Film Guide - June 15, 2012

Published Jun 15, 2012

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Catch 44: Weak, clichéd wanna-be crime noir thriller in the mould of Tarantino’s work. It simply falls apart as the story becomes expanded. HH TS

Madagascar 3: Europe’s most wanted: Bright, highly detailed with a gorgeous set piece which sees the Bronx zoo escapees join the circus. *** TS

Snows of Kilimanjaro: An elderly French couple’s ordered life is thrown into disarray when they are burgled. The problem is compounded when they realise they’ve been robbed by someone they know. (Not reviewed)

What to Expect When You’re Expecting: Expecting more from this movie, based on the fact that it has a stellar cast and is a New York Times best-seller, will see you labour through unrealistic and almost farcical plots. ** DT

American Pie Reunion: The gang are back at it again in true American Pie fashion. Thirteen years later we see that the more things change, the more they stay the same. *** TG

Battleship: A race of aliens lands in the ocean during a naval combat exercise and it's up to a childish commander to grow up and save the world. *** HH

Being Flynn: Under-utilised cast in a story about a fraught father son relationship. ** DdB

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: Seven British retirees discover a newfound lust for life when they retire to India. Beautiful character study, even if the plot is a bit clichéd. *** TS

Dark Shadows: Tim Burton brings to life his quirky goth-themed love for movies. Starring Johnny Depp, a 19th century vampire who battles to make sense of his life in a hippie era. **** TG

Gone: Amanda Seyfried stars as a woman who is on the verge of recovering from a traumatic kidnapping when the serial killer returns to finish her off. ** HH

Good Deeds: In this Pretty Woman-esque film, Tyler Perry is a wealthy man who finds love is something he can’t buy. With Gabrielle Union, Thandie Newton and Phylicia Rashad. *** HH

Journey 2 Mysterious Island 3D: The Rock shows off his pecs in an adventure in which he is teamed up with Michael Caine whose whimsical quips are the best thing about this movie. ** TG

Men In Black 3: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones and now Josh Brolin kick alien butt and save the world – as usual. *** HH

Mirror Mirror: Dressed in gorgeously OTT costumes Julia Roberts and Lily Collins sweep their way through castle and forest respectively in this retelling of the Snow White fairy tale. *** TS

One For The Money: Katherine Heigl stars as a down-and-out divorcee who must make ends meet by learning how to become a bounty hunter. *** TG

Prometheus: Ridley Scott returns to the universe he created for the Aliens quadrilogy, but this time he goes back to before the beginning. Luscious cgi scenery and gorgeous creature design. *** TS

Salmon Fishing in The Yemen: Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt star as a pair who find a way to make a nearly impossible project work and then they find each other. *** HH

Shame: Michael Fassbender plays an emotionally vacant sex addict. ** HH

Snow White And The Huntsman: A beautifully lensed retelling of the favourite fairy tale goes for a dark edge. We know the story so it’s all about the gorgeous look. *** TS

The Avengers: Iron Man, The Hulk, Hawkeye, Thor, Captain America and The Black Widow fighting a badass Loki and his relentless army. ‘Nuff said. *** HH

The Lucky One: Nothing compared to The Notebook, but Zac Efron and Taylor Schilling still try to pull off the romance for the cameras. HH TG

The Romantics: Anna Paquin, Josh Duhamel, Elijah Wood, Katie Holmes and Candice Bergen in a posh wedding romcom. (Not reviewed)

The Rum Diary: Johnny Depp brings to life the novel of legendary journalist Hunter S Thompson’s pre-gonzo days. *** TG

The Son Of No One: Channing Tatum stars as a cop with a dark past while Al Pacino and Ray Liotta play men of the law of both old and new, respectively. ** HH

The Vow: Sadly, no Nicholas Sparks spark here. A disappointing love drama which doesn’t deliver the acting suited to Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum. *** TG

Think Like a Man: It’s battle of the sexes in this ‘how to get a man’ flick. Predictable, lame and slightly enjoyable if you take it for what it is. *** KM

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy: Excellent ensemble cast and tight directing turns John le Carré’s Cold War spy novel into a classy puzzle of a thriller with a great soundtrack. **** TS

W. E.: Madonna directs Andrea Riseborough and Abbie Cornish in a film about how King Edward VIII abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson and a woman who was affected by the act of love in the 90s. *** HH

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