Synopsis

When young reporter Tintin (Jamie Bell) comes across a model of the three masted Unicorn, his curiosity is aroused after he discovers it has a secret concerning an ancient tale about a pirate and stolen treasure. Villainous Ivan Ivanovitch Sakharine (Daniel Craig) is keen to get his hands on the model ship and believes Tintin has information leading to the treasure. With the help of his loyal dog Snowy, the salty, whisky-loving Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis) and bumbling detectives Thompson & Thomson (Simon Pegg and Nick Frost), Tintin travels across the world, outwitting and outrunning his enemies in a breathless chase to find the final resting place of the Unicorn, a shipwreck that may hold the key to vast fortune . . . and an ancient curse.

Review by Louise Keller:
The distinctive touch of genius is on display in this rollicking adventure in which acclaimed Belgian artist Hergé's comic-book hero Tintin solves a riddle involving pirates, a curse, lost treasure and a dastardly villain. In an inspired decision by director Steven Spielberg and producer Peter Jackson, motion capture is used to bring the idealistic, investigative reporter Tintin to life, alongside his loyal fox terrier Snowy and the rambunctious, whisky-loving Captain Haddock.

There's a constant sense of motion, complemented by John Williams' lively score that scampers harmoniously alongside the action. The film is breathtaking, with nicely developed and accessible characters, an inventive script enabling a never-ending stream of innovative ideas that are executed with sophistication. Tintin is pure magic.

In a brilliant opening sequence, Tintin's origins are established with symbolic implied action solving crimes and mysteries shown in silhouette. There's a tip of the hat to the comic book before a character snapshot, describing the ever-curious, logically-minded nature of the boyish protagonist with the baby face and distinctive, trademark ducktail hair, whose assignments are completed with a mix of reporter's skill and amateur sleuth.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE :Ghost Protocol
The entire IMF is shut down after it is falsely implicated in a bombing at the Kremlin, which signals the beginning of a plot to steal old Cold War nuclear codes and devices by the opportunistic Kurt Hendricks (Michael Nyqvist), who plans to start a global nuclear war so he can 'start from zero'. This leaves Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his new team comprising English tech specialist Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg), Agent Jane Carter (Paula Patton) and Brandt (Jermey Renner) with no protection and no backup. On their own, the team has to track down the deadly dangerous Hendricks and retrieve the elements that will enable him to launch a nuclear missile at America, and make it look like Russia has initiated nuclear Armageddon.

Review by Louise Keller:
The best Mission Impossible of them all, everything about this fourth film in the movie franchise is big with breathtaking, extravagant stunts and a thrilling, large scale plot to match. I felt as though I should be wearing a seat belt. There's a nicely balanced mix of danger, thrills and humour in the sophisticated plot that zigzags its surprises in exotic locations with extreme elements. This is Tom Cruise, the Movie Star at his invincible best - performing impossible stunts, saving the world and avoiding being too earnest, while maintaining high tension all the way.

There are big explosions, daring escapes from teetering heights, an audacious infiltration of the Kremlin, a dust storm to navigate, a vicious girl catfight at high altitude and a death-defying nose dive in a multi-storey carpark. Highlight is the dizzying sequence in Dubai in which Cruise scales the exterior of world's tallest building relying on a pair of high-tech suction gloves to adhere himself to the mirrored, sheer façade.

When three Muppet fans, Gary (Jason Segel), his sweetheart Mary (Amy Adams) and Gary's 'brother' Walter (voice of Peter Linz) learn that Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) wants to drill under the Muppet theater for oil, Gary (Jason Segel), they set out to find the Muppets who have been split up for years to try and put on a fund raising show. Kermit (voice of Steve Whitmire) lives in his faded Hollywood mansion; Gonzo (voice of Dave Goelz) is a high class plumber at Gonzo's Royal Flush; Fozzie (voice of Eric Jacobson) performs with a terrible tribute band called The Moopets; and Miss Piggy (voice of Eric Jacobson) is the plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, while Animal (voice of Eric Jacobson) is attending a celebrity anger management rehab in Santa Barbara.

Review by Louise Keller:
I smiled throughout this madcap joyous adventure in which the Muppets are funny, silly, colourful and totally endearing in what must be the happiest film of the New Year. Everybody loves the Muppets and this happy mix of live-action and puppet chaos is perfect entertainment for every age. Realism is tossed out of the window with musical fantasy cleverly woven into the storyline, as the pressure builds up a head of steam to reunite the Muppets for one last hoorah.

Beyond the laughs, the film also has a strong, beating heart that reminds us the value of being with the most important person in your world and themes include believing in yourself and making sure you are who you want to be. By the way, it doesn't matter an iota whether you are familiar with Jim Henson's classic TV show or not - the characters and their unique charms work their magic easily. This is a gorgeous film - I can't wait to see it again.

The Naracott farm in pre-World War I Devonshire, is struggling to pay Lewis (David Thewlis) the landlord, especially after Ted (Peter Mullan) buys a beautiful young horse at auction at a price he can hardly afford. His wife Rose (Emily Watson) is none too happy about it, since the horse looks lovely but what they need is a strong plough horse. Their teenage son Albert (Jeremy Irvine) promises to break him in and make him useful so he can keep him. Naming the horse Joey, Albert soon bonds with the horse, but then the war breaks out and horses, including Joey, are needed for the British Army's officers. Albert is devastated and vows to reclaim him.

Review by Louise Keller:
Take some tissues and be prepared for a huge emotional wallop in Steven Spielberg's wonderful film about an extraordinary horse. Described as a miraculous horse, with 'speed, stamina and everything', the spirited chestnut stallion with the white blaze has traits we can instantly admire: individuality, loyalty, courage and plenty of heart. Spielberg's powerful drama has plenty of it, too - heart, that is, its journey taking us into the lives of the many people who are touched by the horse - none more so than the boy who raises him and with whom it shares an indestructible bond. His journey is as potent as that of the horse.

There are big days and small days; this is a big day, Albert (Irvine), the young lad from Devon tells his horse Joey, as he harnesses him to a rough plough, knowing it's a big ask for a horse not bred to plough the fields. His father (Mullan) bought the horse at a price he could not afford and it was really a strong work-horse the family needed.

The topic of bravery is a running theme throughout the film and the futility of war highlighted when two soldiers from opposing sides share a momentary truce as they join forces to free the War Horse from devastating barbed-wire in which it has been entangled. (The credits reassure us that no harm came to the horses in the film.)

The climactic scene when boy and horse are reunited is the one we are all waiting for and we are not disappointed; the result is an emotional tour de force.

After a series of shocking bombings around Europe, Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr) is on the scent of a plot that his arch enemy Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris) is cooking up. With the help of an anarchist group, Moriarty wants to incite Europe to war – while he is busy buying up weapons manufacturing companies. Meanwhile, Dr Watson (Jude Law) is about to get married and the two friends end up at an underground gentlemen’s club, where Sherlock and his brother, Mycroft Holmes (Stephen Fry) toast Dr. Watson on his last night of bachelorhood – and pick up the trail of Moriarty when meeting Sim (Noomi Rapace), a Gypsy fortune teller, who knows more than she is telling. Their investigation leads Holmes, Watson and Sim across Europe. But Moriarty is always one step ahead as he pursues a plan that, if he succeeds, will change the course of history.

HUGO

In 1930s Paris, the orphaned Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield) lives inside the walls of the tower clock of a busy train station, having learned how to keep the clocks running from his late father (Jude Law). When he discovers a mysterious automaton figure and meets a young girl Isabelle (Chloe Grace Moretz), his journey of discovery begins. But he has to navigate the irritable shopkeeper of strange knickknacks, Georges (Benk Kingsley) and the station inspector (Sacha Baron Cohen), who sends orphans to the orphanage - and sets his dog Maximillian on them. Hugo manages to fix the old automaton, and is in for a surprise when he and Isabelle discover what it is capable of doing.

Review by Louise Keller:
A classic family tale , this adaptation of Brian Selznik's children's novel about a young boy living within the inside workings of a railway station clock in Paris, is beautifully sculptured by Martin Scorsese, a filmmaker we would not expect to be making a film of this kind. Of course Scorsese is better known for films like Goodfellas and Gangs of New York, so it comes as a bit of a surprise, although less so when you learn that the essence of the story is about the love of cinema and film being the invention of dreams, a subject close to his heart. With its exquisite production design depicting the ambience and life at the 19th century Paris railway station, Scorsese creates a reality that we immediately embrace. Like the clock in the film, the film is a little mechanical and it drags in parts, but there are rich pleasures to be enjoyed from this beautifully crafted work.

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TOWER HEIST

The Tower in Manhattan houses the swankest apartments at the highest prices and the Penthouse with its rooftop pool belongs to wealthy money man Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda). The dedicated staff who cater to every whim of every resident is led by building manager Josh Kovaks (Ben Stiller), who is shocked when Shaw is arrested for major fraud. He is even more shocked when he learns that the pensions he asked Shaw to invest on behalf of his fellow workers has gone with the rest of the millions. Josh gets some of his work mates together and enlists petty crook Slide (Eddie Murphy) to plan the nearly impossible: steal the $20 million they are sure is hidden in the heavily guarded Penthouse where Shaw is being held by an FBI team led by Special Agent Claire Denham (Tea Leoni).

Review by Louise Keller:
A conscientious team in the service industry joins forces with a petty thief in this delicious twist on a conventional heist caper. With stakes as high as the up-market New York skyscraper overlooking Central Park in which the action takes place, the screenwriters have concocted a breathtaking plot with scale and imagination involving an embezzler with a red Ferrari, a gang that looks as though they've climbed out of a licorice allsorts packet and New York's colourful annual Thanksgiving Parade spectacle, when the film's climactic scenes take place. Brilliantly executed with hilarious ideas and a first-class cast, Tower Heist is a sparkling and original caper with plenty of laughs and sure-fire entertainment value.

Stiller and Murphy make a fine comic team and the dynamic works well, not only between the two men, but with the entire cast, each of whom gets their moment to shine. New York looks great too, with the striking autumn colours in Central Park forming a dazzling palette on the city skyline.

When a tragedy strikes close to home, four police officers struggle with their faith and their roles as husbands and fathers; together they make a decision that will change all of their lives.

Best friends since childhood Mitch (Ryan Reynolds) and Dave (Jason Bateman) have drifted apart in recent years. Mitch has remained a single, sometimes employed man-child who has avoided responsibility and can't finish anything he starts, from jobs to relationships. But he has lots of superficial fun. Dave has a beautiful wife Jamie (Leslie Mann), kids who adore him and a well paid job at a prestigious law firm. During a night on the town together, they wish they could swap lives - and thanks to the mysteries of a stone fountain, they wake up with their wish fulfilled. That's when their troubles begin as their new lives in each other's bodies unravel and force them to face up to what they really want.

Review by Louise Keller:
It's a well tried formula, but The Change Up feels as fresh as a new pair of diapers, in this upbeat body switch movie in which a workaholic lawyer and his dope-smoking best friend find themselves literally in each other's shoes. Justin Bateman plays an ambitious career person who has forgotten how to enjoy his family life while Ryan Reynolds is the body-beautiful part-time actor who spends all his time on recreation. Toilet humour, masturbation, bare breasts, gross out and the juxtaposition of unlikely situations are all part of the funny and often crass script penned by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore and filled with home truths. The credibility of the two leading men whose lusts for life are re-examined plays its part in the success of the film.

When we first meet Dave Lockwood (Jason Bateman) in the wee small hours of the morning, he is fully immersed in nappy changing duties and feeding his baby twins, taking every tricky moment in his stride. He's a natural, which is more than we can say for his best friend Mitch Planko (Ryan Reynolds), who doesn't have a clue when it comes to looking after kids, thinking that it's cool to toss them into the air or park them on the kitchen bench, close to the set of carving knives. Key to the film's twist is the establishment of both characters in their respective lifestyles and director David Dobkin does this carefully, showing enough of both Dave and Mitch in their everyday lives so that we feel as though we know who they are.

When the body switch occurs - as Dave and Mitch are relieving themselves in a fountain after a boozy night watching the game - our appetite has been whetted for the hilarity to come. At the same moment, they genuinely wish they could swap lives - a wish they quickly regret. Mitch (in Dave's body) has Dave's lovely wife Jamie (Leslie Mann) to contend with plus dialogue night; children's issues and a contentious company merger which promises a partnership in the firm. Dave (in Mitch's body) finds himself turning up for an acting role in Room 69 with a dubious East European film director and a big busted starlet who has seen better days. There's a funny subplot involving Dave's colleague, the luscious Sabrina (Olivia Wilde), who Dave has admired from afar, and who becomes matched with Mitch - except that Mitch is really Dave, and Dave is confused because he really loves his wife. Get the picture? Look out for Alan Arkin as Mitch's estranged father.

Bateman and Reynolds deliver in spades with strong support by Mann as the insecure wife whose husband lives to work and Wilde, the tattooed, wild-child Sabrina who likes 25 year old Macallan and a degustation of deserts for a sugar hit. Needless to say things work out for the best, but along the way there are surprises, a swag of laughs, some cringes and home truths are splattered high and low. Guaranteed laughs for a feel-good change-up.