Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013)

Flint gets a chance to work for his dream company but soon finds himself retrieving one of his old machines that has started producing animal food mutations. Great animation and characters including a killer cheeseburger. Great 3D.
6.5/10

Django Unchained (2013)

Quentin Tarintino continues his genre re-sculpting, this time settling on a Spaghetti Western. A German bounty hunter sets a slave free to embark on a search for his missing wife. The chase leads to a plantation in Mississippi where Django unleashes some bloody vengeance. Although rated by most people I found this a little too confused, mixing over the top stylized genre elements together. Comedy mixes with elements of 70s blacksploitation. Its fun don't get me wrong and the film doesn't take itself too seriously, however overall it wasn't convincing enough and with a running time of over 2.5 hours, was far too long! Not really for me this one!
5.5/10

The Stepfather (2009)

Returning home from military school Michael becomes suspicious of his mothers new boyfriend. Beyond his perfect 'handy man' exterior lies an obsessive serial murderer. Although perfectly watchable and well put together this new school thriller falls a little short of making a real impact or doing anything out the box. Nothing bad here just a little too plain.
5/10

Prometheus (2012)

A team of space explorers travel to the corners of the Universe to discover the god like engineers who created the human race. However once there they discover an alien threat that will potentially destroy it. The precursor to 'Alien' and directed by Ridley Scott this is a stunning watch although a little slow in places. Awesome 'Gieger' visuals and 3D work keep the interest high although the plot is all very matter of fact. Sets up a sequal nicely.
6.5/10

Heartless (2009)

Written and directed by Philip Ridley, this dark fantasy tells the story of Jamie Morgan played by Jim Sturgess, who has a big heart shaped birthmark on his face. As he starts to see demons walking the streets of East London Jamie makes a pact with the devil to remove the birthmark. All he has to do is add to the chaos on the streets. Genuinely original, Heartless portrays gripping emotion and fear which always keeps you guessing whether the demons are real or all in Jamie's head. A bit loose in places but its originality outshines this by a mile.
7/10

The Iceman (2013)

With a great authentic 70s vibe 'The Iceman' tells the tale of Richard Kuklinski, who when finally arrested in the 80's was responsible for over 100 killings. Renowned as a loyal family man his family and wife were completely unaware of his profession as one of the best hitmen in America when arrested. Adapted from the popular book the film doesn't stray from a fairly basic tried and tested formula. However, Michael Shannon's cold and menacing petrayal of Kuklinski is exceptional and totally gripping.
7/10

Avatar (2009)

Directed by James Cameron and with a production crew that must run into thousands, Avatar cost a small fortune to produce with its exceptional CGI and 3D. Telling the story of a paraplegic marine who replaces his recently deceased brother on a mission to infiltrate a tribe who live off the forest on the planet Pandora. With the promise of spine surgery if he convinces the locals to move on and let the human race mine the rich land, he  becomes increasingly torn between these two worlds. Beautifully animated and shot with a strong storyline packed full of subtle truths and emotion. A must see with stunning 3D.
8/10

V/H/S (2013)

A gang of locals who seem to love filming their somewhat destructive behaviour break into a house to steal a rare 'found footage' video. They discover a great deal more than just one and the film from then on becomes a 'found footage' anthology. Directed by a host of new directors including Ti West, Adam Wingard,and Joe Swanberg, this anthology definitely isn't boring and predictable. Instead, it has some great ideas and keeps you on your toes. 2 hours of shakey cam does get a bit much at times, but this is a cut above your usual 'found footage' and definitely worth watch.
5.5/10

The Possession (2012)

Directed by Ole Bornedal, produced by Sam Raimi, and featured at Frightfest 2012, this competent supernatural horror tells the tale of a young girl who unleashes an evil spirit from an antique box and suffers a demonic possession. Well paced, good effects but all to predictable. Quite creepy in places but overall lacking in the scares or jump department. Nothing wrong with this but not a classic.
6/10

Inbred (2012)

The basic set up... 4 stereotypical young offenders and their stereotypical key workers spend a weekend in the remote yorkshire town Mortlake. An incident with some of the stereotypical locals kick starts a deranged blood drenched nightmare... Fairly humorous film clearly influenced by Texas Chainsaw, Straw Dogs, but more importantly League of Gentlemen. Some great effects must have made this a fairly mindless festival favourite! Nothing majorly out the box plot wise with basic scripts and basic characters. Overall though some funny moments and some good jumps make this a fairly reasonably enjoyable horror.
5.5/10

The Nanny (1965)

Another Hammer favourite starring Wendy Craig and Bette Davis. The set up is simple... Young Joey is returning home after a 2 year stint in special school after the death of his younger sister. His hatred for the families Nanny played by Davis is evident for all to see, questioning her involvement in the daughters death an indeed her sanity! Due to its age the dialogue and acting can be hammy in places, but overall its an enjoyable watch with a fairly straight forward plot. Good black & white no frills thriller in my opinion.
4/10

Quatermass & The Pit (1967)

The third and final story of Quatermass by writer Nigel Kneale and directed by Roy Ward Baker. A Hammer favourite telling the story of an excavation in a London underground tube station that discovers primitive skeletal remains alongside what appears to be an unexploded World War ll missile. Scientists and the army clash as to what it actually is, with the scientists leaning more towards extra terrestrial visitors rather than German warefare. Forgiving some effects due to its age, this is still a great film. Creepy and unsettling in places, but ultimately thought provoking and totally original.
6/10

Seige Of The Dead (2010)

Pacey yet short german zombie film that focuses on a guy returning to his ex girlfriends to return her flat keys. All too quickly finding himself in the middle of a zombie apocolypse Michael sets about looking for his ex lover Gabbi who he obviously still has feelings for even though hes been given the push... With some good zombie effects and some half decent black comedy this clearly parades itself as a cut above your average zombie fare. My main problem lies with the films running time. A little short at 62 minutes, meaning your straight in on the action, but showing less time to really bond with the characters or really get to know any story as to why the zombie horde has occured. Some minor plot floors in places and fast running zombies let it down for me.... Are they infected or they dead? Make your mind up?
5/10

Elevator (2011)

Unrealistic bomb in a lift set up where a lift full of diverse characters realise someones carrying an explosive. With more floors than the tower block theyre stuck in, the plot shortfalls combined with at times a laughable dialogue doesn't help to create any real tension. If I honest I get the impression the film's trying to say something a little deeper than the simple straight forward plot. What that is... I'm not sure.
3/10

The Wicker Man (1973)

Now cult classic starring Christopher Lee and Edward Woodward. Written by the late Anthony Shaffer and directed by Robin Hardy on a shoe string budget. A missing girl prompts a police sergeant to investigate her whereabouts on a secluded Scottish island. However, as the locals deny her existence the deeply religious police sergeant is exposed to the islands deep and somewhat disturbing Pagan beliefs and rituals. Questioning religion, Christianity and demonstrating actual Pagan practises for the first time, this is a really interesting and original film. With a history that has seen it heavily cut, lack cinema distribution and the eventual loss of the original print its definatley shrowded in mystery. With an almost musical quality, this early british thriller/horror is definatly worth a watch.
7/10

Possession (1981)

Surrouded by a desperate and hysterical feeling of being watched and set in early 80s Berlin where the divisions of the Belin wall are a constant and significant presence, Mark returns home from a prelonged period of work to his wife Anna and son Bob. However things between them have changed as Anna has been unfaithful and Ben embarks on an agonising journey to discover who or what Annas new love is. Intensly hysterical, yet layered with horror and sometimes humour 'Possession' on the ground level documents the destruction and colaypse of a relationship. Dig deeper and it portrays the slow metamorphisis of all the characters involved and maybe our ability to create something from our desires that comforts us when were at our loneliest?? Directed by Andrzej Zulawski and with devasting performances by Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill this ranks highly as one of my favourite horrors of all time. Amazing settings, an exeptional soundtrack, beautiful camera work and thought prevoking with every watch, this once deemed 'video nasty' packs a punch of genuine intensity. Simply a must watch...
10/10