Now You See Me

SF: One word for this film - Entertaining. Does pretty much what it sets out to do, a few magic tricks, twisty plot and a tiny bit of intrigue to keep you guessing. Mark Ruffalo and Morgan Freeman are excellent as usual  and Jesse Eisenberg does pull off the smugness (reminiscent of The Social Network). It's not going to win any awards and you might not watch it again but still enjoyable and there are a few laughs. 6.5/10

50 Eggs: Stupid and clever at the same time, but as long as you're not out to pick holes you'll enjoy this. The script isn't bad at all, but its the cast that raise it up a notch into the 'pretty good' category. Isla fisher is the least believable, with her screechy shouting voice she uses on stage, but with pins like that, who is going to argue. I'd heard the ending was a cop-out, but I thought it was just fine. 7.5/10

DonkeyB: It has a great cast, which was the main reason to see it, but somehow I had managed to miss the fact that Mark Ruffalo was even in this film. I always like Mark Ruffalo. As SF has said it won't win any awards but it is never boring, there is always something to look at (no snickering about my Isla Fischer obsession), unfortunatley too often for a film about magic this is big film effects. Melanie Laurent deserves a mention as the best performance in the film, standing out amonst this strong group is notable. I'm always impressed when anyone acts in a foreign language- I can hardly order a pizza! 6.5/10

Overall: 6.75/10

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 Dark Knight

SF: Batman Begins was amazing (10/10) so this had to work pretty hard to win me over. Firstly Heath Ledger blow me away, I was rather worried when they cast him but after seeing this I take back any concerns. This installments captures all that was good in its predecesor and runs. Fantastically dark and complicated. 9/10

50 Eggs: The Emperors new clothes are as revealing as ever. Yes this is a decent film and Heath Ledger is a great Joker, but it's nowhere near as exciting as 'Begins' and is way way too long. And, other than 'hide the pencil', there are no stand out scenes. 7/10

DonkeyB: n/a

Overall: 8/10