Victor RebikoffWith school holidays starting, half over or just completed, theatres around the country have been busy releasing their holiday movies to coincide with the holiday break.
    Movie goers are advised to check their local cinema guides to verify session times of a particular movie.
   Some of the movies screened or being screened over these school holidays include:

Snow White and the Huntsman

   Director: Ruper Sanders, Universal Pictures, Rated M, 127 mins

First time director Rupert Sanders’ fascinating recreation of the famous fairytale (more like the Brothers Grimm adaptation than Disney’s animated classic) features Twilight’s Kristen Stewart as an assertive Snow White, Charlize Theron (Prometheus) as the fearsome Queen Ravenna and Thor’s Chris Hemsworth as the hunky huntsman, given
Snow White and the Huntsman
the task of killing Snow White after she escapes into the dark woods but ends up protecting her against the Queen’s sinister brother Finn (Sam Spruel) and his henchmen.
   To help Snow White get rid of the Queen there are the delightful (digitally reduced) dwarfs, portrayed by a lineup of British stars such as Bob Hoskins (Muir), Toby Jones (Coll), Ian McShane (Beith), Eddie Marsan (Duir), and Ray Winstone (Gort) not to mention her childhood friend Prince William (Sam Clafin).
   Sanders’ stimulating storyline is supplemented by the brilliant performance of Theron as the Queen who together with Stewart providing a refreshing portrayal of Snow White appear in many of the magical scenes (especially Theron’s magic mirror sequences) that Sanders has cleverly crafted through his infusion of some computer generated graphics.
   Despite Sanders’ dark version of the fairytale it is still a visually impressive and lavish production that most adults and older teenagers will enjoy.
VIC'S VERDICT:     4 Rubber Stamps


Brave 3D

   Directors: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell
   Disney Pixar Studios, Rated PG, 100 mins

Pixar Studios’ latest release is an animated action adventure and the first to feature a lead heroine, the impetuous and strong-willed Scottish princess Merida (voiced by Kelly
Brave 3D
Macdonald) who is told by her royal parents Fergus (voiced by Billy Connolly) and Elinor (Emma Thompson) that she must marry the son of one of the Scottish clan chiefs-from the winner of an archery tournament.
   Set in the Scottish highlands during mediaeval times, the red-haired Merida, an archer herself, decides to take matters into her own hands by defying the custom thereby causing chaos to her kingdom.
   In order to rectify the situation Merida must rely on her bravery and archery skills to undo a beastly curse after seeing a local witch (Julie Walters).
   Everyone (particularly young girls) will enjoy this family movie with its wonderful animation and beautiful settings, made more entertaining if seen in 3D.
VIC'S VERDICT:     3 ½ Rubber Stamps


Ice Age: Continental Drift 3D

   Directors: Steve Martino and Mike Thurmeier, Blue Skye Studios, Rated G, 108 mins

Another fun family feature is the fourth instalment in the highly popular Ice Age franchise that sees the return of Manny the mammoth (voiced by Roy Romano), Diego the sabre tooth tiger (Denis Leary) and Sid the sloth (John Leguizamo) in their next
Ice Age: Continental Drift 3D
adventure as they face the challenge of seeing their continent set adrift, separating Manny from wife Ellie (Queen Latifah) and daughter Peaches (Keke Palmer).
   Using an iceberg as their ship they not only encounter sea creatures but must battle a motley crew of seafaring pirates led by Captain Gutt (Peter Dinklage) who is determined to stop them returning home.
   There is also Scrat’s highly amusing nutty pursuit of his cursed acorn which caused the continental split and the introduction of a love interest for Diego-Shira, a female sabre tooth tiger (voiced by Jennifer Lopez).
   This is one franchise that continues to provide plenty of laughs for the whole family especially for younger children with its simple storyline and great animation that is made more enjoyable in 3D.
VIC'S VERDICT:     3 ½ Rubber Stamps


The Three Stooges

   Director: Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly, 20th Century Fox, Rated PG, 92 mins

The legendary Three Stooges that entertained audiences from the 30’s to the 60’s have been brought back to life by the Farrelly brothers in this enjoyable remake of the loveable trio starring Sean Hayes as Larry, Will Sasso as Curly and Chris Diamondapoulos as Moe.
The Three Stooges
   The movie begins with their upbringing at an orphanage where they create havoc for their caring nuns to the time they reach adulthood where their efforts in finding a job are met with hilarious consequences.
   And the laughs continue when the trio stumble into a murder plot and wind up starring in a TV reality show.
   To the filmmakers’ credit they have incorporated much of the slapstick comedy that the original Stooges were noted for, including the rapid fire slapping, poking and punching accompanied by the appropriate sound effects.
   The Three Stooges is certainly a funny, fast-paced comedy movie that will appeal not only to its fans but to the whole family as long as younger children are able to understand their type of humour.
VIC'S VERDICT:     3 ½ Rubber Stamps


To find out more about Victor Rebikoff click here.
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