What I loved most: Thrilling action sequences

What I really hated: Weak plot

'Race to Witch Mountain' is a remake of the 1979 classic 'Escape ot Witch Mountain'. Featuring a talented cast which includes the charismatic and brawny Dwayne Johnson of WWE fame and Carla Gugino, who is no stranger to family entertainment from the 'Spy Kids' series, this film has the makings and potential of being a great disney classic. However, a weak storyline and plot cliches hinder its path to greatness, making it seriously unfair to the impeccable cast and the stupendous effort they have put in. The otherworldliness and etheral quality of the twins, played by Anna Sophia Robb and Alexander Ludwig enhanced the surreality and mystic of the entire film that you cannot help but feel that this pair is indeed not of this earth. Even more surprising is Dwayne Johnson, who turns out to be the unexpected comedian under the guise of his strait-laced and fearsome counternance. He turns out to be the heart of the film, attacking his role with verve and dignity, without once partonizing his role or the material. The irony of the UFO convention in the film where humans dress up like paranormal beings while the actual aliens mingle seamlessly into the crowds is downright hilarious and certain humourous segments which poke fun at the general stereotype of aliens make this family fare an entertaining albeit vacuous ride. The bittersweet resolution which hints at a sequel will hopefully satisfy those who feel that this latest Disney offering fell short of the mark.

What I loved most: Complex and amoralistic plot

What I really hated: Ambiguous ending and long length

There are some who say that 'Watchmen' caters specifically to die-hard fans of the graphic comic and does little for the unintiated, I say otherwise. Despite being a stranger to the world of Watchmen, I was deeply riveted and captivated by what was playing on screen. This movies delves into the deepest and darkest part of human nature to explore and examine the concept of destruction and rebirth; peace through war, unity through adversity. It manages to deconstruct the image of superheroes to dawn on the realization that beneath the masks and capes, they are ultimately flesh and blood, fighting a losing battle against the tides of time and social unrest. The plot follows through each of the characters' unsavory past and torrid history, to show how each significant event in their lives becomes an integral part of their personality and nature. Their dysfunctional behavior and warped psyche make them more dimensional and fascinating, and the lack of superpowers (except for Dr. Manhatten), more believable. Billy Crudup who plays the omnipotent and god-like Dr. Manhatten gave the most affecting performance in spite of his detached tone and remote expression. His misanthropic and world-weary words strike an emotional chord that rings true in these uncertain times plagued with tragedies and loss. Zack Snyder has adopted a daring and unconventional approach by juggling and rearranging the natural sequence of events to great effect, which would no doubt please and challenge discerning audience who are tired of direct narrative storytelling. Every facet of this film is crafted with precision, right down to the costume design of the cold war era and the soundtrack is downright sublime. My misgivings centers around the length of the film which could have used some serious editing as well as the extensive amount of violence and gore featured in the film, though I grant that this is just a matter of staying faithful to the original source material. In the dark recesses of the tenebrous night, mankind's cries for help has never sounded more dire and desperate amidst the miasma of smoke and gloom, in the doomed and forsaken world that Zack Snyder has painted with bold and resolute strokes.

What I loved most: Intense plot

What I really hated: Nil

'Suspect X' is a refreshing and cerebral thriller, which takes precedence from early episodes of the popular series and presenting it in Hitchcockian style, this is actually a shakespearian love tragedy in the guise of a crime thriller. The culprit is actually revealed in the first reel of the film but the suspense remains nevertheless tightly strung like a wound up spring, keeping you at the edge of your seat through the entire two-hour feature. The main conflict that serves as the backbone of the story comes from the physicist and mathematician, as they engage in a battle of wits for supremacy in plotting, scheming and analyzing. In the end,the deeply moving denouement will leave you with a sense of despair as the charcaters finally come to terms with the intricate and inexplicable nature of love and the burdens and scarifices that come along with it.

What I loved most: Engaging performances

What I really hated: slow pacing in the middle

This movie is about Marley, a boisterous and combustive critter, brought up by a couple residing in Florida, which inadvertently becomes the quintessential missing element that brings a family together. Its peevish and cantankerous nature coupled with its anarchic ways never fail to cause pandemonium and endless troubles for its owners. The beauty of the story lies in the fact that its owners recognize Marley for its unique albeit destructive 'personality' but still love it for the way it is. Despite its overzealous demeanour, Marley shares a deep link with its owners and has been integrated into the family since the day it arrived at the owners' house. This mutual affection and reciprocal caring propels the story forward, following Marley's various misadventures and the ups and downs of the couple trying to live the American dream. Jennifer Aniston gives an arresting performance, imbuing her character with warmth and radiance. Her chemistry with co-star Owen Wilson is dazzling, allowing them both to settle comfortably into their roles. The intimacy of the filming technique enhances the poignancy of the plot, making the close bond between dog and owner all the more heart-felt and emotional, affirming the common belief that a dog is a man's best friend. The tragic resolution is bound to leave you teary-eyed, so have your tissues at hand to bawl your hearts out. Don't worry about anyone looking, it will be weepies well shed.

What I loved most: Pretty faces on screen

What I really hated: Lame ending

The 3-D element is what draws me to the show in the first place. Let me start off by warning those who have a weak stomach against gore and those expecting stylized violence that you are at the wrong movie, get out of the theatre immediately before your retinas get toasted (pun intended) by the amount of nasty and gruesome butchering, some of which are presented in 3-D, so yes, you would expect body parts to come flying right at you. This is a menacing, macabre massacre that spares no expense to appall you with the various sick and warped ways of exacting savagery. The first few minutes of the film would hint and alert you to whether you should stay on as the amount and extent of violence escalates till a point when you become numb to it. However, it is undeniable that you will derive grim satisfaction from seeing a few less than upstanding members of the community(i.e.sluts) suffer their comeuppance, and watching a ditsy blond making frail and futile attempts to escape may be unoriginal but oddly entertaining with a dark sense of humour. The plot is contrived and prosaic, following the footsteps of previous slasher flicks and the acting is mediocre at best. However, there is a certain morbid fascination in the irony of the show which twists the idea of a pristine, lovey-dovey valentine into a disturbing pornographic gorefest of fear and dread.

What I loved most: Stunning animation visuals

What I really hated: Trite storyline

'Bolt' is an enjoyable family fare all everyone of all ages, laden with gorgeous animation and utterly adorable and amiable characters that begs you to cuddle them. It tells the tale of a dog which has been accidentally shipped off to another place, trying to find his way back to his owner. The only problem is that it has been living in a fantasy within the walls of Hollywood studios ever since young and is unable to accept the fact that it is not the superhero it was within the studios. The bring-home message in this film about accepting your true identity and courage in the face of the odds is presented in a simple and apparent manner that is easily comprehended by kids while the adults will be awed by the kaleidoscopic visual galore of stunning and stupendous animation. However, the plot suffers from a lack of depth and sophiscation that we have come to expect from animation, thanks to impressive Pixar productions and the idea of someone becoming detached with the real world as a result of the fantasy realm created in Hollywood has already been explored in 'The Truman Show', thus plot further suffers from a lack of originality. Even so, the voice talents were great, inflecting tones of humour and dry wit with perfect comic timing.