The Trip to Spain is the third in Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon’s comedy/ dramas in which they play slightly altered versions of themselves as they journey through scenic countryside reviewing up-market eateries. This time they’re imbibing the cuisine, landscape and culture of Spain as they drive from to Santander down to Malaga. Once again directed by Michael Winterbottom, this
Read moreWith amusing insights into pre-teen neurosis reminiscent of the Peanuts comics, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid films, which are based on the hit Jeff Kinney books, have been a refreshing addition to the kid/ family film landscape. They have, however, provided diminishing returns with the standard declining after the very funny first film. That slide continues with the latest
Read moreWe shouldn’t expect much from a Baywatch cinema adaptation and this film certainly lives down to expectations. Often the problem with movies based on TV shows is that the filmmakers try to stuff the TV show’s concept into a generic action comedy template and in the process lose the show’s essence and appeal. It’s the same deal here except that,
Read moreAfter the original Lego Movie became a box office behemoth there was no escaping a future filled with animated Lego figures spouting sarcastic quips. Now we have The Lego Batman Movie a cluttered, manic film stuffed with mostly superficial pop-cultural references that, while sporadically amusing, fails to live up to its predecessor. Here, Batman (voiced by Will Arnett) is having
Read moreWhy Him?, which stars Bryan Cranston, James Franco and Zoey Deutch, attempts to update the old-fashioned Father Knows Best-style comedy to the less wholesome digital generation. It also vaguely recalls Meet the Parents but while that film was genuinely funny and was able to cleverly balance quirky humour with familial warmth this movie subjects us to irritating characters and for
Read moreGrimsby continues the saddening downward spiral in quality for Sacha Baron Cohen’s films. Borat, although largely regurgitated from the segments on Ali G, was often hilarious, Bruno was intermittently funny, The Dictator was disappointing but had a few comical moments whereas Grimsby is depressingly simple-minded and predictable. The film ostensibly parodies both spy films and English soccer yob culture but
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