Prometheus (2012)

By Jamie Lawrence

Despite Ridley Scott heavily denying that Prometheus is NOT a prequel to the Alien series of films, fans of those films need to see this. Even if just to discover the variety of hidden references. And yes, they are frequent and extremely subtle. (Apart from the ending, but I will not spoil it for you, my dear reader). If you've ever watched Alien (the 1979 classic) and thought 'what happened before that?' - then this film gives you the answers. And gives you a few more questions. But Prometheus 2 should help with them...

Back to the film; it is a future of technology that, in my opinion, is far too advanced to be a reality, even in 2093 when the film is set. But putting aside these annoyances, the visual scenes and creative ideas are spectacular. The idea of reaching other solar systems and Earth-like worlds has long been a goal of humankind, and Prometheus grabs this passion and puts its own spin on how that would be possible, and how we would discover this world. And what we would find when we get there.

Best Bits: Stunning visuals and links to Alien

Worst Bits: The final scene. It's like they forgot to link it to Alien. Then remembered. But too late. You need to see it for yourself.

Rating:  6/10 - Aesthetically pleasing, but too many 'grrrr', 'sigh' and 'oh that's just silly' moments throughout.

For Fans Of: Alien, Aliens, Alien 3, Alien Resurrection,  Alien vs. Predator, Alien vs. Predator: Requiem.

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012)

By Jamie Lawrence

A familiar slow-paced,  heartfelt high school film set in 1990s following Charlie through bullying, making friends and falling in love with Sam. However, unlike its many comedy feel-good counterparts, this high school storyline has the added recipe of gritty emotions and troubled pasts. It is a little dark in places but mainly a comforting hour and 45 minutes that hooks you into wanting to be part of their friendship group.

Although it was heavily advertised as starring Emma Watson (mainly due to the new, unrecognised cast), her appearances are not as frequent nor important as you would assume. It was, however, time she broke away from the Hermione Grainger character that she is easily associated with, and the convincing American accent and new look executed this perfectly. With great performances from some new, young and unknown faces in the acting world, it is a film for the younger adult who wants to see Emma Watson in a more challenging role.

Best Bits: Emma Watson in sexy Rocky Horror Show attire, a fresh-faced cast.

Worst Bits: The slow pace of the film and lack of deep, hard-hitting exploration of the characters' pasts. Also, one very important scene where Sam's emotions contradict the story she is telling.

Rating: 7/10 - Easy to fall in love with the characters, but slightly harder to do so with the film.

For Fans of: Garden State

Life of Pi (2012)

By Daniel Bradley

You'd be foolish if you miss this one before it leaves the big screen. A very simple story, told in flashback with a poignant spiritual message that goes beyond religion. If you're open to international film, this one deserves to win many awards.

Visually spectacular, the animal CG is done well, disbelief is not difficult to suspend. Funny, sensitive and sad in places, the one will make you homesick for a country you've never seen before. If you want something to make you feel and take your breath away, this is it.

Good bits: The scale of the journey, the graphics, the realism, the thoughtful treatment of religion, the humour. The reveal at the close.

Bad bits: F*cking meerkats?

For fans of Castaway, Titanic & Avatar.

Rating 8/10

Dredd (2012)

By Daniel Bradley

I had heard good things about this film before I went in, as well as terrible things about the Stallone version from 1995. Missing it at the cinema, I gave it a go after hearing about it on the Empire movie podcast.

As a graphic novel adaptation, I loved it. He nailed the part for me and I was drawn in to the world, ready for mindless, bloody violence and clever choreography. Dredd did not disappoint. They did not patronise the patron with an overly complicated plot… there was a simple, logical progression to the gorefest. Drug barons, hoboes, guns and colourful language to match blood splatter that Dexter Morgan would weep over.

Good points: Some wonderful slow-motion, some enjoyable tower-block carnage, some nod-worthy gun-totage.

Bad points: Not worth watching if you want something stimulating. Comic book film that takes itself too seriously at times.

For fans of The Punisher (1989), Die Hard.

Rating 6/10

God Bless America (2012)

By Daniel Bradley

This is the movie I've been waiting a long time for. 

When one thinks of America, the mind easily draws a picture of advertising gone mad, unrelenting reality TV and a culture predominantly red-neck in nature. Whilst this is a sweeping statement, a gross generalisation, it would appear many Americans now feel the same way. Indeed, many see the consumerist road they are on and are ashamed by it.

And this is where our protagonist comes in. Imagine a man driven slowly mad by a society he can't bear. Then imagine the same man lives in a country with the 'second amendment' and woefully inadequate gun control.

Good bits: The film's ability to show you what you want to see, without making you feel guilty. The blood and dialogue.

Bad bits: The fact many Americans missed this at the theatres last year.

Rating: 9.5/10

Beginners (2010)

By Daniel Bradley

Another Focus Features film. Quirky and slow, the dog steals the show.

Mild mannered, soft comedy marking the passing of the protagonists father and his 11th hour homosexuality. If I'm honest, the trailer to this film with give you enough to be carrying on with. If you like it and want more of the same, keep watching. Ewan was marvellous, his relationship with his father and hound is utterly believable, and how he copes with the loss of the former, doubly so. 

I wasn't really sure what the message was in this film. Bereavement, homosexuality, age, love, loss, it appeared to come in half way through a story and leave in a similar fashion. A good deal is narrated, in a pleasant and honest way, subtly comical interactions take place throughout and you're left with a wistful feeling of time passing and doors opening and closing in your own life.

Best bits: The dog. The narrating. The flash-story telling. The preaching of tolerance.

Worst bits: Pacing.

For fans of Philadelphia, The kids are alright, The art of getting by, I love you, Philip Morris.

Rating: 6.5/10

Ten Canoes (2006)

By Daniel Bradley

I stumbled across this film whilst searching for something to watch on a lazy Sunday afternoon outside of the football season. A fan of documentaries, foreign cinema and canoes, I saw the name Ten Canoes and felt compelled to stop and watch a while.

I was taken in immediately by the laid back narrator, this film is a First nations production from Australia, a story written for a Western audience (with moments of unexpected 'western' (read: universal)), set in the distant past. A story about a man's designs on his brother's wife, but it's so much more than that. It's about life and death, respect and a different way of life. If you want a window into tribal Australia before the dawn of the modern age, and a bit of a hoot to boot, watch this.

Good bits: Fragmented, original filming techniques that are simple, and yet unconventional. Light hearted humour throughout and an eye-opening view of an underrepresented culture. And gratuitous nudity.

Bad bits: Length of the death ceremony.

For fans of Australia.

Rating:  7/10

Safe (2012)

By Daniel Bradley

Jason, you've done it again.

This one may be predictable, may have all the elements of every other gangster/Jason Statham film you've seen before, (disarmed bad guys, compact fight scenes, gun battles, drugs, money, gangs, car chases, bent coppers and a conspiracy that goes straight to the top)… but it stands solidly on it's own cliches.

You can easily put this in the pile of Jason S films you'll get round to seeing, I did, but I saw it out of some loyalty to the genre. I felt like a lighthearted, mindless action film where the plot doesn't matter and the next bullet is only minutes away. And 2012 answered with Safe.

Good bits: Direction, the use of mirrors for multi-directional action.

Bad bits: Story. The last minute antagonist. The apathy for the main characters.

For fans of: The Transporter, War, Crank. 

Rating: 5/10

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

By Daniel Bradley

When you have such a well loved trilogy to live up to, and you only have a small 300 page paperback to go on, and you're making the first third of that paperback, questions of quality, pace and repetition immediately spring to mind. Will it keep the same film as the first Peter Jackson Middle Earth gems, will there be enough to keep the viewer interested for 3 hours, won't this be exactly the same story mode again, wasn't this a semi-thought out children's book..?

Well, ignore the Press. This movie has the style of the previous films, no question, but it feels new and fresh - it has life! They tie the story really nicely to it's predecessors and the same tone, humour and score that worked so well previously is ever present throughout. Edge of your seat cinematography, well worked plot lines and large scale events go some way to reminding you how packed those initial 6 chapters were. If you read this as a kid, it's a pleasure to see it all grown up.

Good bits: Old friends, Martin Freeman's second to none acting, riddles in the dark.

Bad bits: 3D… don't do it. The Orc antagonist that shouldn't exist but drives the plot.

For fans of The Labyrinth, Harry Potter, Snow White & the Seven Dwarves.

Rating 10/10

The Hunger Games (2012)

By Daniel Bradley

A film is made out of a successful teen book trilogy and I'm already put off by the idea. It worked for Harry Potter, but this is not a light-hearted work of magical fantasy. I read about the plot and caught the trailer at another movie, and was completely, 100% put off the idea. And yet.

I was told to see this by some very good friends. I'd seen films with similar premises before and found them brutal and marginally entertaining. But, I relented, and it quickly became one of my favourite films on bluray, I bought the books and sung it's praises immediately. 

It could have gone over the top, but was shot beautifully and carefully, with emphasis on character development, context and story rather than children killing one another. The 2 worlds, (the districts and the capital) are rendered believably with attention to detail, design and costume and the acting is spot on, not something one can say about other Teen classics.

Best bits: Depth, believable injuries, Lord of the flies politics.

Worst bits:  The hounds at the close.

For fans of The Condemned, The Truman Show.

Rating: 8/10

Fargo (1996)

By Daniel Bradley

Recommended by an old teacher of mine who knew I enjoyed The Big Lebowski, this film is labelled from the off as a true story by the Coen Brothers. Not wanting to spoil anything, the elements are true, however the big picture is a fable. That being said, the humour is ridiculous, the bumbling cops and bad guys are a joy to watch and the knuckle-biting cock-ups leave you cringing into your late night cup of tea.

A man, down on his luck after a bad business deal, decides to hire 2 gormless goons to kidnap his wife to extort his father-in-law. When things don't exactly go to plan, a heavily pregnant cop gets on the case following the string of gruesome crime scenes to tie up the whole affair. Wonderful accents, great dialogue and genuinely amusing laugh out loud moments when things start going wrong make this the cult classic it is today.

Best bits: The kidnap scene, interrogation and conclusion.

Worst bits: Perhaps this film goes on 20 minutes too long overall.

For fans of The Big Lebowski, Quite ugly one morning.

Rating 7/10

Flight of the Navigator (1986)

By Daniel Bradley

When I found out they were planning on remaking this, I could not contain my excitement. An 80's sci-fi children's classic, Whilst other parents weened their kids on Snow White & the Seven animated Disney classics, (I was indifferent to these), my Mum and Dad brought me up on a healthy diet of Escape to Witch Mountain, Short Circuit and Flight of the Navigator.

Imagine a boy wakes up after a fall and 7 years have passed for the rest of the world, whilst he hasn't aged a day. Then imagine the same boy's head is suddenly, inexplicably & subconsciously full of star charts and NASA want him in connection with a crashed UFO…

Back when muppets were new and NASA was one big conspiracy, this film is equal parts sinister child thriller/ridiculous puppet sci-fi adventure.

Best Bits: Solid science-fiction story, classic 80's feel, portrayal of aliens as puppets, gas-filling station scene.

Worst Bits: "Compliance, Daaaavey."

For fans of Escape to Witch Mountain, Return from Witch Mountain, Short Circuit.

Rating 7.5/10

Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel (2009)

By Daniel Bradley


There aren't many independent British 'down the pub' movies. Far fewer about 3 chaps, shooting the sh*t and debating time-travel paradoxes… however…

If you want base, laddish humour, sarcasm, inexplicable bathroom time-shift phenomena and bar-side capers, this is your film. It's not grossly funny, it doesn't pretend to be a genre changer, it was never going to set the world alight, and yet, like The Last Lovecraft, it keeps you coming back for more. I'd liken it to a good Chinese buffet without the starters.

Best Bits: Toilet scenes, cos-players, the blood bath, post-credits scene.

Worst bits: the Women.

For fans of The Last Lovecraft, Doctor Who -Rowen Atkinson Comic Relief special.

Rating: 6.5/10

Cherrybomb (2009)

By Jamie Lawrence

Fans of Skins and Misfits will like the troubled teenage destruction that will be familiar to them, especially with Robert Sheehan as one of the main narratives. It's a gritty, emotional and slightly dark storyline that, in all honesty, doesn't really go anywhere. The Irish accents from the three (along with the one James Nesbitt has become so famous for) are a delight, and despite having his perfomrances in Harry Potter criticized, Rupert Grint shows a dark, evil side which is a welcome change to his debut films.

It is slow-paced, slightly boring at times, but the three damaged characters (all damaged in their own way) are fantastic to watch.

Best Bits: The parties: wanting to party with them (and wishing your teens were as much fun) and the fact it was only 1 1/2 hours long.

Worst Bits: The slow pace and lack of storyline.

Rating: 5/10

For fans of: Skins, Misfits.

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)

By Daniel Bradley

I waited a long time to see this one, thinking someone else I know might see it first and give me a review. I'm fickle like that. But I'm now so very glad I saw it first.

Poignant, touching, chuckle worthy gags one moment and heart strings the next. Keira is likeable, scatty and terrifically British. Steve is the perfect, down to Earth cynical introvert... his actions and reactions are timed perfectly. Credit to him as an actor, and to the writers.

The dog gets a special mention.

Best moment, Keira.

Worst moment, knowing the film has to end.

See this film if you like your apocalypse films light hearted, thoughtful and genuinely amusing. 8.7/10

The Art Of Getting By (2011)

By Daniel Bradley

This one is a weird one. I love these actors and I love this film company, I love the setting and I love the subject matter.

This film is about first loves, and quirky feelings, school leavers, art and mind games with one treacherous, sadistic little hussy. It makes you want to walk the streets of New York in the fall with a cigarette and a long coat.

Best moment: George's dialogue. His painting.

Worst moment: Poor scripting in the restaurant.

Watch if you're a fan of Empire Records & High Fidelity. 7/10

Skyfall (2012)

By Daniel Bradley

This is a personal review, dear friends, and I have one word for you. Wonderful.

But it wasn't always so. Half an hour in, I was worried. Predictable scenes and scripting made the beginning wooden and my disbelief was hard to suspend. This was made worse by the fact the important bits of the first 34 minutes had all been shown previously in the trailer. Like knowing what you've got for Christmas 3 weeks in advance.

The 35th minute, you'll be pleased to hear, changed all that, with an elevator in Shaghai.

Wonderful cinematography, locations and a real 50th anniversary Bond bonanza thrown in on the side. Q, M and the gang had the right amount of screen time. References galore, with some terrific casting. The wit was spot on. And by the close, the film could have been made for me. A surprise grounds keeper, a wonderful setting and Macgyvering of the highest calibre.

The best moment: Saluting tradition at every opportunity.

The worst moment: 29 minutes in with premature despair.

Rating: 8.1/10. See this film if you're a fan of Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Daniel Craig, England, James Bond movies and reworked clichés.


Skyfall by Adam Edwards

In one word, stunning.

It is extremely rare that I like a film when I leave the cinema, it usually needs time to grow on me. However, Skyfall was etched as greatness in my mind from the off.

With a fantastically British story line and so many subtle and not so subtle nods to the franchise as a whole, it truly is a fantastic celebration of the 50th anniversary and a terrific addition to the Bond series.

Best moments: Tube scenes, Nods to the history of Jimmy Bond, Adele

Worst moments: Nothing.

Rating: Solid 9/10  -- See this film if you love classic Bond. Goldeneye, Moonraker, Live and Let Die and if you like Britain.

Pitch Perfect (2012)

By Ricky Wells

Absolutely brilliant. The comedy is fresh and original. The romantic threads are obvious, but the story doesn't lean on them as plot devices, which allows them to be obvious without feeling tired and hackneyed. The music is great; lots of original mash-ups. Elizabeth Banks is hilarious in her cameo role.

Best Bits: Rebel Wilson is glorious. The 'riff-off' scene is fantastic. The whispery Asian one-liners are gold.

Worst Bits: WAY too much fake vomit. The deep voice gimmick.

Rating: 8 to 8.5/10 - Funniest movie I've seen a while, with some quality a cappella music

For Fans of: Mean Girls, Bring it On, The House Bunny, Hairspray, Glee (mostly for the show choir aspect)

A Scanner Darkly (2006)

By Marty Lawrence

A stellar cast, and digitally filmed in an unusual, comic book-style, this movie is based in the not too distant future, where paranoia and constant surveillance is the norm, and centres around a new drug named Substance D, which is rife across the world. The Police send Keanu Reeves, an undercover cop, to infiltrate the drug rings, and find the main supplier, but his prolonged use of the substance causes him to believe his undercover persona is the real him.

Best Scene: Where Robert Downey Jnr brings a Bike home he has purchased. Wonderful example of the rampant paranoia.

Worst Scene: There isn't one bad scene that stands out per se, but the whole movie can sometimes appear slow and dialogue-heavy.

7/10 A fairly slow tale of paranoia, suspense and some nice twists and turns along the way, with great acting. It's hard to know whether I enjoyed it more because of its digital re-enhancement or because of the plot itself.

For fans of: Minority Report, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Memento, Sin City

The Kids Are Alright (2010)

By Daniel Bradley

My favourite film distributor is Focus Features. (The speciality film unit of Universal). It may come as a surprise then that I did not want to watch this film. (But Nicola made me buy it on Blu-ray).

Despite being unsure on the trailer, we watched it and I was pleasantly surprised. A well observed lesbian family comedy designed to shine light on the potential future ramifications of anonymous gamete donation. Fertility treatment aside, the heartache inherent in a stale relationship coupled with a double helping of 'come of age' angst make this a well layered film aimed at a 30+ audience.

Best moment(s): Any point at which gay porn is mentioned. The skateboard.

Worst moment: I was looking for a more upbeat finale and for Mark Ruffalo's character to be more than a lecherous man in a garden.

See this film if you don't like the trailer and are affected by any of the themes expressed in this review. 6.5/10