The Wolfman (2010) - 4/5

This is easily one of the best gothic horror movies to come out in the last twenty years. Sir Anthony Hopkins’ presence would dominate the screen if it weren’t for the outstandingly high caliber performances from Benicio Del Toro and Emily Blunt to match. Dark cinematography is used to gorgeous effect not only to create a palpable atmosphere but also to cleverly mask some of the dodgier moments of CGI. Despite their best efforts, the scene at the end relies too heavily on technology that wasn’t quite there. Still, if you like the theme, the throwback to old monster movies, or even just the rich landscape of nineteenth century England populated by interesting characters, then you owe it to yourself to give this one a watch.

Content warning: gore

Closest comparison: It’s an update to an old classic that improves upon the original.

Setting: Drama/Horror
Plot: Horror
Tone: Suspense

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) - 4/5

I love this movie for its underlying message of being a good person, and the way it cements the character of Steve Rogers so firmly that he remains unchanged for the next 6 films. At least three different actors all deliver scene-stealing performances, and the use of special effects here is kept well in hand. Some of the directing and editing could have been better and as a result some aspects that could have pushed this movie over the edge to a 5/5 were lacking, like the fact that Red Skull doesn’t really get an iconic pose/image/shot or the needless complication of the ‘Kissing the Secretary’ scene. Nevertheless, this remains a very strong entry into the litany of Marvel movies.

Closest comparison: It’s like Letters from Iwo Jima by way of The Rocketeer.

Setting: War
Plot: Super hero
Tone: Adventure

Mortal Engines - 2/5

This is a young adult book turned into a movie, and it is a mess. The story is poorly written, leaving many plot points confused with unsatisfactory explanations. The acting is passable but bland, better only than the writing which is equally dull. The only interesting parts of the movie were one single character, and the visuals. The costuming and vehicle design did a great job of building a world for the charactes to inhabit, if only there were a story and three-dimensional characters to go with them.

V for Vendetta (2005) - 4/5

This is a very politcal and thought-provoking film, but manages to refrain from being preachy by two virtues. Firstly, it is set in a distopian alternate present the is so significantly different from anything existing in the world today that it is remanded to the realm of alegory. And secondly, there is bound to be something in this film with which the viewer will disagree, or at the very least be challenged to think about, no matter what his political leanings. While the Brittish take the view that Guy Faulks was wrong for trying to overthrow the parliament, the film takes the much more American view that “Governments should be afaid of their people”, thought the cast is largely Brittish. It takes much more time to delve into the philosophy than the writers’ previous film, The Matrix, but still contains an excellent action scene near the end. Outstanding performances from Hugo Weaving and Natalie Portman, and absolute one time must-see.