Harrow Observer - Lifestyle - Film Reviews

The Dictator

Harrow Observer — Tue, 22 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Sacha Baron Cohen atones for the sins of Bruno with this gleefully bad taste fish-out-of-water comedy, which kicks sand in the eye of political correctness. We’re in a perpetual state of discomfort during The Dictator, unsure where the scriptwriters might venture next for uneasy laughs.

Dark Shadows

Harrow Observer — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

The Quixotic director Tim Burton sealed his creative marriage to Johnny Depp more 20 years ago with the brilliantly dark and twisted fairytale Edward Scissorhands.

American Pie: The Reunion

Harrow Observer — Wed, 09 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

There is a moment in the fourth and hopefully final slice of the American Pie series when lovable Jim Levenstein (Jason Biggs) loses his patience with sex-obsessed man-child Stifler (Seann William Scott) and laments: “You’re so trapped in the past."

Avengers Assemble

Harrow Observer — Wed, 02 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

mORE is less in Avengers Assemble, the special effects-laden amalgamation of four Marvel Comics franchises. Bringing together characters from Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Incredible Hulk, Joss Whedon’s frenetic romp deftly knits together plot strands from the earlier films, threaded with tongue-in-cheek humour.

Salmon fishing in The Yemen

Harrow Observer — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:00:00 GMT

A socially awkward fisheries expert reels in a spirited soul-mate in Lasse Hallstrom’s unabashedly feel-good confection, based on the novel by Paul Torday. Directed with a light touch, Salmon Fishing In The Yemen wrings every last drop of sentiment out of its slender premise, proving that polar opposites attract – especially if it leads to a traditional happy ending.

Battleship: A hit and miss

Harrow Observer — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 23:00:00 GMT

BATTLESHIP, the children’s board game of naval warfare, is brilliantly simple: hunt and sink your opponent’s ships of varying classes within a 10x10 grid.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Harrow Observer — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Be CAREFUL who you trust.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Harrow Observer — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Be CAREFUL who you trust.

21 Jump Street - a testosterone-fuelled hoot

Harrow Observer — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:00:18 GMT

Two bungling cops are sent deep undercover to expose a high school drugs ring in Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s deliciously foul-mouthed buddy movie that rides roughshod over political correctness.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Harrow Observer — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

All’s fair in love and war for two US government spies with their hearts set on the same woman in an action-packed comedy from director McG. Scripted by Simon Kinberg and Timothy Dowling, this hare-brained buddy movie delivers slam-bang thrills and a few sparkling one-liners as rivalry between the two elite operatives escalates out of control, resulting in amusing abuses of CIA resources.

Harrow amateur filmmakers vie for spot in final of 60s movie contest

Harrow Observer — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

CINEMA-mad former Stanmore College classmates produced bite-size versions of Hollywood blockbusters in the hope of winning a coveted prize for one-minute films.

The Descendants

Harrow Observer — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:02:00 GMT

Shailene Woodley plays George Clooney’s troubled older daughter in The Descendants, from acclaimed filmmaker Alexander Payne.

Film Review: 50/50

Harrow Observer — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:30:00 GMT

Laughter is the best medicine for a 20-something man coming to terms with a rare form of cancer in Jonathan Levine’s heartfelt comedy.

Film Review: Diary Of A Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules

Harrow Observer — Wed, 25 May 2011 23:00:00 GMT

This sequel is actually better than its lacklustre predecessor, but it's still a fairly forgettable kids' film, writes Damon Smith

True Grit (15)

Harrow Observer — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT

JOHN Wayne won the Oscar - from his only nomination - as hard-drinking gunslinger Rooster Cogburn in Henry Hathaway's 1969 version of True Grit, adapted from the novel by Charles Portis.

Tangled (PG)

Harrow Observer — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT

BLONDES certainly have more fun in Disney's glorious animated reworking of the Rapunzel fairytale that marries a hilarious script with dazzling and colourful visuals.

Morning Glory

Harrow Observer — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Ford and Keaton show their young peers how it is done in this hilarious comedy, writes DAMON SMITH

Black Swan

Harrow Observer — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Natalie Portman's award-winning turn as a ballerina could also bag her an Oscar, writes DAMON SMITH

Gulliver's Travels

Harrow Observer — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Jack Black is the man with a big heart in this big screen 'adaptation', writes MARK LUNDRIGAN

The chronicles of Narnia: The voyage of the Dawn Treader

Harrow Observer — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT

THERE'S action and adventure ahoy in the third book of CS Lewis's enchanting Narnia series, published in the 1950s.