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The Tree of Life ***** An unforgettable cinematic masterpiece from Terence Malick that is bound to change the way you see film, observe life and view the human condition. Malick's exceptional masterwork transcends film and transforms into an affecting and life affirming experience that allows us to re-connect with our primal instinct and question our existence and the origin of mankind and nature. It's a deeply spiritual and soulful journey that is poetic and profound without being pretentious. Bonus DVD features: Unfortunately there's no commentary from director Terrence Malick, but there is an exceptional documentary 'Exploring the Tree of Life'. The film translates well onto DVD, allowing for a more intimate viewing experience in your comfort zone. Read more
Adventure
2012 ***** Centuries ago, the Maya left us their calendar, with a clear end date and all that it implies. Since then, astrologists have discovered it, numerologists have found patterns that predict it, geologists say the earth is overdue for it, and even government scientists cannot deny the cataclysm of epic proportions that awaits the earth in 2012. A prophecy that began with the Maya has now been well-chronicled, discussed, taken apart and examined. By 2012, we'll know - we were warned. The idea for 2012 first occurred to writer/producer/composer Harald Kloser, Roland Emmerich's writing partner. "Every civilization on Earth has a flood myth," says Kloser. "Things are going wrong, society isn't working anymore, and the planet starts over. Some people get a second chance to start a new culture, a new society, a new civilization." Read more
Super 8 ***** An absolutely ingenious work from extraordinary visualist J.J. Abrams, cleverly combining a coming of age story with a mysterious sci-fi thriller. In the summer of 1979, after, unusual disappearances and inexplicable events begin to take place in a small Ohio town, a group of friends discover something more terrifying than any of them could have imagined. The superb features include commentary by Abrams, producer Bryan Burk and director of Photography Larry Fong, as well as an insightful behind the scene featurette and a look at creating the creature. Read more about the film
The Green Hornet *** In Michel Gondry's exciting new action comedy, Britt Reid (Seth Rogen) is the son of LA's most prominent and respected media magnate who strikes an unlikely friendship with one of his father's more industrious and inventive employees, Kato (Jay Chou), they see their chance to do something meaningful for the first time in their lives: fight crime. Read more
Thor ***** This spectacular, imaginative and humourous action-adventure has everything you could ask for, offering first rate entertainment and ideal escapism, and much more. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor (a fantastic performance by Chris Helmsworth), a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. As a result, Thor is banished to Earth, where he is forced to live among humans. Bonus Features: Deleted scenes, fantastic commentary by director Kenneth Branagh and a preview of The Road to the Avengers. Read more
Animation
Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole ***** An exquisite masterwork that showcases the genius artistry and craftsmanship of 500 digital artists, a thought provoking screenplay by John Orloff and Emil Stern, and spectacular realization by visionary director Zack Snyder. This is visual storytelling at its best, amplified by the magic of 3D. It is filled with awesome spectacle, thrilling adventure and breathtaking flight and battle sequences that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The fight sequences between dueling owls are unbelievable, a balletic dance captured in slow motion to underline the perfect unison between sound and image. Undoubtedly one of the best animation films ever made, you will applaud its overwhelming magic. You will laugh and cry (and even shout) as its feathered heroes take you on an imaginative flight of fantasy you will most definitely revisit and never forget. The Bonus features include a doccie on The True Guardians of the Earth, as well as new shorts. Read more
Megamind *** Deliciously wicked fun for the whole family. Turning superhero mythology on its head, it follows in the tradition of 'Despicable Me' where the spotlight falls on a super villain who faces his worst enemy, himself. Although it has dark overtones it still packs a mean punch in 3D. When super villain Megamind (Will Ferrell) defeats his archrival Metro Man (Brad Pitt), the world should be his oyster. But instead, Megamind falls into total despair. It turns out that life without a rival is life without a point for him. So, he creates a new superhero rival, Titan (Jonah Hill). Unfortunately, the new hero wants to be a super villain, too. Go behind the scenes
Rango ***** Rango rocks big time! It is so rich in detail, fantastic characters and content that you will have to see it more than once. Johnny Depp adds great life to a new hero that is destined to steal many hearts. Gore Verbinski's imaginative vision and fine sense of humour pays homage to great westerns and cinematic heroes of the Wild West. The CGI animation by veterans Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) celebrates the art of animation and is well supported by Hans Zimmer's glorious soundtrack. If you are looking for entertainment with a capital E, Rango is it, and much, much more. You only have to experience the great chase sequence of bats and lizards a brilliant allegory of Ride of the Valkerie's (including Wagner's haunting music) to appreciate great storytelling at its best. The story tells of a pet chameleon with an identity crisis who end up in an Old West town called Dirt, which is populated by various desert critters garbed like characters out of a spaghetti western. As he's always thought himself a hero, Rango establishes himself as the lawman, strolling the streets as a sheriff-like character. Nothing can stop Rango from trying, constantly seeking to fit in with his surroundings, and save a town from dying. The superb bonus features includes the theatrical version and extended cut, deleted scenes and a fun doccie on the 'Rea; Desert' creatures. Read more
Comedy
Bridesmaids **** A hilarious experience showing what happens when best friends forever meet the wildest Bridesmaids ever. It stars Kristen Wiig as Annie, a maid of honor whose life unravels as she leads her closest friend, Lillian (Maya Rudolph) and a group of colorful bridesmaids--Helen (Rose Byrne), Rita (Wendi McLendon-Covey), Becca (Ellie Kemper) and Megan (Melissa McCarthy) on a wild ride down the road to matrimony. The fantastic bonus features include the choice of watching the theatrical release or unrated version, audio commentary by director Paul Feig and bloopers. Read more
Drama
Baaria ***** A dignified masterwork from Italian auteur Giuseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso) that celebrates the art of world cinema and reminds us what film is all about. You will laugh and cry and be swept away by the spectacular splendour of filmmaking that is rich in texture and captivating storytelling that will send shivers down your spine! Baaria is Sicilian slang for Bagheria where Tornatore was born and this is an autobiographic epic of three generations in the Sicilian village where he was born. It is an amusing and wistful story of great passions and passionate utopian dreams. A legend thronged with heroes … A Sicilian family depicted across three generations: from Cicco to his son Peppino to his grandson Pietro… Touching lightly upon the private lives of these characters and their families, the film evokes the loves, dreams and disappointments of an entire community in the Palermo province from the 1930s up to the 1980s. The bonus features include audio commentary by Tornatore, Read more
The Beaver ***** An emotional story about a man on a journey to re-discover his family and re-start his life when a beaver hand puppet enters his life. The bonus features include an entertaining audio commentary by Jodie Foster, deleted scenes, and a feature on 'Everything is Going to be OK'. Read more
Get Low ***** Get Low is inspired by the true story of Felix 'Bush' Breazeale, who attracted national attention and the largest crowd to assemble up to that date when he threw himself a living funeral party in 1938 in Roane County, Tennessee. Robert Duvall is sensational as Felix Bush, a man people say has done all manner of unspeakable things -- that he's killed in cold blood; that he's in league with the Devil; that he has strange powers -- and they avoid him like the plague. Then, one day, Felix rides to town with a shotgun and a wad of cash, saying he wants to buy a funeral. It's not your usual funeral for the dead Felix wants. On the contrary, he wants a 'living funeral,' in which anyone who ever had heard a story about him will come to tell it, while he takes it all in. The super features include audio commentary bu director Aaron Schneider and the making of. Read more
Hereafter ***** Clint Eastwood's thought provoking and captivating Hereafter is not a razzle dazzle extravaganza of an afterlife, but poignantly depicts how death affects the living and perpetuates life. Peter Morgan's intelligent script probes the loss 3 characters suffer due to the consequence of death, and follows their journey to overcoming the mystery that clouds their lives. At its core, it is a gentle love story, showing how the search for meaning and understanding can possibly lead to fulfillment and happiness. Eastwood keeps the focus sharply on his characters, with Matt Damon delivering a sensitive performance as a revered psychic, well supported by Belgian actress Cécile de France as a popular French anchorwoman and political journalist whose life is forever changed when she experiences the devastating force of a tsunami; and George McLaren as a London schoolboy who is tragically separated from his twin brother. Their lives intersect, forever changed by what they believe might--or must--exist in the hereafter. The bonus features include 3 insightful featurettes: Recreating the Tsunami disaster, Hereafter's locations - casting the silent characters, and The Eastwood Experienve. Read more
Life, Above All **** A remarkable film that stirs the emotions and instills a passion for living life no matter how dire the circumstances. It is a wonderful anthem to humanity that sensitively explores and exposes issues we tend to ignore and should address, such as teenage prostitution and the abuse of women and children.The strength of the story lies in its universal qualities, depicting a story that could take place anywhere in the world and affects everyone. Cape Town born director Oliver Schmitz draws powerful performances from the entire cast, particularly Khomotso Manyaka and Keaobaka Makanyane as a young 'Thelma and Louise' who take on the world to secure their freedom. It tells the story of a young girl who fights the fear and shame that has poisoned her community and captures the enduring strength of loyalty and courage powered by the heart. Read more
Made in Dagenham ***** Oh, what lovely war indeed! The battlefield is the worksplace, and the soldiers ordinary women who were reclassified as unskilled and protested against sexual discrimination and equal pay. This delightful dramatisation of the 1968 strike at the Ford Dagenham car plant, features Sally Hawkins in top form as the fast-talking, no nonsense Rita O'Grady, the catalyst for the strike by 187 sewing machinists, whose fiery temper and occasionally hilarious unpredictability proves to be a match for any man. With humour, common sense and courage they take on their corporate paymasters, an increasingly belligerent local community, and finally the government itself. This charming satire was directed by Nigel Cole, who also directed The Calender Girls, , who had actually grown up near Dagenham around the time of the strike "It is an inspiring story and it's so great to feel like you're telling a story that needs to be told." The bonus features in a Factory and Union meeting B-roll, and selected scenes Read more
Futuristic thriller
Priest **** A battle-hardened rogue warrior embarks on a perilous quest to save his niece from a murderous pack of vampires in a post-apocalyptic action horror film from director Scott Stewart. In this visually stunning, homage to iconic adventure films, only one man stands between humanity and its destruction at the hands of a marauding army. Bonus features: audio commentary by director Scott Stewart, writer Cory Goodman and actors Paul Bettany and Maggie Q; deleted and extended scenes, 'The Bloody Frontier': creating the world of Priest; and Tools of the Trade: the weapons and vehicles of Priest. Read more
Skyline **** In this captivating Sci-Fi Thriller, strange lights descend on the city of Los Angeles, drawing people outside like moths to a flame where an extraterrestrial force threatens to swallow the entire human population off the face of the earth. SKYLINE is directed and produced by the brothers Strause (Alien vs. Predator: Requiem), whose company Hydraulx has provided visual effects for Avatar, Iron Man 2, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and 300. Go behind the scenes
Horror
After.Life **** A terrifying glimpse into death and how it affects the living. Anna's (Christina Ricci) quest for love and happiness takes a macabre turn when, after a horrific car accident, she wakes up to find the local funeral director Eliot Deacon (Liam Neeson) preparing her body. Read more
My Soul To Take **** In the sleepy town of Riverton, legend tells of a serial killer who swore he would return to murder the seven children born the night he died. Now, 16 years later, people are disappearing again. Has the psychopath been reincarnated as one of the seven teens, or did he survive the night he was left for dead? Only one of the kids knows the answer. Adam "Bug" Heller (Max Thieriot) was supposed to die on the bloody night his father went insane. Unaware of his dad's terrifying crimes, he has been plagued by nightmares since he was a baby. But if Bug hopes to save his friends from the monster that's returned, he must face an evil that won't rest...until it finishes the job it began the day he was born. This will mark Craven's first original horror script since "Wes Craven's New Nightmare" in 1994.
Paranormal Activity 2 **** This follow up is not a sequel but a terrifying account of what happens before Paranormal Activity. Filmgoers are ultimately voyeurs, and with this gripping and tense psychological mindbender, the filmmakers empower the viewer with six different points of view when security cameras are installed in a house to monitor some strange behaviour. The problem is that the moment we see what's happening, we have no control of what happens beyond the camera and can only bear silent witness to some truly frightening activities. Be safe and don't see this alone. Your mind is guaranteed to start playing games. The DVD release is an extended cut with new footage and includes both the theatrical version as well as the extended cut.
The Thing ***** John Carpenter's terrifying exploration of evil manifested in the most unlikely and unexpected of places, is a good starting point for the prequel that is released in cinemas on Jan 6. Written by Bill Lancaster (son of Kurt Lancaster) and starring Kurt Russell, the eerie title refers to its primary antagonist: a parasitic extraterrestrial lifeform that assimilates other organisms and in turn imitates them. The Thing infiltrates an Antarctic research station, taking the appearance of the researchers that it kills, and paranoia occurs within the group. Ostensibly a remake of the 1951 Howard Hawks-Christian Nyby film The Thing from Another World, Carpenter's film is in fact an adaptation more faithful in its premise and characters to the novella Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell, Jr. which inspired the 1951 film, and not a remake in the conventional sense. Carpenter considers The Thing to be the first part of his Apocalypse Trilogy,[2] followed by Prince of Darkness and In the Mouth of Madness. Although the films are unrelated, each features a potentially apocalyptic scenario; should "The Thing" ever reach civilization, it would be only a matter of time before it consumes humanity and takes over the Earth. Make sure to get the edition with brilliant audio commentary by John Carpenter and Kurt Russell, as well as some superb behind the scenes features. Also see: The Thaw Read more about the latest The Thing, which is a prequel to Caprenter's masterwork
Romance
Crazy, Stupid, Love **** A funny and charming look at love, relationships, and live. Steve Carrell is delightful as a fortysomething, straight-laced divorced man who is taken on as wingman and protégé to handsome lothario (Ryan Gosling). In an effort to help Cal get over his wife and start living his life, Jacob opens Cal's eyes to the many options before him: flirty women, manly drinks and a sense of style that can't be found at Supercuts or The Gap.The bonus features include deleted scenes. Read more
Ondine ***** A lyrical modern fairy tale that tells the story of Syracuse (Colin Farrell), an Irish fisherman whose life is transformed when he catches a beautiful and mysterious woman in his nets. Read more
Red Riding Hood *** From director Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight,Thirteen) comes a glossy fantasy thriller that will provide ample entertainment and eycandy for those looking for a luscious romance set in an ydillic fairytale world, and will equally satisfy the appetite of Twilight thrill seekers looking for a dark and brooding story of sexual awakening. Amanda Seyfried graduates from innocent romance in Mamma Mia and wicked seductress in Chloe, to lustful teenager who yearns to taste forbidden fruit and tempt the dark side of human nature. The bonus features include deleted scenes. Read more
Musical drama
Burlesque ***** Think Chicago, add a touch of drama, throw in romance and you have a super-sexy blend of first rate entertainment. Christina Aguilera shines in the role of a small town girl who wants to be a star and perfectly captures the innocence and glamour, with Cher in top form (and great voice) as the feisty owner of The Burlesque Lounge where Aguilera hopes to make her mark. Cam Gigandet is as sexy as ever as the guy who tries to win her heart, Stanley Tucci delivers a nother great performance as the voice of reason, and Alan Cummings is charming as the cunning gender-bending host. The music is great, the choreography sizzles and the visual flair and style of writer-director Steven Antin will blow your mind! When it comes to the vibrant, timeless world of burlesque and its recent pop culture renaissance, Antin had the kind of intimate connection impossible to ignore: his sister and Antin had recognized there was a rich story in the art form, its fans, and its performers. Antin remained true to the spirit of the art form, noting that a popular misconception about burlesque is that it is synonymous with stripping. The risqué elements of Burlesque, though, never venture beyond a cheeky suggestion or a delicious double entendre. "Burlesque is sometimes risqué, always sexy, but never sexual," says Antin "Everything we do in this movie, like with original burlesque, is intended to be something enjoyable. It's a big, friendly, bawdy, fun romp. Burlesque was entertainment for the masses in its original form, and it still is today in Burlesque." The Bonus Features include director's commentary, deleted scenes, full dance sequences, alternate opening. Read more
Suspense and intrigue
Source Code **** When decorated soldier Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes up in the body of an unknown man, he discovers he's part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train. In an assignment unlike any he's ever known, he learns he's part of a government experiment called the "Source Code," a program that enables him to cross over into another man's identity in the last eight minutes of his life. Bonus features: Audio director's commentary and a feature on the cast. Read more
Limitless **** An entertaining and thought provoking mind bender loaded with suspense, action and a dose of wit. It challenges and bends perceptions. Bradley Cooper is sensational as a down and out New York writer until he comes into possession of a designer drug that allows him to access the full capacity of his brain. Robert de Niro adds flair to the role of the ruthless billionaire Carl Van Loon. The devil incarnated. When Cooper uses his newfound superior intelligence, glamour, money and power becomes his for the taking. But Eddie soon discovers that ultimate success comes at a price as mysterious antagonists pursue him and dangers of the amazing new drug emerge. The bonus features include commentary by director. Neil Burger, deleted and alternate endings, as well as a feature on 'Taking it To The Limits'. Read more
The Lincoln Lawyer *** In the gripping thriller Matthew McConaughey plays a slick, charismatic Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who lands the case of a lifetime: defending a rich Beverly Hills playboy (Ryan Phillippe) who is accused of attempted murder. Read more
The Next Three Days ***** To suspend disbelief successfully, we have to believe, and writer-director Paul Haggis (Crash) never lets go for a minute, masterfully manipulating the action, drama and his captive audience. Haggis' plotting is intriguing, only allowing the viewers to share the subplot that shows what really happened in the crime that perpetuates the action. This intimate bond that Haggis cleverly establishes between the film and its audience, allows for an emotional connection with the characters. Russell Crowe delivers a powerful performance as a teacher whose idyllic family life is shattered when his wife (Elizabeth Banks), is arrested for a murder she says she didn't commit. Three years into her sentence, John is struggling to hold his family together, raising their son Luke and teaching at community college while he pursues every means available to prove her innocence. This is one prison break you will never forget and is gauranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. If you are looking for entertainment that has bite, this is it, The Bonus features include a look into the making of the film and the men of The Next Three Days. Go behind the scenes
Series
The Good Wife (Season 1 and 2) ***** If there's one series that gaurantees non-stop viewing, it's this captivating drama focusing on the resilient wife (Julianna Margulies) of a disgraced State Attorney (Chris Noth), who has been jailed following a very public sex and corruption scandal. The series has fascinating characters that explode vividly through dynamic performances from the entire ensemble, partculalry Marguilies as a woman trapped between love and wifely duties, Christine Baranski as her headstrong boss, Alan Cumming's as her husband's conniving campaign manager. Read more
Primeval (Seasons 1 > 4) ***** Primeval follows a band of scientists as they investigate passageways in time that seem to be developing between prehistoric Earth and the present day, allowing all sorts of monstrous creatures to wander into the world. Nick Cutter leads a government-sponsored team that secretly investigates the anomalies -- but the beasts that pass through them aren't the only dangers they face. Read more
Western
True Grit ***** A captivating mythic Western adventure story of vengeance and valor from Joel and Ethan Coen, whose stirring adaptation hones in on the plain-spoken humor, bold storytelling and rough beauty of Charles Portis' classic American novel. The time is the 1870s, the setting frontier America just after the Civil War, and the taleteller is Mattie Ross, who at 14 years-old journeys to Fort Smith, Arkansas determined to extract justice for the death of her father, shot in cold blood. Read more
Political Drama
Fair Game *** A fascinating glimpse into the dark corridors of political power, Fair Game is a riveting drama based on the autobiography of real-life undercover CIA officer Valerie Plame, whose career is destroyed and her marriage strained to its limits by a White House press leak. A covert officer in the CIA's counter-proliferation department, Valerie Plame (Naomi Watts) discovers that, contrary to the belief of many in the U.S. government, Iraq has no active nuclear weapons program. Meanwhile, Valerie's husband Joe (Sean Penn) is sent to Africa to investigate rumors of possible sales of enriched uranium to Iraq. Finding no such deals took place, Joe writes a New York Times piece outlining his conclusions, igniting a firestorm of controversy. The bonus features include audio commentary by Valerie Plame Wilson and director Joe Wilson. Read more
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