Robber, Robbed

Master of heists Will Montgomery (Nicholas Cage) does what he needs to do and injures fellow partner in crime Vincent (Josh Lucas) in an attempt to flee a crime scene without any collateral damage. Will however does not make it far, and, after eight years of incarceration, looks forward to being re-united with daughter Alison (Sami Gayle). Vincent has other plans, however, and a highly skeptical FBI led by Tim Harlend (Danny Huston) does not help either. With a little help from ex-con-woman Riley (Malin Akerman), Will races against time and the ghosts from his past. Stolen is your average unmemorable entertainer that is easy on the eye and your time, without even remotely aspiring towards the spectacular

11.5/20

Until Lambs become Lions

The latest edition of Robin Hood is about how Robin Hood, the outlaw, came to be. Robin Longstride (Russell Crowe), later Robin Hood, fought alongside King Richard the Lionheart (Danny Huston) in the Crusades. When King Richard dies in battle, Robin and a small band of fellow-soldiers end up in custody of the royal crown, and Robin, in the guise of Sir Robert Loxley of Nottingham, a knight killed in the same battle, maes the journey to Nottingham. Robin soon brings back life to the hamlet and wins the affections of Robert’s widowed wife Marion Loxley (Cate Blanchett). The peace is not to last, however – renegade English knight Godfrey (Mark Strong) is planning a French invasion of England even as he pillages English towns in succession for the collection of taxes for the royal coffers. The paths of Robin and Godfrey cross, with tragic consequences for Godfrey and his nefarious plans. But, the subsequent adulation of Robin Longstride, and his views on empowerment of the people of England, are taken none too kindly by newly crowned Prince John (Oscar Isaac). This is an under-rated movie, the reception of which was marred by expectations from the Robin Hood mush camp.

15.5/20

Englishman in New York

Simon Pegg (Sidney Young) is the Englishman in New York, a man of some spunk and, who, by any which means, wants to break into the Page 3 circuit, in particular the Sharps Magazine after-party. The proverbial shot comes by way of a gatecrashing attempt and a call from New York. Sidney in Sharps’ cut-throat culture, makes friends and proves himself after a near-disastrous series of faux pas’ – thanks to the support of girl next door and lead editor Alison (Kirsten Dunst). The other characters make for fair viewing too - the sultry and overtly sexual Sophie Maes (Megan Fox) with an unforgettable across-thre-pool saunter for promoting her latest release “Mother Teresa”, driven entrepreneur with a short fuse Clayton Harding (Jeff Bridges) who cannot suffer fools gladly but eventually comes round to Sidney, the ambitious Eleanor Johnson (Gillian Anderson) and Danny Huston (Lawrence Maddox). While How to Lose Friends and Alienate People has moments of genuine humour and introspection, overall this is good rather than remarkable fare, that will keep you occupied, as Sidney remains true to his character

11.5/20