What the critics say…
SCREEN
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES..................10 Bleak, despairing and utterly brilliant, Christopher Nolan’s dark Batman trilogy ends with a bang! It is potent, persuasive and hypnotic. See it! (KT)
THE EYE OF THE STORM......................8 A mordant portrait of an upper-class Sydney family in the mid-1970s. Aussie director Fred Schepisi, now 72, has adapted Patrick White’s Nobel Prizewinning novel for his first movie in Australia since his eye-catching dingo
drama, A Cry in the Dark, more than 20 years ago. (PC)
KATY PERRY: PART OF ME....................7 A glittery, engaging documentary offering a glimpse into the life and times of American pop princess Katy Perry during her 2011 tour. (AH)
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN...............7 Peter Parker finds a clue that might help him understand why his parents disappeared when he was young. His path puts him on a collision course with his dad’s former partner. (BS)
TO ROME WITH LOVE..........................7 Woody Allen’s latest stopover on his European junket, which has already taken in London and Paris, is “The Eternal City”, a status that is not reflected in the quality of this frothy, uneven film. (PC)
BRAVE....................................................7 Billy Connolly and Emma Thompson contribute their voice talents to this rich animated tale about a princess who defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. (BS)
TOTAL RECALL......................................6 Colin Farrell stars in this remake of the Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi vehicle about a factory worker who suspects he is a spy after visiting Rekall – a company that provides its clients with implanted fake memories of a life they would like to have led. He then finds himself forced to go on the run. (BS)
TED........................................................6 Mark Wahlberg stars in this comedy about a man who, as the result of a childhood wish, sees his teddy bear, Ted, come to life. Ted has been by John’s side ever since. (BS) THE EXPENDABLES 2: BACK TO WAR.................................................6 Sylvester Stallone and Liam Hemsworth team in this sequel in which Mr Church reunites the Expendables. However, when one of their men is murdered on the job, their quest for revenge puts them deep in enemy territory. (BS)
STEP UP: REVOLUTION.......................5 Dance drama in which a girl called Emily arrives in Miami with aspirations to become a pro dancer. She sparks with Sean, leader of a dance crew whose neighbourhood is threatened by Emily’s father’s development plans. (BS) TINKERBELL: SECRET OF THE WINGS..................................................5 An animated film featuring the voices of Timothy Dalton and Angelica Huston.Tinkerbell meets Periwinkle and ventures into winter woods with friends to find the secret of fairy wings. (BS)
MAD BUDDIES.....................................2 Leon Schuster’s 14th comedy plumbs new depths, resorting to feeble jokes involving excrement in the face, passing of wind and mucous bubbles from the nose. Strictly for fans! (BS) MADAME ZINGARA: EL MILAGRO (Victoria Tent, Suncoast Casino, Durban) A new show with some new acts makes this fun and flamboyant circus-dining experience a night out to remember. (BS)
STAGE
THE LOSER (Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre) The return, after six years, of Aaron McIlroy’s energetic, zany romp – a mix of comedy sketches and song centred on the world of motivational speaking. (BS) EAGLES: TAKING IT EASY (Heritage Theatre, Hillcrest) A fine tribute show celebrating the music of US band Eagles, directed by Dawn Selby, and featuring four guitarists. (BS)
SPECIAL STARS (Barnyard Theatre) Fun party show saluting SA acts from Joy, Maria and 4 Jacks and a Jill to Margaret Singana, Mango Groove and others. (BS)