TOY STORY 3

Animated adventure

PRINCIPAL VOICES
John Morris: 17-year-old Andy
Laurie Metcalf: his mom
Tom Hanks: Woody the Cowboy
Tim Allen: Spaceman Buzz Lightyear
Joan Cusack: Jessie the Cowgirl
Don Rickles: Mr. Potato Head
Estelle Harris: Mrs. Potato Head
Jodi Benson: Barbie doll
Wallace Shawn: Rex the Dinosaur
Blake Clark: Slinky Dog
John Ratzenberger: Hamm the Piggybank
Ned Beatty: Lots-o-Huggin’ Bear aka “Lotso”
Michael Keaton: Ken
Teddy Newton: Chatter Telephone
Emily Hahn: Bonnie
Timothy Dalton: Mr. Pricklepants
Kristen Schaal: Trixie the girl Dinosaur

REVIEW
Although less witty than the first two installments and without the double entendre for “adults only” it more than makes up for these shortcomings with a more interesting story, one filled with adventure, comedy and romance.

As usual the animation is nothing short of perfection, something we’ve come to expect from Pixar Studios.

One caveat: the garbage collection center sequence may be too scary for some kids but it’s hard to tell for sure in a darken movie theatre: if so, they all seem to have recovered by the time the end credits appeared.

CLASSIFICATION


P.S.
Save yourself some money and don’t bother seeing it in 3-D as there only one or two scenes where it adds anything to the viewing experience and as with all 3-D it suffers from a less brilliant palette than in the traditional format.

SPLICE

Science fiction

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Adrien Brody: genetic researcher Clive Nicoli
Sarah Polley: his associate and girlfriend Elsa Kast
Brandon McGibbon: Clive’s brother lab technician Gavin
David Hewlett: their boss William “Bill” Barlow
Simona Maicanescu: Joan Chorot, head of the pharmaceutical firm
Delphine Chanéac: Dren

REVIEW
This updated “Frankenstein” tale of two scientists working with gene-splicing technology to create new species has a twist: the result of their efforts might have beneficial pharmaceutical implications. But maybe not.

The CGI is pretty seamless and the use of gore to shock is done sparingly although there are moments when turning the head aside seems the best course of action, certainly for the squeamish like me.

The acting is fine and the leads do a credible job of being “a almost married couple”. Certainly not for everyone, but those who are into this sort of thing will find it mildly entertaining.

CLASSIFICATION
for disturbing elements including strong sexuality, nudity, sci-fi violence and language.

PRINCE OF PERSIA

Action/adventure

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Ronald Pickup: King Sharaman of Persia
Jake Gyllenhaal: the King’s adopted son Prince Dastan
Richard Coyle: the King’s eldest son and heir Prince Tus
Tony Kebbell: the King’s second son Prince Garsiv
Ben Kingsley: Nizam, the King’s brother and most trusted adviser
Gemma Arterton: Princess Tamina
Alfred Molina: Sheik Amar, an ostrich race promoter

REVIEW
This big-budget fantasy adventure is an action-oriented romp through ancient lands. There's never a dull moment despite the fact a lot of what transpires makes little sense. Trying to keep track of the good-guys and bad-guys takes some effort as does the time-travel aspect from the mystical dagger.

What with all the running around and fighting, acting really takes a back seat amidst all the special effects. It is a moderately entertaining time out from reality although the target audience of young teens would certainly disagree.

CLASSIFICATION
for intense sequences of violence and action.

GET HIM TO THE GREEK

Comedy

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Russell Brand: rock star Aldous Snow
Rose Byrne: his girlfriend Jackie Q
Jonah Hill: Aaron Green, employee of a record company
Elisabeth Moss: Aaron’s live-in girlfriend medical intern Daphne Binks
Sean “Diddy” Combs: Sergio Roma, executive with Pinnacle Records
and others no doubt

REVIEW
Raunchy comedy is not for everyone: characterised by its sex-oriented theme and reliance upon the frequent use of the f-word instead of intelligent dialogue it is replete with lots of partying, drinking and doing drugs.

The “humour” includes explicit reference to certain body parts, projectile vomiting, lots of carnage and mayhem, various sex acts, speeding cars and fast women. In a word, anything that might provoke some mirth from the target audience.

I could not wait to walk out.

CLASSIFICATION
for strong sexual content and drug use throughout, and pervasive language.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY
While laying in bed Daphne’s ID card changes position between shots despite the fact she remains on her back with her arms at her side. It does the same thing when she and Aaron are having a coffee in the hospital’s cafeteria.

BABIES

Documentary

STARRING
Ponijao, the Namibian baby girl
Mari, the baby girl living in Tokyo
Bayar, the Mongolian baby boy
Hattie, the baby girl living in San Francisco

REVIEW
A most unusual documentary in that there is no narration, no story line and very little music. As such we are left to make our own observations, to draw our own conclusions, to see things from our personal perspective.

The four newborn babies followed through their first year of life were obviously chosen to get a cross-section of humanity in two widely different socio-economic strata and being born into completely different ways of life.

The antics of babies being babies often provoke smiles and sometimes real laughs. It brings to mind how much we all have in common, despite being born to different parents and raised in different cultures.

CLASSIFICATION
for cultural and maternal infant nudity throughout.

HARRY BROWN

Crime thriller

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Michael Caine: 70-something-year-old Harry Brown
David Bradley: his best friend and chess partner Leonard Attwell
Liam Cunningham: pub owner Sid
Emily Mortimer: Police Detective Inspector Alice Frampton
Charlie Creed-Miles: Police Detective Sergeant Terry Hicock
Ben Drew: gang member Noel Winters
Iain Glen: Police Superintendent Childs

REVIEW
The brutal violence associated with crime pervades the film and the gritty setting in a London housing project serves as a focal point. A couple of times there is a palpable feeling of menace as Harry sets about to take matters in his own hands. It is not always pretty but definitely riveting.

CLASSIFICATION
for strong violence and language throughout, drug use and sexual content.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY
When in Harry’s apartment D.I. Frampton asks D.S. Hicock “to get Mr. Atwell a glass of water”. That was a mistake; she should have said a glass of water for Mr. Brown.

THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES

Murder mystery
In Spanish with English subtitles
Original title El secreto de sus ojos

F.Y.I.
In Argentina judges act like District Attorneys investigating cases and indicting suspects.

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Ricardo Darin: recently retired criminal court investigator Benjamín Espósito
Guillermo Francella: his assistant Pablo Sandoval
Soledad Villarnil: their new boss Department Chief Irene Menéndez-Hastings
Pablo Rago: bank employee Ricardo Morales
Javier Godino: Isidoro Gómez, “a person of interest”

REVIEW
The movie title comes from Benjamin’s contention that one can read guilt in a glance or a stare as he sets about to take another look at a twenty-five year old criminal case. This well acted “who-dun-it” provides clues bit by bit leaving the viewer the opportunity to figure things out as they do.

The rather languorous pace provides adequate time for character development but results in a run time in excess of 2 hours.

There are some funny moments but some of the scenes can be shocking.

CLASSIFICATION
for a rape scene, violent images, some graphic nudity and language.

P.S.
The film won an Oscar at the 82nd Academy Awards for the Best Foreign Language Film.