I Spy

Unbeknownst to his family, lawyer James Donovan (Tom Hanks) is tasked with negotiating the release of Francis Gary Powers (Austin Stowell), a CIA spy behind Russian enemy lines, for Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance), a KGB spy captured in the US. While negotiations go well, Donovan also looks to get stranded American student Frederic Pryor (Will Rogers) released, in what would become a 2-for-1 exchange if it comes through successfully. Based on true events, and with all the genius of Spielberg and the Coen brothers, Bridge of Spies is a must-watch

15/20

Birth of a Nation

Lincoln is, quite simply, one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. In Lincoln, Daniel Day Lewis does not play Abraham Lincoln, he is Abraham Lincoln, living, breathing, taking decisions, running a family. The leadership qualities of Lincoln come to the fore as he balances ending a war and abolishing slavery, with a few decisions that err towards choosing the greater good and associated realpolitik. This is a movie for posterity, and one for your collection. Suffice to say that I cannot remember a movie in memory that moved me quite as much, Steven Spielberg dramatic effect notwithstanding

17.5/20

Tintin’s Back!

When an animated Herge holds up a sketch of the old and familiar Tintin to his new-age avatar, the comparison between two eras of amination could not be more pronounced. First things first. The Adventures of Tintin will be an unadulterated commercial and critical success. This movie leverages off today’s animation capabilities to resurrect an iconic character. The story is a loose adaptation of The Secret of the Unicorn and while much is familiar –including the story of Red Rachkam vs Sir Francis Haddock, there is a lot else that has been introduced or tweaked in the plot including the introduction of much of the unforgettable cast of characters of the series (with the possible exception of Professor Calculus). Diehard Tintin fans will also have a field day spotting the many references and trivia in the movie in relation to other books of the series. The incendiary combination of Spielberg and Peter Jackson combine for a masterpiece, and you will relive the unabashed adventure that is the Tintin comic. Suffice to say – do not miss this one

16.5/20

After the Flood

Among the various better-documented paranormal phenomena would be near-death experiences, and the subsequent connectivity that people with such experiences supposedly have with the dead. At the heart of Hereafter there are just three characters (and I don’t mean director Clint Eastwood, producer Steven Spielberg and writer Peter Morgan). Marie Lelay (Cecile de France) almost dies as the tsunami hits Thailand – and the subsequent changes in her have profound consequences upon her work and relationships, as she embarks to write a book about her experience. George Lonegan (Matt Damon) is a San Francisco based reluctant psychic, a man running away from his gift and the psychological consequences of communicating with the dead, even as he is not quite stably employed. Marcus (Frankie McLaren and George McLaren) cannot cope with the death of brother Jason and looks for ways and means to communicate. The paths of all three cross unexpectedly in London – with the hope of positive outcomes all round. Well-executed like all Clint Eastwood fare, sensitive and touching in parts, and a good watch all round, though never crossing into exceptional territory as Eastwood has done so often

13.5/20

Dr Jones Wake Up Now!!!

Watched Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – don’t waste your time. That is, apart from yet another ageless performance from yet another ageless Hollywood hero, the rest is a hotchpotch of James Bond meets National Treasure meets the X Files meets Tomb Raider. Instead wait for Shia LeBouf’s launch and hope that that is a reincarnation of the franchise of the quality of say a Casino Royale. The one redeeming thing I can say about the movie is that the score is true to the franchise and you will find yourself humming it long after the credits are done