Total Recall (Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel) in Theatres on August 22, 2012

Total Recall (2012)

Audience
Rating: 3.2/5
Liked the Movie: 48% (n=53,587)

Critics
Rating: 2.6/5
Liked the Movie: 31% (n=149)


Reviews

"If you share its desire for straight adrenaline, the ride works." - Tom Long, Detroit News

"While it boasts some impressive action sequences, Total Recall lacks the intricate plotting, wry humor, and fleshed out characters that made the original a sci-fi classic." - rottentomatoes.com

"Casting and visuals are an upgrade, but we get far too many action sequences and not enough of the mind games." - Richard Roeper, richardroeper.com

"It's big and it's loud, but ultimately not much more than that." - Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic

"One of the great advantages of remaking a movie is being given the opportunity to correct problems - something not attempted here." - James Berardinelli, ReelViews

"The Total Recall reboot is a futuristic fiasco, two hours you'll never get back - and every minute is a bad memory." - Peter Travers, Rolling Stone


Movie Info

Welcome to Rekall, the company that can turn your dreams into real memories. For a factory worker named Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell), even though he's got a beautiful wife (Kate Beckinsale) who he loves, the mind-trip sounds like the perfect vacation from his frustrating life - real memories of life as a super-spy might be just what he needs. But when the procedure goes horribly wrong, Quaid becomes a hunted man. Finding himself on the run from the police - controlled by Chancellor Cohaagen (Bryan Cranston), the leader of the free world - Quaid teams up with a rebel fighter (Jessica Biel) to find the head of the underground resistance (Bill Nighy) and stop Cohaagen. -- (C) Sony

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 2 hr. 1 min.

Genre: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By: Len Wiseman

Written By: Kurt Wimmer

Distributed By: Sony Pictures

Cast
Colin Farrell (Douglas Quaid)
Kate Beckinsale (Lori Quaid)
Bryan Cranston (Cohaagen, Vilos Cohaagen)
Jessica Biel (Melina)
Bill Nighy (Kuato, Matthias, Quatto)
Bokeem Woodbine (Harry)
John Cho (McClane)
Will Yun Lee (Marek)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

"The Bourne Legacy" (Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton) in Theatres on August 8, 2012

The Bourne Legacy (2012)

Critics
Rating: 3/5
Liked the Movie: 43% (n=14)

Audience
Like to See the Movie: 85% (n=109,132)


Reviews

"Sets the stage for better and fuller adventures to come." - Kate Erbland, Boxoffice Magazine

"Writer and director Tony Gilroy, who penned all three previous episodes, has come up with an elegant solution that manages to widen out the story without feeling like a Hollywood cash-in." - James Mottram, The List

"Although there isn't nearly as much action as the original three movies, it's doubtful anyone will leave Legacy not wanting to see more of Renner and Weisz in these roles." - Edward Douglas, comingsoon.net

"Subbing character actor Jeremy Renner into a franchise that requires Matt Damon-caliber magnetism, series scribe Tony Gilroy takes over the helming duties with an overlong sequel that features too little action and an unnecessarily complicated plot." - Peter Debruge, Variety

"Stellar photography and effects cannot quite make up for the staleness of the series and the flatness of the principal character when compared to Matt Damon." - Harvey S. Karten, Compuserve

"Gilroy is an intelligent writer but he is not a technically skillful action director, and so he tries to compensate with a detailed but not very involving tale and characters that like to talk in one too many indoor scenes." - Emanuel Levy, emanuellevy.com

"The Bourne Legacy disgraces the family name" - Blake Howard, 2UE That Movie Show


Movie Info

The narrative architect behind the Bourne film series, Tony Gilroy, takes the helm in the next chapter of the hugely popular espionage franchise that has earned almost $1 billion at the global box office: The Bourne Legacy. The writer / director expands the Bourne universe created by Robert Ludlum with an original story that introduces us to a new hero (Jeremy Renner) whose life-or-death stakes have been triggered by the events of the first three films. For The Bourne Legacy, Renner joins fellow series newcomers Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Stacy Keach and Oscar Isaac, while franchise veterans Albert Finney, Joan Allen, David Strathairn and Scott Glenn reprise their roles. -- (C) Universal

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 2 hr. 5 min.

Genre: Mystery & Suspense, Action & Adventure

Directed By: Tony Gilroy

Distributed By: Universal Pictures

Cast
Jeremy Renner (Aaron Cross)
Edward Norton (Retired Col. Eric Byer)
Rachel Weisz (Dr. Marta Shearing)
Joan Allen (Pam Landy)
Albert Finney (Dr. Albert Hirsch)
Stacy Keach (Retired Adm. Mark Turso)
Scott Glenn (Ezra Kramer)
Oscar Isaac (Outcome #3)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

The Dark Knight Rises (Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Gary Oldman) in Theatres on July 19, 2012

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Critics
Rating: 4.4/5
Liked the Movie: 91% (n=33)

Audience
Like to See the Movie: 93% (n=336,412)


Reviews

"Bleak, black and brilliant." - David Edwards, Daily Mail [UK]

"The crowning achievement of the Batman trilogy and the biggest, best, most exciting Batman of them all." - Scott A. Mantz, Access Hollywood

"The Dark Knight Rises is a big, bold and occasionally brilliant piece of blockbuster filmmaking." - Alistair Harkness, Scotsman

"The Dark Knight Rises is a spectacular and thrilling conclusion to Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy." - Bruce Kirkland, Jam! Movies

"Whoever Warner Bros hires to reboot the 'Batman' films a few years from now, I wish you luck. The bar is as high as it could possibly be." - Drew McWeeney, HitFix

"The film suffers a bit from a glut of new characters but is helped along by Nolan's continued insistence on emotional resonance over mindless spectacle." - Tim Grierson, Screen International

"The bad news is that it lasts two hours 45 minutes, which is astonishingly bloated -- and unforgivable in a film that spends a long, ponderous hour getting started." - Christopher Tookey, Daily Mail [UK]

"A fine film in a strong summer, but it lacks the spark that made its immediate predecessor a masterpiece." - Amy Nicholson, Boxoffice Magazine

"Emotional, epic and entertaining, this is the end you've been waiting for." - James Mottram, The List

"A fitting epitaph for the hero Gotham deserves." - Nev Pierce, Empire Magazine


Movie Info

It has been eight years since Batman vanished into the night, turning, in that instant, from hero to fugitive. Assuming the blame for the death of D.A. Harvey Dent, the Dark Knight sacrificed everything for what he and Commissioner Gordon both hoped was the greater good. For a time the lie worked, as criminal activity in Gotham City was crushed under the weight of the anti-crime Dent Act. But everything will change with the arrival of a cunning cat burglar with a mysterious agenda. Far more dangerous, however, is the emergence of Bane, a masked terrorist whose ruthless plans for Gotham drive Bruce out of his self-imposed exile. But even if he dons the cape and cowl again, Batman may be no match for Bane.. -- (C) Warner Bros.

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 2 hr. 45 min.

Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

Directed By: Christopher Nolan

Written By: David S. Goyer, Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Nolan, Bob Kane

Distributed By: Warner Bros. Pictures

Cast
Christian Bale (Bruce Wayne / Batman)
Michael Caine (Alfred)
Gary Oldman (Gordon)
Anne Hathaway (Selina Kyle)
Joseph Gordon-Levitt (John Blake)
Tom Hardy (Bane)
Marion Cotillard (Miranda Tate)
Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox)
Liam Neeson (Ra's al Ghul)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Ice Age: Continental Drift 3D (Jennifer Lopez, Jeremy Renner, Queen Latifah) in Theatres on July 12, 2012

Ice Age: Continental Drift 3D (2012)

Critics
Rating: 3/5
Liked the Movie: 52% (n=25)

Audience
Like to See the Movie: 93% (n=20,677)


Reviews

"The gang of walking, talking, mammalian chums prove as reliably consistent as ever." - Steve Newall, flicks.co.nz

"This isn't just the fourth silver screen outing for 'history's greatest heroes'. It's the Ice Age gang's most action-packed film to date." - Graham Young, Birmingham Mail

"Weighed down with daft new characters and an overstretched story, the prehistoric saga is looking a bit old. On the other hand, it still has Scrat -which is all any movie really needs..." - Paul M. Bradshaw, Total Film

"The wit and charm of the series' earlier entries, and much of their visual splendour, appears to have evaporated." - Shaun Munro, What Culture

"Despite impressive visuals and voice work, this fourth instalment feels uninspired and unnecessary." - FILMINK (Australia)

"This latest installment feels like a rudderless ship of ice floating in tropical waters." - Anton Bitel, Film4

"I hate to be the one to break it to everyone... but it's time these animals were put to sleep." - Matthew Toomey, ABC Radio Brisbane


Movie Info

Scrat's nutty pursuit of the cursed acorn, which he's been after since the dawn of time, has world-changing consequences - a continental cataclysm that triggers the greatest adventure of all for Manny, Diego and Sid. In the wake of these upheavals, Sid reunites with his cantankerous Granny, and the herd encounters a ragtag menagerie of seafaring pirates determined to stop them from returning home. -- (C) Official Site

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 hr. 34 min.

Genre: Action & Adventure, Animation, Kids & Family, Comedy

Directed By: Steve Martino, Michael Thurmeier

Distributed By: 20th Century Fox

Cast
Ray Romano (Manny)
John Leguizamo (Sid)
Denis Leary (Diego)
Queen Latifah (Ellie)
Seann William Scott (Crash)
Josh Peck (Eddie)
Jennifer Lopez (Shira)
Jeremy Renner (Gutt)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Act of Valor (Active-Duty US Navy Seals) in Theatres on July 11, 2012

Act of Valor (2012)

Hazel's
Comment: There were Filipino groups who demanded an apology from Relativity Media and wanted this movie banned because it depicted Filipinos as cold-hearted terrorists. But isn't this movie a work of fiction? Why are some people just so uptight and critical about it?

Audience
Rating: 4/5
Liked the Movie: 77% (n=69,819)

Critics
Rating: 2.3/5
Liked the Movie: 25% (n=126)


Reviews

"When the bullets are flying, Act of Valor is undeniably tense and thrilling." - Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly

"Fighting is a learned skill; so is acting. And the SEAL stars are plausible only when on maneuvers - performing as their own stunt doubles." - Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine

"The special ops missions are pretty amazing, but the SEALS as dramatic characters are under-developed." - Richard Roeper, richardroeper.com

"It's undeniably reverent of the real-life heroes in its cast, but Act of Valor lets them down with a clichéd script, stilted acting, and a jingoistic attitude that ignores the complexities of war." - rottentomatoes.com

"The filmmakers are so intent on shooting the real SEAL deal that they forget this is supposed to be a movie: We need a story." - Amy Biancolli, San Francisco Chronicle

"I don't know what to make of Act of Valor. It's like reviewing a recruiting poster." - Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

"I think these real-life action heroes deserve a better movie. So does the audience." - Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune


Movie Info

An unprecedented blend of real-life heroism and original filmmaking, Act of Valor stars a group of active-duty U.S. Navy SEALs in a film like no other in Hollywood's history. A fictionalized account of real life Navy SEAL operations, Act of Valor features a gripping story that takes audiences on an adrenaline-fueled, edge-of-their-seat journey. When a mission to recover a kidnapped CIA operative unexpectedly results in the discovery of an imminent, terrifying global threat, an elite team of highly trained Navy SEALs must immediately embark on a heart-stopping secret operation, the outcome of which will determine the fate of us all. Act of Valor combines stunning combat sequences, up-to-the-minute battlefield technology, and heart-pumping emotion for the ultimate action adventure film-showcasing the skills, training and tenacity of the greatest action heroes of them all: real Navy SEALs. -- (C) Relativity

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 hr. 41 min.

Genre: Mystery & Suspense, Action & Adventure

Directed By: Mike McCoy, Scott Waugh

Written By: Kurt Johnstad

Distributed By: Relativity Media

Cast
Roselyn Sanchez (Agent Morales)
Alex Veadov (Christo)
Nestor Serrano (Walter Ross)
Emilio Rivera (Sanchez)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (Benjamin Walker) in Theatres on July 4, 2012

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012)

Audience
Rating: 3.5/5
Liked the Movie: 61% (n=144,391)

Critics
Rating: 2.5/5
Liked the Movie: 34% (n=150)


Reviews

"Both terribly silly and a lot of fun." - Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

"Of course it's ridiculous and tasteless and grotesque. It's ABRAHAM LINCOLN, VAMPIRE HUNTER." - Richard Roeper, richardroeper.com

"Bekmambetov ... stages hilarious, imaginative, almost free-form action sequences like nobody in the business." - Andrew O'Hehir, salon.com

"Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter has visual style to spare, but its overly serious tone doesn't jibe with its decidedly silly central premise, leaving filmgoers with an unfulfilling blend of clashing ingredients." - rottentomatoes.com

"Bekmambetov doesn't expect us to take the premise seriously, exactly. But he doesn't seem to want us to laugh at it, either." - Eric D. Snider, film.com

"The movie plays safe by cutting every theme down the middle - a swing that's effective when splitting wood or vampire skulls, but dull when applied to filmmaking." - Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

"A B movie treated like an A movie that mostly ends up being a zzzzzzzzzz movie." - Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

"Not just a letdown but an absolute disaster." - Rafer Guzman, Newsday

"Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" is such a smashing title it's too bad someone had to spoil things by making a movie to go with it." - Manohla Dargis, New York Times

"What next, "George Washington Werewolf"? Laugh not, history profs." - Tom Long, Detroit News


Movie Info

Visionary filmmakers Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov reinvent the time-honored genre and present the terrifying creatures of the night as they were meant to be experienced -- as fierce, visceral, intense and bloodthristy. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter brings to the screen the secret life of our nation's favorite president... as history's greatest hunter of the undead. -- (C) Official Site

Rated: R

Running Time: 1 hr. 45 min.

Genre: Action & Adventure, Horror, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By: Timur Bekmambetov

Written By: Seth Grahame-Smith

Distributed By: 20th Century Fox

Cast
Benjamin Walker (Abraham Lincoln)
Dominic Cooper (Henry Sturges)
Anthony Mackie (Will Johnson)
Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Mary Lincoln)
Rufus Sewell (Adam)
Marton Csokas (Jack Barts)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

"Big Miracle" (Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski, Kristen Bell) in Theaters on July 4, 2012

Big Miracle (2012)

Audience
Rating: 3.4/5
Liked the Movie: 63% (n=29,488)

Critics
Rating: 3.1/5
Liked the Movie: 74% (n=95)


Reviews:

"Big Miracle uses real-life events as the basis for a surprisingly satisfying family drama." - rottentomatoes.com

""Big Miracle" gets off to a shaky start, but once revved up, it becomes an involving work-against-the-clock-and-the-odds action movie." - Rachel Saltz, New York Times

"Cold War-era bonding over whales? It would sound utterly absurd if it weren't based on fact. And that's part of what makes this movie fun for adults." - Stephanie Merry, Washington Post

"It is a whale of a comic tale, if also one overly crowded with characters and incidents." - Peter Howell, Toronto Star

""Big Miracle" might be subtitled, "How Hollywood Turned a Real Story Into Bogus Fiction." - Rafer Guzman, Newsday

"If you think it's absolutely not your kind of thing, you might be surprised." - Glenn Kenny, MSN Movies


Movie Info

Inspired by the true story that captured the hearts of people across the world, the rescue adventure Big Miracle tells the amazing tale of a small town news reporter (John Krasinski) and an animal-loving volunteer (Drew Barrymore) who are joined by rival world superpowers to save a family of majestic gray whales trapped by rapidly forming ice in the Arctic Circle. -- (C) Universal

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 hr. 46 min.

Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance, Comedy

Directed By: Ken Kwapis

Written By: Jack Amiel, Michael Begler

Distributed By: Universal Pictures

Cast
John Krasinski (Adam Carlson)
Drew Barrymore (Rachel Kramer)
Kristen Bell (Jill Jerard)
Dermot Mulroney (Colonel Scott Boyer)
Ted Danson (J. W. McGraw)
Tim Blake Nelson (Pat Lafayette)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 (Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner) in Theatres on November 2012

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (2012)

Hazel's
Comment: Twilight fans are in for a treat on November... though it's the last installment already of an engaging series that had us glued to Jacob's abs and Edward's pretty face haha =)

Audience
Like to See the Movie: 90% (n=48,892)


Movie Info

The epic love story between Bella Swan and Edward Cullen concludes in this final installment of Stephenie Meyer's best-selling series.

Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By: Bill Condon

Written By: Melissa Rosenberg, Stephenie Meyer

Distributed By: Lionsgate Films

Cast
Kristen Stewart (Bella Swan)
Robert Pattinson (Edward Cullen)
Taylor Lautner (Jacob Black)
Ashley Greene (Alice)
Kellan Lutz (Emmett)
Nikki Reed (Rosalie)
Peter Facinelli (Carlisle)
Jackson Rathbone (Jasper)
Elizabeth Reaser (Esme)
Billy Burke (Charlie Swan)
Dakota Fanning (Jane Volturi)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

The Amazing Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Sally Field) in Theatres on June 29, 2012

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Hazel's
Comment: A movie I'm definitely going to watch on the big screen! It's awesome that there are scenes wherein you could feel like you're Spider-Man since it's shot on his perspective. Can't wait when it swings to theatres real soon...

Audience
Like to See the Movie: 91% (n=232,426)


Movie Info

The Amazing Spider-Man is the story of Peter Parker (Garfield), an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Sheen) and Aunt May (Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents' disappearance - leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Ifans), his father's former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors' alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero. -- (C) Sony

Rated: PG-13

Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By: Marc Webb

Written By: Steve Ditko, Stan Lee, James Vanderbilt

Distributed By: Sony Pictures

Cast
Andrew Garfield (Peter Parker / Spider-Man)
Emma Stone (Gwen Stacy)
Rhys Ifans (Dr. Curt Connors)
Sally Field (Aunt May / May Parker)
Denis Leary (Captain Stacy)
Martin Sheen (Ben Parker / Uncle Ben)
Campbell Scott (Richard Parker)
Irfan Khan (Dr. Ratha / Van Adder)
Annie Parisse (Mrs. Van Adder)
Julianne Nicholson (Mary Parker)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

The Adventures of Tintin (Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig) in Theatres on November 30, 2011

The Adventures of Tintin (2011)

Critics
Average Rating: 3.6/5
Like the Movie: 87% (n=46)

Audience
Like to See the Movie: 85% (n=20,516)


Reviews

"A thoroughly enjoyable old-fashioned adventure." - Alex Zane, Sun Online

"109 minutes of straight-up action-adventure, Indiana Jones-style, gorgeously rendered in mo-capped 3D and staged with typical brio and top-notch craftsmanship by Spielberg." - Eugene Novikov, Film Blather

""The Adventures of Tintin" is full of laughs, and contains some of the best animation ever put up on the big screen." - Cole Smithey, colesmithey.com

"Spielberg and Jackson will have no trouble selling the sequel to us as they have captured our imaginations with a serviceable Tintin introduction." - Lisa Giles-Keddie, real.com

"It's hard to imagine how Belgian creator Herge would be anything other than thrilled." - Henry Fitzherbert, Daily Express

"Only the combined forces of director Steven Spielberg and computer-generated 3D animation could create such a spectacle." - Grant Rollings, Sun Online

"There are breathtaking chases, cliff-hanging suspense and fearless derring-do, all of which give the action the same giddy, helter-skelter dash Spielberg brought to Raiders of the Lost Ark." - Jason Best, Movie Talk

"It's an unusual way to bring a childhood thing to life, to make a movie that contains no life." - Ed Whitfield, The Ooh Tray

"Famously, Hergé said that Spielberg was the only director capable of successfully bringing his creation to the big screen. That probably remains true. But this film hasn't done it." - Robbie Collin, Daily Telegraph

"This is the ugliest film ever made." - Antonia Quirke, Financial Times


Movie Info

Paramount Pictures and Columbia Pictures Present a 3D Motion Capture Film The Adventures of Tintin directed by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by Steven Moffat and Edgar Wright & Joe Cornish. Starring Jamie Bell as Tintin, the intrepid young reporter whose relentless pursuit of a good story thrusts him into a world of high adventure, and Daniel Craig as the nefarious Red Rackham. -- (C) Official Site

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 hr. 40 min.

Genre: Action & Adventure, Animation, Kids & Family

Directed By: Steven Spielberg

Written By: Hergé, Steven Moffat, Edgar Wright, Joe Cornish

Distributor: Paramount

Cast
Jamie Bell (Tintin)
Andy Serkis (Captain Haddock)
Daniel Craig (Red Rackham)
Nick Frost (Thompson Twin)
Simon Pegg (Thompson Twin)
Toby Jones (Silk)
Daniel Mays (Allan)
MacKenzie Crook (Tom)
Gad Elmaleh (Ben Salaad)
Joe Starr (Barnaby)
Cary Elwes

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Abduction (Taylor Lautner, Alfred Molina, Sigourney Weaver) in Theatres on September 22, 2011

Abduction (2011)

Audience
Rating:
Like to See the Movie: 83% (n=13,107)

Critics
Rating: 1.6/5
Like the Movie: 0% (n=9)


Reviews

"[I]t's like Taylor Lautner made a movie just for Team Jacob!... Mostly it's a lot of Taylor standing around not moving his face or anything so that we can just look at him..." - MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher

"Last I checked, tweenage girls weren't too keen on this genre, and the boys who normally would be a fan will likely be disappointed by [Abduction's] bloodless, stagnant lameness." - Simon Miraudo, Quickflix

"Singleton is poorly equipped to handle teenage angst, a fact made far worse by cringe-worthy dialogue and a wooden leading man who proves that he has not yet developed the skills required to carry a film." - Catherine Brown, FILMINK (Australia)

"Lautner isn't much of an actor and behind his face is a brain ticking away at one kilometre per hour with the repetitive long-held close-ups of his face yielding no more emotional insights than the equally long close-ups of his stomach." - Glenn Dunks, Trespass

"Two reasons not to go see Abduction: first, every screening is guaranteed to be jam-packed with rabid girls squealing every time its star, Twilight's Taylor Lautner is on screen. Second: it's just not a good movie." - Samuel Downing, MovieFIX

"Sooner or later Taylor Lautner is going to have to stop excelling despite the limitations his films put upon him. For now, he'll have to make do with surviving one of the year's worst films." - Giles Hardie, smh.com.au


Movie Info

For as long as he can remember, Nathan Harper (Taylor Lautner) has had the uneasy feeling that he's living someone else's life. When he stumbles upon an image of himself as a little boy on a missing persons website, all of Nathan's darkest fears come true: he realizes his parents are not his own and his life is a lie, carefully fabricated to hide something more mysterious and dangerous than he could have ever imagined. Just as he begins to piece together his true identity, Nathan is targeted by a team of trained killers, forcing him on the run with the only person he can trust, his neighbor, Karen (Lily Collins). Every second counts as Nathan and Karen race to evade an army of assassins and federal operatives. But as his opponents close in, Nathan realizes that the only way he'll survive and solve the mystery of his elusive biological father is to stop running and take matters into his own hands. -- (C) Lionsgate

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 1 hr. 46 min.

Genre: Mystery & Suspense, Action & Adventure

Directed By: John Singleton

Written By: Shawn Christensen, Jeffrey Nachmanoff

Distributor: Lionsgate Films

Cast
Taylor Lautner (Nathan)
Alfred Molina (Agent Frank Burton)
Antonique Smith (Agent Sandra Burns)
Maria Bello (Mara)
Jason Isaacs (Kevin)
Lily Collins (Karen)
Sigourney Weaver (Dr. Bennett)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World (Jessica Alba) in Theatres on September 14, 2011

Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World (2011)

Audience
Rating: 2.9/5
Like the Movie: 42% (n=19,276)

Critics
Rating: 2/5
Like the Movie: 22% (n=49)


Reviews

"Like its predecessors, a tediously cartoonish candy-colored rollercoaster." Nick Schager, Village Voice

"It's much inferior to the earlier films, though kids will probably like it." - Philip French, Observer [UK]

"It simply entertains at a basic level without leaving a lasting impression." Lisa Wilton, Jam! Movies

"Kids might enjoy the cheesy jokes, the shiny gadgets and the pooping dog but for adults it is snooze time all the way." Jackie K. Cooper, jackiekcooper.com

"Rodriguez directs the movie with his trademark kineticism, but a flimsy and uninventive script means there's little investment in the characters or their actions." - Simon Reynolds, Digital Spy

"The presence of Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino is sorely missed. Then again, more power to them for staying away from a movie that would smell in any dimension." - Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing

"Feels more like a cheap kids' TV series than an actual movie." - Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

"Life is too short for Spy Kids: All the Time in the World" - Todd McCarthy, Hollywood Reporter


Movie Info

On the surface, Marissa Cortez Wilson (Jessica Alba) has it all...married to a famous spy hunting television reporter, a new baby and intelligent twin step kids. But in reality, trying to mother Rebecca (Rowan Blanchard) and Cecil (Mason Cook), who clearly don't want her around, is her toughest challenge yet. Also, her husband, Wilbur (Joel McHale), wouldn't know a spy if he lived with one which is exactly the case - Marissa's a retired secret agent. Marissa's world is turned upside down when the maniacal Timekeeper (Jeremy Piven) threatens to take over the planet and she's called back into action by the head of OSS, home of the greatest spies and where the now-defunct Spy Kids division was created. With a little help from a couple of very familiar Spy Kids, Carmen (Alexa Vega) and Juni Cortez (Daryl Sabara), they just may be able to save the world and possibly bring their family together while they're at it. -- (C) Weinstein

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 hr. 29 min.

Genre: Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

Directed By: Robert Rodriguez

Distributor: Weinstein Company

Cast
Jessica Alba (Marissa Cortez Wilson)
Joel McHale (Wilbur Wilson)
Jeremy Piven (Danger D'Amo / Tick Tock)
Alexa Vega (Carmen Cortez)
Daryl Sabara (Juni Cortez)
Rowan Blanchard (Rebecca Wilson)
Mason Cook (Cecil Wilson)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Contagion (Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate WInslet) in Theatres on September 9, 2011

Contagion (2011)

Audience
Rating:
Like to See the Movie: 85% (n=10,261)

Critics
Rating: 3.4/5
Like the Movie: 80% (n=11)


Reviews

"I was shuffling nervously in my seat, edging away from the sniffling man next to me. Nobody shook hands or embraced after this screening." - Jason Solomons, Guardian [UK]

"An all-too-terrifying bio-thriller that realistically taps into our most primal fears and survival instincts." - Susan Granger, SSG Syndicate

"A masterpiece bound by the genre it lives in, but a masterpiece all the same." - David Poland, Movie City News

"... there's nothing here to make you feel like you've experienced a meaningful cinematic experience. What a waste." - Cole Smithey, colesmithey.com

"A powerful 'what if?' that leaves you reeling from the implications that something like this could very well happen exactly as depicted." - Edward Douglas, comingsoon.net


Movie Info

Contagion follows the rapid progress of a lethal airborne virus that kills within days. As the fast-moving epidemic grows, the worldwide medical community races to find a cure and control the panic that spreads faster than the virus itself. At the same time, ordinary people struggle to survive in a society coming apart. -- (C) Warner Bros.

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 1 hr. 45 min.

Genre: Mystery & Suspense, Action & Adventure

Directed By: Steven Soderbergh

Written By: Scott Z. Burns

Distributor: Warner Bros.

Cast
Marion Cotillard (Dr. Leonora Orantes)
Matt Damon (Mitch Emhoff)
Laurence Fishburne (Dr. Ellis Cheever)
Jude Law (Alan Krumwiede)
Gwyneth Paltrow (Beth Emhoff)
Kate Winslet (Dr. Erin Mears)
Bryan Cranston (Haggerty)
Jennifer Ehle (Ally Hextall)
Sanaa Lathan (Aubrey Cheever)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Deep Gold (Jaymee Ong, Bebe Pham, Michael Gleissner) in Theatres on August 31, 2011

Deep Gold (2010)

Hazel's
Comment: This internationally released movie was filmed in our very own Cebu and Palawan Philippines =)

Audience
Rating: 3.1/5
Like the Movie: 67% (n=93)

Critics
Rating:
Like the Movie:


Reviews

"If you are craving a film fill of beautiful landscape, gorgeous people and non-stop action, this is your film! It fortifies the message, "WATCH YOUR BACK, TRUST NO ONE, TAKE NO CHANCES!" Deep Gold is an action packed adventure movie written and directed by Michael Gleissner. Filmed entirely in and around the exotic islands of Cebu and Palawan in the Philippines, Deep Gold 3D showcases explosive action, daring underwater photography and alluring international model-actresses such as Bebe Pham, Jaymee Ong and Laury Prudent. Deep Gold 3D showcases conspiracy, insidious deception, untold troubles, mysterious adventure, and relentless passion to fight all the tribulations, stay alive, and move forward. It brings you several chases that make your hands move and check if you are really sitting in the chair or running with the characters of the film." - Yahiko

"Not a film of intelligence or logic, but something candied to offer a few moderate thrills for audiences who prefer their action thick-fingered and cheesy, sold by a good-looking cast with little to no acting ability." - Brian Orndorf, brianorndorf.com

"I saw this last night at the Crest in Westwood and what a waste of time! Other than actress Jaymee Ong, the rest of the acting was abysmal and I think they had to use a voice over for the main character (Bebe Phem) as well as several other characters, Its very off putting. Also the director Michael Gleissner acts in the film, which I think is a bit vain; the guy clearly can't direct, never mind act. Other than Jaymee Ong's acting, this film as very few plus points. The 3D element was cool, particularly as this is an indie, and the setting (The Phillippines) is beautiful. Other than that, avoid this, it's awful!" - Lloyd S.


Movie Info

Shortly after free diver Amy Sanchez breaks an important freediving record, her boyfriend - Air Force Pilot Tony - mysteriously vanishes together with a flight that was bringing millions of dollars worth of gold to the Central Bank. Determined to discover the truth, Amy goes off with her sister to find out. Is Tony actually dead? Or if not, is the man she loved really part of the plot to steal the gold? But she has no idea that she is about to discover the unexpected, and entangles herself in a web of lies and deceit before she finds out that somebody used her for what turns out to become a much larger conspiracy. -- (c) official Site

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 1 hr. 40 min.

Genre: Action & Adventure

Directed By: Michael Gleissner

Written By: Michael Gleissner, Frederick Bailey

Distributor: Bigfoot Ascendant Distribution

Cast
Bebe Pham
Jaymee Ong
Michael Gleissner
Laury Prudent
Kersten Hui
Lorenzo Ramos
Richard Magarey

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Cars 2 (Owen Wilson, Larry The Cable Guy) in Theatres on August 24, 2011

Cars 2 (2011)

Hazel's
Rating: 2/5
Review: The worst Pixar movie I have ever watched. I really liked the original 2006 Cars movie and I'm totally disappointed with this sequel. I even slept at some parts!

Audience
Rating: 3.4/5
Like the Movie: 59% (n=71,410)

Critics
Rating: 2.8/5
Like the Movie: 37% (n=187)


Reviews:

"Visuals look spectacular and action sequences take full advantage of the 3D format so you feel like you are burning rubber down winding roads at dizzying speed." - Catherine Jones, Liverpool Echo

"It is all quite jolly and fast-paced, a feast for the eyes, but there's not much for the mind or the heart." - Derek Malcolm, This is London

"Cars 2 is as visually appealing as any other Pixar production, but all that dazzle can't disguise the rusty storytelling under the hood." - rottentomatoes.com

"Pixar's first bad film relies more on merchandising opportunities than storytelling ones." - Wesley Lovell, Oscar Guy

"Cars 2 is beautifully animated but it's also frequently dull and painfully unfunny, thanks to an irritating lead character, an overstuffed script, several poorly conceived jokes and a plot that's probably too complicated for its target audience." - Matthew Turner, ViewLondon

"Although it would be unfair to label Cars 2 as unwatchable, it is surprisingly tedious in parts and not as satisfying as one might expect." - James Berardinelli, ReelViews

"Someone must like Mater, who's already had his own spinoff TV show. Just as someone must like Larry the Cable Guy, who voices him. But that someone isn't me, and if it isn't you, you're in for one very long matinee." - Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

"Cars 2 demonstrates that not every hit movie merits a sequel." - Carla Puig, USA Today

"One for the scrapheap." - David Edwards, Daily Mirror [UK]

"Not much engine-power here." - Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]

"Sweet turbo mother of fuel injections, what is this?" - Nell Frizzell, Little White Lies


Movie Info

Star racecar Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new places in Cars 2 when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world's fastest car. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage. Mater finds himself torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret mission orchestrated by master British super spy Finn McMissile (Michael Caine) and the stunning spy-in-training Holley Shiftwell (Emily Mortimer). -- (C) Disney

Rated: G

Running Time: 1 hr. 52 min.

Genre: Action & Adventure, Animation, Kids & Family, Comedy

Directed By: John Lasseter, Brad Lewis

Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures / Pixar

Cast
Owen Wilson (Lightning McQueen)
Larry The Cable Guy (Mater)
John Turturro (Francesco Bernoulli)
Eddie Izzard (Miles Axlerod)
Michael Caine (Finn McMissile)
Emily Mortimer (Holly Shiftwell)
Bonnie Hunt (Sally)
Vanessa Redgrave (Mama Topolino)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (James Franco, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow) in Theatres on August 4, 2011

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

Audience
Rating:
Like to See the Movie: 90% (n=22,854)

Critics
Rating: 3.4/5
Like the Movie: 83% (n=6)


Reviews

"Let's hope the movie isn't as bad as the title." - cloudstrife84, rottentomatoes.com

"A dramatic, tense and edgy work which poses a few moral questions and dilemmas" - Andrew Urban, Urban Cinefile

"Despite some flaws, this is the most thrilling and entertaining sepctacle adventure of the summer, boasting a splendid performance from Andy Serkis, this time as the star." - Emanuel Levy, emanuellevy.com

"It's a fantastic reboot of the franchise; warm, thrilling, and exceedingly human." - Paul Verhoeven, The Vine

"This sci-fi fantasy is a dramatic oomphy affair that begins with a small thing: the rescue of a baby chimp, and ends... well, you will need to see the movie ... Director Rupert Wyatt pulls everything together beautifully" - Louise Keller, Urban Cinefile


Movie Info

An origin story in the true sense of the word, Rise of the Apes is set in present day San Francisco. The film is a reality-based cautionary tale -- a science fiction/science-fact blend where mankind's hubris leads to the development of intelligence in apes and the onset of a war for supremacy. Oscar-winning visual effects house WETA Digital - employing certain of the groundbreaking technologies developed for "Avatar" - will render, for the first time ever in the film series, photo-realistic apes rather than costumed actors. -- (C) Fox

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 2 hr.

Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By: Rupert Wyatt

Written By: Pierre Boulle, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver

Distributor: 20th Century Fox

Cast
James Franco (Will Rodman)
Freida Pinto (Caroline)
John Lithgow (Charles Rodman)
Andy Serkis (Caesar)
Brian Cox (John Landon)
Tom Felton (Dodge Landon)
David Oyelowo (Steven Jacobs)
Karin Konoval (Maurice)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Captain America (Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones) in Theatres on July 27, 2011

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Audience
Rating: 4.1/5
Like the Movie: 86% (n=75,003)

Critics
Rating: 3.4/5
Like the Movie: 73% (n=135)


Reviews:

"Need a top-notch comic-book movie to stop this summer's march of mediocre superheroes? "Captain America: The First Avenger," reporting for duty." - Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News

"By finding an ingenious way to streamline a now-familiar genre, Captain America: The First Avenger does his country proud. " - Glen Weldon, NPR

"Captain America" is exactly what the third week of July needed: a curiously fun, surprisingly imaginative and unashamedly old-fashioned yarn of skulduggery and adventure." - Andrew O'Hehir, salon.com

"Captain America is not high art, but it is so unabashedly fun -- and such well-made fun -- that it is hard to not like and admire it for so steadfastly being what it is." - James Rocchi, MSN Movies

"With plenty of pulpy action, a pleasantly retro vibe, and a handful of fine performances, Captain America is solidly old-fashioned blockbuster entertainment." - rottentomatoes.com

"Evans, who played the Human Torch in two less-than-fantastic Fantastic Four films, brings such humor, heart and vigor to virtuous Steve that our rooting interest holds even when the action gets to be standard-issue." - Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

"Scrawny Steve is such a guileless and likeable little dude that his sweetness endures long past the super-sizing." - Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

"Captain America's metabolism, Peggy tells him, burns energy four times faster than the average person's. The movie's metabolism burns out." - Joe Morgenstern, Wal Street Journal

"Here's what's missing: tension, drama, and most of all, a sense of wonder. This is a superhero movie, isn't it?" - Tom Horgen, Minneapolis Star Tribune

"A forced love angle and vapid dialogue dooms Captain America." - Laremy Legel, film.com

"Red, white and bland." - Peter Debruge, Variety


Movie Info

Captain America: The First Avenger will focus on the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America. As Captain America, Rogers joins forces with Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) to wage war on the evil HYDRA organization, led by the villainous Red Skull (Hugo Weaving). -- (C) Paramount

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 2 hr. 1 min.

Genre: Mystery & Suspense, Action & Adventure

Directed By: Joe Johnston

Written By: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely

Distributor: Paramount Pictures

Cast
Chris Evans (Captain America / Steve Rogers)
Tommy Lee Jones (Colonel Chester Phillips)
Sebastian Stan (James "Bucky" Barnes)
Hayley Atwell (Peggy Carter)
Hugo Weaving (Johann Schmidt / Red Skull)
Dominic Cooper (Howard Stark)
Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II (Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint) in Theatres on July 14, 2011

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II (2011)

Audience
Rating:
Like to See the Movie: 96% (n=120,962)

Critics
Rating: 4.1/5
Like the Movie: 100% (n=20)


Reviews

"This is such an entertaining, beguiling, charming and exciting picture. It reminded me of the thrill I felt on seeing the very first one, 10 years ago." - Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]

"I am a fan of both the books and films and it is sad to say goodbye to the boy wizard so many have grown up with. But at least he gets the send-off he deserves -- with a 3D blast of visual wizardry." - Grant Rollings, Sun Online

"You need a deep grounding in Potter-lore to make the slightest bit of sense out of it, but that won't be a problem for most people who see this film." - Richard Godwin, This is London

"Bear with the slow start and what you get in this bookending instalment's latter two acts is more pathos, exhilaration, and sheer entertainment value than anything else in the entire eight-film, ten-year saga. Potter has certainly saved the best for last." - Shaun Munro, What Culture

"Love, loss, courage, hope and humour -- Deathly Hallows offers them all in what proves a worthy finale to the Potter saga." - Catherine Jones, Liverpool Echo

"An outstanding capper to the most lucrative film franchise of all time." - Todd McCarthy, Hollywood Reporter

"Fusing spectacle and emotion into a thrilling final chapter, director David Yates ensures that the series goes out with a bang. Finales don't come much grander than this." - Richard Jordan, Total Film

"Defined by darker mood and greater gravity than previous chapters, this film concludes the series on a high note that should please viewers and get serious attention as Oscar contender." - Emanuel Levy, emanuellevy.com

"All too soon, in the words of the tagline, 'It All Ends'. Spectacularly. Emotionally. And Wanderfully." - Birmingham Mail

"If you've been a devoted follower of the Potter saga in print and at the movies, you'll come away from this final chapter with a feeling of catharsis and, perhaps, a slightly damp handkerchief." - Alfonso Duralde, The Wrap


Movie Info

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, is the final adventure in the Harry Potter film series. The much-anticipated motion picture event is the second of two full-length parts. In the epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry Potter who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort. It all ends here. -- (C) Warner Bros.

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 2 hr. 10 min.

Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By: David Yates

Written By: Steve Kloves, J.K. Rowling

Distributor: Warner Bros.

Cast
Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter)
Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley)
Emma Watson (Hermione Granger)
Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange)
Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort)
Michael Gambon (Professor Albus Dumbledore)
Alan Rickman (Professor Severus Snape)
John Hurt (Mr. Ollivander)
Miranda Richardson (Rita Skeeter)
Emma Thompson (Professor Sybil Trelawney)
Fiona Shaw (Petunia Dursley)
Gary Oldman (Sirius Black)
Maggie Smith (Professor Minerva McGonagall)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Monte Carlo (Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester, Cory Monteith) in Theatres on July 1, 2011

Monte Carlo (2011)

Audience
Rating:
Like to See the Movie: 68% (n=6,079)


Movie Info

Three graduates fulfill their dreams of vacationing in Paris. They accidentally find themselves in a lavish world, where they live like royalty and experience romance. But at the end of their journey, they discover the true magic of friendship. -- 20th Century Fox

Rated: PG

Running Time: 1 hr. 49 min.

Genre: Action & Adventure, Romance, Comedy

Directed By: Thomas "Tom" Bezucha

Written By: Thomas Bezucha, April Blair, Maria Maggenti, Ronald Bass, Jules Bass

Distributor: 20th Century Fox

Cast
Leighton Meester (Meg)
Katie Cassidy (Emma)
Cory Monteith (Owen)
Andie MacDowell (Pam)
Selena Gomez (Cordelia Winthrop Scott)
Nicole Kidman

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Shia LeBeouf, John Malkovich, Patrick Dempsey) in Theatres on June 29, 2011

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)

Hazel's
Rating: 2/5
Review: For me, this is the worst Transformers movie in the series. Yes the graphics was totally awesome but the story was too cliche and the dialogue between Shia and the new girl is too corny. I like Megan Fox better, she has more attitude. I guess too much attitude that she got kicked out of the Transformers franchise... tsk, tsk, tsk.

Audience
Rating: 4.4/5
Like the Movie: 90% (n=60,137)

Critics
Rating: 2.4/5
Like the Movie: 36% (n=227)


Reviews

"Transformers 2 was only worth watching for Megan Fox and some of the robots. I guess we're just down to the robots, now." - Lewis C

"The look of the movie is worth five stars, but when you stir in a one-star script, you end up somewhere in the middle." - Clem Bastow, The Vine

"Admittedly better than its predecessor, Michael Bay still hasn't learnt that impressive action sequences don't make up for woeful acting and no character development." - Anthony O'Connor, FILMINK (Australia)

"Bay has delivered another empty spectacle that is overlong and mostly tedious." - Thomas Caldwell, Cinema Autopsy

"A very long mess that's embarrassingly devoid of gut level thrills." - Catherine Bray, Film4

"These Transformer movies are nonsense, of course, but they allow Bay and his team to push the envelope as far as movie technology is concerned and at least you feel get a sense of the shock and awe of giant hulking metal creatures clashing." - Baz Bamigboye, Daily Mail [UK]

"Transformers: Dark of the Moon may not be a great film, but it is largely great fun. ... It's nice to see the Transformers exit the screen (at least for now) on a high rather than low note." - Jim Vejvoda, IGN Movies

"[It] might struggle to equal the sheer exhilaration of Bay's 2007 trilogy-starter, but it's a whole lot more coherent and fulfilling than Revenge Of The Fallen." - Nell Smith, Total Film

"Transformers: Dark of the Moon is a fantastic feast of all-action entertainment... the first big summer blockbuster is one worth catching." - Mark Adams, Daily Mirror [UK]


Movie Info

Shia LaBeouf returns as Sam Witwicky in Transformers: Dark of the Moon. When a mysterious event from Earth's past erupts into the present day it threatens to bring a war to Earth so big that the Transformers alone will not be able to save us. -- (C) Paramount

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 2 hr. 34 min.

Genre: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By: Michael Bay

Written By: Ehren Kruger

Distributor: Paramount Studios

Cast
Shia LaBeouf (Sam Witwicky)
Josh Duhamel (Lt. Colonel William)
Tyrese Gibson (Sergeant Epps)
John Turturro (Simmons)
John Malkovich (Bruce)
Frances McDormand (Charlotte)
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (Carly Miller)
Patrick Dempsey (Dylan)

Source: rottentomatoes.com

Maybe you're wondering why Megan Fox is not in this Transformers movie anymore... Please CLICK HERE to find out =)