SHORTCUTS

NEW RELEASES

Pain & Gain: Michael Bay’s true-life crime black comedy caper crackles with (hopefully deliberate) irony, as the bombastic director sends up the noisy, hyper-stylised action movies which have become his trademark. A trio of ultra-buff, bumblers and would-be criminals (Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson and Anthony Mackie) with their hearts set on getting-rich-quick, kidnap a multi-millionaire whom they torture into signing his wealth over to them. ★★★★ The Reluctant Fundamentalist: young Pakistani man chasing corporate success on Wall Street finds himself caught between the American Dream, conflicting ideologies, and the enduring call of his family’s homeland. This film will likely make some people angry because of the way it holds the US responsible for the repercussions of its actions in the world, especially after September 11, 2001. ★★★★ The Heat: Seen through one lens, this film is the product of a cheering trend in female-centred comedies. Seen through another, it revolves around the retrograde novelty of watching women swagger, spout vulgarities, brandish guns and toss around references to their vaginas. Sandra Bullock and

AMelissa McCarthy and the chemistry they generate are far more compelling than the movie they’re in. Too often the sketches go on too long, and the coarse, abrasive tone quickly begins to feel repetitive and off-putting. ★★

ON CIRCUIT

The East: After infiltrating an ecoterrorism group, Sara (Brit Marling) falls for its leader, Benji (Alexander Skarsgard). ★★★ Planes: It may be an official Cars spinoff, but you won’t find the name Pixar anywhere in connection with Disney’s Planes. It lacks the sort of character depth and dramatic scope normally associated with Pixar. ★★ The Evil Dead: A remake of Sam Raimi’s 1981 horror classic, directed by Fede Alvarez, is more stomachchurning than soul-chilling. ★★★ Welcome to the Punch: Despite its visual polish, this British police drama, which stars James McAvoy and Mark Strong, is strictly by-the-numbers, despite its fast pacing and well-staged action set-pieces. ★★★ Jimmy in Pienk: The film follows the adventures of Jimmy, a conservative South African farmer who is elated when his rich gay uncle offers him a way to save his farm from bankruptcy. Not reviewed Great Expectations: Unlike the recent, more daring deconstructions of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, Mike Newell’s Great Expectations is a close translation of the novel. ★★★ Now You See Me: FBI agents track a team of illusionists who pull off bank