The Three Musketeers

SF: I had fairly low expectations before seeing this, because I love the books, and most of the previous movies (yes even the 1993 version with little resemblance to the Novel). So this really didn't have to try all that hard to please me. Sadly this film was like watching Pantomime. I didn't know whether to cry or just walk out. Even worse is the crime of having brilliant actors like Mads Mikkelsen and Christoph Waltz with barely any screen time. Not to mention the awfulness of Flying ships. I honestly wish I'd walked out but I hoped and prayed it would get better. 2/10

50 Eggs: A hodge-podge of bad ideas and rip-off scenes. Three Musketeers got my back up early when it stole a scene directly from a Clint Eastward film, where Dartanian suggests that his horse is owed an apology when insulted by a ruffian. It's bare-faced cheek and I don't like it. There is some fun to be had with this but even as a Sunday afternoon easy watching film it's less than adequate. Stick with Dogtanion and the Three Muskahounds. 4/10

DonkeyB: n/a

Overall - 3/10

We need to talk about Kevin

SF: Firstly must pretend I haven't read the book. The performances were nothing short of captivating. The pace and direction are perfect and even though I felt as if a year had passed - literally the film achieves everything it sets out to do. Not one you can really enjoy as such but a great movie nonetheless. 8/10

50 Eggs: The book is brilliantly harrowing but its format really doesn't lend itself to a screenplay, so the fact that this adaptation is largely successful is admirable. As good as it could have been, and that's a compliment. 8.5/10

DonkeyB: Deeply troubling, which I think is the point. Great use of music and colour palette. 9/10

Overall - 8.5/10

The Adventures of Tintin

SF: Really captured Tintin for me. Loved the look, the Thompson twins were spot on, and it had good level of humour. I'd even watch sequels. The only complaint is it was tad long. 7.5/10

50 Eggs: Not quite as exciting or imaginative as I remember Tintin being. That's possibly a case of rose-tinted glasses though so I'm going to give this a high score for being an intelligent and visually stunning animation.  8/10

DonkeyB: Character design spot on, exiting, funny- good Spielberg. 8/10

Overall - 7.83/10

Contagion

SF: I was expecting a rehashing of Outbreak or Black Death  but this went for a more understated tone. The realisim was interesting and refreshing, adding more to the genre. However the sheer number of characters was rather unnecessary and dilluted the film. It became rather unengaging and what good qualities it had faded. Despite the big names Jennifer Ehle carried this and deserves credit for being the only character worth watching. 4.5/10

50 Eggs: It's realistic, but not in a scary 'this could really happen' way, but rather a boring 'oh is the News still going on about this' way. Some good moments mean this could have been saved by a shock ending but instead they chose the most mundane resolution to an epidemic you could think of. 5/10

DonkeyB: n/a

Overall - 4.75/10

Real Steel

SF: This is a perfect Sunday afternoon, curl up on the sofa straightforward fun movie, so cheesy it's mature Cheddar but I enjoyed nonetheless. Also the effects were truly impressive, transformers wishes it looked this good. 7/10

50 Eggs: Even the annoying spoilt brat couldn't ruin this. It may be entirely predictable but its a good popcorn movie. [Spoiler] Half a point deducted for ripping off Rocky Balboa's ending. 7/10

DonkeyB: A cliche wrapped in a banality smothered in platitudes tied off with triteness. Bing is the search engine of the future, fighting robots are controlled by HP tablets, everyone is on Sprint but kids still sometimes drink about fifteen Dr Peppers. Pap. 4/10

Overall - 6/10

Johnny English

SF: mildly amusing, I think I sniggered a few times. Slapstick saved it but not by much. 5/10

50 Eggs: n/a

DonkeyB: not funny, two laughs. 4/10

Overall - 4.5/10

Crazy, Stupid, Love

SF: Funny at points, needs re-editing as I thought it was 15 mins too long. Sadly not one to rewatch. 5/10

50 Eggs: Easy to watch, some good laughs and holds your interest even in the extended conclusion. Ryan gosling was cool. Good...for a Rom-com. 7/10

DonkeyB: Two redheads for the price of one monthly unlimited subscription. 6/10

Overall - 6/10

Drive

SF: If you've seen the trailer then you've seen everything of interest in this film. All the main characters do is stare at each other. There is no substance, chemistry or emotion. The violence is so over the top it's just pure grotesque. Painful to watch. Left me feeling weird. 3/10

50 Eggs: Kept promising to get good but never did. An interesting main character but the worst 'romance' I have ever seen in my life. Thanks to Carey Mulligan for that. 3/10

DonkeyB: n/a

Overall - 3/10

Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy

SF: Thoroughly complicated, so don't nip to the bathroom! Gary Oldman is on form but a really excellent performance from Benedict Cumberbatch. I enjoyed it despite not have read the book. 6.5/10

50 Eggs: I enjoyed this very much. It is very complicated, so unless you already know the story I'd recommend watching it at home with the subtitles on. Worth the effort. 8/10

DonkeyB: There are problems with this film. But the bit at the beginning with the glasses to help establish flashbacks is genius. Why would they leave all those files in Control's flat? 6/10

Overall - 6.8/10

Troll Hunter

SF: The first hour is great really gets you hooked but then it keeps going and going. The effects were surprisingly good and it never went over the top - barley noticed it was in a another language but sadly boring in parts. 6/10

50 Eggs: Amazing character design for the Trolls, but the humans are less impressive and I nearly fell asleep. It was warm though. 5/10

DonkeyB: Funny! 7/10

Overall - 6/10