The Conjuring (2013)

An evil spirit latches onto a young family and its up to a pair to Ghost Hunters to try and save their lives...

When the Perron family move into their new home with their five daughters, they have no idea of the history which comes with the house. Soon they are being terrorized by an evil spirit and they have no option but to turn to a pair of professional Ghost Hunters. The Warrens, are recognized by the Catholic Church for their skills in finding and removing evil, but even they have trouble in coming to terms with what is inside the Perron house. If they can keep control over their own emotions they may be able to stop the presence which seeks to destroy both their and the Perron families, lives.

In what seems to be a glut of "based on true events films", Malaysian director James Wan (He of "Saw" and "Insidious" fame), brings us the next film which is meant to make us cling to our seats and watch the screen through our cool drink bottles as he tries to scare us. In this he does quite a decent job as the movie certainly will make you jump a few times, and even elicited the odd screech of fright from the audience. On the back of that, it does drag in places, and is a little predictable, but all in all is a quite good film.

Vera Farminga and Patrick Wilson play "Ed" and "Lorraine Warren", she a psychic and he a demonologist, who go around college campuses discussing their "trade" with whoever will listen.  Both give decent performances, but you come away from the film, not really convinced by their characters. Some of her "experiences" are far from believable, but the couple does keep the film chugging along.

Lili Taylor, spends most of her time on TV screens, in the likes of "Hemlock Grove" and "Blood Ties", but makes a good step onto the big screen as "Carolyn Perron". Her transformation from courageous home maker and mother to five daughters, into possessed maniac with a blood lust for killing children is impressive. She may well have found her niche in horror and should be interesting to see how her next few showings pan out. Ron Livingston completes his seventh project for 2013 with his role as "Roger", but never really brings anything to the party and is almost forgettable in this one.

John Brotherton grows a mustache and gives a very decent performance as "Officer Brad" in this film, reminding me a lot of "Deputy Dewey" out of the "Scream" franchise, and even managed to bring the odd laugh with his antics. It would be interesting to see him in a more serious role next time.

The undoubted star of the show is the young Joey King, whose career continues to go from strength to strength in the role of "Christine".  The fourteen year old, who we saw recently in "White House Down" and "Oz The Great and Powerful" is a true joy to behold in this film, despite having a far smaller part than she deserves. It is hugely encouraging to see a youngster with this much talent and viewers should look forward to each and every project in which she is involved.  A truly inspirational performance in a film which made it hard to do so. Another talent to keep an eye out for is the much younger Kyla Deaver, whose showing as "April" shows she also has a big career ahead of her.

The film is one of those which will make you jump and laugh nervously afterwards, but does not go as far as to truly frighten the audience. As a story it is decent and worthwhile of your time, but for hardened horror fans will be a bit of a joke. For those not too familiar with the genre, it is a good stand alone film and left itself open for possible sequels.

6/10

The Lone Ranger (2013)

The story of a masked man and his Indian companion as they look to find themselves in the early days of the Wild West.

The retelling of the classic tale of the Lone Ranger and his trusted side kick Tonto, all told to a little boy through the ancient memories of the great warrior. When John Reid returns to his small home town of Colby to practice law, little does he know he will be drawn into a web of suspense and intrigue that will make him question everything for which he stands.

Together with his "Magical" steed "Silver" and his trusty companion "Tonto", he will risk life and limb to avenge the murder of his brother and bring down the bloodthirsty gang leader "Butch Cavendish".

Legendary Director Gore Verbinsky, the genius behind the "Pirates of the Caribbean" and most recently "Rango", now turns his attention to a rather more well known story, bringing to the big screen "The Lone Ranger" and his companion "Tonto". He does a fairly decent job on this film; one which could have gone either way with his audience over the age of 35 who remember the classic series.

Johnny Depp does a great job in the role of both the Aged and Youthful, "Tonto", bringing a comedic element to the film which keeps it rolling nicely, with a laugh here and there as the action continues unabated. Once more Depp moves slightly further away from his iconic "Captain Jack Sparrow", but never strays too far from the core character which has elevated his star to the very top of his profession. His portrayal of "Tonto" is enjoyable and he makes the character a lot more fun that one might have expected.

Armie Hammer returns to the big screen for the first time since donning his tights as "Prince Alcott" in "Mirror Mirror", this time taking a far more serious role as "John Reid" and "The Lone Ranger". He gives a decent performance, showing a good amount of versatility which may leave the audience wondering what is next for this talented actor. His vengeful, yet contained portrayal of the much loved law man is worth the admission fee alone, but you do wonder if he could have brought a bit more manliness which the role demanded?

William Fitchner seems to be at the very peak of his career, rolling out one film after the next. Hot on the heels of his showing as "John Carlyle" in Elysium with Jodie Foster and Matt Damon, he plays a far more darker character in the form of the ruthless killer "Butch Cavendish". Fitchner brings style and panache to a difficult character, combining the "Devil May Care" attitude along with the cold and calculating ruthlessness of a career criminal. He truly is the highlight of the film for me and his sinister portrayal mixes well with the comedy from Depp and Hammer.

British veteran Tom Wilkinson is excellent as "Latham Cole", the ruthless railway company boss, who will stop at nothing to achieve the goals which he has set for his transport conglomerate. Helena Bonham Carter once again gives a great performance as the Madam "Red Harrington", her ivory leg and dark cynicism, always good for a few laughs. Ruth Wilson does well as the love interest "Rebecca Reid" and this should prove a useful step in moving her from a TV career and onto the big time.

The film, as a standalone piece,  is a good bit of cinema, but for those of us who grew up with the original series, it seems to pale slightly.  The action is good, but is fine for all of the family, while the story carries on at a decent pace, but will never really have you on the edge of your seat. The combination of Depp and Hammer is a good one and would be interesting to see again. Worth a watch.

6/10

Kick Ass 2 (2013)

Three years after Kick Ass first jumped onto our screens, he is back and this time looking to join a team....

Crime fighting super hero Kick Ass has now reached high school and decides to take his heroic escapades to the next level, by joining a team.

With the help of a group of like minded crime busters, he goes to work cleaning up the city, but will have to deal with the evil intentions of his Arch nemesis, "Red Mist", who is hell bent on revenge after the slaying of his crime-lord father.

Both sides will form armies and fight to the death as the deranged "Red Mist" does everything in his extensive array of powers to avenge his fathers' demise. A world of change awaits Kick Ass, as he comes to terms with the reality of the dangers involved with the costume he has chosen to wear.

The second in the highly successful series, returns the popular Kick Ass and Hit Girl to our screens, once more trying to rid the worlds of the criminal element. A good attempt to revive the glory of the first smash hit, but one which falls sorely short in entertainment value. The characters have to come to terms with teenage angst and a few more reality checks, which leaves a distinct lack of comedy in this second incantation.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson reprises the role which rocketed him to fame in 2010 giving a decent showing as both "Dave Lizewski" and the inimitable crime fighter "Kick Ass", but there is something missing from the loveable teen of the first film, a darker, more serious side seems to have taken hold of the character and for me, not one for the better.  In his first outing since "Anna Karenina" he gives a good performance, but the character and the way it is written lets him down. Keep an eye on this talented actor and look for him to take on more serious roles in the coming years.

Chloe Grace Moretz first burst into our collective consciousness as "Hit Girl" a foul-mouthed pre-teen, expertly trained by her rather deranged "Big Daddy" to be the ultimate killing machine. We have seen her sparkle in the likes of "Hugo" and "Dark Shadows" since then, showing the acting talent which has already made her a super star, but her high school version of "Hit Girl" is not one that will be long remembered. The role was perfectly suited to an 11 year old girl in 2010, but now as a moody and troubled teen does not hold the same fascination as before. A truly talented actress, but not her best outing as both "Hit Girl" and "Mindie Macreedy"

Christopher Mintz-Plasse is the one shining light in this one; moving from his character of "Red Mist" to the vengeful and power mad, "MotherF*cker". He is hell bent on avenging his father, who was killed by "Kick Ass" with a bazooka. His portrayal of the truly deranged character brings some much needed comic relief to the film, as he appoints himself the worlds' first super villain. His building of a gang of super criminals is entertaining and also a little sick, but makes for a few, much needed high points in the film.

Young Claudia Lee, who makes her big screen debut in this one as the arch high school nemesis of "Hit Girl", does a sterling job as "Brooke" and I think we can expect big things from this talented 17 year old.

Clark Duke, known to the world for his roles in "The Office" and "Robot Chicken", gives a very decent performance as "Marty" as well as the deceptive crime fighter "Battle Guy". His natural comedic talent shines through in this role and adds a lot of much needed substance to this film. Legendary funny man Jim Carrey, returns to the big screen for the first time since "Mr Poppers' Penguins" , with a great, if far too short, showing as "Colonel Stars and Stripes". His borderline lunacy and dedication to the cause are commendable and he is a shining light in a movie which would otherwise have been short of appealing features.

The film fails to deliver in the wake of high expectations, falling a bit flat and is not the finest piece of cinema you will see this year. The established characters are tired and possibly a bit too old in this one. The lack of comedy is noticeable and in places the film is down right depressing. I was expecting something a lot more light hearted and was disappointed.

Not an alltogether bad film, but I was expecting a lot more...

5/10