Australia

Release: 26.12.08
Director: Baz Luhrman

Baz Luhrman's epic is so in every sense of the word. Epic storyline, epic photography, epic running time. Its a very, very long film, and theres a point about half way through where everyone reaches for their coat before simultaniously realising that its not quite finished. If you leave at this point then you wont be disappointed. However, despite the length its a stunningly beautiful film and a very effective advert for Luhrman's home country.

***/5

The Day The Earth Stood Still

Release: 12.12.08
Director: Scott Derrickson

Keanu Reeves stars as the enigmatic Klaatu landing on Earth with an ultimatum for the human race. What could have been an interesting reinvention of the original is somewhat corrupted by the laughably obvious plot holes, Reeves’ dull and tedious eco-friendly alien and the lack of mystery behind the metal jolly green Klaatu brings along. There are some decent special effects this kind of big budget movie warrants, but little else.

*/5

Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa

Release: o5.12.08
Director: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath

The animals of Central Park Zoo are back! Alex the lion (Ben Stiller), Melman the giraffe (David Schwimmer), Marty the zebra (Chris Rock) and Gloria the hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith) leave Madagascar to head home to NYC, but don’t get very far and have to get back to nature in Africa. The characters develop as they have to survive among their own with family reunions, identity crises and love stories along with more from the hilarious King Julien (Sacha Baron Cohen). It’s a good sequel and lots of fun; if you liked Madagascar it’s more of the good stuff.


***/5

Four Christmases

Release: 26.11.08
Director: Seth Gordon

Yes, it’s Christmas again, in case you haven’t noticed. It’s about time for another Vince Vaughn Christmas movie! Happy couple Brad (Vaughn) and Kate (Reese Witherspoon) are forced to spend Christmas with the family, make way for awkward parents and bizarre situations including an evangelistic nativity play. It’s a typical Christmas movie, so you should know what to expect; there are a few laughs and it might be enough to get you into the spirit but keep the expectations low.

*/5

My Best Friend’s Girl

Release: 21.11.08
Director: Howard Deutch

Professional jerk Tank Turner (Dane Cook) falls for his best friend’s girl, it’s a typical ‘who gets the girl’ storyline, though the fact that ‘the girl’ doesn’t want either of them, apparently doesn’t come in to it.
I’m not quite sure what this film is going for; it seems to be a rom-com: but with no romance and not much comedy. Maybe I had my hopes too high; Dane Cook is a very funny stand-up and I suggest you check him out. This film is good for a couple of cheap laughs, but that’s about it.

Warning: this is definitely a ‘guy film’

*/5

Changeling

Release: 26.11.08
Director: Clint Eastwood

With some rather morose acting and good deal of crying children, it’s a long film and a bit of an effort getting through it; but the story behind the film is what makes it all worth while. The story of a mother’s fight to find her son is so much more than it first seems. The harrowing story of Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie) is all the more disturbing when you remember just how closely the film sticks to the truth. The screenplay isn’t fantastic and it’s pretty heavy going but it’s well worth seeing.

***/5