Movie Reviews

Here you can find all the latest movie reviews of films new to the cinema and out on DVD. IndieMoviesOnline publishes movie reviews in time for US and UK release dates and aims to cover most new films. We always love to hear what you think of films you've watched, so please feel free to post mini-movie reviews of your own in the comments section.

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Red
On DVD: Red
On DVD: Red

Before you decide to pass on paying to see one more in a long string of Bruce Willis action films, says Kimberly Gadette, think again. Mirren and Malkovich just might make all the difference.

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Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids

Ed Helms stars as a quiet Wisconsin fish-out-of-water, stunned by the bright lights of big city life in Cedar Rapids. While the concept is funny, says Kimberly Gadette, how's the execution?

True Grit.
True Grit
True Grit

How does the 1969 version compare to 2010? Kimberly Gadette references Mark Twain, that particular sage of the day: "It's the difference between the lightning bug and lightning." As their first oater, the Coens make it their own.

Never Let Me Go
Never Let Me Go
Never Let Me Go

The title is perfect. At first disturbing, this film grabs at you, refusing to let you go. As director Mark Romanek's second feature in eight years (One Hour Photo), Kimberly Gadette notes that he gives one hell of an encore.

Yogi Bear
Yogi Bear
Yogi Bear

Is there anything that makes this ursine/homo sapien tale, um, bearable? Anything, begs Kimberly Gadette? Other than giving us all the option to lumber into the nearest Cineplex cave for a quick hibernation?

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Win Win
Win Win
Win Win

It's a family comedy about wrestling, the law, and wrestling with the law. With a stellar cast led by Paul Giamatti, written and directed by onetime actor Tom McCarthy, this film, states Kimberly Gadette, is nothing less than a win-win.

No Strings Attached
No Strings Attached
No Strings Attached

Director Ivan Reitman's last well-received hit was 1993's Dave. With Oscar-nominated Natalie Portman playing opposite frequent rom-com star Ashton Kutcher, says Kimberly Gadette, dare we hope that No Strings Attached will fly?

Ronald Reagan
At Sundance: Reagan
At Sundance: Reagan

Sundance (Out of Competition, Documentary Premiere) – Documentarian Eugene Jarecki examines the life and legacy of the fortieth US President, Ronald Reagan. As with earlier subjects, does Jarecki engage in hard-hitting analysis? Or, asks Kimberly Gadette, does he keep the gloves on?

Brendan Gleeson in The Guard.
At Sundance: The Guard
At Sundance: The Guard

Sundance (World Cinema Dramatic Competition) – Brendan Gleeson as a caustic-witted Irishman who's accustomed to brandishing a gun? What is this, In Bruges 2? Not exactly, says Kimberly Gadette. This time, it's Martin McDonagh's brother John who's doing the honors.

The Future
At Sundance: The Future
At Sundance: The Future

Sundance (Out of Competition, Premiere Category) – Kimberly Gadette looks at Miranda July's follow-up to her well-received 2005 Me and You and Everyone We Know. July's still dissecting the modern relationship but rather than beginnings, we start in the middle -- and travel far far away from there.

My Idiot Brother
At Sundance: My Idiot Brother
At Sundance: My Idiot Brother

Sundance (Out of Competition, Premiere Category) – As opposed to his smarter, cynical role in 2010's Dinner for Schmucks, this time around Paul Rudd takes on role of the good-hearted naïf. Kimberly Gadette wonders if the switcheroo works just as well.

Sanctum
Sanctum 3D
Sanctum 3D

If it says James Cameron on the tin, that must be what's inside, right? Emma Rowley takes a look at the underwater cave adventure film, Sanctum.

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I Come With the Rain, starring Josh Hartnett and directed by Tran Anh Hung.
I Come With the Rain
I Come With the Rain

Even a serial killer, a miracle worker and a transnational manhunt can't stop this Josh Hartnett outing from turning into a real snooze. Paul Martin unzips, unholsters, and prepares to rain on the Hartnett parade.

Benavides Born
At Sundance: Benavides Born & On The Ice
At Sundance: Benavides Born & On The Ice

Sundance (U.S. Dramatic Competition) – These two films may be polar opposites in terms of temperature and geography, but their protagonists face similar obstacles. Kimberly Gadette looks at two high school seniors, both hopefully college-bound – but each waylaid by an unexpected criminal misdeed.

Incendies
At Sundance: Incendies
At Sundance: Incendies

Sundance (Out of Competition, Spotlight Category) – An Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, this Canadian/French co-production is adapted from a play by Lebanese writer Wajdi Mouawad. How good is it? Oh my – says Kimberly Gadette – it will take your breath away.

In A Better World
At Sundance: In A Better World (AKA Hævnen)
At Sundance: In A Better World (AKA Hævnen)

Sundance (Out of Competition, Spotlight Category) – Exploring the opposing concepts of an eye-for-an-eye versus turning the other cheek, this film may just take this year's Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film (Denmark). Even if it doesn't, says Kimberly Gadette, it's still an award-worthy film.

Pariah
At Sundance: Pariah
At Sundance: Pariah

Sundance (US Dramatic Competition) – This coming-of-age story about a Brooklyn teenager living two lives, trying to please her family while attempting to cope with her sexuality, was the talk of Sundance. Kimberly Gadette investigates: is the response to Pariah mere hype or is this film the real deal?

Like Crazy
At Sundance: Like Crazy
At Sundance: Like Crazy

Sundance (Winner, Grand Jury Prize, US Dramatic Competition) – Beating out 15 other films, Like Crazy was loved like crazy by the Sundance Jury. Kimberly Gadette finds all the mad love ... simply maddening.

Zebra Crossing
Zebra Crossing
Zebra Crossing

Sam Holland's directorial debut has collected a number of garlands, including a British Independent Film Award and a Raindance prize, but is Zebra Crossing, as people have suggested, really the British answer to La Haine? Emma Rowley finds out.

The Mechanic, starring Jason Statham and Ben Foster.
The Mechanic
The Mechanic

Got a rival that needs 'fixing'? Then you need to call... the Mechanic! Who happens to look a lot like the under-the-radar action star of the third millennium to date, Jason Statham. But while this merciless mechanic might reckon that no job is too big, Paul Martin is left wondering if The Stath getting serious on us does indeed represent a bridge too far.

Devil
On DVD: Devil
On DVD: Devil

After the controversy provoked by the casting of The Last Airbender, and his previous two films flopping, it’s intriguing to go into a film with M Night Shyamalan’s name attached, even with a bizarre “from the mind of…” credit. Angela Burton tries not to guess the twist before she takes her seat.

The Town, starring Ben Affleck and Rebecca Hall.
On DVD: The Town
On DVD: The Town

Ben Affleck's star-studded return trip to Boston sees him not only directing but also starring as the bank-robbing mastermind who wants to leave his criminal past behind. Emma Rowley and Paul Martin take a tour of The Town.

Jean Reno in 22 Bullets.
On DVD: 22 Bullets
On DVD: 22 Bullets

Jean Reno comes back from the dead twice in this new French gangster thriller. First, his retired mob boss survives perforation by the titular two-and-score shells to rise again and exact revenge on his foes. But also - and just as fascinatingly for Paul Martin - the veteran actor finally demonstrates his worth again, after a decade-and-a-half of appearing in Hollywood slop.

Being Elmo
At Sundance: Being Elmo & Troubadours
At Sundance: Being Elmo & Troubadours

Sundance (U.S. Documentary Competition) – Kimberly Gadette looks at two films that represent the lighter side of the documentary. Being Elmo and Troubadours both celebrate beloved artists whose contributions have greatly influenced generations of people, from the '60s to today.

Margin Call
At Sundance: Margin Call
At Sundance: Margin Call

Sundance (Out of Competition: Premiere Category) – It's 2008 all over again. In looking at the fictionalized last gasp of a mighty investment firm, says Kimberly Gadette, is there any, um, stone left unturned on Wall Street? Other than Oliver?

Alejandro Inarritu.
Biutiful
Biutiful

Alejandro Iňárritu (pictured), director of 21 Grams and Babel, is back with Biutiful, a Barcelona-based tragic drama starring Javier Bardem. It's a study in ugliness that makes grim viewing, says Emma Rowley, but Bardem's portrayal of a man at odds with himself is a thing of beauty.

World's Greatest Dad
World's Greatest Dad
World's Greatest Dad

Robin Williams plays the father of a hardcore-porn-addicted dropout. It doesn’t exactly sound like a barrel of laughs but Cara Frost-Sharratt settles down to see if this black comedy can deliver what the premise fails to elicit.

Barney's Version, starring Paul Giamatti and screening as part of the Venice Film Festival 2010.
Barney's Version
Barney's Version

The trailer might have pitched it as a zany rom-com but this Paul Giamatti-starring take on the 1997 novel by Mordecai Richler proves more of an eclectic affair, encompassing comedy, tragedy, a murder mystery and, as Paul Martin discovers, lashings of soap opera melodramatics.

Martha Macy May Marlene
At Sundance: Higher Ground & Martha Marcy May Marlene
At Sundance: Higher Ground & Martha Marcy May Marlene

Sundance (U.S. Dramatic Competition) – Two films on enigmatic cults that subsume young women at a time when they're searching for meaning and stability. Kimberly Gadette looks at Higher Ground and Martha Marcy May Marlene (both featuring John Hawkes) in this, um, bi-'sect'-ed review.

MindFlesh, directed by Robert Pratten.
On DVD: MindFlesh & Kill Speed
On DVD: MindFlesh & Kill Speed

Ah, you gotta love the ambition of low-budget directors! Take two log lines – a taxi driver is tormented by a horny demon; a drug-running pilot is coerced into battling a crime baron – and make for a combined cost not much greater than a teenager's pocket money. Paul Martin goes in search of some guilty pleasures.