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Movie Reviews
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SPL!NG Movie Review: The Adventures of Tintin (2011)
21 Dec 2011 by SPLING / No Comments
The nostalgic The Adventures of Tintin animation series by Herge gave Belgium another famous fictional personality other than Poirot, one whose agenda often involved political conspiracy and espionage. The graphic novels have entertained their readers, delivering a soft James Bond meets Poirot type character in elaborate situations with freedom of imagination.
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SPL!NG Movie Review: SUPER (2011)
14 Dec 2011 by SPLING / No Comments
Rainn Wilson is Frank, an ordinary guy with no superpowers who decides to kick crime in the ass. Sounds a lot like Defendor and Kick-Ass right? If this movie were a person, it’d be Kevin Bacon, which isn’t surprising because there’s only one degree of separation. You could say it’s the Taxi Driver of superhero movies… just don’t call […]
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SPL!NG Movie Review: Moneyball (2011)
07 Dec 2011 by SPLING / No Comments
You’ve heard of Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Reggie Jackson but who the hell is Billy Beane? Moneyball turns this unsung hero into a household name. The general manager for Oakland Athletics modernised the business of baseball in the 2002 season by using key statistics to draft overlooked yet valuable players. This is his story.
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SPL!NG Movie Review: Real Steel (2011)
30 Nov 2011 by SPLING / No Comments
If you can adapt a theme park ride into a billion dollar blockbuster franchise about a drunken pirate holidaying in the Caribbean, you can adapt just about anything. That’s how we got Real Steel, a film that producers will vehemently defend against anyone claiming it’s an adaptation of the iconic tabletop boxing game, Rock ‘Em, […]
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SPL!NG Movie Review: Paranormal Activity 3 (2011)
23 Nov 2011 by SPLING / 1 Comment
Paranormal Activity 3 continues the low budget horror series created by Oren Peli. The new chapter is a prequel, taking us back to the ’80s, where we learn where, how and why Katie’s haunting started. Critically-acclaimed Catfish filmmakers Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman direct what could very well be the best Paranormal Activity yet.
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SPL!NG Movie Review: Straw Dogs (2011)
16 Nov 2011 by SPLING / No Comments
The original Straw Dogs, directed by the legendary Sam Peckinpah and starring Dustin Hoffman is a controversial classic, notorious for its brutal “pleasure rape” scene, ultra-violence and previously banned video release status. Hoffman said he only did it for the money and from the outset, it seems that the new Straw Dogs adaptation remake may have had a similar motive.
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SPL!NG Movie Review: 50/50 (2011)
09 Nov 2011 by SPLING / No Comments
Laughter is the best medicine, but cancer and comedy don’t mix – unless your name’s Mike Birbiglia or you’re watching 50/50. Disambiguation: we’re reviewing 50/50, the comedy-drama about a 27-year-old guy struggling to beat the odds after being diagnosed with cancer and not 50|50, the hard-hitting 27-year-old nature conservation show. There is a difference.
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SPL!NG Movie Review: In Time (2011)
02 Nov 2011 by SPLING / No Comments
Time is money. This driving mantra for Western culture is turned into In Time, a full-blown science-fiction action-thriller from the mind of Andrew Niccol (The Truman Show, Gattaca). While In Time has a sharp young cast, a visionary writer-director and an intriguing premise – it’s not worth your time or money.
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SPL!NG Movie Review: Skeem (2011)
26 Oct 2011 by SPLING / No Comments
The caper film is one of the most difficult to pull off, but when executed in style – delivers sheer exhilaration as though you are a part of the action, committing the crime yourself as witnessed in movies like The Italian Job, Ocean’s Eleven, The Sting, Catch Me If You Can and Inception… so how does Skeem measure up?
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SPL!NG Movie Review: Fright Night [3D] (2011)
19 Oct 2011 by SPLING / 1 Comment
Fright Night [3D] is a comedy-horror movie remake of Tom Holland’s 1985 cult classic. You know the VHS rental cover that used to scare the marbles out of you at the video store as a kid, the one with the massive vampire face laughing over a haunted mansion… ja, that one.
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SPL!NG Movie Review: The Three Musketeers [3D] (2011)
12 Oct 2011 by SPLING / No Comments
“All for one, one for all.” The same catchphrase that united Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart and Sting in song has returned as The Three Musketeers swash their buckles once again. They were okay when Charlie Sheen could pull off a moustache, they weren’t too bad in The Man with the Iron Mask, however, this may just be their most flaccid outing […]
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SPL!NG Movie Review: Take Me Home Tonight (2011)
05 Oct 2011 by SPLING / No Comments
Take Me Home Tonight is an ’80s style comedy romance starring Topher Grace, Teresa Palmer, Dan Fogler and a low-key Anna Faris… rare. Topher Grace, best known for his lead role in That ’70s Show, does what he does best… playing the nice guy who doesn’t want to finish last. He’s a good-looking man-boy, so […]
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SPL!NG Movie Review: The Change-Up (2011)
28 Sep 2011 by SPLING / No Comments
Have you ever wished you could be someone else for a day, a week, a lifetime? The Change-Up will give you a couple of good reasons to stop doing that in the body-swap movie to rule them all… starring Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds. This is not a Disney movie folks, in fact, it’s what the Farrelly brothers were […]
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SPL!NG Movie Review: The First Grader (2011)
21 Sep 2011 by SPLING / No Comments
The First Grader is the inspiring true story of Kimani Maruge, a Kenyan ex-Mau Mau freedom fighter, who at the age of 84 fought the system for his right to an education he could never afford. This powerful biographical drama tells of Maruge’s struggle as he and primary school teacher, Jane Obinchu, stood up to a community […]
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SPL!NG Movie Review: Hanna (2011)
14 Sep 2011 by SPLING / No Comments
Hanna (nothing to do with Miley Cyrus) would be just like every other hitman movie out there, if it weren’t for its 16-year-old girl assassin and Pride and Prejudice director. While marked by beautiful cinematography, a pulsating soundtrack and a first-class cast – there’s a creeping alienation that never really lets you into this surreal […]
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SPL!NG Movie Review: Final Destination 5 [3D] (2011)
07 Sep 2011 by SPLING / No Comments
Final Destination 5 – the franchise has come a long way – relying on a tried-and-tested roller-coaster formula that brings audiences back for a thrill ride. The Final Destination, or fourth installment of the series was a serious low – delivering extra cheese with a gimmicky aftertaste that just ruined whatever credibility Final Destination had […]
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SPL!NG Movie Review: London Boulevard (2011)
31 Aug 2011 by SPLING / 1 Comment
London Boulevard is the sort of movie you’d expect from a director like Guy Ritchie. It feels like it was written with Ritchie in mind – given the setting, characters and dialogue. The problem is… the element of romance and the overall lack of action. Guy Ritchie is more about intense, slick and violent British […]
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SPL!NG Movie Review: The Bang Bang Club (2011)
24 Aug 2011 by SPLING / No Comments
The Bang Bang Club is the story of four conflict photographers, Greg Marinovich, Kevin Carter, Ken Oosterbroek and João Silva, in the build-up to South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994. These high profile photographers were like soldiers, their weapons – cameras and their ammo – extra spools.
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SPL!NG Movie Review: Cowboys & Aliens (2011)
17 Aug 2011 by SPLING / No Comments
Cowboys & Indians – sure, Cowboys & Kung Fu – fine, but aliens in the Wild West? Go on, pull the other pulsating tentacle. Isn’t that why Bravestarr was relocated to a planet called New Texas? If only someone had whispered in Jon Favreau’s ear, “it’s a comedy”. Instead, the Iron Man director has gone […]
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SPL!NG Movie Review: Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
10 Aug 2011 by SPLING / No Comments
When you heard that they were releasing a prequel to Planet of the Apes you probably slapped your hand to your forehead. Not only was Tim Burton’s attempt at a reboot to the Planet of the Apes franchise a misfire, the movie title is laughable as if Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, G.I. Joe: […]
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SPL!NG Movie Review: Soul Surfer (2011)
03 Aug 2011 by SPLING / 1 Comment
Only a surfer knows the feeling. It’s a saying that has been reserved for that rush of sheer exhilaration as you catch the perfect wave into shore, that moment of blinding truth that connects you with nature – that driving force that motivates you to get up early and break the ice. For Bethany Hamilton […]
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SPL!NG Movie Review: Super 8 (2011)
27 Jul 2011 by SPLING / 1 Comment
Steven Spielberg is a Hollywood legend. This is the premise of Super 8, a new mystery, science-fiction thriller from writer-director J.J. Abrams that functions as a tribute to Spielberg, who’s signed on as producer. In case you haven’t heard of Jeffrey Jacob Abrams, he’s the guy that brought us Mission: Impossible III and the new […]
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SPL!NG Movie Review: Insidious (2011)
20 Jul 2011 by SPLING / No Comments
Do you have emotional, physical or spiritual feelings of being blocked? Do you ever have sudden mood swings or changes in personality? Do you hear inner voices? Have you coughed up nails before? If you answered with a resounding “yes” to all of these questions, you may be possessed… or are expecting a visit from […]
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SPL!NG Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)
13 Jul 2011 by SPLING / No Comments
It all ends in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. The boy wizard has grown up to grab hold of his magic wand, or any number of oddly shaped wands, and wreak havoc upon Lord Voldemort in one climactic moment of sheer ecstasy… and your Mom was concerned about you watching He-Man?
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SPL!NG Movie Review: Scream 4 (2011)
06 Jul 2011 by SPLING / 1 Comment
Love or hate them – horror movies have become ingrained in popular culture to the point that spine-tingling one-liners like “Hi, I’m Chucky, wanna play?”, “Heeeeeeeeere’s Johnny!”, “I see dead people.”, “It’s alive! It’s alive!” and “They’re heee-re.” have become jokes. How else do you explain another Scream sequel?
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SPL!NG Movie Review: Transformers – Dark Of The Moon (2011)
29 Jun 2011 by SPLING / 4 Comments
Flight of the Conchords were right on the money when they sang Robots. The Robot, The Robo Boogie, global robo-depression, the robotic uprising of the ’90s – it’s actually scary how many parallels there are with Transformers: Dark of the Moon…
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SPL!NG Movie Review: Green Lantern (2011)
22 Jun 2011 by SPLING / 1 Comment
Ryan Reynolds is a natural born superhero: athletic, dashing, honest and armed with a cheesy grin thanks to his Hollywood dentist. It’s no wonder he’s been cast as three superheroes in the last two years. He was Captain Excellent, an imaginary superhero in Paper Man, Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine…
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SPL!NG Movie Review: Source Code (2011)
15 Jun 2011 by SPLING / No Comments
Source Code is a Duncan Jones movie. Jones is David Bowie’s son, but judging from the critical acclaim generated from his first two movies, he’ll probably be more famous for being a director with Moon and now Source Code under his belt. If Moon was inspired by Solaris and 2001: A Space Odyssey, Source Code […]
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SPL!NG Movie Review: The Adjustment Bureau (2011)
08 Jun 2011 by SPLING / No Comments
Movie trailer voice: “David Norris is about to see something no one is supposed to see. Once you know their secret you become their target. The Adjustment Bureau.” It’s tragic when a brilliant concept doesn’t measure up to its full potential. This is the case in The Adjustment Bureau with Matt Damon and Emily Blunt…
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SPL!NG Movie Review: X-Men: First Class (2011)
01 Jun 2011 by SPLING / No Comments
So you’re a mutant… Shame. Genetic anomaly, vat of green liquid goo or ninja turtle – it’s not your fault. You could blame your genes, your father’s tight jeans, the nearest nuclear power station or your mom for dropping you on your head one too many times. Just remember you’re special. No, not “Valentine’s Day” […]
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