Movies: This weekend's verdict
by Krista Campbell in Media Lab
Wed November 9, 11:53 a.m. GMT
So, which of the three films we asked you to review have come up trumps this week, and which have you decided to give a miss?
Will any of them feature in your weekend viewing? Here's what MediaLab panellists had to say this week
Want to review next weekend's trailers?
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In Time
Overall, MediaLab panellists say: GO AND SEE IT
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New sci-fi thriller In Time, starring singer-turned-actor Justin Timberlake, is set in a world where time is money, and everyone stops ageing at 25. After that, etched on their arms as a ghoulish green countdown, time starts ticking away. The rich can earn decades of time, while the poor must beg, borrow and steal hours just to survive another day. As a factory worker, Timberlake's character finds himself accused of murder and forced to go on the run with a time tycoon's daughter (Amanda Seyfried) in a literal race against time that will see them declare war on the entire system. |
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“Action packed, futuristic, exciting looking film”
“Very good concept with a promising young cast”
“Justin Timberlake makes this film a must, very attention grabbing and lots of on-the-edge-of-your-seat moments!”
“Looks like a thriller with plenty of exciting gun, car chasing action with a sci-fi premise at its heart. Appears to have enough budget to do it well”
“A long descriptive trailer that catches the audience’s attention. It was interesting as there is no other like it. Something new, would definitely go out to see”
“It is an interesting concept much like Logan's Run mixed with James Bond” |
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“fantasy, unrealistic and predictable movie”
“Trailer makes it look like a Hollywood 'treatment' of a sci-fi book, which means the acting will be inconsistent, there will be an unnecessary love-interest subplot”
“Too much of the film was shown, now I feel like I have seen the whole movie in a snap shot”
“Bit derivative of 'Logan's Run'. The trailer works well at the start but goes on for too long and shows far too much of the story line. Would be effective leaving more to the imagination”
“Innovative concept but looks like it then descends into another bog-standard, action flick with a token love interest”
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Johnny English Reborn
Overall, MediaLab panellists say: GO AND SEE IT
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Comic favourite Rowan Atkinson returns as the bumbling spy Johnny English Reborn - a sequel to the original 2003 James Bond parody. Spy chief Pamela Thornton (Gillian Anderson) entrusts English with a special mission, in which he must tackle a dastardly international conspiracy in order to assassinate the Chinese premier. Armed with the latest high-tech gadgets and throughly unorthodox methods, the notoriously incompetent agent must go forth and save the world...again. |
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“Priceless! Rowan Atkinson doing what he does best.”
“Looks just as funny as the last Johnny English! So excited to see this.”
“Have seen the previous one which left me in hysterics. Yet again I was left laughing, and this was only the trailer, is a must see film.”
“Amazing trailer, got me hooked straight away, shows some very funny clips and some great stunts from Rowan Atkinson.” |
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“The original Johnny English was underwhelming, and all the jokes are in the trailer so I have no need to see the film now.”
“It looks silly and not serious at all. Rowan Atkinson is far too old to be doing this sort of film and it's not believable.”
“Didn't enjoy the slapstick-fest that was the first Johnny English film, it was low brow and unfunny”
“Bit clichéd and just a rehash of the original.” |
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The Rum Diary
Overall, MediaLab panellists say: GO AND SEE IT
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Based on the Hunter S Thompson novel about a boozy expat journalist in 1950s Puerto Rico, this film stars Johnny Depp as an American journalist Paul Kemp, who, tired of the noise and madness of New York and crushing conventions of late Eisenhower-era America, travels around the pristine island of Puerto Rico to write for a local newspaper. Meeting a group of lost souls, he must balance his newfound penchant for rum with his burgeoning obsession with the beautiful Chenault (Amber Heard). |
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“Looks very funny - I enjoyed Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and this seems to be a similar style.”
“Everything about it looks good - the actors, the fact I love the person who wrote the book, the trailer is good too, doesn’t give too much away.”
“This film looks hilarious! Yes, I must see it. Great trailer shows a lot of fun without giving too much away.”
“I think this movie looks action packed with a really interesting storyline. I am also a fan of Johnny Depp and his versatility as an actor.” |
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“I think Johnny Depp is a phenomenal actor but the 'drunken' scenario is wearing a little thin. Not a film I would particularly choose, it looks a little thin on the storyline.”
“The story line wasn't clear and the character Johnny Depp was playing wasn't very consistent or relatable. There was humour but hard to follow where they were going with it. Might be good but didn't get a good impression from the trailer.”
“Johnny Depp looks awful in it. ‘I thought you were a mermaid’ is not an inspiring line. I've heard bad reviews and I am not keen to see this at all.” |
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Now review next week's trailers!
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