THE JUDGE
High flying lawyer Hank Palmer (Robert Downey Jr.) has to return to his childhood home when his estranged father (Robert Duvall), the town’s judge, is suspected of murder. As he sets out to discover the truth about what really happened he finds himself reconnecting with the family he walked away from years before.
This legal thriller is nothing spectacular, but with a cast such as Downey, Duvall and Billy Bob Thornton it certainly has a pretty strong performance. It’s good to see Downey away from the marvel franchise which shot him back into stardom but it’s just a tad drawn out and stuffed full of cliché’s. Not bad viewing for a Sunday afternoon.
See If You Liked: This is where I leave you, Gone Girl
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES
Darkness has settled over New York City as Shredder and his evil Foot Clan have an iron grip on everything from the police to the politicians. The future is grim until four unlikely outcast brothers rise from the sewers and discover their destiny as ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’. The Turtles must work with fearless reporter April O’Neil (Megan Fox) and her wise-cracking cameraman Vern Fenwick (Will Arnett) to save the city and unravel Shredder’s evil plan.
It seems we are at that point where we have to take a old kids classic TV series and reboot the same old tired story we’ve seen before. Is it because we have better technology now to enhance what we see on screen? Yes it has an abundance of wise cracks, but it’s just dull as dishwater with a ton of advertising for Pizza Hut. I’m sorry to disappoint but it’s just one big yawn fest.
Check out our exclusive interview with Wiz Khalifa talking about making the theme track Shell Shocked for the movie
See If You Liked: All the other Ninja Turtle movies.
THE BEST OF ME
Dawson (James Marsden) and Amanda (Michelle Monaghan) are two former high school sweethearts who find themselves reunited after 20 years apart, when they return to their small town for the funeral of a beloved friend. Their bittersweet reunion reignites the love they’ve never forgotten, but soon they discover the forces that drove them apart twenty years ago live on, posing even more serious threats today. This love story captures the enduring power of our first true love, and the wrenching choices we face when confronted with elusive second chances.
Here we have another “chick flick” from Nicholas Sparks, but can he recreate the ladies favourite The Notebook? His subsequent films such as Dear John, The Lucky One and A Walk to remember maybe say don’t hold your breath. The whole film just felt tacky and overly prolonged, not even the onscreen eye candy of James Marsden can save this mills and boonesque drivel.
See If You Liked: Dear John, The Lucky One
NORTHERN SOUL
This is the story of two young men, no longer satisfied with the prospect of a small town life and a factory production line, who want to live out their dream of going to America to discover rare records which will help them become the best DJ’s on the scene. This journey forces them to confront rivalry, violence and drug abuse and their friendship is tested to the limit.
Northern Soul is the story of a youth culture in the 1970’s, which changed a whole generation, influencing songwriters, producers, DJ’s and designers for decades to come. This film is definitely one for the music muso’s. The soundtrack is most certainly a winner and with Steve Coogan gracing this film we are guaranteed a good chuckle. It certainly is one of those films which draws you in and makes you feel part of the film. Feisty and full of energy this will turn out to be one of those hidden gems.
See If You Liked: Keep On Burning: The Story Of Northern Soul.
MY PICK OF THE WEEK: NORTHERN SOUL