Chimpomatic

Whiplash

Inspiring, unpredictable music drama. Slow to start, but some nice turns keep it fresh for the drum solo.

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25th May 2015

Sunset Strip

Standard issue biopic of the famous street. Star studded, with a lot of nip and tuck. Bonus Duff.

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23rd May 2015

Thunderheart

Solid, old fashioned studio thriller with enough of an angle to keep it fresh.

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21st May 2015

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Witty, post modern detective pic, with standout comeback turns from RDJ and Val Kilmer.

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20th May 2015

Tracks

Uneven Australian biopic. Beautifully shot, but overblown and self important without really earning it.

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17th May 2015

The One I Love

Intriguing, thought-provoking indie dramedy. Would have benefitted from a bit more structure.

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17th May 2015

180 Degrees South

Inspiring, earthy travel film, documenting a trip down to climb Patagonia's Corcovado mountain.

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17th May 2015

Cold In July

Sparse, atmospheric indie thriller - which quickly breaks the template with a couple of left turns.

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17th May 2015

At Sundance

Revealing 1995 Pixelvision documentary from Almereyda, featuring a time capsule of 90s indie cinema.

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15th May 2015

The Motorcycle Diaries

Well realised period pic, with great art direction - but it's slow and un-engaging.

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14th May 2015

Frances Ha

Meandering indie with a certain charm. Like a triple bill of minor Girls episodes directed by Woody Allen.

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10th May 2015

Foxcatcher

Portentous wrestling pic. Nicely shot, with a raft of solid performances, but it's boring as hell.

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5th May 2015

American Sniper

Well acted war pic, let down by a fragmented narrative and heavy handed script.

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23rd Apr 2015

Blackhat

Out of touch, contrived, misguided, miscast, dull disaster from Michael Mann. Reasonably well shot.

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19th Apr 2015

Cinderella

Branagh's slick reworking of the original Disney pic is high on style, but low on charm.

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12th Apr 2015

While We're Young

Close-to-the-bone indie pic that avoids the obvious. Noah Baumbach directs. Ad-Rock co-stars

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9th Apr 2015

Big Hero 6

Mostly derivative Disney pic with anime influences and a few magical moments.

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29th Mar 2015

Northern Soul

Stylish, competent debut from Elaine Constantine - with a dull script written by the coming-of-age app.

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28th Mar 2015

Paddington

Miscast, unambitious adaptation, squeezing the source into a dull Notting Hill/Working Title template.

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24th Mar 2015

Post Tenebras Lux

Abstract Mexican art house pic. Intense and engaging, if not entirely successful.

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15th Mar 2015

22 Jump Street

LOL-filled second helping, far short of the action-comedies of the 80s.

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15th Mar 2015

Metro Manila

Depressing slice of life on the breadline in Manila. Slow to start but stylish and well crafted.

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15th Mar 2015

Shaun the Sheep the Movie

Typically witty masterclass in stop motion from @aardman. Dialogue free!

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8th Mar 2015

Supporting Characters

Old school indie, with a mumblecore edge. Solid concept and script, blandly executed.

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7th Mar 2015

Pocahontas

Thin, underdeveloped Disney pic with uninspiring animation.

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7th Mar 2015

Brave

Well intentioned, but ultimately convoluted feminist Disney tale.

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7th Mar 2015

Birdman

Bravura Oscar winner. Stunningly shot, but you can guess the shortcomings of this 'single take' showpiece.

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23rd Feb 2015

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Stylish, slightly left field 90s effort from Disney.

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21st Feb 2015

Last Night

Inventive 90s Canadian indie about the end of the world. Filled with early appearances.

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15th Feb 2015

Korengal

Worthwhile, but slightly less focussed follow up to the excellent Afghanistan doc 'Restrepo'.

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7th Feb 2015

Open Windows

Convoluted found footageish thriller. Channeling Rear Window, but too smartass, shapeless and pointless.

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7th Feb 2015

Before I Go To Sleep

Derivative amnesia thriller ….that still manages to remain vaguely intriguing.

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31st Jan 2015

Mad Dog and Glory

Dated but decent, with an unusual premise. Plus dream team pairing of 90s DeNiro and Bill Murray.

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20th Jan 2015

The Score

Disappointing, great-on-paper heist flick, with an underwhelming final turn from Brando.

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19th Jan 2015

Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World

Mind-numbingly slight dramedy, with a vintage turn from Keira Knightley.

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18th Jan 2015

The Grand Budapest Hotel

If you like Wes Anderson, you'll love the ultimate Wes Anderson movie.

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17th Jan 2015

Heat

The ultimate cops and robbers movie has only got better with age. Epic, stylish, tense and thoroughly gripping.

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16th Jan 2015

Dead Man

Stark, not entirely successful western. A relic from days gone by, when Johnny Depp was in arthouse films.

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8th Jan 2015

Sabotage

Ultra violence and cocky dialogue from cliched tough guys help sink this glitzy Ten Little Indians rehash.

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3rd Jan 2015

Maleficent

Angelina Jolie brought only her avatar to this tedious, post-LOTR, cgi rehash of the classic fairy tale.

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2nd Jan 2015

Gone Girl

While it's less gripping once you know the twists, Fincher's cold thriller evolves into a dark comedy.

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1st Jan 2015

Maps To The STARS

Twisted, Lynchian melodrama ...from Cronenberg. Dark and original, though possibly not enjoyable.

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1st Jan 2015

Robin Hood

Decidedly lacklustre effort from the doldrums of the 1970s Disney studio. With mis-guided Honky Tonk.

Halliwell says: Alarmingly poor cartoon feature with all the characters 'played' by animals; songs especially dim and treatment quite lifeless.

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1st Jan 2015

Starred Up

Brutal, gruelling prison drama - anchored by a raft of solid performances.

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31st Dec 2014

Beauty and the Beast

Despite the praise and success, this Disney entry disappoints with it's design and storytelling.

Halliwell says: A return to top form by Disney, with excellent animation and a singable score. The picture has been credited with starting a new Hollywood fashion for animated musicals.***

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31st Dec 2014

Four Rooms

Unwatchable fluff from four seemingly promising 90s directors. Bloated and self indulgent on every level.

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31st Dec 2014

Sleeping Beauty

Genre-pushing 1950s Disney fairytale, this time in epic widescreen. Tastefully done.

Halliwell says: Rather stodgy, unwisely Cinemascoped feature cartoon of the old legend; very fashionable and detailed, but somehow lifeless.*

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29th Dec 2014

The Interview

Witless comedy with none of the observation of Knocked Up, or the outrageousness of Team America.

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28th Dec 2014

Ice Age

Dawn of the Dinosaurs

More action packed ice adventures, this time with added Simon Pegg. A plus for once.

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27th Dec 2014

Frozen

Disney's latest mega-sensation is heavy on songs, light on jeopardy and is missing an antagonist.

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26th Dec 2014