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3/5
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Puss in Boots
(2011)
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Laurence Boyce
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"Puss in Boots" shows that there's certainly enough in him to create a new hero beloved by both children and merchandise executives.
Posted Jan 27, 2012
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2/5
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The Expendables
(2010)
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Laurence Boyce
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This has been clearly aimed at - pardon the pun - diehard action film fans. Anyone else, who might expect a vague sense of irony, will be sorely disappointed.
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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3/5
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The Karate Kid
(2010)
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Laurence Boyce
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At two hours plus the film is much too long (do we really need that many montages of seeing Smith train?), but it just manages to provide enough watchable entertainment to keep less demanding members of the audience happy.
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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2/5
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The Switch
(2010)
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Laurence Boyce
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Bateman and Aniston are fine but don't have any real chemistry together, whilst the direction is flat and rather uninteresting. It has the occasional good moment, but "The Switch" fails to push any buttons. Or, indeed, pull any switches.
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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3/5
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Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
(2010)
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Laurence Boyce
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As a comment on the recession it's a spineless failure, but as a piece of entertaining fluff it does its job well.
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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4/5
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The Social Network
(2010)
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Laurence Boyce
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Even if you've never touched a computer in your life, you'll find plenty to be fascinated by in this movie, as it shows that, whilst technology may be moving fast, the human capacity for hubris will always remain the same.
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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3/5
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Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
(2010)
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Laurence Boyce
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The entire film works on just how much you are willing to accept its premise: if you're fine with people developing amazing powers, characters talking directly to the camera and almost every other trick in the cinematic book, then you'll do fine
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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2/5
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Red
(2010)
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Laurence Boyce
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All the stars seem to be having great fun playing goodies and baddies and running around shooting things. But they could do the same thing paintballing, sparing us from having to watch them and avoiding having to spend 60 million dollars in the process.
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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2/5
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The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
(2010)
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Laurence Boyce
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This is designed to keep the children happy over the Christmas period and fans of CS Lewis will enjoy the fact that it's a pretty faithful adaptation. But those wanting something different from the usual CGI extravaganza would do well to look elsewher
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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3/5
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Tron: Legacy
(2010)
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Laurence Boyce
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If you examine it closely then the entire film falls apart. But if you go along to enjoy the thrills (especially when it's showing in 3D) and cool action sequences, then you should be thoroughly entertained.
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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2/5
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The Green Hornet
(2011)
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Laurence Boyce
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There are some good ideas here but they're buried under masses of conventional superhero dross and half hearted execution. This is one vigilante who should really just leave all the hard work to the police.
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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4/5
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The King's Speech
(2010)
|
Laurence Boyce
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The story is consistently fascinating (though it certainly plays rather fast and loose with historical facts) whilst Hooper manages to wring dramatic tension out of some of the most seemingly mundane incidents.y.
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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4/5
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Inside Job
(2010)
|
Laurence Boyce
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This is a powerful and coherent work that will explain where the money has gone. It just can't help get restitution against those who did it.
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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2/5
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Rio
(2011)
|
Laurence Boyce
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There is nothing wrong with this film - the voice cast are all good, the animation is colorful and the script peppered with one-liners. But it all seems so formulaic.
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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2/5
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The Eagle
(2011)
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Laurence Boyce
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Fighting isn't big and it isn't clever. But, in the case of "The Eagle," it's the most interesting part of the movie.
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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3/5
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Fast Five
(2011)
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Laurence Boyce
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It's about cars, girls and fighting and doesn't pretend to be anything else. For sheer gall alone, "Fast Five" provides much entertainment. Just not much intellect.
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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3/5
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Thor
(2011)
|
Laurence Boyce
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It does nothing to stand out from the other comic book adaptations of the past few years, but it's an adequate and enjoyable slice of hokum.
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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2/5
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Water for Elephants
(2011)
|
Laurence Boyce
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The film is certainly striking to look at but the story is hackneyed with too much exposition
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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3/5
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Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
(2011)
|
Laurence Boyce
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If it had been cut to about 90 minutes, this could have been a bright and breezy adventure that zipped along at a cracking pace. As it is, it's a rather bloated actioner that has one or two great moments.
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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2/5
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The Hangover Part II
(2011)
|
Laurence Boyce
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There are one or two good jokes and the cast is mainly likeable but the rest of the material is so predictable and tawdry that the entire film becomes something of a chore
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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3/5
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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
(2011)
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Laurence Boyce
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This is exactly what you would expect - a perfect and exciting ending for those who have been following the franchise. Those who couldn't care less probably stopped reading ages ago.
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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2/5
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Bridesmaids
(2011)
|
Laurence Boyce
|
There are things to like here and the idea is a noble one. But in execution, "Bridesmaids" is a typical chick flick just with some extra rude words and vomit.
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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2/5
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Bad Teacher
(2011)
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Laurence Boyce
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Kadan's direction is adequate with everything competently done, but there's nothing here that manages to make you laugh out loud. Could someone tell the current crop of Hollywood filmmakers to find some new jokes?
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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3/5
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Rise of the Planet of the Apes
(2011)
|
Laurence Boyce
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Whilst it sometimes suffers from feeling like the first chapter in a much longer story, this is a fun and intelligent re-imagining of a classic movie.
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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3/5
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Cowboys & Aliens
(2011)
|
Laurence Boyce
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Not the Boys Own Adventure it could have been, but a fun - if often flawed - romp.
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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3/5
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Casino Jack
(2010)
|
Laurence Boyce
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Rather flat, but for Spacey's performance alone this is a fine examination of the U.S. political system and its inherent problems.
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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3/5
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Friends With Benefits
(2011)
|
Laurence Boyce
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If it displayed more courage, this could have been a fascinating modern American movie. Instead it's a smart but still rather ordinary comedy that is entertaining but not ground-breaking.
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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4/5
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The Adventures of Tintin
(2011)
|
Laurence Boyce
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Fans of the original may find a few of their memories spoiled but most should find this a great interpretation and a riotously entertaining film in its own righ
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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2/5
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The Rum Diary
(2011)
|
Laurence Boyce
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There are some good things including a great soundtrack and strong performances from the likes of Giovanni Ribisi and Michael Rispoli, but it is a disappointing and overlong affair.
Posted Dec 13, 2011
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