The Karate Kid (in a kung fu movie?)

Starring: Jaden Smith(The Pursuit of Happyness, The Day the Earth Stood Still)
Jackie Chan( The Spy Next Door,The Forbidden Kingdom, Rush Hour 3)
Taraji P.Henson(Smokin Aces, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Date Night)
Directed by: Harald Zwart(Agent Cody Banks, The Pink Panther 2)
The Karate Kid is a martial arts remake of a film of the same name.The story moves to Beijing this time instead of Los Angeles,California. The movie is produced by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith along with Jerry Weintraub, Ken Stovitz and James Lassiter.
Sherry Parker begins a new life moving from Detroit to Beijing, but unhappy with the move is Dre who has left all of his friends behind. He incurs the wrath of a bully (Zhenwai Wang) and his master Li, his only friends being Mr Han(Chan) and a girl he has developed a crush on Mei Ying (Wen Wen Han). Mr Han is a kung fu master who teaches him the art of self-defence. The pair come to rely on each other and enter together in a kung fu tournament to beat their respective demons. Will they win face?
This could have become quite formulaic but was surprisingly well done. Jackie Chan was very good as was Jaden Smith. Taraji P.Henson was a little over the top as the mother ; but many other characters were well cast.
I was very surprised by this - 4 out of 5 stars.

Eclipse

Starring: Kristen Stewart(Adventureland, Twilight Saga, The Runaways)
Robert Pattinson(Little Ashes, Remember Me,Twilight Saga)
Taylor Lautner(Cheaper By The Dozen 2, Twilight Saga,Valentines Day)
Directed by: David Slade(30 Days of Night,Hard Candy)
This is a romance/fantasy vampire film after Twilight and New Moon. David Slade directs this film as New Moon director Chris Weitz was in post production when it began filming.
Seattle is reeling at the unexplained deaths of several young people while Victoria(Bryce Dallas Howard) continues her quest for revenge on Bella and her vampire friends. Things come to a head when the battle between the Newborns and the Cullens/wolf pack escalate. Bella must also examine her love for Edward and her feelings for Jacob - what will she do?
This is a much better script than that of New Moon was and a lot more action-packed than that of New Moon. Taylor Lautner has become a favourite at my house (thanks to my 9 year old daughter) and Jackson Rathbone is surprisingly good as Jasper. Bryce Dallas Howard is also well-cast as Victoria, the one whose revenge knows no boundaries. The leads ,Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, are adequately cast but don't bring much character to the screen.
Overall its better than the first two but not quite up to scratch for someone whose tastes lie elsewhere.
I give it 3.5 stars out of five.

Marmaduke

Starring:Owen Wilson(v.Night At The Museum 2,Drillbit Taylor, Marley and Me)
George Lopez(v.Beverly Hills Chihuahua,Spy Next Door,Valentine's Day)
Kiefer Sutherland(v.The Sentinel,Mirrors,Monsters vs Aliens)
Fergie(v.Madagascar 2,Nine)
Emma Stone(v.Superbad,Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,Zombieland)
Lee Pace(Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day, Possession,The Fall)
Directed by:Tom Dey
This is a live-action film of Brad Anderson's comic strip of Marmaduke.It is directed by Tom Dey whose credits include Shanghai Noon and Failure to Launch.
This follows the adventures of the Winslow family and their pets Carlos (the Balinese cat) and Marmaduke (the great dane). The family move to California from Kansas for Phil's job. Marmaduke is excited and with the help of Carlos he pretends to be a tough dog and win a fight with Carlos. This makes Marmaduke 'king of the dogs' but all good things must come to an end and Marmaduke must come to accept that living a lie has its own consequences.
Unfortunately this was a dog-aweful comedy that the kids loved but I could take it or leave it (mostly leave it!) Owen Wilson I am not a big fan of anyway and he appeared lacklustre in this film. The cat Carlos was funny but maybe that's my own fault coming from a cat-loving household.
I could only find it in my heart to give it two stars out of five.

Animal Kingdom

Starring: Jackie Weaver(The Two-Wheeled Time Machine, Cosi)
Joel Edgerton(The Waiting City,The Square)
Ben Mendelsohn(Knowing,Beautiful Kate)
Luke Ford(Kokoda,Ghost Machine)
Guy Pearce(Bedtime Stories,The Hurt Locker)
Sullivan Stapleton(Centre Place, The December Boys)
James Frecheville(The Fourth Pillar)
Directed by: DavidMichod
This is a crime/drama film that is loosely based on the the Walsh Street police killings and the saga that went with them. The film is produced by Liz Watts.
Joshua 'J' Cody's mother dies of an overdose so he is left to be taken in by his grandmother and uncles who are criminals. His introduction to the seedy underworld of crime as part of his 'normal life' by his uncles and their friend Barry leads him to believe that nothing is safe when people have their backs to the wall. J is thrust into the killings - does he take the easy way out or is something more sinister in mind?
I felt that this was a good portrayal of the underside of life in Melbourne in the mid 1980's. The series of killings by police of several men wanted for and suspected of crimes was highly suspicious.
Andrew 'Pope' Cody(Ben Mendelson) was a very good character as was Barry Brown (Joel Edgerton). Jackie Weaver played a magnificent character as Janine 'Smurf'Cody- a resourceful woman who'll stop at nothing to protect her boys. A bit of a let-down was Guy Pearce as Det.Leckie - perhaps a little shallow? James Frecheville cast as the young J is one to keep an eye on.
Overall a crime drama that is very satisfying. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.