Lily Collins stars as Snow White alongside her seven dwarf companions in Mirror Mirror. Courtesy of Alliance Atlantis
Born in the late 1700’s, the Brothers Grimm penned fairy tales that have endured the test of time, becoming the most recognizable children’s folklore around the world. One of their most popular stories, Snow White, is receiving two cinematic re-imaginings this year; Mirror Mirror and Snow White and the Huntsman. Things are looking up for the latter, as Mirror Mirror will no doubt leave you unimpressed.
In this reworked tale, the story is told from the evil queen’s (Julia Roberts) point of view and pits her against Snow White (Lily Collins) in a battle for the heart of the prince and subsequently the kingdom.
Director Tarsem Singh (Immortals, The Cell) fails miserably to coax a solid performance out of any of the cast. Practically every line of dialogue out of the actor’s mouths felt “good enough” rather than “brilliant!” and, because of this, the entire film suffered.
The visuals are at times interesting, and at others, confusing, with the large amount of unnecessary CGI making the entire affair seem over the top.
There is absolutely no chemistry between Lily Collins (The Blind Side) and Armie Hammer (The Social Network). We simply have to accept that their good looks are enough to warrant their intense romantic pull toward each other.
Hopefully, the second Snow White movie will deliver something more than this travesty.
Bottom Line: Pop in the original Disney classic and shield yourself and loved ones from this movie.
SAM WORTHINGTON as Perseus and LIAM NEESON as Zeus in the mythical Greek action adventure, WRATH OF THE TITANS. Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Do you ever wonder how a movie that was panned by critics and the public, like 2010’s Clash of the Titans could possibly receive a sequel? Grossing nearly $500 million worldwide was more than enough incentive for Warner Bros. to green light another godly battle in Wrath of the Titans.
In this sequel, Greek demigod (half human, half god) Perseus treks down to the depths of the underworld to rescue his imprisoned father Zeus.
Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, and Ralph Fiennes reprise their roles and are able to deliver better performances with the improved script from a fresh trio of writers. Of the entire cast, the only memorable performance came from Bill Nighy as the comically, albeit slightly insane blacksmith to the gods.
Jonathan Liebesman (Battle Los Angeles) was brought in to take the reins as director and gives the screenplay better flow than his predecessor.
Everyone who, in 2010, watched Clash of the Titans in 3D will remember the horribly rushed treatment (simply used as a cash-grab after Avatar’s astonishing success). This movie has also received a post-production 3D treatment which surprisingly turned out better than the first film. However, the inconsistent depth and multiple jumping-out-of-the-screen effects do not equal a worthwhile 3D experience.
Last but not least, beware of the poorly mastered dialogue, which is difficult to comprehend during a number of scenes.
Bottom Line: There is some entertainment to be had from this sequel, but nothing worth more than a rental to enjoy in the comfort of your own home.
Jennifer Lawrence stars as 'Katniss Everdeen' in THE HUNGER GAMES. Courtesy of Alliance Films Media
How many times has Hollywood butchered novels when adapting them into films? It’s fair to say countless times. The Hunger Games novel by Suzanne Collins has sold 800,000 copies around the world, making expectations for the movie adaptation climb to dizzying heights.
Collin’s story tells the tale of a future in which the Capitol of an oppressive North America selects a boy and a girl from each of the 12 districts to fight to the death in The Hunger Games tournament. We follow an anti-social, skilled archer, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) who takes the place of her younger sister when she is chosen to compete.
This is one of the first blockbuster adaptations in recent memory to be, not only faithful to the source material, but also a fantastic film.
The story gives the audience something to sink their teeth into, alongside characters to route for and against. It isn’t peddling to the masses by giving into the romantic aspect of the story. Instead, it allows a natural progression that feels organic and true to human nature.
Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone, X-Men: First Class) is one of Hollywood’s finest talents at the moment and she brings every bit of her acting arsenal to our heroine. Her empathetic performance shows incredible range and raised the level of acting from all around her. Her cast members, including Josh Hutcherson (The Kids Are All Right), Woody Harrelson (Zombieland), Elizabeth Banks (Man On A Ledge), Stanley Tucci (Captain America: The First Avenger), and Wes Bentley (Underworld: Awakening) all deliver the necessary goods in spades.
The one major criticism is in the direction. Gary Ross (Seabiscuit) did everything a director should do except competently shoot the action scenes. Even the simple things like walking quickly or moving through a crowd were riddled with shaky camera work. The actual battle royal was impossible to decipher with his extreme close-up, earthquake-worthy shooting style.
Regardless of this foible, this movie does everything Twilight should have done and will captivate both male and female audiences around the world.
Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill star in 21 Jump Street. Courtesy of Sony Pictures
Twenty-five years ago, Johnny Depp was catapulted from unknown actor to teen-heartthrob when he landed a role on 21 Jump Street. Now, he takes on a cameo role in the 2012 comedic adaptation which borders heavily on parody – Not that parody is a bad thing.
Jonah Hill (Superbad, Knocked Up) and Channing Tatum (Step Up, The Vow) star as a couple of misfit cops, who due to their youthful looks are resigned to a high school undercover investigation.
The chemistry between Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum is solid and their comedic timing is on point. Tatum (surprisingly) kept up with Hill every step of the way. In fact, everyone seemed well cast, particularly Brie Larson, who delivered a very natural performance that could have been construed as corny in the wrong hands.
The success of this movie lies in the mere celebration of its ridiculousness. Michael Bacall’s script balances the parody of cop/action genre clichés with a great deal of original humor.
Let’s not forget the directors. With only the animated feature Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs under their belt, Phil Lord and Chris Miller show they can successfully handle live action.
Remarkably, this unexpected comedy finds balance in every aspect of production. From the humor to the action, and even the minute level of emotional drama, you just can’t help being sucked into this one.
Bottom Line: Expect the unexpected and enjoy the plentiful laughs this movie serves.
Jason Segel, Ed Helms and Susan Sarandon star in Jeff, Who Lives at Home. Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Do you think your life is filled with signs that guide you to your destiny? This concept is what Jeff tries to figure out in the Duplass brother’s new comedy Jeff, Who Lives at Home.
A pot-smoking, live-at-home son struggles to find meaning in his meaningless life after receiving a strange phone call from someone looking for “Kevin”. Things take a turn into “crazy town” when his journey becomes intertwined with his family’s varying dilemmas.
This was a completely original story that captured an interesting day in the life of three people, who were excellently played by Jason Segel, Ed Helms and the brilliant Susan Sarandon, whose charming performance delivered incredibly subtle nuances.
The filmmaking team of Jay and Mark Duplass (Cyrus) both wrote and directed this off-beat film. Their script features a plethora of comedy ranging from intelligent to immature – Most of which tickles the funny bone. The screenplay also features interesting stories, the likes of which are unexpected. The criticism comes in their directorial choice to shoot the movie as a documentary. The choppy handheld camera work was a constant distraction and succeeded only in taking the audience out of the movie.
Outside of this major flaw, the quirkiness and interesting character dramas actually make this unique movie enjoyable.
Bottom Line: You may not want him in your home, but Jeff and his family will surely deliver laughs.
National Treasure Jiro Ono shows his techniques in Jiro Dreams of Sushi. Courtesy of Entertainment One
How often do you meet someone whose work occupies their life? In North America we live that motto as if it were our religion. Eighty-five year old National Treasure, Jiro Ono has not only let his work consume his entire life, he has also spent every waking minute mastering his art to become Japan’s most celebrated sushi maker.
This seemingly simple subject actually has a great deal to explore. Jiro’s brilliance in creating new techniques of making sushi is only one aspect of the documentary. We also look at what it takes to apprentice under the master, how his sons are dealing with living beneath his shadow, and how they go about getting the very best quality of fish and ingredients.
Director David Gelb keeps his focus tight, not lingering on anything outside of the world of sushi for a significant period of time.
Without a doubt, it was eye opening to witness the absolute highest level of this tantalizing art form. After winning an unprecedented 3 Michelin Stars (only sushi chef to achieve this honor), the aged but hard working Jiro continues to hone and improve on his art.
If you want to visit his prestigious, sushi only restaurant (no appetizers or desert), prices start at $300 CDN and you’ll have to book at least one month in advance.
Bottom Line: Jiro will be sure to make you leave the theatre with a growling stomach and a well fed mind.
Elizabeth Olsen is terrified in Silent House. Courtesy of Entertainment One
What would you do if you were locked in a house with a dark stranger, no electricity and no way out? Silent House is a remake of the Spanish film, La Casa Muda from 2010 that was inspired by true events.
What’s really interesting thing about this suspenseful movie is following the main characters around in real time through the use of single camera. No cuts are visible, unless you pay close attention. The effect really enhances the tension of the movie and keeps you engaged in this psychological story.
With super long takes, the actors had to stay in character and perform as if they were on stage (Just imagine shooting for 30 minutes and messing up in the last second). Elizabeth Olsen (Martha Marcy May Marlene), younger sister of the infamous Mary-Kate and Ashley duo, delivered a solid performance with the difficult task at hand. She handled her character’s emotional roller coaster with concrete realism, something I wish her two male co-stars could have done. Both Adam Trese and Eric Sheffer Stevens delivered heavy handed “B” movie acting, to be polite.
Never-the-less, the husband and wife directing team of Chris Kentis (Open Water) and Laura Lau kept the story tight and to the point making these distractions minimal.
Kentis’ and Lau’s only flaw was the lack of background information we were given about the characters. We don’t really know who they are, which leaves us feeling disconnected.
Bottom Line: It may not be perfect, but there’s a thrilling experience in here for anyone who can handle it.
Lynn Collins and Taylor Kitsch star in John Carter. Courtesy of Disney Pictures
Would your life change much if you were unwittingly transported to Mars, discovering a race of human and alien life living there? That’s what happens to Civil War veteran John Carter in this adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ magazine serial, A Princess of Mars.
This movie may hold a record for being 79 years in the making. Countless directors have been slated to bring this classic to the big screen until Disney gave the job to Academy Award winner Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, Wall-E).
Stanton, known for writing and directing some of Pixar’s most celebrated animated features, does a good job with his first foray into live action cinema. In John Carter, he created a good balance of drama and action, with neither element overpowering the other – Unlike a hollow blockbuster.
Stanton also wrote the adapted screenplay with the help of Mark Andrews and Michael Chabon. To be honest, this isn’t his best work, but there’s enough substance in the story to keep the audience intrigued.
This is Taylor Kitsch’s first time as a lead in a film with such a vast budget (estimated at $250 million… Not exactly pocket change). Kitsch did a great job as the leading man, showing a good level of emotional range and a knack for slap-stick comedy. The rest of the cast felt solid, but never outstanding.
That’s where the film seems to fall. While it is more than just a fun ride, it lacks a certain something from making it phenomenal.
Technically, the special effects and CGI are above par, as is the post-production 3D addition.
Bottom Line: Expect more than your everyday, run-of-the-mill action flick.
Danny DeVito and Ed Helms star in Dr. Seuss' The Lorax. Coutesy of Universal Pictures
Dr. Seuss’ books, with their whacky imagination, have touched the lives of millions of people around the world. So far, two of the three films based on his classic books have been box office successes. This adaptation however, is less likely to make the cut.
Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax takes us into a city where trees are extinct and the citizens buy oxygen from a tyrannical business tycoon. However, one love-struck twelve year old boy ventures out to find The Once-ler – An elderly man who is his only hope in finding a tree to impress the girl of his dreams.
This story admirably tries to embed its critical environmental message into the audience. However many aspects of the production are not up to scratch compared to previous works.
The most disappointing of these shortcomings is the voice acting. There was barely enough energy in every actor’s line delivery giving the dialogue a corny, Saturday morning cartoon feel. Danny DeVito, who is normally excellent in anything he does, delivers one of the most unsatisfactory performances of the group as the mustached Lorax, along with Taylor Swift (Audrey), and Rob Riggle (Mr. O’Hare).
There are also too many lackluster and unmemorable songs, that could have been trimmed from the final cut.
Fortunately, the vibrant colours, cuddly animal characters, solid animation and the screen-popping 3D should keep your little ones entertained.
Bottom Line: Bare minimum entertainment available for the young target audience and nothing more.
Three teens throw the most destructive party in Project X. Courtesy of Warner Bros.
How much responsibility should filmmakers shoulder for the morality of their films? Films targeted toward teenagers or younger should hold high consideration on how impressionable this age group actually is.
Clearly this was the last concern for the filmmaker’s of Project X, a movie about three teenagers who throw a party in order to become “cool” amongst their peers. The party quickly moves far beyond their control and havoc ensues.
Sounds like something we’ve all heard before. However, this movie takes everything to an extremely ridiculous level without any real consequences for those responsible. In fact, it is troubling to see the rewards for the destruction and the message this sends to the viewing public.
The movie itself features nothing special in the way of acting, direction or script. Endless shock-value “humor” with no substance is all you can expect. Obviously, nobody is trying to create a masterpiece here.
The movie is shot as a documentary and features a lot of earthquake style camera movements. Be warned if you’re susceptible to motion sickness.
We can only hope that this does not spawn a series of copycat movies to perpetuate the idiocy of this horrendous film.
Bottom Line: If this movie defines the current teenage generation, God help us all.
