Hysteria (2011)

Hysteria, as in what was believed to be a medical condition affecting women, to be alleviated through... having a doctor touch them right there.

The comedy is based on the idea that it's pretty funny when the prevailing scientific paradigm of the day turns out to be precisely the opposite of what we now know to be true.

Watch for: Jonathan Pryce saying all his lines - the most hilarious of this film - with a perfectly straight face.

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 25 July 2012.

Red Lights (2012)

To commence: a deadly serious and literally deadly battle of wits to unmask, decipher, and explain a convincing series of confidence tricks masquerading as magic and illusion.

The premise: exactly the same as The Prestige, The Illusionist. You may watch them as a triple-bill.

To watch: a battle of ham between Sigourney Weaver, Robert De Niro, and Cillian Murphy.

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 25 July 2012.

The Three Stooges (2012)

The Three Stooges may have been second bananas to far superior acts like the Marx Brothers, Laurel and Hardy, or Charlie Chaplin but the Hollywood Machine says they're about ripe to milk your nostalgia dollar.

The adaptation tries our patience as it tries to shove the classic Stooges antics as the punchline to every gag in a very, very long movie.

Watch this for: the nostalgia value and the flawless mimicry of the original characters.

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 25 July 2012.

Ice Age 4: Continental drift (2012)

In a few years, the concept of the Ice Age series might be untouchable in Hollywood. That's why despite its very well-meaning harping on issues like Evolution, Climate Change, Non Traditional Families, we'll still watch this. Hell, we'll still watch this in spite of the recycling of Skrat jokes.

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 11 July 2012.

Chernobyl Diaries (2012)

American tourists take unsanctioned day trip to the site of the Chernobyl disaster; fall prey to cannibalistic, radioactive, zombie survivors of the nuclear meltdown.

With a premise like this and really good location scouting, you'd think the script could write itself and the film will shoot itself.

Alas. Watch Chernobyl Diaries for how terribly one can goof up an easy project.

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 11 July 2012.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire hunter (2012)

Film 101: What looks like a brilliant idea on paper may not yield a good script or even an entertaining flick.

Yes, Abe Lincoln is a vampire hunter in this outrageous 'hidden history' biopic. No, it seems the writers' worldbuilding had a failure of imagination (or courage).

You get what's on the box: scene after scene of Abe killing vampires. And sadly, that turns out to be very forgettable and slight.

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 4 July 2012.

Stricken (Komt een vrouw bij de dokter) (2009)

A couple in a Lubitschean marriage find their arrangement unworkable when the Missus has a Terminal Illness and the hubby continues his womanising.

It's a virtuous woman dying melodrama with a huge curveball. You're treated to multiple interpretations of her arrangement with the husband and the buffet of possibilities make for delicious viewing.

The fun and creative storytelling ends when it collapses down to one possibility by the time the lady expires.

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 4 July 2012.