Sort of by accident, I found myself watching five movies this week, much higher than average. Some were old, some new. In a nutshell, here’s my thoughts on each.

Snowpiercer

The world has frozen over and everyone who survived is living on a self-sustaining train, where carriages keep them separated into a class system. Fed up with their oppression, the lower class plan an uprising.

I assume this movie was filled with allegory and paid homage to something, but that all went over my head. Or maybe it’s just a bad movie. It was too long, a bit too gory in places (and I’m not queasy about that stuff), and had an unsatisfying ending. Chris Evans was good in it though.

My verdict? Give it a miss.

I Don’t Know How She Does It

A dramedy about a woman who is trying to balance her family life with her high-level finance job.

I popped this on for something light to watch one night, and it served that purpose. It was what you’d expect — likeable characters, fairly safe and predictable story line, happy ending (oops, spoiler). My only issue with this movie is that of the many working mothers I’ve known, not one zips about in a perpetual state of harried untidiness. Perhaps it was a device to reflect her mile-a-minute thoughts as she tried to manage it all? If so, it didn’t work for me.

My verdict? Check it out if you have the chance, probably don’t go out of your way.

The Theory of Everything

A biopic of Stephen Hawking’s life, based on his wife’s memoir about their life together.

I loved this movie the whole way through. Basically, it broke my heart and put it back together again. But if you’re in it for the science, you’re out of luck; it’s about people and how they come together and deal with adversity. Also Chris didn’t like it — he didn’t find Hawking endearing (I did!) and didn’t like how he treated his wife.

My verdict? Loved it, see it.

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

Jack Ryan is an undercover CIA analyst who uncovers a Russian terrorist plot and goes to stop it.

This is an action movie, plain and simple. But the storyline was pretty good and held my interest. No major surprises, but no complaints. Keira Knightley was impressive, plus she has an American accent which transforms her into a completely different person.

My verdict? Worth a look, especially if you’ve got a manfriend who’ll pretty much only watch action movies.

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Image Credit.

Follows the shenanigans of a hotel concierge with a fondness for older, wealthy women, and his trusted lobby boy.

In true Wes Anderson style it’s populated with quirky, larger than life characters and is a visual masterpiece. Great story, great actors, great movie.

My verdict? Weren’t you listening? It’s great!

Over to you — seen any good movies lately?

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