THE EQUALIZER
McCall (Denzel Washington) is a former black ops commando who has faked his death to live a quiet life in Boston. When he comes out of his self-imposed retirement to rescue a young girl, Teri (Chloe Grace Moretz), he finds himself face to face with violent Russian gangsters. As he embarks on vengeance against those who abuse the helpless, McCall’s desire for justice is reawakened. If someone has a problem, the odds are stacked against them, and they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer.
Oh we had high hopes for this remake of an old classic TV series, but even with the likes of the great Washington donning The Equalizer hat can’t save a tired, boring storyline. It may be full of over hyped tension but it’s repetitive and mundane. However, Washington is certain to draw in the crowds so it’ll probably be a box office hit.
See if you liked: Shooter, Man On fire
MAPS TO THE STARS
Dr Stafford Weiss (John Cusack) is a psychotherapist whose self-help books have made him a fortune. His wife Cristina (Olivia Williams) is the overbearing mom of their thirteen-year old son, Benjie, a prodigious child star fresh out of drug rehab and their estranged daughter Agatha (Mia Wasikowska) has recently been released from a psychiatric hospital. Agatha is now back in Hollywood making friends with a wannabe actor/writer limo driver named Jerome (Robert Pattinson) and with a new job as PA to one of Stafford’s clients – the neurotic and tempestuous actress Havana Segrand (Julianne Moore), whose dream of reprising her dead mother’s starring role from the 1960s is beginning to haunt her.
A bit warped? Yes, we can tell Cronenberg has tried to twist and show the audience all is not what it may seem in the land of the rich and famous. It’s a bit like a stretched out reality check for the gullible masses. What can I say this one has got me pretty stumped? I simply can’t make up my mind whether it’s an intelligent look at the reality of being a celebrity or completely silly and desperate.
See if you liked: Cosmopolis, Crash.
WHAT WE DID ON OUR HOLIDAY
Doug (David Tennant) and Abi (Rosamund Pike) and their three children travel to the Scottish Highlands for Doug’s father Gordie’s (Billy Connolly) birthday party. It’s soon clear that when it comes to keeping secret under wraps from the rest of the family, their children are their biggest liability.
Heart warming and full of humour (mostly from the child characters), this film, considering as it comes across as really quite cheesy, was a major surprise at how good it really is. The outstanding performances comes from the child cast as they show who really are the grow ups in this film. Overall it’s pretty charming; you’ll hate to like this, but don’t fight it.
See if you liked: Son Of Rambow, Salmon Fishing In The Yemen.
MY PICK OF THE WEEK: WHAT WE DID ON OUR HOLIDAY.