Iron Man 2

He’s baaaaack. Finally the much-anticipated sequel to the first Iron Man is out and promises all the big thrills we’ve come to expect. We’re just ecstatic that we get to see Robert Downey Jr in all his iron-clad splendour again!

Now that the world is aware of his unique ability, RDJ’s character Tony Stark is being pressured to share his armoured secrets. At the front of the line is the army, of course, and no doubt a host of terrorist groups follow closely behind. Okay so it’s not so much a terrorist group as a disgruntled crazy man in the form of an iron-toothed Mickey Rourke, who is out to destroy our man Tony. Luckily the trusty Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), and James "Rhodey" Rhodes (Don Cheadle) have got Stark’s back and join forces to conquer the bad guys. You’ve got to love big-budget superhero action!

Rating: 4 outta 5.

Taking Woodstock

On a cloud of Marijuana smoke comes the true story about the guy who gave the 1969 Woodstock festival a home. Desperate to make some moolah to save his dad’s motel, Elliot Teichberg decides to invite travelling musos – like Janis Joplin and The Who – to perform on the hills neighbouring his property. Little did anyone – let alone Elliot – know how big the festival would become, nor predict the impact it would have on popular culture for decades to come.

The film, filled with colourful characters, hilarious anecdotes and great music, gives us yet another look at the life-changing event and leaves you wishing you’d been there. What a trip.

Rating: 4 outta 5

The Men Who Stare at Goats

Why exactly are men staring at goats, you may well ask. To make them fall over, of course. And so a very strange (and supposedly semi-truthful) story is born…

Supposedly the US government sanctioned the creation of a small group of men to investigate paranormal warfare back in the 80s. Which is where the goat staring comes in. You see, if you can get a goat to fall over just by staring at it, it follows that you can kill a man with the sheer force of your mind. Yeah, right.

As you can tell, the film really stretches the bounds of believability and must be taken with the intended pinch of salt, and tongue pressed firmly against cheek. In fact, if it weren’t for the brilliant George Clooney and a host of other wonderful actors, you might not even bother watching it. Odd. Very odd.

Rating: 3 outta 5

Love Happens

If I were a casting director, I would never, ever put Jennifer Aniston together with Aaron Eckhart. Seriously. Where’s the fire, the spark? Oh, but life isn’t like that, you say! Newsflash: this is Hollywood – possibly the furthest away you can get from real life, so I demand more spark!

Instead this love story (about a widower finding his way back to love) fizzles out before its even been ignited. And while we’re on the subject of fizzling, let’s just take a moment to consider Jennifer Aniston’s waning career. Just how many times can you play exactly the same cutesy character before you become that character? No wonder she has no love life to speak of.

Okay so maybe I’m too cynical. The movie’s not that bad, but it is bland. And predictable. And a bit of a snooze-fest. And that’s my attempt at trying to make the love happen.

Rating: 3 outta 5.

House Full

Polygamy – the stuff many male dreams are made of. One could argue, however, as Aarush (Akshay Kumar) does, that it’s just so hard to decide between women, which is why he marries three of them, without their knowledge, of course. You can guess that the women obviously find out, though, and all hell breaks loose.

Sajid Khan brought us the comedy Heyy Babyy, so you’ll know what to expect: ridiculous slapstick, women in bikinis and general mayhem, which in this movie includes a slapping scene involving a vervet monkey. If that sounds like your thing then you’ll love this very average offering.

Rating: 2 outta 5.

Food, Inc.

Who needs horror when you’ve got real life? In a similar vein to Michael Moore’s sensational doccie films, Food, Inc. takes us into the cutthroat world of food production in the USA. And here’s the bottom line: they will do anything – and I do mean anything – to make money off of the consumer.

Shockingly this includes sending out unhealthy, life-threatening and addictive food for consumption. Okay, so we shouldn’t be so shocked – greed at all costs has become the norm in most big corporations. Luckily the film gives the power back to us, the consumers, showing how we can make a difference to the system. No matter how small, these changes could end up saving your life. This is a must-see expose that is set to make waves around the world. See it!

Rating: 4 outta 5.

Kick Ass

This movie is downright puzzling. On the surface it looks like an innocent superhero comedy complete with an 11-year-old, her purple wig and PVC cape, but innocent it is not. With violence so blatant and extreme that it puts Tarantino to shame, this film is a definite no-no for kids under the legal age.

I’m not usually too offended by bloodshed, especially when it’s done under the guise of satire. In fact I’d name several Tarantino films in my Top 10 faves ever, but I found myself disturbed by this film simply because it smacks of teen movie yet hits a very adult punch. Even when viewed in an adult context, I’m not sure I want to watch a film in which the violence is perpetrated by a pre-teen and her father, whom she calls “Big Daddy.” I might be missing the point, but I do know that audiences across SA will be divided on this one.

Rating: 3 outta 5.