

50 Eggs: I went  to see this merely to show my support for the refreshing decision to release it as an 18. Glad I did. Dredd 3D is proper cool - a gritty no holds barred action film. There's one liners, lots and lots of guns and a great performance from Karl Urban as the Judge. I almost Whooped. And without giving anything away, the ending is brilliant- it's understated, almost nonchalant, as if to say 'just another day in Mega City One'.This could be the start of something really good. 9/10

DonkeyB: n/a

Overall: 7.75/10

The Raid

SF: I've seen a lot of Martial Arts films, after Ong Bak  I didn't think anything could surprise me, then I saw this. It is nothing short of brilliant. Action from the word go that does not hold back. I think I counted about 100 broken limbs. The plot works fine to hold it together but doesn't detract too much. No Oscars here but that isn't want this is going for. The fights are well choreographed and keep you wanting more. I loved this film and if you like action you will too. 9/10

50 Eggs: I do like action and I did like this film! But not as much as SF. The plot provides a good foundation for a relentless sequence of fight scenes, but for me the story it was done better in Dredd. And whilst I cant fault the Kung-fu, I have been been spoiled by Toni Jaa films, (Google 'The Protector' & 'fight scenes') and therefore can't get overly excited by this. Take this negativity with a pinch of salt though - The Raid is a good film and is only suffering by comparison to some of my favorite films in the genre. 7/10

DonkeyB: n/a

Overall: 8/10

Total Recall

SF: Blah, Blah and more Blah. Someone bring back Arnie, please! The irony of having a production company called "Original Film" was the most entertaining part of the entire film. About an hour in I cried knowing how much longer we'd have to endure. Despite being a remake it manages to be different enough from its predecessor but I'm hard pressed to think any redeeming features. The only thing that tickled me was a joke about being king of Mars. This will be added to the list of boring Len Wiseman film...oh wait that's all of them. Cruel but true 2/10

DonkeyB: Is it possible to make a film so bad it made me go the wrong way home? What facial expression is Kate Beckinsale doing? In what year does London Underground get New York subway trains? How do you make a Phillip K Dick story so dull (in all senses of the word)? Isn't the production design a bit racist? All rhetorical questions you will never answer because you won't watch this film, or if you do you will invent a machine to wipe your memory of it. 2/10

50 Eggs: The original Total Recall is a stone-cold 10/10 for me. A thoughtful action blockbuster, I have watched it 15 times and each time change my mind about whether Arnie's adventure is real or not. The new version seems to completely miss the point on that score. I don't think the director cared about that element at all, meaning it just becomes a bog standard sci-fi film. I'm not going to be quite as harsh as SF and Donkey B though, because the visuals at least are a bit of a treat. 5/10

Overall: 2.9/10

The Bourne Legacy

SF: This was as enjoyable as the Bourne Identity. Thankfully the plots of the old films aren't rehashed, Aaron Cross knows who he is and who he works for, queue action. Though you can see things coming and I'll concede it is a tad formulaic, at least I didn't find myself bored at any point. The actions fairly cool to watch, realistic and Jeremy Renner manages to pull it all off in the believable way we expect from the Bourne franchise. It was nice to see some actual character development for a change. SPOILER - I count 5/6 Outcome agents accounted for so there is one more unseen out there? 8/10

DonkeyB: Wow that's a high mark! It's nothing like as good as that, or any of the first three Bourne films. There are a lot of plot holes and the first 30 minutes is all cutting and captioning to try and shoehorn the film into the same time space as the last Bourne; quite irritating. Once it got going its not bad. Renner might be more believable as a super soldier (SPOILER ALERT- I thought he gave good stupid) than Matt Damon, but he's not as cuddly. Consequently Rachel Weisz's character's development isn't that believable. Plot device stolen from Limitless. 6/10

50 Eggs: I'm not a fan of the first 3 Bourne films. The plots didn't grip me and the action was fairly mundane. Bourne Legacy had the whiff of wringing the sponge one last time, so it was a surprise to me that this turned out to be my favourite. The story is less convoluted and talky, whilst the set pieces upped the ante without totally disregarding the fact that the franchise is supposed to be realistic. 6.5/10

Overall: 6.8/10

Brave

SF: I saw this in 2D and I can't see what on earth 3D would have added. Animation wise this was perfect. Parts of the scenery looked photographic. The story wasn't what I expected and had a lot of lovely parts, on the whole it delivers what Pixar fans would like. I thought the mother daughter relationship was handled rather well but at times the plot did feel a little strained. The triplets are a fantastic device, they made this film, I'm not even sure if they ever speak! Very entertaining and well worth a viewing on the big screen. 8/10

The little short screened before the movie (La Luna)  deserves 10/10

50 Eggs: Pixar's fall from grace is complete with this merely very decent film. Brave is never less than entertaining and has plenty of funny moments and exciting set pieces, but the story and characters are nothing to write home about. It'll do though. N.B some scenes were too dark with the addition of 3D glasses. Why is this technology being inflicted on us before it's ready? 3D is the future, I get it, but if I have to pay extra for it now, I want it to work now (grrr). 7/10

DonkeyB: SF is correct, as so often with Pixar the short before the film was as good/better than the feature. Brave itself is a bit strange in that it feels like two different films really. The animation/ design is stunning, in that its Pixar so the bar is already high and I was still surprised by how great it looked... and yet all the male characters seemed to be from asterix while the women characters were from Disney; which added to the two films feeling. I'm not sure there is much there in terms of story and the script is nothing like as witty as the best animations. 6.5/10

Overall Brave: 7.17/10
Overall La Luna: 10/10

Ted

SF: This was a great, more entertaining than I thought it would be. The plots a tad predictable but it didn't matter too much. From the trailer you know its going to be crass and always jump to the cheap laugh but sometimes that's exactly what you need. Even if I did have to hcover my eyes from time to time. There is no pretence about this film and that is why it works. Maybe not one for the DVD collection but All I can say is Flash ahhhh ah he'll save everyone of us - had me in stitches. 7/10

DonkeyB: Laugh out loud funny/hilarious. A lady in our row (possibly a member of a Scandinavian athletic team of some persuasion) almost died. I fully expect a 10 from 50 Eggs. 8/10

50 Eggs: Almost DonkeyB, almost. I really liked this and it had me giggling like a school boy in places. Its continuous stream of immature humour and sight gags, coupled with plenty of 80's pop culture references meant this was right up my street. 8.5/10

Overall: 7.83/10

The Dark Knight Rises

Sequel to The Dark Knight (2008)
 
SF: What a great end to this run of Batman films. Lots of nice nods to the comic (trying not to give too much away!) whilst incorporating elements from both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. I did however find the film was a bit wayward/disjointed at times and wondered where the threads would lead. Also I'm not sure I like Gotham becoming New York so overtly. The atmosphere of Gotham being familiar yet a world unto itself was essential to me at least. Dark Knight does have brilliant flight scenes, cool gadgets and excellent actors so can't complain. Overall I think it delivered what I and most Bat fans are looking for. 7.5/10 

50 Eggs: If I'd have left the cinema after 90 minutes I'd have given this 6/10 - the film just seemed to be going nowhere slowly. Thankfully the final act is both surprising and mesmerizing, pulling all the loose strands of the trilogy together in a tour-de-force of action and suspense. I still think Batman Begins was the high-point of the series, and I missed the 'Gotham character' which as SF said has been substituted for a rather bland and lifeless city expanse. But overall I really liked this and it was a  great way for the trilogy to bow out. 8.5/10

DonkeyB: It's the least good of the three. I was quite disappointed. Until something happens near the end the it doesn't really get going. Lacks the emotional punch of the first two. Something else to get off my chest while I'm here: Bane's dialogue and motive. It doesn't matter that you can't understand either, that's part of the plot and what is supposed to make him terrifying- if it doesn't that is a weakness of the film. 6.5/10

Overall: 7.5/10

The Five Year Engagement

SF: It would be great if they cut the middle of this movie out. I don't think comedy should be so depressing. Also anyone else notice the poor quality stock footage of San Francisco? DonkeyB however did point out the one redeeming feature to me - Elmo and cookie monster scene. 4.5/10

50 Eggs: n/a

DonkeyB: I liked it. It's funnier than I expected. I really liked the miserable bit too. It did feel a bit like it was a parable about my life though. 6.5/10

Overall 5.5/10

The Amazing Spider-man

SF: I'm divided by this film. Love the comedic wise cracks from Peter Parker, the fact they use Gwen Stacy (as they should), the library scene and Martin Sheen. Didn't like - the terrible score, why is Titanic being recycled? Spider-man's blue fingers (yeah I know that's a weird one), practically no middle to the film and lastly the need for *Spoiler* spidey to use cranes in order to webswing. Despite me wanting to love this at the end of the day it only makes a mediocre movie but it did have a lot to live up to. Sam Raimi still rules. 6/10

50 Eggs: Andrew Garlfield is my favorite actor and he makes a better Spiderman than Toby Maguire. But that's the only aspect of this that beats the original. The tone of the film is all wrong, the action underwhelming and the plot and villain are actually quite boring. Watchable but unnecessary. 5.5/10

DonkeyB: I hate having to do this. Emma Stone and Martin Sheen and Sally Field all great but still only 5/10

Overall: 5.5/10

Your Sister's Sister

SF: This film was rather boring and uninspiring. Character driven films are great when well executed this was sadly lacking. From a few minutes in I could see where it was going and it wasn't anything new. There were a few charming funny moments but not enough to hold my attention. 4.5/10

50 Eggs: n/a

DonkeyB: Very predictable but believable performances. I liked the improvisational style. 6/10

Overall: 5.25/10