THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS 
Director: Grant Heslov
Starring: Ewan McGregor, George Clooney, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey
Genre: Comedy, War
Age Restriction: 16L

The Men Who Stare At Goats is quite simply bizarre. Fronted by several leading Hollywood A-list stars and Academy Award contenders, this strange tale seeks to complement its even stranger title with a behind-the-scenes commentary on war. The off-the-wall comedy and first-rate cast help secure your attention as secret laboratories and conspiracy theories run amok, but this war comedy is definitely not for everyone. Wacky dialogue and committed performances may work for Monty Python, but this is in another league of silliness.

THE LAST SONG
Director: Julie Ann Robinson
Starring: Miley Cyrus, Greg Kinnear, Kelly Preston
Genre: Drama, Romance
Age Restriction: PG13

The Last Song is based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, making it comparable with The Notebook, Message in a Bottle, Dear John and A Walk to Remember. However, try as it may... it doesn't measure up to its peers. Miley Cyrus may take the brunt of the blame, delivering a forgettable performance as Ronnie Miller, a young rebellious teen who spends a Summer with a father she's grown to hate. She's still fresh when it comes to feature film, despite a considerable amount of TV acting. The story is typical Sparks and you can't help but wonder how someone like Amanda Bynes would've handled the role. Apart from a miscast lead, the film suffers from the trappings of melodrama and becomes somewhat cheesy and predictable at times.

KICK-ASS
Director: Matthew Vaughan
Starring: Aaron Johnson, Nicolas Cage, Mark Strong
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
Age Restriction: 16LVD

Plain, simple and cheesy, Kick-Ass kicks ass. It's an instant comic book cult hit anda special blend of Watchmen, The Professional, Superbad and Spider-Man. Our primary hero (Johnson) and title character, Dave Lizewski is a Peter Parker knock-off in serious need of anger management. He forms part of the unnoticed high school geek elite, an indistinct, acne-riddled kid... that's until he becomes Kick-Ass - part-time vigilante and defender of the weaker. A stylish and ultra-violent movie about real-life superheroes. Full Review...

EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES
Director: John G. Avildsen
Starring: Harrison Ford, Brendan Fraser, Keri Russell
Genre: Drama
Age Restriction: PG

Extraordinary Measures is a tearjerker. The film creates awareness of Pompe's Disease, a rare genetic disorder that children are born with, which causes death before the age of 10. It's watchable primarily for its co-leads in Ford and Fraser, whose charismatic performances clear the way through all the melodrama. The film is competent, yet bears the emotional baggage that any story about battling corporates and fighting for a child's welfare carries. It's a little too predictable and weepy for some, but if you're up for a good cry... this TV style drama will do.

A SERIOUS MAN  
Director: Ethan & Joel Coen
Starring: Michael Stuhlbarg, Richard Kind, Fred Melamed
Genre: Drama
Age Restriction: 10V

This is a serious film from the Coen brothers, who have interrupted the commercial with this niche indie art film. A Serious Man is brilliant in its artistry, creating a thought-provoking and intricate tapestry from its layered narrative, inspired direction and convincing performances. However, it rides a league above your regular movie goers and makes the experience entertaining, yet tainted by its slightly pretentious disconnection with its audience. Full Review...

THE LOSERS
Director: Sylvain White
Starring: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Zoe Saldana, Chris Evans, Idris Elba
Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Age Restriction: 16LV

If you like your action movies big, loud, funny, stupid and violent - look no further. This action-packed comic adventure features a great cast, witty dialogue and some cracking one-liners. This is the cinema equivalent of junk food, armed with a borderline cheesy script, a nonsensical plot and enough action set pieces to blow your hair back. It makes a great warm-up to The A-Team and it's most redeeming quality - it doesn't take itself too seriously. A fun, forgettable actioner for a guy's night out.

CEMETERY JUNCTION
Director: Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Matthew Goode, Ricky Gervais, Emily Watson
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Age Restriction: 13LVN

Cemetery Junction is a coming-of-age drama about three friends growing up in a small British village in the '70s. The leads are padded with a first-rate cast and the newcomers do a good job of presenting a fresh-faced band of friends facing the daunting task of making something of themselves. The comedy is jarring at times, but the soundtrack, cast's caliber and soundtrack offer enough uplifting moments to make this nostalgic British drama feel good.

WHEN IN ROME  
Director: Mark Steven Johnson
Starring: Kristen Bell, Josh Duhamel
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Age Restriction: PG

When in Rome takes "silly in love" to a whole new level with two charming romantic leads in Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel. The romantic pair are supported by a host of comedic actors including: Dax Shepard, Jon Heder, Will Arnett and Danny Devito, who all play ridiculous characters. The silly predictable script and fantasy realism environment make this bubblegum love story more in tune with a high school fairy tale. It's sweet and there are one or two laughs, but its ultimately one of those love/hate "romcoms". You keep wondering when the Olsen twins are going to show up.

DATE NIGHT
Director: Shawn Levy
Starring: Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Mark Wahlberg, Taraji P. Henson
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Romance
Age Restriction: 13PG L

The one night a week married couples get to do something special will never be the same again... that is of course if you choose to make your date night staying in and watching Date Night. This hilarious comedy crime caper is brought to you by Night at the Museum director, Shawn Levy starring two of Hollywood's most talented comedians, that unashamedly funny Steve Carell and 30 Rock's Tina Fey. Date Night's all about the chemistry, comedy and catastrophe as these suburban “marrieds” take a trip into the city to "spice" things up. A light, funny and charming comedy caper comparable with The Out-of-Towners and The Hangover. Full Review...

NANNY MCPHEE AND THE BIG BANG  
Director: Susanna White
Starring: Emma Thompson, Ewan McGregor, Maggie Gyllenhaal
Genre: Comedy, Family, Fantasy 
Age Restriction: PG

Emma Thompson's lovable Nanny McPhee character returns for yet another fun-filled adventure in this polished sequel. This family movie may be a little corny and over-the-top for some, but features a first-rate cast and makes an overall improvement on the first Nanny McPhee with another superb performance from Thompson.

9
Director: Shane Acker
Starring: Christopher Plummer, Crispin Glover, John C. Reilly
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Age Restriction: 10V

This unconventional animated feature carries a thought-provoking message much like The Matrix and Final Fantasy. The animation is beautiful, crisp and poetic as several hand-stitched dolls representing the various facets of their maker try to make sense of their post-apocalyptic future. The aesthetics and voice cast are the main reason to see 9 as the story is a little stunted and uninviting. 

THE TOURNAMENT  
Director: Scott Mann 
Starring: Ving Rhames, Kelly Hu, Liam Cunningham  
Genre: Action, Thriller  
Age Restriction: 16VLNB

This B-movie quality actioner has an ultimate survivor plot as an assassin's tournament gets underway. Naturally, it's all about action - sporting some intensive fight choreography and wild gun play. There aren't any big name stars in this ensemble, but brutal, violent action and gore supersedes the need for any real acting. The Tournament needed some decent comedy and a couple of cheesy one-liners to offset all the violence, which unfortunately is not on offer.

THE HURT LOCKER 
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Guy Pearce
Genre: Drama, Thriller, War
Age Restriction: 16LV

Edge-of-your-seat, nail-biting tension is a constant in The Hurt Locker. Imagine the sniper scene from Full Metal Jacket was duplicated and re-imagined in several different war scenarios, add time bombs and you've got a match. Brilliant use of hand-held camera reality from Kathryn Bigelow, a powerful message about war and a great lead performance from Jeremy Renner... and it's no wonder this David was able to take down the mighty blockbuster, Avatar to win Best Picture. Full Review...

ARMORED
Director: Nimrod Antal
Starring: Laurence Fishburne, Matt Dillon, Jean Reno
Genre: Crime, Thriller
Age Restriction: 13LV

Cash-in-transit heists have featured in The Italian Job, Heat, The Take and now in Armored, in which a team of security guards stage an inside job. While tense at times and backed by an ensemble of top actors, the film's setting becomes a little stagnant as the premise wears thin and sneaks into b-movie territory. Armored's prime actors aren't utilized enough, while a stronger lead and tighter direction could have made all the difference to this second-rate actioner. 

CLASH OF THE TITANS
Director: Louis Leterrier
Starring: Sam Worthington, Ralph Fiennes, Liam Neeson
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Age Restriction: 13V

Clash of the Titans is a remake of the 1981 original, featuring a solid cast, dazzling CGI and a tried-and-tested director. However, this is not a good hair day for Mount Olympus as Fiennes and Neeson play second fiddle to their beards and Avatar's Sam Worthington plays the lead as a vacuous, wooden take on Maximus. The special effects string together an unimaginative, lack-lustre mythology plot that's more than suitable for video games, but not feature-length entertainment. Full Review...

SHUTTER ISLAND
Director: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Kingsley, Mark Ruffalo
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Age Restriction: 16LV

Leonardo DiCaprio is on the hunt for that elusive Oscar, working alongside big shot directors and delivering some truly great lead performances. Shutter Island is no different as DiCaprio turns in yet another absorbing performance, supported by Ben Kingsley and Mark Ruffalo. This mystery thriller has the trappings of a classic with Scorsese behind camera in an uncharacteristic blend of genres. Shutter Island is gripping, well-acted, beautifully composed and based on a mystery novel by Dennis LeHane, although slightly subdued by parallels with The Shining and a sluggish conclusion. Full Review...

SPREAD 
Director: David Mackenzie
Starring: Ashton Kutcher, Anne Heche
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Age Restriction: 16LNS

Kutcher gears up his acting in this sleazy, LA story. Imagine John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever with sex substituting for dancing. It's a pity that David Duchovny already took the title for Californication, because Spread seems more fit for the title with Kutcher prostituting himself out to any wealthy 35-45 woman willing to take him on as a live-in toy boy. Its superficial slant on the Los Angeles lifestyle is quite becoming and there's very little heart at the core of living the high life, whether you're a successful attorney or a charming, unemployed loafer. Gratuitous sex scenes, cars, apartments and money all roll into one in this coming-of-age drama.

LEAP YEAR 
Director: Anand Tucker
Starring: Amy Adams, Matthew Goode
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Age Restriction: PG

This sweet, affable romantic comedy is charming and backed by two likable up-and-coming Hollywood starlets. The Irish backdrop is beautiful, the Claddagh ring meets Leap Year tradition of women proposing to men premise is quite original. However, Leap Year doesn't give you the heartwarming feeling of a truly classic romantic comedy. The laughs are a little scarce, making this a light, watchable and middling "romcom" for those who enjoyed Maid of Honour.

NINE 
Director: Rob Marshall
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz
Genre: Drama, Musical, Romance
Age Restriction: PG13

Nine is a for lack of a better description, a 'straight' musical. The central director figure, played by Daniel Day-Lewis, fulfills several reflective roles according to each of the leading ladies in his life in this story about a talented, yet indecisive directorial genius. Memoirs of a Geisha director, Rob Marshall, adapts a musical based on Fellini's 8 1/2 with great style and flair, creating a classic Italian look and surreal feel to the musical. A first-rate performance from Day-Lewis and some surprisingly good musical performances from the likes of Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman and Dame Judi Dench make Nine classy, sultry, entertaining and full of verve.

PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL 'PUSH' BY SAPPHIRE
Director: Lee Daniels
Starring: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton
Genre: Drama
Age Restriction: 16LV

Precious tells the depressing, yet inspiring story of an abused teenage girl living in South Central. She's overweight, unwanted and scorned by her abusive mother, taking life in her stride. The adaptation of Push is gritty, yet moving... taking a kitchen sink slice-of-life on a low budget and investing heaps of real emotion and drama. The strength of the performances is what carries this heart-wrenching drama home with an excellent debut performance from Sidibe, a career best from Mo'Nique and a strong turn by Paula Patton.

HACHIKO: A DOG'S STORY 
Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Starring: Richard Gere, Joan Allen
Genre: Drama, Family
Age Restriction: PG

Hachiko: A Dog's Story, like Marley & Me, is one of those heartwarming tearjerker's you just can't help but like. An Akita puppy is lost in transit at a train station in New York and a Professor adopts and raises the prized Japanese dog like a son. Altruistic themes of honour, respect and loyalty breach any excessive sentiment and create a wonderful true story about a dog and his master. Fine performances, inspired direction, beautiful cinematography and sweetness follow in this beautiful tale. The maudlin feel, lilting music and short runtime are no match for the story's overpowering story and style.

REMEMBER ME 
Director: Allen Coulter
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Chris Cooper
Genre: Drama, Romance
Age Restriction: 13LSV

Remember Me is a drama about a James Dean-type character, played by Robert Pattinson. The 21-year-old is undecided about his future, pushing away from his father's cold, corporate climate and trying to find a channel of his own. On his journey he protects his sister, finds himself in jail with a friend, challenges his father and meets Ally, a street smart girl who he just could love. Remember Me's ebb-and-flow works effectively in portraying the life and times of a troubled youth surviving in a bustling New York City, yet manages to undo all the good work in the closing stages with a radical and jarring plot development.

TOOTH FAIRY 
Director: Michael Lembeck
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Ashley Judd
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Family
Age Restriction: A

Dwayne Johnson has made tremendous in-roads in Hollywood with performances ranging from tyrannical in The Scorpion King to lovable in The Game Plan. He's too big to be a supporting character and dominates proceedings once again with a charismatic turn in Tooth Fairy alongside Ashley Judd, Stephen Merchant, Billy Crystal and Julie Andrews. While this high concept fantasy family comedy has the potential for great laughs, it's primarily aimed at kids continually reinventing the muscle man in fairy wings joke... again and again. The formulaic plot and lack-lustre writing make this super lightweight production fun, dumb and sweet at best.

THE BLIND SIDE 
Director: John Lee Hancock
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport
Age Restriction: PG13L

Winning performances from Bullock and Aaron bring this inspiring true American football story to life. The Blind Side is a heartwarming sports drama with sensitive direction and a charming ensemble. Most Hollywood underdog stories follow an all too familiar formula, yet The Blind Side adds that extra clout with a more convincing approach to ultimate glory in the story of Michael Oher. The film steers clear of melodrama with a well-balanced narrative.

DAYBREAKERS 
Director: Peter & Michael Spierig
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller
Age Restriction: 16VL

Daybreakers puts an interesting spin on the genre as a futuristic, post-apocalyptic vampire thriller. The first-rate cast is comprised of Willem Dafoe, Ethan Hawke and Sam Neill, who deliver typical performances. While the Spierig Bros. rely on clean surfaces and cinematography reminiscent of Minority Report and Gattaca. There's even enough gore for horror fans, but Daybreakers is short-lived and everything's toned down by a dull sense of familiarity.

AN EDUCATION 
Director: Lone Scherfig
Starring: Carey Mulligan, Olivia Williams, Alfred Molina
Genre: Drama
Age Restriction: 13

An Education tells the coming-of-age story of a young, impressionable English schoolgirl in the '60s, who dreams of visiting Paris and living life in high style. A charming, would-be suitor arrives on the scene only to accelerate her immersion into the ways of the world. Solid performances from an all-star cast support an excellent lead in Carey Mulligan as a fascinating story unfolds in this British drama.

BROTHERS 
Director: Jim Sheridan
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Tobey Maguire, Natalie Portman
Genre: Drama, Thriller, War
Age Restriction: 16 LV

Brothers is a US remake of Brodre, which tells the story of two brothers: one defending his country in times of war and the other a non-combatant ex-con. When Sam is thought to have been killed in action, Tommy kindles a relationship with Grace, Sam's young grieving wife. Solid performances from the lead trio keep this domestic drama tense and on-edge as a simple love triangle story becomes increasingly complicated.

WHATEVER WORKS 
Director: Woody Allen
Starring: Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Age Restriction: 13

Woody Allen teams up with Curb Your Enthusiasm star and Seinfeld creator, Larry David in his first feature film. Allen gives David some space to carry his infectious brand of comedy into this story about the many incarnations of love in the modern world, as an elderly New York academic forms an unlikely relationship with a Southern runaway. The off-the-cuff comedy will appease Larry David fans, while Woody Allen's broad "take" on Love Actually is quirky, vibrant, unconventional and bolstered by David's presence.

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH 
Director: Rod Lurie
Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Matt Dillon, Angela Bassett
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Age Restriction: 16 LV

Nothing But The Truth features a strong cast, solid performances and intense political drama. The film takes a page from All The President's Men and one from Boston Legal to deliver a compelling, tense and absorbing legal battle between the media and the US government. While Nothing But The Truth is fictitious, it comes across as a chapter from a biography as one woman challenges the government by protecting her inside news source and defends a principle. The film is more suited to those within the US system as the walls of privacy close in, but is thought-provoking and more than satisfactory for an outsider looking in.

LOOKING FOR ERIC
Director: Ken Loach
Starring: Steve Evets, Eric Cantona
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Sport
Age Restriction: 13 LV

While knowing Eric Cantona and having a love for Premier League football will help, it's not a prerequisite for enjoying this gritty little comedy drama by Ken Loach. Eric Bishop's kitchen sink reality clashes with his football idol, Eric Cantona as the two realms overlap and Cantona becomes a mentor in times of trouble. Nuggety performances, a pub culture slice-of-life, an inspiring tale and a few good laughs bring out the best in this charming indie drama, although subtitles are a must.

44 INCH CHEST
Director: Malcolm Venville
Starring: Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Tom Wilkinson
Genre: Crime, Drama
Age Restriction: 16 LV

This somewhat surreal character-driven drama boasts a heavyweight cast as it delves into the depths of adultery avenged with a unique soundtrack. The ambitious concoction focuses in on its characters and scenario like a stage play, but just doesn't have enough of a framework to hang the premise. 44 Inch Chest stars Ray Winstone amongst a range of "friends", who play off as aspects of the lead's psyche as they ratchet up the grunting and filthy language.

THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE 
Director: Rebecca Miller
Starring: Robin Wright Penn, Alan Arkin, Keanu Reeves, Maria Bello
Genre: Drama, Romance
Age Restriction: 16 LS

Robin Wright Penn's solid performance as Pippa Lee keeps the lid down on this intense character-driven and captivating coming-of-age drama about family, love, dysfunction and coming to terms with the past. Wright Penn is ably supported by Arkin and surrounded by an all-star cast in Keanu Reeves, Maria Bello, Julianne Moore, Winona Ryder, Monica Bellucci and Blake Lively. Overall, an entertaining, intelligent yet unfocused suburban drama about one woman's attempt to bridge her many lives.

SHERLOCK HOLMES 
Director: Guy Ritchie
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams
Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Age Restriction: 13 V

Forget the trademark hat and magnifying glass, Robert Downey Jr. is the new Sherlock Holmes. His contemporary performance gives Holmes more edge and grit as he wrestles a plot to cast a gloomy London in eternal damnation, under the political and magical machinations of Lord Blackwood. This new Sherlock Holmes mystery has a similar bent to Harry Potter, yet makes an entertaining, dark and spellbinding story of its own with action-packed Guy Ritchie mayhem and another pivotal performance from Robert Downey Jr. Themes involving the occult may not suit everyone, while Holmes's deductions are almost too amazing to be taken seriously.

BIG FAT IMPORTANT MOVIE
Director: David Zucker
Starring: Leslie Nielsen, Jon Voight, Dennis Hopper
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
Age Restriction: PG13 LV

Formerly known as An American Carol, Big Fat Important Movie is another David Zucker offering with a decent cast. Unfortunately, the master of slapstick and farce misses the mark in this political rendition of A Christmas Carol as jokes plummet left, right and centre. The central character is a Michael Moore spin-off, Michael Malone, who gets approached by terrorists to make a new training video... the production values are good, but the comedy is bitter and falls horribly flat - making the whole comedy aspect a non-event, falling back on a weak fantasy premise.

BANDSLAM
Director: Todd Graff
Starring: Vanessa Hudgens, Alyson Michalka
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Music
Age Restriction: PG

This coming-of-age music drama features a host of new acting talents, composing a winning, feel-good story with lots of heart and plenty of laughs along the way. Fans of School of Rock will recognise the formula, which takes a bunch of regular high school kids on a journey through Rock/Ska music as they form a band to compete in Bandslam. Great chemistry and heart-felt performances lead the way in this light and breezy drama.

CAMILLE 
Director: Gregory Mackenzie
Starring: James Franco, Sienna Miller
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Age Restriction: PG13V

This twisted "honeymoon" road trip story is just bizarre. While original, this imaginative drama gives its audience little or no explanation as to the origins of its magical realism. The effects are inconsistent and to say it's like a cheap, tame and quirky version of David Lynch's Wild at Heart would be generous. Franco and Miller deliver decent performances, given the material, but this is one of those weird, intriguing (and somewhat disturbing) films you'll either love or hate. The film-makers don't give the audience the nod or the wink, leaving you decide if you should be laughing or not.

2012 
Director: Roland Emmerich
Starring: John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Oliver Platt
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Age Restriction: 13L

This larger-than-life disaster popcorn flick from Roland Emmerich features an all-star cast, thrilling visuals and a very similar apocalyptic recipe to The Day After Tomorrow. As usual Emmerich defies science, history and probability to bring us an enthralling, epic and extreme piece of CGI entertainment to claim the disaster blockbuster genre once and for all. 2012 fleshes out an ancient Mayan calendar doomsday prediction from an American perspective, blending CGI visuals with heart-wrenching performances from unlikely heroes, Cusack and Ejiofor. However, its melodrama, over-reliance on CGI, extended runtime and convoluted premise render it popcorn-grade passable.

MOTHERHOOD 
Director: Katherine Dieckmann
Starring: Uma Thurman, Anthony Edwards, Minnie Driver
Genre: Comedy
Age Restriction: 13L

While Uma Thurman's vanity project has potential, it ultimately fails to offer any insight into the time constrained world of a modern day super mom. The scenes are contrived, the comedy is clichéd and the routines are tiresome, which makes you wonder why Motherhood's target audience would actually want to watch themselves as Uma Thurman. This straight-to-video comedy features a fairly decent cast and Uma's comedic charisma, but doesn't warrant the two hours you could have used for some proper me-time.

THE REBOUND 
Director: Bart Freundlich
Starring: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Justin Bartha
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Age Restriction: 13LS

Following in the tradition of Prime, The Proposal and I Could Never Be Your Woman comes The Rebound, an offbeat story about an older woman-younger man relationship. This unconventional romantic comedy is sweet, entertaining and funny as a 25 year old guy falls for a woman, while playing nanny to her kids during a post-divorce mid-life crisis. While it features infrequent bad language and sex, the film manages to keep upbeat, while touching on some deeper heart issues with rock solid performances from Bartha and Zeta-Jones.

ZOMBIELAND 
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg
Genre: Action, Comedy, Horror
Age Restriction: 18V

Zombieland takes a post-apocalyptic trip into the future in a United States overrun with zombies, where two survivors meet up, team up and take a "road trip" to remember. Horror comedy in the same vein as Shaun of the Dead pushes this instant cult classic into overdrive as Harrelson and Eisenberg rack up a stack of zombies and carve their way across the US of A. Solid comedy performances, some hilarious cameos and plenty of pop culture make this “zombedy” fresh, fun and full of dark comedy.

ASTRO BOY
Director: David Bowers
Starring: Freddie Highmore, Nicolas Cage, Kristen Bell
Genre: Animation, Action, Family, Sci-Fi
Age Restriction: A

Astro Boy, a futuristic Pinocchio, takes to the skies in this action-packed family, sci-fi adventure. This animated icon re-emerges in a story, which deals with humanity, politics, sacrifice and family with threads from Iron Man, Monsters vs. Aliens and Robots. This entertaining, blast from the past boasts an a-list voice cast including: Nicolas Cage, Matt Lucas, Donald Sutherland and Freddie Highmore as Astro Boy. Good, clean, lightweight fun for the whole family.

TWILIGHT: NEW MOON
Director: Chris Weitz
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Age Restriction: 10V

This lack-lustre sequel to Twilight forms the second of Stephenie Meyer's series of novel adaptations. While New Moon harnesses solid production values and a good-looking teenage cast, it's undone by a sluggish story, smouldering yet shallow "performances", vague uninspired direction and generally makes a poor transition to the screen. Fans of the Twilight series will love it warts and all, strangers will find the film tedious and dare I say 'boring'... in the same league as The Golden Compass.

(500) DAYS OF SUMMER
Director: Marc Webb
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Age Restriction: 13 PGL

JULIE & JULIA
Director: Nora Ephron
Starring: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams
Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama, Romance
Age Restriction: 13 PGL

PLANET 51
Director: Jorge Blanco, Javier Abad
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel, Justin Long
Genre: Animated, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Sci-Fi
Age Restriction: PG

What if Earthlings were aliens? The flipside of E.T. gets explored in this fun, lightweight animated sci-fi comedy feature. While Planet 51 boasts tip-top visuals, imaginative designs, a solid voice cast and first-rate production values, it fails to truly engage with its story's premise, makes half-baked references and lacks the heart associated with its influences.

SORORITY ROW
Director: Stewart Hendler
Starring: Matt Lanter, Carrie Fisher, Rumer Willis
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Age Restriction: 16VNL

Sorority girl-power flicks (Sydney White, The House Bunny) take a dive into the abyss of the commercial slashers (Prom Night, I Know What You Did Last Summer) as a bunch of girl friends unwittingly become the target of a spate of revenge killings. Loads of blood, plot twists and hedonistic sorority sister parties make up the bulk of this subpar thriller. Unintentionally funny at times, this dark Scream knock-off doesn't have the cast or thrills to make the grade.

COUPLES RETREAT
Director: Peter Billingsley
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman
Genre: Comedy
Age Restriction: 13LS

A fine comedy ensemble stretch the confines of a funny one line plot premise as a bunch of friends take a bittersweet couples vacation together. The weak script lacks the quality material audiences have come to expect from the likes of Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau and Jason Bateman. Apart from some okay buddy-buddy chemistry from the 'Swingers' and one or two chuckles, this Couples Retreat is pointless and predictable with most of the comic surprises ruined by the trailer. Only watchable because you keep thinking it's going to get better.

THE NUTTY PROFESSOR
Director: Logan McPherson, Paul Taylor
Starring: Jerry Lewis, Drake Bell
Genre: Adventure, Animated, Family
Age Restriction: A

This straight-to-DVD family-friendly animated movie features the voice talents of Jerry Lewis and Drake Bell. The clean “just be yourself” theme echoes throughout the story as the grandson of Prof. Julius Kelp gets hold of an elixir that unleashes the boy’s destructive alter-ego. The Nutty Professor’s average animation and predictable story may be great for the kids, but its sluggish pace and lightweight story will tire quickly even at 73 minutes.

LAW ABIDING CITIZEN
Director: F. Gary Gray
Starring: Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
Age Restriction: 16VL

BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE
Director: Chris Nahon
Starring: Gianna Jun, Allison Miller
Genre: Action, Horror, Thriller
Age Restriction: 13 LV

MOON
Director: Duncan Jones
Starring: Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Age Restriction: 13L

Moon is essentially the perfect blend of Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey and Steven Soderbergh's Solaris. This isn't your typical deep space Sci-Fi: there are no alien creatures, abandoned spacecraft or new frontiers... instead you're given a fly-on-the-wall perspective of living conditions on the Moon mining module, where Sam Bell is stationed with an on-board robotic "companion" voiced by Kevin Spacey. Moon commands the eerie feeling of isolation and time-bending ability of 2001: A Space Odyssey and swathes it in the surreal texture of Solaris with a career best performance from Rockwell.

THE DAMNED UNITED
Director: Tom Hooper
Starring: Ryan Day, Oliver Stokes, Colm Meaney
Genre: Drama, Sports, Biography
Age Restriction: 13 L

This biographical football drama follows Brian Clough (Sheen), one of England's most infamous managers, as his managerial success with Derby led him to take up residency at Leeds United for a 44-day reign of fire. The lead performances, historical footage and inspiring buddy story all blend together, making this late '60s/early '70s football saga appealing to non-sports fans too.

EXTREME MOVIE
Director: Adam Jay Epstein, Andrew Jacobson
Starring: Michael Cera, Ryan Pinkston, Matthew Lillard
Genre: Comedy
Age Restriction: 18 LNS

A series of puerile, crass and unfunny sex toy, porn and sex joke vignettes. While Extreme Movie boasts a decent cast, their headline stars only feature momentarily and offer very little to raise the exploits of this infantile parody from out of the gutter. Bad language, nudity, simulated sex scenes and general embarrassment galore. Unfortunately, its 18LNS rating bars the majority of its target audience as it limps in at 75 minutes.

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Christoph Waltz, Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Melanie Laurent
Genre: Drama, Thriller, War
Age Restriction: 16LPV

Quentin Tarantino's recipe: add a handful of spaghetti Westerns and a dash of WW2 comic books and you've got Inglourious Basterds, a fictional account of a special task force destined for Nazi-occupied France, where terror was used as a strategy to cast fear into the hearts of young Nazi soldiers wanting to keep their scalps. This Tarantino show down features a powerhouse performance from Christoph Waltz and blends a taut and exciting hotch-potch of influences to create yet another captivating piece of bloody, awesome Tarantino cinema.

DUMBO
Director: Ben Sharpsteen
Starring: James Baskett, Herman Bing, Billy Bletcher
Genre: Animation, Family, Music
Age Restriction: A

Dumbo is a Walt Disney classic in every respect:  from its fun, lovable characters to the sweet, endearing and innocent story of the elephant that could. This 1941 animated feature is timeless for its touching story about reaching one's true potential and for its Oscar-winning score. While kids will be aware of its old style 2D animation, they won't be able to resist being enthralled by its funny, heartwarming and innocent circus tale. At just over 60 minutes, Dumbo's very rewatchable.

ADAM
Director: Max Mayer
Starring: Hugh Dancy, Rose Byrne
Genre: Drama, Romance, Comedy
Age Restriction: 13PG L

Rain Man gave Dustin Hoffman a platform to shine as some of the mysteries behind autism were given front page attention. Hugh Dancy does the same for Asperger's Syndrome, a condition closely associated with autism. This realistic portrayal is sensitive, tender and sweet as we come to identify with Adam's romantic dilemna. The New York charm and solid lead performances add to this simple, yet sweet love story.

SMART PEOPLE
Director: Noam Murro
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker, Ellen Page, Thomas Haden Church
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Age Restriction: 13PG L

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS
Director: Chris Miller
Starring: Ana Farris, James Caan
Genre: Animation, Family, Comedy, Romance, Fantasy
Age Restriction: PG

PANDORUM
Director: Christian Alvart
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Ben Foster
Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror, Thriller
Age Restriction: 16LV

This “lost in space” psychological thriller features slick visuals, claustrophobic sets and a decent cast, but relies too heavily on influences and themes from better science fiction movies within the genre, like Event Horizon, Resident Evil, Dead Space, 30 Days of Night and Doom.

THE SOLOIST
Director: Joe Wright
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jamie Foxx
Genre: Biography, Music, Drama
Age Restriction: 13L

Steve Lopez (Downey Jr.), an L.A. Times columnist, discovers a modern day Beethoven in Nathaniel Ayers (Foxx), an “eccentric” ex-Julliard student playing a two-string violin on the streets. The Soloist brims with solid lead performances, an inspiring true story, beautiful music and gritty life on the streets of Greater Los Angeles, but is undermined by its swirling narrative.

THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE
Director: Robert Schwentke
Starring: Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Romance
Age Restriction: 13NS

This supernatural romance is bolstered by sincere performances and a fascinating time travel premise, but slips into melodrama too often to surpass the status of “chick flick”. Think Highlander with marital complications and time travel anomalies substituting for swordplay action and the quest for immortality.

THE INFORMANT!
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: Matt Damon
Genre: Drama, Comedy,  Thriller
Age Restriction: 16L

This Week's New Releases: 11 February 2010

THE HUNTING PARTY
Director: Richard Shepard
Starring: Richard Gere, Terrence Howard
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Thriller, Adventure
Age Restriction: 16 LV 

LAST CHANCE HARVEY
Director: Joel Hopkins
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Age Restriction: PG 

I LOVE YOU BETH COOPER
Director: Chris Columbus
Starring: Haydene Panettierre, Samm Levine
Genre: Comedy
Age Restriction: 13LSV 

AUSSIE & TED
Director: Shuki Levy
Starring: Dean Cain, Beverley D'Angelo
Genre: Family, Fantasy
Age Restriction: A