Limitless

Director:

Neil Burger

Starring:

Bradley Cooper

Abbie Cornish

Robert De Niro

Running Time:

105 minutes

3.5/5

When I first saw the Limitless poster and realised that Bradley Cooper will be playing the protagonist it made me hesitate on whether or not it would be a good movie, but after viewing the film it was obvious that Cooper pulled it off and is capable of being in a fairly decent serious film. The protagonist in question is Eddie Morra, a struggling writer that is offered a pill which allows him to access 100% of his brain, this helps him to become the perfect version of himself, but things start to go wrong when the pills side effects kick in. The acting is not the only good thing about this film, although it is concrete evidence that Robert De Niro has lost it. The editing is outstanding and uses several different techniques for when Eddie is on the drug, including a zooming effect which baffled me. One problem I found is that the film seemed to end suddenly and didn’t really finish off the story, possibly leaving it open for a sequel, nevertheless the story is original and the film is exciting the whole way through.

Source Code

Director:

Duncan Jones

Cast:

Jake Gyllenhaal

Michelle Monaghan

Vera Farmiga

Jeffrey Wright

Running Time:

93 minutes

4.5/5

Duncan Jones, the son of David Bowie and director of 2009's critically acclaimed Moon, returns with his second feature length film Source Code. It stars Jake Gyllenhaal playing his usual charming hero self as Captain Colter Stevens, whom is connected to a program named the source code which allows a person to take over someone else's body in the last eight minutes of their life. Captain Stevens is connected to the program in order to find out who blew up a train outside of Chicago in order to stop a second attack. Cleverly written and brilliantly directed with obvious Hitchcockian influence, the film infact is such a thrilling ride that the sentimental ending that takes it a little off track wont bother you in the slightest. I'd be surprised if there is another film out this year as thrilling as this.

Submarine

Director: 

Richard Ayoade

Cast:

Craig Roberts

Yasmin Paige 

Sally Hawkins

Noah Taylor

Paddy Considine

Running time:

97 minutes

5/5

If I was only allowed to recommend one film from the year so far, this would be it. Submarine documents the coming of age story of Oliver Tate, who is trying to lose his virginity before he turns 16 and keep his parents from splitting up. Although this is Richard Ayoade's debut feature film it is incredibly cinematic, with its picturesque shots of rural Wales and the use of Super-8 mm film, there isn't much Ayoade is affraid to do. The only downside to this film is the first half is a little boring as it is merely an introduction to the characters and situation. The second half is where the characters start to come out and you really start to enjoy the film. Like a lot of coming of age stories not much happens, but despite of this it is hilarious and you would be an idiot not to like it.

Unknown

Director: 

Jaume Collet-Serra

Cast: 

Liam neeson

Diane Kruger

January Jones

Bruno Ganz

Running time:

113 minutes

 3/5

Liam Neeson returns for another action thriller playing that characters he seems to play a lot recently. Neeson plays Dr Martin Harris travelling with his wife to Berlin for a biotechnology summit, but ends up in a car accident and when he awakes from a four day coma finds out a mysterious man has stolen his identity. From the look of the trailer it comes across as just another action thriller and although it borrows from a lot of other films, it is actually quite good. It has everything you expect from this genre, such as car chases and fist fights, and there is even an adequate twist near the end. So although the film itself is very unoriginal, it sets out to do what it was meant to do and keep its audience on the edge of their seats throughout the movie.

Hall Pass

Director:
Bobby & Peter Farrelly

Cast:
Owen Wilson
Jason Sudeikis
Christina Applegate
Stephen Merchant

Running Time:
105 minutes


2/5



The Farrelly brothers are back with another gross out comedy about two sex obessed men whose wives give them a week off from marriage to do whatever they want without consequence, hoping it will make their marriages stronger at the end. Although the film has a good cast the characters are very unlikable, which is a problem for a film about people overcoming their problems; the men are selfish towards their wives and the women are hypocrites, doing in the end what they accused their husbands of doing. The movie does have a lot of laugh out loud moments, but the comedy is cheap and has all been done before. If you are looking for nothing more than unintelligent sex based humour then this is perfect for you.

Battle: Los Angeles

Director: 

Jonathan Liebesman

Cast:

Aaron Eckhart, 

Michelle Rodriguez, 

Neyo

Bridget Moynahan

Running time:

116 minutes

 2.5/5

If you're going to the cinema with the expectation of this being another mediocre alien invasion movie, then you're right. Battle LA has gone for a more realistic look then most alien invasion movies and the cgi is impressive to say the least; but even this doesn't help the drab plotline. Over the course of the film you follow a platoon of U.S marines lead by Aaron Eckhart trying to save civilians and get out of the infected area before it is bombed. Despite the cliched plot and script, the cinematography is impressive and gives you the feel that you are among the soldiers. Although the film is extremely pro-American, it is generally exciting and if you are the kind of person who loves movies packed with gun fights and explosions, don't hesistate on going to see it.