Do you remember that bit in The Woman in Black where Daniel Radcliffe inches his way along a darkened corridor, holding onto an axe and kerosene light for dearest life? Well, Silent House is that scene, only spliced to a hundred more like it. Whether you have seen the original film or not, this is one of the most effective frighteners you will see this year, elevated by a fantastic central performance and a gimmick that essentially serves the traditional found footage format its marching orders. It’s just a shame about the ending.
It’s been a while since we’ve played a good game of Nicholas Sparks’ Tragic Character Tragic Death Bingo, hasn’t it? Will it be the mop-headed golden child with the violin skills and the adorable love of chess? Will it be harassed, golden mom who hasn’t been able to get back on her beloved boat since it happened? Will it be Zac Efron’s war-haunted but ever so golden Marine veteran, whose blue eyes bely the slow-motion dusty montage horrors he’s no doubt researched thoroughly? Well, two of them have got to have sex first. And thankfully for everyone mop kid is not down as The Lucky One in terms of that.
Boaz Yakin attempts to shrug off the conventions of the usual smash-everyone-audience-included-into-submission action film with his new Statham vehicle Safe. Initially thoughtful and controlled, but never quite committing to the restrained tone of its opening half hour, all of Safe‘s positive traits fall a little by the wayside in favour of, well, smashing everyone into submission.
The wait is finally over! After no fewer than four stand-alone prequels, the giants of Marvel’s metahuman stable explode onto the silver screen in a joyous orgy of action, wit and great big hammers. Visionary director Joss Whedon pulls off the ultimate balancing act as Earth’s Mightiest Heroes™ settle their differences for one of the most exhilarating superhero films ever.
James Huth’s French language Western is big, colourful and deeply silly. Sitting somewhere between Blazing Saddles and the Milky Bar adverts, Lucky Luke has all the right ingredients but none of the structure or depth to support itself as anything other than a cartoonish comedy. But with a cast boasting the likes of Jean Dujardin (in the days before he was George Valentin), and a whole lot of silly gags, you might find Lucky Luke a fun way to spend a couple of hours.
Kablamm! Hear that? It’s the (scientifically inaccurate) sound of space crap exploding in your face! BAZAMMM! Welcome to Lockout, people. If you’re looking for a film that’s entertaining in a kind of “We all know the drill, let’s get this over and done with shall we?” kinda way, it’s officially your lucky day. Explosions! Psychotic prisoners! Space! Guy Pearce’s upper arms! What more could you ask for? Well apart from logic and a strong story, obviously.
Will Ferrell flexes his language skills and breaks out the bootlace ties for this Spanish-language action/comedy mezcla. Ever wanted to see some of Mexico’s most critically acclaimed actors charge around like they’re in a dire 70s soap opera whilst Pedro from Napoleon Dynamite says “I like bitches” over and over again? YOU’RE IN LUCK! Dodge the bullets and the dud gags and you’ll find plenty to enjoy here.
A calm, quiet and much-needed antidote to the braying Life-Affirming tales shoved our way by the good old Yoo Es of Ay, Breathing tracks a young man’s tentative journey back to reality after it seems he’s given up on the idea. Careful cinematography, a stripped down script and a stonking soundtrack make this unassuming little film well worth a watch – and besides, we’ve always said more heart-filling tales should be set mainly in a morgue.
When a synopsis involves a group of American college students setting off on a road trip to an empty forest cabin, instinct tells us that the story will probably be a familiar one. Whether it’s to cannibals, zombies, or unwelcoming spirits, these kids are going to bite it – one after the other – until there’s just one of them left (final death optional). But have you ever stopped to wonder why it has to be that way? Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard have, and luckily for us, they’d like to share.
Snipe London
Recent Comments