Is it unfair to criticise a film based on a true story for being too predictable? Probably, but that’s what I’m about to do: 127 Hours, although superbly performed and visually inventive, is too predictable.

“Hold up…” I hear you retort. “Does that mean you didn’t enjoy Titanic because you knew the boat sinks?  Or found The King’s Speech disappointing because you knew he’d eventually deliver a big speech?”

Not at all. [...]

Country towns are always a haven for gossip and scandal because of their often close-knit communities. It rises especially when someone who’s left one for the ‘big city’ returns a changed person. But that’s never set in stone to the one scenario, and the premise for Stephen Frears’ sex comedy Tamara Drewe suggests we evolve professionally and personally from a location change, but while you can leave home, home can [...]

You know the creative pool in Hollywood is running dry when they start risking millions to exhume old franchises such as The Green Hornet, a superhero no one was particularly crying out to see on the big screen. What’s even more desperate is their bizarre decision to cast Tinseltown’s resident stoner, Seth Rogen, as said superhero and placing quirky art-house director Michel Gondry at the wheel. Couple that [...]

Bouncing between a dramatic comedy, salacious romance, and Anne Hathaway’s 36C’s, Love and Other Drugs is almost poignant and occasionally charming.

Would-be doctor, Jamie Randall (Jake Gyllenhaal) rejects family expectations to live a shallow philandering lifestyle as a drug-pushing pharmaceutical salesman. Whilst enjoying his sordid sexy trysts he meets his sexual equal; the spirited Maggie Murdock (Anne Hathaway). Fiercely independent, Maggie prefers non-committal booty-calls, and rejects romantic prospects. Overcompensating for her [...]

Ask someone who dislikes the Harry Potter films to explain themselves and you’ll probably hear something along these lines: “It’s the exact same formula recycled each time… except that Harry gets a bit hairier.”

And they’re right, you know. Up until now, each film has been about Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) returning to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, uncovering a [...]

It could be argued Kiss Me Again was the most anticipated film of the Lavazza Italian Film Festival in 2010, with audiences having waited seven years for the sequel to hit The Last Kiss (l’ultimo bacio). In the meantime Gabriele Muccino’s gone to Hollywood and back, buddying up with Will Smith and getting a lot of flak for it. But returning to his homeland, and in particular returning [...]

Julia Roberts’ return to a major role definitely provides a challenge on the back of Elizabeth Gilbert’s enormous success with her memoir (on which this film is adapted). You’d be living under a rock if you hadn’t at least heard of it – but whether you’ve read it or not doesn’t detract from the harsh truth that while travelling can easily centre on finding yourself, it’s hardly an easy road.