At The Movies, February 3 to 9
There are tons of new releases this week, nine in total across the UK. We’ve got reviews of the seven new films showing in Oxford, and there’s something for everyone. Get ready for mysterious action with The Rock, Charlize Theron acting very immaturely, Adam Sandler as you’ve never seen him before, and more.
Chronicle (12A)
The found footage movie, popularised by horror films like The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity, gets a superhero twist in this sci-fi thriller about four teenage friends who inherit telekinetic powers when they interact with a mysterious object.
The group agree to keep their abilities under wraps, however bitter social outcast Andrew (Dane DeHaan) breaks away from the gang and begins to use his powers for revenge. An original and surprising hit, Chronicle will keep you on the edge of your seat thanks to a very clever and simple storyline, and impressive special effects.
It’s not perfect but should delight fans of superhero movies.
Star rating: ****
Carnage (15)
Four Oscar favourites tear each other a new one in this tense drama from Roman Polanski (The Pianist). Two married couples meet up to discuss a recent fight between their sons at their school.
The new age parents of the boy beaten up (Jodie Foster and John C Reilly) are hell-bent on some kind of punishment, while the parents of the aggressor (Kate Winslet and Christoph Waltz) just want to get things resolved quickly. As tempers fray, chaos ensues and all kinds of pent up frustrations are aired.
It’s best to watch this through your fingers, as while the performances are terrific (particularly Foster and Winslet), it is essential four very good actors arguing for 90 minutes. Uncomfortable but entertaining.
Star rating: ***
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (PG)
A sequel to Journey To The Centre of The Earth, with Josh Hutcherson returning as a young explorer seeking out Jules Verne’s fabled mysterious island, where he believes his grandfather (Michael Caine) is stranded.
Bringing along his reluctant stepfather (Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson), they find the island, but in doing so put themselves in a whole lot of danger. A fun and light action-adventure, held together by likeable performances from Johnson and Caine.
Better than the first, and a light antidote to all the serious Oscar contenders.
Star rating: ***
Jack And Jill (PG)
Adam Sandler plays his own sister (really) in a comedy about the successful Jack, who dreads the forthcoming Thanksgiving holiday and the arrival of his chaotic twin sister Jill.
Aside from a spirited performance from Al Pacino (yes, he’s in this for some reason), this is an appalling film that may rank among the worst things the comedian-turned-actor has ever done.
Star rating: *
Man On A Ledge (12A) (review by Jason Palmer)
Sam Worthington has carved out a decent career of late with the biggest movie of all time (Avatar) sitting proudly on his CV. So it’s refreshing to see him tackle the absurdly enjoyable, if vacant, action-drama Man on a Ledge as his next project.
An escaped convict (Worthington) perches himself on a building ledge to create a media frenzy while buying his secret accomplices (Jamie Bell and Genesis Rodriguez) enough time to pull off a tricky heist, one that could hold the key to his exoneration.
Energetic, exciting and full of ridiculous circumstance, Man on a Ledge is perfect popcorn fare for the weekend.
Star rating: ***
Martha Marcy May Marlene (15)
Elizabeth Olsen, younger sister to the Olsen twins, takes the spotlight in this drama about a young girl who escapes a religious cult and seeks refuge with her sister, only to be haunted by visions of her cult and a growing paranoia that they are going to find her.
Dark, psychological brilliance with Olsen delivering a startling and rich performance. John Hawkes (Winter’s Bone) is also compelling as the cult’s leader. A well-crafted drama that will delight lovers of gritty realism.
Star rating: ****
Young Adult (15)
Oscar-winner Charlize Theron shows her nasty side in this new film from the director (Jason Reitman) and writer (Diablo Cody) of Juno.
A selfish, alcoholic teen fiction writer (Charlize Theron) has a crisis after her recent divorce, and decides she is destined to be with her high school sweetheart (Patrick Wilson), now married with a child. Things go awry, however, when she returns to her home town to find the people that used to worship her at high school have grown up, while she has stayed the same.
Funny, and often painful, Charlize Theron is wonderfully despicable, and works well with co-star Patton Oswalt, who plays the former high school nerd.
Star rating: ****
