After Earth (2013)

A vehicle for Will Smith to help his kids, I get it.  Some good ideas and father son chemistry but it's average at best. 3/5

End of Watch (2012)

Excellent documentary style film starting Donnie Darko and his Mexican cop partner. The acting is class and the on screen bromance is awesome. Fresh, original and exciting.4/5

Jack Reacher (2012)

Starts promising with an intriguing plot line and then nose bombs at "the car chase". It never really picks up after that. Tom Cruise is good as usual but the whole film misfires with the whole civilian superhero thing it tried to portrait.3/5

Room 237 (2012)

As a former media student I understand media symbolism and Mise en Scene but this documentary is way off. Attributing blatant continuity errors to the directors intentional genius misses the mark and clutches at straws.2/5

The Paperboy (2012)

I expected more from Lee Daniels (Precious) and up until the end it was watchable and intriguing.  Nicole Kidman orgasms telepathically courtesy of John Cussack and Zac Efron finally escaped his "High School" typecast. And none of this put me off.  But the ending destroyed what was left of a decent film.  3/5

Salt (2010)

A decent female Bourne style affair, Angelina nails it and its a half decent film which is let down by the ending. It could have scored higher but it trails towards the finish and the finish is lame.3/5

Rise of The Guardians (2012)

Great children's animation. The CGI is awesome, the concept and story is brilliant. It's not particularly funny but it's refreshing and definitely a Dreamworks gem. 4/5

Premium Rush (2012)

Aside from the "Google Maps" style bits the film sucks. Luckily it has Joseph Gordon-Levitt in it. The rest of the cast can't act. 2/5

Wreck-It Ralph (2012)

All it's best moments are delivered in the first 15 minutes. The in jokes for "us gamers" are well received but then the whole thing falls flat and boring. 3/5

Life of Pi (2012)

OK it's very "arty" and it's up its own arse but...it's also quality. What starts out quite boring becomes a hybrid of Forest Gump and Cataway and its quite spectacular. Very different. I liked it.4/5

Seven Psychopaths (2012)

Should be funnier than it actually is. It borrows heavily from old school Tarantino storytelling and although it's a good watch it's neither here nor there. Woody Harrelson is in it though.3/5

Argo (2012)

Lives up to the hype. It's slow to begin with and although the pace remains constant it cleverly unleashes a layer of intensity not experienced for years. The last half of the film has you on the edge of your seat. It's awesome and Ben Affleck looks like Dave Grohl from The Foo Fighters which makes it even better.5/5

The Imposter (2012)

Unbelievable true story.  It's so insane you doubt it's real..but it is! You have to watch this.  It twists and turns throughout the entire film.  Not only is it well produced and directed but the story will have you engrossed. 4/5

Django Unchained (2012)

Average at best. I think it's been hyped up 'cos it's Tarantino. The film is saved by Leo's performance as the rest of the film is flat. Black cowboy revenge stories with hip hop soundtracks don't work. 3/5

Taken 2 (2012)

The first film was unexpectedly good.  The second tries too hard to be like the first.  Although Neeson is still bad ass, the film has that "inferior sequel" feel about it.  Overall it's pretty sloppy and the whole "I will find, you I will kill you" speech doesn't have the same impact. Neeson says in the film, "doing what I do best", unfortunately he was at his best the first time around. 3/5

Skyfall (2012)

I'm not a Bond fan so perhaps I'm being a bit harsh but aside from the few large set pieces, this film offers very little.  The story is too simple, Bond goes after rogue agent/terrorist, chases him, get beat up, beats him up and then ends with a shoot out.  And that's it.  No gadgets, few puns and a boring Bond girl.  I know it was made on a budget but director Sam Mendes can do better than this.  3/5

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

So Harvey is dead, Bruce is retired and the girl from Princess Diaries is now the new love interest. In steps a bulked up Bronson (Bane) who looks totally badass and all hell breaks loose. It drags in places but its visually flawless. Nice twist at the end and a hint of what may or may not become with Robin. 5/5

Flight (2012)

Once you realise the aeroplane bit isn't the main plot drive then you are simply left with a tale of alcohol dependency and denial. It's well acted but really slow. Imagine a 2 hour AA meeting. 3/5

Dredd (2012)

It's difficult for me to review this as I was a huge 2000AD fan growing up. For me, Dredd isn't menacing enough nor is the fear there. I wanted more MegaCity One, more Cursed Earth. Gone is the satire and black humour and petty crime and instead we get The Raid. None fans of the comic book will love it, I liked it but expected more. 3/5

Pitch Perfect (2012)

Glee meets Sister Act. Predictable, obvious but also quite good in parts. It's a proper chic flick and the mash ups although cheesy are a guilty pleasure.3/5