The Losers

Five CIA toughies are flown off to Bolivia to capture a drug lord, but when they get there discover that they have been set up to be murdered. After they conveniently escape death they set out to find the culprit – clearly an insider within the CIA. On the way, luck finds them – in the form of Aisha (Zoe Saldana), who knows exactly where the bad egg resides and will lead the guys straight to him. Seems pretty easy except that Max, the bad guy, is a psychopath with no intention of letting his plans go awry.

Based on yet another comic book series, this flick is part action part comedy, which is always way more appealing than those that take themselves too seriously. It’s not one you’re going to remember two weeks down the line but it will entertain you for a couple hours.

Rating: 3 outta 5.

Udaan

It’s been impossible to find any information on this film but I am intrigued nevertheless simply from watching the trailer. Don’t be tricked into thinking this is another Bollywood film. Instead this falls more into the arthouse category, which is surprising for an Indian film. Again the intrigue.

What I know about the storyline is limited to this: A young man returns to his small town after living a pretty happy and liberal existence at boarding school for eight years. His father promptly forces him to start work at a steel factory, which is pretty much the last thing Rohan wants to do since all he is interested in is words and becoming a writer. Can he somehow create the life he dreams of and find creative freedom despite his circumstances? I’m going to go out on a limb and say this one is worth a go if only to satisfy the curiosity.

Rating: 3.5 outta 5.

I Love You Phillip Morris

After coming out of the closet and finding a lover in Miami, Steven Russell (Jim Carrey) decides to become a conman. After all, “Being gay is really expensive”. Steven inevitably gets caught and is sent to prison, where he meets the love of his life, Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor). Desperate to get the two of them out of chookie, Steven concocts a plan so outrageous that it actually works, and the con cycle starts all over again.

What is mind blowing about this film is that it’s all true. Google Steven Russell and you’ll find that he escaped from prison more than once, adopted more than 14 aliases, faked his own death and managed to con a large American company into hiring him as their CFO! Not only is the story incredible, but Jim Carrey is hilarious in the starring role. It’s been a while since I found his screwy humour so appealing and am glad to say he is well and truly back on form.

Rating: 4 outta 5.

The Runaways

In 1975 a guy called Michael Shannon had a vision to create the female version of the Beatles. First in the recruitment line were 15-year-olds Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, who became the most famous members of The Runaways. Their sexually charged performances and hard rock tunes made them an overnight success, but at such a young age, the kudos came with a price. Currie, played by Dakota Fanning in the film, crashed and burnt out with the help of too many drugs, while Jett, played by fellow Twilight star Kristen Stewart, went on to have a rocking solo career.

The script is based on Cherie Currie’s memoirs, so is inevitably biased towards her in terms of screen time. However, Jett’s overwhelming influence on her life (which includes a very tame lesbian kiss between the two) is also portrayed. While it’s interesting to see both Fanning and Stewart in more raw roles, the film doesn’t quite master the pure rock chaos that The Runaways left in their wake. Still, it’s an entertaining night out.

Rating: 3.5 outta 5.

The Boys Are Back

After leaving his first wife and moving to Australia to get remarried, Joe’s second wife dies and he’s left with a 6-year-old son to rear. Not only that, he wants to make up for being an absent father to his first son and so drags him over from England to live with him. Talk about biting off more than you can chew.

Predictably, Joe (Clive Owen) doesn’t handle so well… His older son starts to look more like the dad, while Joe leaves the laundry to pile up right along with the dishes and a semblance of a life. And then he has an epiphany: Just Say Yes. Frighteningly this becomes his motto for parenthood, and the kids are allowed to do pretty much anything they want. In the process the trio start to merge into a somewhat haphazard family and heal old wounds in the process.

While this may be the cue for tears, you’ll be less inclined to driz thanks to Clive Owen’s more rugged and unsentimental performance. It is his genuine and rather manly approach to his character that will endear you to this movie. Don’t worry, guys, this is less soppy and more enjoyable than you think.

Rating: 4 outta 5.

World's Greatest Dad

On the surface this looks like one of those innocuous parent-child comedies that is more awkward than it is funny, and indeed this is how the film starts out. Lance (Robin Williams) is the unfortunate parent to the World’s Most Annoying Son, aka Kyle. He’s icy, crude and wholly antisocial and, to make matters worse, Lance is a teacher at Kyle’s school.

However, when tragedy forces its way into Lance’s life, the film metamorphoses into a black satire that turns both Kyle and Lance into unwitting heroes. While Williams brings a modicum of his usual manic humour to the party, he shines in this more dramatic and fractured role, making him the undoubted star of the movie. A very real yet darkly humourous take on the strained relationship between problem kids and their parents.

Rating: 3.5 outta 5.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Evolved from a cartoon, Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a witty, offbeat look at tweenhood and middle school (Grades 6 – 8). It’s that age where the girls are taller than the boys and where some testosterone-filled 13 year olds grow moustaches while others remain unwillingly hairless. In short it’s awkward, especially if you’re a boy in the latter category - like Greg, the narrator and self-proclaimed wimpy kid.

As you can imagine, the film is filled with pre-pubescent shenanigans, squealing girls, fellow wimpy kids and a slice of moldy cheese. While this may sound like a winning movie for your kids, cousins or nephews of the same age, it might not be every self-respecting adult’s cup of tea. That said, however, it’s not unwatchable. In fact it falls into the top range of painless family comedies, so do your good deed for the week and take the kids in your life to see it.

Rating: 3 outta 5.