Trance is sure to excite viewers but it gets a little confusing at times. Source: Supplied
MOVIE expert Leigh Paatsch tells you what's worth watching in the cinema this week.
> ADVENTURES IN ZAMBEZIA (G) Flawed of the wings, South Africa, 96 min
Average animated adventure best enjoyed by very small children. P'raps pre-schoolers who ain't that picky. Story tracks an ambitious young falcon who ventures to the city of Zambezia, a bustling metropolis of birds that is home to a legendary band of daredevil flyers. A nice morning out at the cinema for toddlers, but that's about it. Featuring the voices of Leonard Nimoy, Abigail Breslin, Samuel L. Jackson. Rating: 2/5
> THE CROODS (PG) A good time at the dawn of time, US, 98 min
This cleverly constructed cartoon adventure is the clear top pick of the holiday new releases across all age groups, even if it seems like it's just an Ice Age with humans replacing animals. Nicolas Cage gives voice to the head of a caveman family forced to look for a new home as the world's land mass divides into continents. It is easy to tell when a voice cast is enthused by the 'toon they're working on, and their positive vibes continually give the film a lift. Better still, the story is surprisingly involving, and the quality of animation is stunning (particularly in 3D). Co-stars the voices of Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds. Rating: 3/5
> ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH (PG) Let us outta here!, US, 88 min
Sci-fi becomes why-even-try? in this messy, noisy and mediocre animated adventure for children. Brendan Fraser is the voice of a most annoying alien superhero who finds himself trapped in our backwards corner of the galaxy. The strobing visuals will bring on a headache (a lethargic voice cast sound as if they already have one) and redeeming qualities to the tale will remain a mystery. Rating: 1.5/5
> G.I. JOE : RETALIATION (M) This revenge a dish best served elsewhere, US, 110 min
Same-ish, lame-ish sequel to 2009's inexplicable action hit G.I. Joe : Rise of the Cobra. Channing Tatum (Magic Mike) is the marquee draw, but he's MIA for much of the picture. The literal grunt work is handled by Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis and a cavalcade of no-namers. Story? You're expecting one? OK. The US Prez has gone rogue and ordered a hit on his own G.I. Joe fighting force. They lash back by going rogue themselves. Out comes the ammo. Stuff explodes. More ammo. Baddies die. The End. We hope. Rating: 1.5/5
> A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD (M) A franchise looking battered and Bruced, US, 97 min
Let us never forget the first two Die Hard movies were ripping, gripping pulp entertainment. That was over two decades ago.. Now here's Die Hard 5, which is as hazily forgettable as 3 and 4. Most will file it away for future trivia quizzes as "the one where John McClane goes to Moscow." John has an estranged son called Jack (Jai Courtney) who is in trouble in Russia. John goes over to save Jack. But Jack doesn't need saving, as he's really working undercover for the CIA. So begins a medium-paced merry-go-round of blam-blam-blam and blah-blah-blah, which includes a single double-cross twist that is too easy to pick, and several dodgy Russian accents that are too hard to stomach. An sub-par action affair, suitable only for die-hard Die Hard-ists looking to collect the set. Rating: 2/5
> THE HOST (M) They came from outer space. And we watched without a clue., US, 125 min
From Twilight author Stephenie Meyer, a slo-mo collision between a slab of second-rate sci-fi, and a swoony, loony soap opera. Aliens have taken over the world of the future, and made it perfect. No war, No hunger. No disease. The catch? They've also taken over our bodies. Only a few "real" humans are left. Melanie (Saoirse Ronan) used to be part of the resistance. But now she's trapped inside her own brain - we hear from her via corny voice-overs - while an alien named Wanda (Ronan again) now owns the arms, the legs and the rest. There are scores of tedious and embarrassing scenes where Ronan is reduced to arguing with herself for our entertainment pleasure. As for a lover's triangle that later transpires, let's just say maybe Bella, Edward and Jacob weren't that bad after all. Rating: 1.5/5
> IDENTITY THIEF (MA15+) Taken, not stirred, US, 111 min
Here's what happens when a terrible movie lands itself a terrific cast. The residual goodwill that stars Jason Bateman (Horrible Bosses) and Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) enjoy with audiences exerts a strong gravitational pull in Identity Thief. Your head keeps telling you to hit the exits, but your heart says stick around, this just might get good any minute now. It does not. Bateman plays Sandy, an accountant whose life is ruined when his particulars are swiped by McCarthy's credit-card fraudster Diana. In the road-trip caper to follow, Sandy (constantly drawing heat for his girly name) and Diana (constantly drawing heat for her girthy frame) predictably become the best of friendly enemies. Rating: 2/5
> JACK THE GIANT SLAYER (M) See, sigh, so glum, US, 114 min
As far as fairy tale action blockbusters go, Jack the Giant Slayer is no match for 2012's under-rated Snow White and the Huntsman. However, this dour, stony-faced re-telling of Jack and the Beanstalk is five times better than that awful Hansel & Gretel : Witch Hunters. Nicholas Hoult stars as a noble peasant who sells his horse for a bag of magic beans. The beans open a portal to a land above the clouds, where marauding giants are holding a fair princess captive. The film is involving enough in that you do care about what becomes of Jack and the princess. However, the screenplay does have a habit of freezing on the spot when there are no epic battles in the offing. A little warm humour would have gone a long way here. Co-stars Eleanor Tomlinson, Ewan McGregor. Rating: 2.5/5
> JURASSIC PARK 3D (M) Still pleased to eat you, US, 125 min
20 years on, Steven Spielberg's pulpy adventure classic - newly remastered into 3D - still delivers the goods on the big screen, even if the special effects are a little analog for the digital age. If you’re a soccer fan, the plot runs as follows : the dinosaurs lead at the break, but the humans triumph on penalties in extra time. Stars Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern. Rating: 3.5/5
> MEA MAXIMA CULPA : SILENCE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD (M) A suffering no longer silenced, US, 105 min
This provocatively maddening, saddening documentary examines a seeming epidemic of pedophilic behaviour among priests of the Catholic Church. Though extensively covered in the media in recent years, the complexities of this tragic topic have proven difficult to understand. Award-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney (Enron : The Smartest Guys in the Room) has achieved a clear, accessible perspective on the situation. Not only through meticulous research. But also by revisiting a long-forgotten case at a school for the deaf that may have played a crucial part in shifting the Catholic Church's once-immovable stance. The four ex-students that participate in the doco (through sign language and voiceovers from actors such as Ethan Hawke and Chris Cooper) never totally give in to the aftershocks of the abuse they suffered. Viewers of all faiths will draw great inspiration from the resilience and true humanity shown here. Sadly, very little humanity is to be found in the higher reaches of the Catholic Church, going on the compelling evidence presented. Rating: 4.5/5
> OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL (PG) Just enough magic to get by, US, 129 min
Did the world really need a fresh take on the origin story of the fella that became the Wonderful Wizard of Oz? Never mind. The target audience of Oz the Great and Powerful - non-discerning cineastes aged 10 and under - will still be happy enough with this prequel to one of the great children's movies of all-time. James Franco stars as Oscar Diggs, a dodgy travelling magician propelled by prairie tornado to the fabled land of Oz. Upon arrival, our hero gets an up-close look at a power struggle between witches wicked and good. While there is many a dull spot, director Sam Raimi knows exactly when a lively diversion is needed. Co-stars Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams. Rating: 3/5
> PERFORMANCE (M) Playing to (im)perfection, US, 105 min
Impeccably acted drama set in the world of contemporary classical music. On the eve of their 25th season together, a world-renowned string quartets is on the brink of falling apart. A key member has been diagnosed with the early stages of Parkinson's Disease. Two married players are heading towards divorce. A film that gets so many of the *the little things* right, particularly the fragile inter-personal dynamic that powers the most creative musical ensembles. The cast is flawless, with Philip Seymour Hoffman and Catherine Keener holding everything together as the couple crumbling to bits. Christopher Walken is also remarkable here, possibly playing his first *normal* character in many moons. Rating: 3.5/5
> RETURN TO NIM'S ISLAND (G) Declaration of Bindi-pendence, Australia, 89 min
Wispy, near-non-event sequel to the 2008 children's hit Nim's Island. Abigail Breslin has vacated the title role, and Jodie Foster is nowhere to be seen. Your replacements here are the noted thespian Dame Bindith Irwin in her motion picture debut, and the bloke who played Shaggy in the Scooby-Doo movies (Matthew Lillard). Your time to be justifiably underwhelmed starts ... now. Bindi doesn't do too badly in the title role, which largely has her pointing and smiling at exotic critters while poachers hover in the distance. If you can't get the kids to a zoo any time soon, this might do the trick. Rating: 2/5
> RUST AND BONE (MA15+) Opposites attract on the right track, France, 123 min
An intense romantic melodrama, neither afraid to wear its heart out on its sleeve, nor belt you one upsides the head with its forearm. The great Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose) plays Stephanie, a trainer of marine animals at a theme park who must find a way to rebound from a terrible workplace injury. Therapy happens along in the unlikely form of Alain (Matthias Schoenaerts), a brawny bare-knuckle fighter struggling to raise a young son alone. Stephanie knew of Alain before her accident. Getting to know Alain and getting her head around his curious mix of confidence and desperation allows the real healing process for Stephanie to begin. The movie's wild mood swings - tender one minute, terrifying the next - will not endear itself to all. However, it is the unpredictable nature of its two fascinating lead characters that ultimately makes this such an affecting experience. 3.5/5
> SLEEPWALK WITH ME (M) Counting down the daze until he's funny, US, 81 min
Quirkily endearing American indie affair. Mike Birbiglia plays an aspiring stand-up comedian who won't sit down and commit to his long-time girlfriend (Lauren Ambrose). Adapting from his own book and stage show, Birbiglia proves himself a shrewd observer of the hipster condition, where even the biggest dorks will move heaven and earth to remain cool in their own mind. In spite of the short running time, the movie does struggle to grind out an ending. Nevertheless, like-minded viewers will be happy enough just cruising along in the jaded jet-stream of Birbiglia's hapless hero. And yes, he's a sleepwalker if you're wondering about the title. Co-stars Carol Kane, James Rebhorn. Rating: 3/5
> TRANCE (MA15+) Total recoil from total recall, US, 111 min
There is an enduring mystery at the core of a beguiling and bewildering new thriller from filmmaker Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire). Like Leonardo DiCaprio and those dreams-inside-dreams in Inception, the lead character of Trance stands marooned at a psychological crossroads. Is Simon (James McAvoy) forgetting to remember? Or remembering to forget? When a priceless painting in his keeping goes missing and Simon cannot recall its whereabouts, the amnesiac art dealer is sent to a hypnotherapist (Rosario Dawson) for assistance. As hypnosis is all about plugging into the power of verbal suggestion, Boyle's job as director is to somehow alternate the current so that the verbal becomes visual. Some sequences in Trance achieve this task brilliantly. Other sections - particularly in a very convoluted final act - pose challenges to the viewer that will push some to the brink of outright frustration. By all means, expect to be entertained and excited, but don't be too surprised if you are often exasperated as well. Rating: 3.5/5
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