SPLING MOVIES
"These new release capsule movie reviews are for films currently on circuit. Use the /10 rating, quick overview and similar movie title to gauge expectations."31 MILLION REASONS (16LSV, 85 min) - A flat 5! An inconsistent, yet promising Bollywood meets familiar Hollywood heist movie. Like: How to Steal 2 Million
50/50 (16DLS, 100 min) - An excellent 8! A good-natured comedy drama that handles laughs and a serious subject in full stride with equally nimble co-leads. Like: Juno
A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN (13V, 106 min) - A flimsy 4! Mismatched co-leads, a weird mix of genres and dull storytelling negate a decent cast. Like: Love Happens
ADVENTURES OF TINTIN, THE [2D/3D] (10MV, 106 min) - A flat 5! Good-pacing, smart visuals and lavish action sequences can't substitute a contrived and superficial reworking. Like: A Christmas Carol
ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED (A, 87 min) - A charm-free, formulaic, irritating and base sequel for fans of the series. Like: Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakel
ANONYMOUS (13SV, 131 min) - A solid 7! Roland Emmerich's fictional "what if" is intriguing, entertaining and delivered with great gusto. Like: Shakespeare in Love, The Da Vinci Code
ANOTHER EARTH (13M, 92 min) - A solid 7! An ethereal low budget indie science-fiction drama with a strong lead explores guilt and regret. Like: Solaris
ARTHUR CHRISTMAS [2D/3D] (PG, 96 min) - A solid 7! A fresh, quick-witted and heartwarming animated Christmas tale. Like: Meet the Robinsons
BEGINNERS (13M, 105 min) - A solid 7! A moving, witty and creative comedy drama with great chemistry and an emotional core beneath the sentimental style. Like: Happy-Go-Lucky
BLACK BUTTERFLIES (16LPS, 100 min) - A satisfactory 6! A biopic drama about the poetry, politics and tribulations of South African poet, Ingrid Jonker, intensified by a willful performance from an unlikable lead. Like: Sylvia
BRIGHTON ROCK (13LV, 111 min) - A flat 5! Indistinct co-lead performances and a lack of charm undermine this dull, British gangster flick. Like: Brighton Rock (1947)
COURAGEOUS (13MV, 130 min) - A satisfactory 6! A moving, uplifting Christian story for fathers, driven by competent film-making and effective performances. Like: Fireproof
CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE. (13ML 118 min) - A solid 7! Smart writing, solid performances and a funny, touching and unpredictable story surprise in this slow-to-start comedy romance drama. Like: Dan in Real Life
DARKEST HOUR, THE [2D/3D] (13LV, 89 min) - A third-rate 3! A promising cast, director and location fail to save this lightweight special effects-driven sci-fi mess. Like: Skyline
DESCENDANTS, THE - (13L, 115 min) An excellent 8! An authentic, complex, funny, moving and unpredictable portrait of life with a strong lead performance. Like: About Schmidt
DOLPHIN TALE [2D/3D] (PGV, 113 min) - A satisfactory 6! An enjoyable, heartwarming and inspiring tale based on a true story and backed by a strong cast - this one's for everyone. Like: Free Willy
DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK (16V, 99 min) - A satisfactory 6! This atmospheric and chilling horror remake plays into genre cliches to a fault. Like: Dark Water
DREAM HOUSE (16V, 91 min) - A flimsy 4! A disappointing generic, sluggish and heavy-handed psychological horror/thriller, despite a good premise, a strong cast and very capable director. Like: The Haunting
DRIVE (16LNV, 101 min) - An excellent 8! Aggression and romance in this cool, powerful, taut and art house rush. NFSV Like: Black Swan
FOOTLOOSE (13LV, 116 min) - A satisfactory 6! An unnecessary remake, but the infectious energy and entertaining choreography carry the story through the paces. Like: Footloose (1984)
FREE MEN (10M PV, 99 min) - A satisfactory 6! A terrific story, backed by good performances is diminished by an academic rather than genre-orientated pacing. Like: Outside the Law
FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS (16LS, 107 min) - A flat 5! A smart script and charming co-leads can't overcome quickfire dialogue, superficial gravity of emotion and sexual over-share. Not for everyone. Like: No Strings Attached
GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, THE (16NSV, 153 min) - An excellent 8! While difficult-to-watch at times, this remake is visually striking and captivating with solid performances. Like: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009)
HAPPY FEET TWO (PG, 105 min) - A flat 5! Dazzling visuals and a solid voice cast can't live up to original's charm, and with a meandering eco-story, this sequel's all about the song and dance. Like: Happy Feet
HELP, THE (10MP, 146 min) - An excellent 8! An engaging civil rights era drama with a solid cast and terrific lead performance. Like: Precious, The Secret Life of Bees
HOOFMEISIE (PGV, 97 min) - A sweet tween bubblegum comedy in the style of Bakgat!. Like: Bakgat!
I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT (PG, 88 min) - A flimsy 4! A sluggish, flat and outdated gender comedy with a typical Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie lead performance. Like: Sex and the City 2
IDES OF MARCH, THE (13LS, 100 min) - A solid 7! A first-class ensemble deliver on performance in this intense, thought-provoking U.S. political drama. Like: State of Play
IN A BETTER WORLD (16LV, 114 min) - A solid 7! A thought-provoking and powerful drama with strong performances, although the storytelling is a little contrived and melodramatic at times. Like: Incendies
IN TIME (10LV, 106 min) - A flat 5! Sleek production values, a talented cast and a great premise lack drive and direction in this constrained sci-fi. Like: Surrogates
IMMORTALS [2D/3D] (16SV, 103 min) - A flimsy 4! Stunning visuals and a charismatic turn from Rourke are the only redeeming features of this 300 rip-off. Like: Clash of the Titans
J. EDGAR (13M, 137 min) - A satisfactory 6! DiCaprio's powerful lead makes this character portrait watchable, despite its restless narrative and dull feel. Like: The Good Shepherd
JACK AND JILL (PG, 83 min) - A third-rate 3! Mean-spirited, unfunny and in bad taste. Pacino is the only redeeming feature in Sandler's worst movie yet. Like: Bucky Larson: Born to be a Star
JOHNNY ENGLISH REBORN (PG V, 100 min) - A satisfactory 6! More of the same popcorn family fun with slapstick, rubber face espionage gags and comedy from Rowan Atkinson. Like: Johnny English
MACHINE GUN PREACHER (16DLV, 128 min) - A satisfactory 6! A heartrending and inspiring true story make it watchable, but undermined by miscast lead and long runtime. Like: Missionary Man
MAN ON A LEDGE (13LV, 103 min) - A satisfactory 6! A blend of better heist thrillers, aided by a competent cast, good pacing and taut, entertaining tone. Like: Inside Job
MARGIN CALL (13L, 105 min) - A solid 7! A smart script, tight direction and taut drama driven home by strong performances from a heavyweight ensemble. Like: 12 Angry Men, Inside Job
MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE (16LNS, 102 min) - An excellent 8! Olsen's superb star-making lead sets this creative yet disturbing psychological thriller apart. Like: Trust
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (PG L, 95 min) - An excellent 8! Woody Allen fans will delight in his latest offbeat comedy, which is entertaining, funny, charming and sentimental with a great turn by Wilson. Like: Whatever Works
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - GHOST PROTOCOL (13V, 133 min) - An excellent 8! Brad Bird's first live-action movie is pulsating, entertaining and loaded with spectacular action set pieces... the best M:I yet! Like: Mission: Impossible
MONEYBALL (PGL, 131 min) - An excellent 8! A sharp, funny, touching true baseball story with strong direction, a cracking script and first-rate performances. Like: The Blind Side
MUPPETS, THE (A, 99 min) - An excellent 8! A smart, witty, heartfelt and inspirational return for Jim Henson's Muppets - fans and newbies will approve. Like: The Muppets Movie
MUSIC NEVER STOPPED, THE (PG L, 105 min) - A solid 7! A heartwarming and engaging indie drama with a great lead performance from J.K. Simmons. Like: Mr. Holland's Opus
NEW YEAR'S EVE (PG L, 118 min) - A flimsy 4! An all-star cast drive this superficial, fuzzy and pointless Garry Marshall holiday special. Like: Valentine's Day
ONE DAY (13, 106 min) - A satisfactory 6! An episodic romance drama weepy and adaptation with a fresh concept but not enough depth. Like: Going the Distance
OUTSIDE THE LAW (16V, 135 min) - A solid 7! Terrific performances, epic Coppola-inspired film-make this historical action crime-drama gripping. Like: Days of Glory
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3 (16, 86 min) - A satisfactory 6! A creepy low budget horror sequel that holds up for fans of the series despite some rehashed scares. Like: Paranormal Activity
PLATTELAND (13LV, 120 min) - An Afrikaans country musical backed by some of South Africa's biggest Afrikaans music sensations. Like: Liefling
PUSS IN BOOTS [2D/3D] (PG, 90 min) - A solid 7! A lightweight yet highly entertaining Shrek spin-off, bristling with charm, wit and captivating visuals. Like: Shrek 2
REAL STEEL (13MV, 127 min) - A satisfactory 6! A hugely entertaining, crowd-pleasing underdog fighter story with charming performances and too many product placements. Like: The Iron Giant
SEEKING JUSTICE (16LV, 104 min) - A flat 5! A second-rate Nic Cage in an ambitious, well-paced, yet middling revenge thriller that eventually unravels. Like: Death Wish
SHARK NIGHT [3D] - A flimsy 4! A string of mediocre deaths, carried by second-rate effects and diluted performances. Like: Cruel Jaws
SKEEM (16DLV, 93 min) - A satisfactory 6! A lively and fun SA crime-comedy caper with one too many swaps and too many unlikable characters. Like: Next Day Air
SHANGHAI (16DLV, 105 min) - A satisfactory 6! A solid cast and good production values bolster this '40s period piece espionage noir with dabs of mystery and romance. Like: The Constant Gardener
SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS (13MV, 129 min) - A flat 5! More of the same, just diluted with a subdued Downey Jr. and a slapdash sequel from Ritchie. Not as good as first one. Like: Sherlock Holmes
SKIN I LIVE IN, THE (18NSVD, 120 min) - A solid 7! A multi-genre art house body horror thriller, unpredictable and guaranteed to make your skin crawl. Like: Splice
SMURFS, THE [3D] (PG, 102 min) - A flimsy 4! This light-hearted cookie-cutter animated feature lacks Peyo's spirit, a comedy script and borrows from better films. Like: Alvin & The Chipmunks
THING, THE (18LV, 102 min) - A flat 5! An average and slick horror movie with some good scares, a disappointment in contrast with Carpenter's original. Like: The Thing (1981)
TOWER HEIST (13ML, 104 min) - A satisfactory 6! An entertaining, crowd-pleaser of an action-comedy caper with plenty of star power and laughs. Like: Paul Blart: Mall Cop
TRESPASS (16LV, 91 min) - A flimsy 4! A trashy, nasty and messy paint-by-numbers home invasion thriller that bombs after 20 minutes, despite name co-leads. Like: The House Next Door
TWILIGHT: BREAKING DAWN - PART 1 (13SV, 115 min) - A flimsy 4! A little eye candy, otherwise sluggish, cheesy and only for fans of the series. Like: Twilight - New Moon
UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING [2D/3D] - A 90 minute action meltdown with Kate Beckinsale. Like: Resident Evil: Afterlife
WE BOUGHT A ZOO (10ML, 121 min) - A solid 7! A sentimental, crowd-pleasing and moving family film anchored by Matt Damon's performance. Like: Marley & Me
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN (16LVS, 113 min) - An excellent 8! A chilling, harrowing and heartbreaking blend of horror and drama, shaped by top performances. Like: Beautiful Boy
Home now showing 
SPLING MOVIES © 2010. All rights reserved. www.spling.co.za