TRUE GRIT

The Coen Brothers return once again but this time there's no original material from them - they're taking on a treasured classic.

Going back to the source - Charles Portis' popular novel - The Brothers have scripted the screenplay and brought their camera's upon "The Western" that it seems they've been been dying to do. From their modern attempt ("No Country For Old Men") to their various versions of good gunslingers ("Blood Simple") they have been forging connections to bring a modern masterpiece to the screen.

Some of their best collaborative actors return to do a combination of strong and out-standing performances - Brolin is good and solid as the cause of events for the film and Bridges knocks it out of the park where he not only matches his tour-de-force of The Dude, but dare I say it, also matches The Duke who won the Oscar for his interpretation of the drunk, grizzled Marshall in 1969. His gruff delivery of wisdom is finely balanced with deliciously devilish quips - "I do not know this man" throughout the running time and lavish vistas.

The outstanding surprise though is Hailee Steinfeld. As the old-before-her-time 14 year old who hires Bridges to avenge her father's death, she literally bends the camera towards her every time she appears on screen. At times it feels that Damon and Bridges have to fight to be seen when she gets to do her thing - a relentless barrage of stubbornness and determination that sees her swing between mother and boss.

For those who have resisted the films of The Coen Brothers due to their quirkiness and idiosyncrasies, this is the perfect vehicle to get onboard. One of their most mainstream movies, it still has enough of them in it for fans and followers of their work to still recognise their stamp on it. Beautifully shot, fiercely acted, wonderfully scripted and delightfully entertaining, "True Grit" is a True Movie. Go see it. Now.

UK release date: 11/02/11

Certificate: 15

NEVER LET ME GO

Definition of bravery: attempting to bring to the silver screen a film based on what's been called "the best book written." But screen writer Alex Garland is no stranger to challenges...

How to describe "Never Let Me Go"? To paraphrase Dr McCoy, "it's science fiction Jim, but not as we know it!" It straddles two very different genres with one foot in English romance and the other in alternate reality sci-fi. And, strangely, it works!

The reason it does is the sci-fi element is never made more than a small thread running through it all - with the youngsters scanning their wrists being the infrequent reminder that there is something not quite right with this particular reality.

What does come to the foreground, triumphantly, is the triangle of love involving Mulligan, Garfield and Knightley. Told in flashback by Mulligan, we see the three forge the bonds that will unite and then tear them apart over 20 years; from their "art is pointless" school days up to their designated roles/jobs in society. It's here where the thread pulls the plot together AND pulls at the heart strings - love may face many hardships in life but this is a challenge that eternal love cannot hope to win.

The three main leads do themselves proud, handling the tenderness and confusion of youth with a heavy burden but the true surprise is their pre-teen counter parts who hook you in allowing the more accomplished actors to finish the job of making you question morality, mortality and what you could do for love.

Shot with, and displaying equal amounts of tenderness and love, "Never Let Me Go" is a slow-burning movie where a lingering look speaks as loudly as the withheld dialogue between lovers. You may feel during it's running time nothing seems to be happening, but therein lies the cunningness - with moments of delight such as the awkwardness of them not knowing how to order food in a cafe to the gift of an audio cassette from an adolescent boy to a glance-giving girl - it creeps under your skin to saturate your soul. Beautiful.

UK release date: 11/02/11

Certificate: 12A

SANCTUM in 3D

Are we stupid enough to be duped by adding a big name to the title of a new film? Did books ever go by the phrasing of "CHARLES DICKENS presents.... a novel by..." NO! So why should a movie do such? In a word, money!

James Cameron - self-professed "King Of The World" since "Titanic" and "Avatar" - has his name plastered all over this "based on a real story" but please don't be fooled by the advertising... this is no Cameron Classic. Not by a long shot.

Admittedly, we have a thinly-veiled script with not much characterisation in it at all, and dialogue that makes you think that George Lucas is a contender for 'the Bard's" replacement - but Cameron always gives something that warrants his global domination. This has nothing at all.

In a survival movie, you have to root for some of the characters to make it through otherwise why bother investing your time, let alone your money, in the endeavour? Yes, some will be assholes, but you expect that to offset the gits who deserve to die during the experience. Hackman's grumpy priest in "The Poseidon Adventure" was not a hero but by God you followed him and his crew to the ends of the earth because he and they deserved it - here not one, and I mean not one, of them deserve our respect or pity because they are the most selfish, self-centered and annoying individuals to grace the silver screen in a long time.

Why waste time watching a group of individuals bicker, second-guess and kill each other when you couldn't give a damn who survives or not? And that's where "Sanctum" mis-fires, big-time. From it's aggressive, cold-hearted leader in the form of Roxborough, down to the cocky entrepreneur Gruffud who has funded the expedition, not one of the characters is worthy of our concern or attention. And if you think that the title "3D" and Cameron will up the ante to make it worth your while, think again... 3D is glorious when there is foreground AND background to create depth to help immerse you in - if there is nothing but darkness and small holes where you can't see anything infront of or behind, then the element of 3D is a waste of time.

A reminder that names and technology are NOT a guaranteed mix for a great film but the building blocks of a possible major letdown - this is not an 'Avatar" or "Titanic" sequel so do not be fooled by the advertising campaign. Nor it's mature swearing - it's a child's attempt at what they think is exciting... but it isn't. New depths plumed!

UK release date: 04/02/11

Certificate: 15

THE FIGHTER

Let's go for the KO question shall we: is this a "Rocky" for a new generation?

The answer is both yes and no. The comparisons are inevitable, and as it stands, deserved. It's a man fighting his way, literally, through adversity to rise to his potential with it all hinging on one big fight. There is the standard montage moment and just for good measure, a second one is thrown in to show how Bale's crack head brother has turned a corner. There are six boxing matches shown with the last two able to enter the ring and hold their own against anything that Stallone gave in his "Rocky" franchise. But that's where the lines between them must be erased.

Just as Matt Damon had to leave those behind who held him back in "Good Will Hunting" and Ben Affleck in "The Town" Wahlberg has his, to be frank, awful family to rise above - they nearly beat Swank's sickening relatives from "Million Dollar Baby" And it's this thread that separates director David O. Russell's film from other sports films. This is because the story gets to deliver three great roles of which two are powerhouses from their actors. Wahlberg is solid as the pushed around, kept in the shadows son/brother which deserves notice, but the accolades must be placed whether you like it or not, squarely at Bale's feet.

His character and the portrayal are larger-than-life but that's the way it has to be for Wahlberg's eventual victory to be all-the-more sweeter. Much may be made of his physical look in the film - drawn, pasty and haunted eyes - but his constant referencing of his shot at fame and subsequent manipulation of others using it along with the physic is the one-two combination that will floor audiences.

The other KO performance is from Amy Adams as the girlfriend who becomes the kick start and then the momentum for the events that unfold. If you don't feel like punching the air when she goes head-to-head against the mother on their first meet, or when she squares up to the sisters, then shame on you!

Rising above it's well-worn story roots, "The Fighter" is definitely a contender for your attention.

UK release date: 04.02.11

Certificate: 15

CATFISH

The world of documentaries has become more and more of a revelation. Some try to change the world whilst others want to turn it on it's head.

Then one comes along that will resonate with alot of people... if they see it. Who hasn't had or heard of someone who's been duped by a stranger on a social network? Following the seeds of a possible romance, "Catfish" shows what happens when 2 film maker friends turn their camera's on one of their brothers who's being drawn into a family halfway across the States via Facebook and mobiles.

The 3 guys who lead the documentary start off as young and slightly childish - over questioning each other; ignoring what the other says - but by the end of their "journey" the realisation of what has happened, and more importantly why, brings with it maturity for them and respect towards them.

It's hard to explain about the film without giving away the ending but it's worth the trip. Audiences weened on Hollywood movies will no doubt expect some terrible dark secret revealed with a splash of violence and loads of drama thrown in but this isn't a blockbuster. It's a documentary. Admittedly, the 3 do set things up so as to heighten the tension - a night time visit to a property that they keep calling "creepy" - but it's a truly emotional reason that leads them to take the 370+ miles to confront their fake family.

Brave and bold, "Catfish" shines a light on how the various social networks can connect people and what some are willing to do to make that connection to help them cope with their lives. I originally dubbed this as "The Anti-Social Network" but that would be doing it a dis-service having now seen it. You should do the same.

UK release date: 17/12/10

Certificate: 15

UK DVD release date: now