Reviews by Stephen Carty

Order by: Date, A–Z

• 
  What To Expect When You're Expecting (2012)

  Review preview for What To Expect When You're Expecting

  Clichéd, predictable and hugely sexist.

  Ensemble comedy about pregnant couples.
• 
  American Pie Reunion (2012)

  Review preview for American Pie Reunion

  A charrming and funny improvement over the second and third slices.

  It's high school reunion time for Stifler and the gang.
• 
  The American President (1995)

  Review preview for The American President

  Occasionally veers into trite territory and the climax involves a big rousing speech, but it’s all very charming and intelligent.

  A widowed president falls for a lobbyist.
• 
  The Five-Year Engagement (2012)

  Review preview for The Five-Year Engagement

  The problem isn’t that we seen it all before – it’s that we’ve seen it all done better. Much better.

  A young couple find it's tough to make it down the aisle.
• 
  The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

  Review preview for The Amazing Spider-Man

  Where Raimi’s approach was energetic, quirky and comic book-y, Webb’s is a modern, edgier, hipster version.

  Peter Parker tries to get to the bottom of his parents' disappearance.
• 
  Mirror Mirror (2012)

  Review preview for Mirror Mirror

  Ultimately, this is a disappointingly lifeless missed opportunity.

  An exiled princess tries to win back her kingdom from her wicked stepmother.
• 
  Safe (2012)

  Review preview for Safe

  Happily, writer/director Boaz Yakin offers some surprisingly stylish camera work.

  An ex-cage fighter tries to help a girl on the run from gangsters who ruined his life.
• 
  The Hunger Games (2012)

  Review preview for The Hunger Games

  It’s seldom exciting or memorable.

  Set in a dystopian future, a young boy and girl must fight to the death on live television.
• 
  The Inbetweeners: Series 3 (2010)

  Review preview for The Inbetweeners: Series 3

  Slightly more broad and over-the-top than before, but still well observed and one of the sharpest, funniest comedies on the box.

  The exploits of four friends, who are socially only marginally above what one of them calls "the freaks", are presented as they grow from their late teen years into adults and as they go on their quest, usually unsuccessfully, for such grown up things as beer and sex.
• 
  The Inbetweeners: Series 2 (2009)

  Review preview for The Inbetweeners: Series 2

  The Inbetweeners' real strength (and reason for watching) remains the accuracy with which it paints teenage existence in British suburbia.

  The exploits of four friends, who are socially only marginally above what one of them calls "the freaks", are presented as they grow from their late teen years into adults and as they go on their quest, usually unsuccessfully, for such grown up things as beer and sex.
• 
  The Inbetweeners: Series 1 (2008)

  Review preview for The Inbetweeners: Series 1

  The Inbetweeners is indisputably a very funny experience, with killer lines and creative insults coming thick and fast.

  The exploits of four friends, who are socially only marginally above what one of them calls "the freaks", are presented as they grow from their late teen years into adults and as they go on their quest, usually unsuccessfully, for such grown up things as beer and sex.
• 
  Mad Men: Series 1 (2007)

  Review preview for Mad Men: Series 1

  In a day and age where the majority of television is frustratingly geared towards impatient audiences, a show like Mad Men is a refreshing experience

  A drama about one of New York's most prestigious ad agencies at the beginning of the 1960s, focusing on one of the firm's most mysterious but extremely talented ad executives, Donald Draper.
• 
  Planet Of The Apes (2001)

  Review preview for Planet Of The Apes

  Aside from some hugely-impressive ape make-up effects and a few noteworthy performances from Roth and Bonham Carter, this re-imagining falls way short.

  Tim Burton's monkeys are revolting.
• 
  Goodfellas (1990)

  Review preview for Goodfellas

  This is Scorsese at the top of his game.

  Biopic of mafiosi Henry Hill and his rise and fall through the mob.
• 
  Heat (1995)

  Review preview for Heat

  Mann’s film is a stone-cold masterpiece.

  A cop and a career thief end up on a collision course.
• 
  French Connection II (1975)

  Review preview for French Connection II

  Aside from the fish-out-of-water angle not working, this is a decent genre thriller.

  Popeye Doyle tracks a drugs kingpin to Marseilles.
• 
  The French Connection (1971)

  Review preview for The French Connection

  Friedkin's trend-setting handheld-camera gives a documentary-style feel, puting you right in among the tense surveillance and hunch-following legwork.

  An unorthodox cop and his partner are hot on the tail of a heroin shipment.
• 
  Horrible Bosses (2011)

  Review preview for Horrible Bosses

  An amusing comedy no doubt, but all the best moments were in the trailer.

  Three friends conspire to murder their awful bosses when they realize they are standing in the way of their happiness.
• 
  Super 8 (2011)

  Review preview for Super 8

  More like a reverential throwback to past classics than a classic in its own right, Super 8 is simultaneously inspired by its influences yet unable to transcend them for something unique.

  A train-wreck leads to an encroaching mystery.
• 
  Taken (2008)

  Review preview for Taken

  Taken is exactly the picture you are expecting and there's not even a real villain to hate, just a bunch of forgettable, faceless eurothugs. Unforgiveable.

  A former spy gets back into action after his daughter is kidnapped by sex traffickers.
• 
  Source Code (2011)

  Review preview for Source Code

  Duncan Jones has used a fresh(ish) premise to fashion a smart, exciting and deeply involving thriller.

  A man discovers he's part of an experiment that lets him inhabit another man's body for the last eight minutes of the man's life - his task is to stop a terror attack.
• 
  Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip (2006)

  Review preview for Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip

  Smarter and wittier than nearly every other show out there, cancellation was always inevitable.

  Behind the scenes of a comedy sketch show.
• 
  The West Wing: Season 1 (2000)

  Review preview for The West Wing: Season 1

  You're probably thinking that a show about politics would be boring as hell. Instead we got a smart, savvy, funny and insightful drama which, despite a little dating, still stands among television's finest.

  Behind the scenes at The White House when Martin Sheen is President.
• 
  Paper Man (2009)

  Review preview for Paper Man

  Despite offering a handful of touching moments, this quirky indie effort feels a bit messy and never properly finds it's rhythm.

  The unlikely friendship between failed author Richard Dunne and a Long Island teen, under the watchful eye of his imaginary Superhero friend.
• 
  Green Lantern (2011)

  Review preview for Green Lantern

  With a script written by four different writers(!), Green Lantern never decides what it wants to be.

  A fighter pilot is called upon by a league of intergalactic defenders to help them fight evil through the use of a powerful ring.
• 
  Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)

  Review preview for Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

  There's a nagging, hard-to-shake feeling that these characters, like the franchise itself, are tired and don't seem to be having nearly as much fun as previous pirating endeavours.

  Jack Sparrow is forced to accompany a dangerous woman and her still more dangerous ally on a daring quest to find the legendary Fountain of Youth.
• 
  Gnomeo & Juliet (2011)

  Review preview for Gnomeo & Juliet

  While the concept is a quirky, eccentric delight, the film itself rarely feels like anything other than a run-of-the-mill animation of (ahem) garden variety standard.

  Animated take on the Shakespeare tale.
• 
  Twelve Monkeys (1995)

  Review preview for Twelve Monkeys

  Dark, bleak and mind-bending, Terry Gilliam's Twelve Monkeys is as good as sci-fi gets.

  A man is sent back through time from a dystopian world to try and stop terrorists releasing a deadly plague.
• 
  The Kids Are All Right (2010)

  Review preview for The Kids Are All Right

  Presenting life as it is (complicated, messy, imperfect, unfair, random), you've probably gathered that is a poignant, true-to-life experience, but what surprises is the humour.

  The children of a lesbian couple hunt down their biological dad with comic results.
• 
  The Mechanic (2011)

  Review preview for The Mechanic

  Watchable and competent, if ultimately unsatisfying, actioner.

  When a hitman mentors the son of a man he assassinated.
• 
  Family Guy: It's A Trap (2010)

  Review preview for Family Guy: It's A Trap

  A half-hearted effort.

  Last in the trilogy of the animation's Star Wars specials.
• 
  A Life Less Ordinary (1997)

  Review preview for A Life Less Ordinary

  While both McGregor and Diaz are watchable enough as a likeable loser and a redemptive bitch, there's never any sense that they're 'made for each other'.

  A sacked caretaker takes his bosses daughter hostage... but two fallen angels are determined to make the pair fall in love.
• 
  School Ties (1992)

  Review preview for School Ties

  There’s more going on than just prejudice, as the well-worn themes of friendship and loyalty are given air to breathe.

  A Jewish schoolboy finds his religion is a problem at an elitist schoolboy.
• 
  The Goonies (1985)

  Review preview for The Goonies

  Donner's era-defining adventure is at once lighthearted, serious, scary and lots of fun.

  A pirate treasure map leads a group of kids on an adventure.
• 
  The Untouchables (1987)

  Review preview for The Untouchables

  For sheer satisfaction, Brian De Palma's tour-de-force is hard to beat.

  How the infamous Chicago gang boss, Al Capone, was brought down.
• 
  The Bridge On The River Kwai (1957)

  Review preview for The Bridge On The River Kwai

  Lean's bridge-building drama doesn't grip as much as its reputation promises.

  An exhausted group of prisoners of war are forced to build a bridge, yet keep their spirits high.
• 
  Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1998)

  Review preview for Who Framed Roger Rabbit

  Not without its silly and over-the-top moments, Who Framed Roger Rabbit remains a very entertaining technical marvel.

  When a cartoon rabbit is accused of murder, his only hope is an animation-loathing gumshoe.
• 
  Bruce Almighty (2003)

  Review preview for Bruce Almighty

  Using all the tricks in his comedic, improv-heavy bag, JC seems to have been let off the leash, with buddy Shadyac content to watch him do his thing whilst offering some very inventive sight gags.

  Jim Carrey becomes the Almighty, pray it isn't so.
• 
  Liar Liar (1997)

  Review preview for Liar Liar

  It’s a one-man showcase where Carrey’s shouty, motormouth antics are the whole dog-and-pony show

  A boy's wish that his dad won't be able to tell a lie for 24 hours comes true.
• 
  Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993)

  Review preview for Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story

  Charismatic, spontaneous, funny, infectious, Scott Lee doesn’t just play the dragon, he inhabits him.

  Biopic of the martial artist and film star.
• 
  Following (1998)

  Review preview for Following

  Shot in handheld black and white with an obviously-low budget, it might seem rough – but what we’re watching is still pure Nolan.

  A writer hooks up with a thief in a tale of cross and double-cross.
• 
  Romancing The Stone (1984)

  Review preview for Romancing The Stone

  Issues of originality aside, Romancing ultimately succeeds thanks to the natural on-screen chemistry between Douglas and Turner.

  Odd-couple romance and adventure in the jungle.
• 
  Timeline (2003)

  Review preview for Timeline

  Proof that when you combine a great premise and a talented director, you don't necessarily strike gold.

  Archaeologists travel back in time to 14th Century France.
• 
  Robin Hood (2010)

  Review preview for Robin Hood

  Applaudable ambition, but poor execution, mis-casting and too little soul.

  Robin goes back to his roots before the hood.
• 
  Willow (1988)

  Review preview for Willow

  Lucas and Howard's often-dark adventure is still an enjoyable sword-and-sorcery tale.

  A would-be sorceror enlists the help of a warrior to take an abandoned baby to safety.
• 
  Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

  Review preview for Dog Day Afternoon

  A compelling and powerful character piece.

  A bank job goes horribly wrong.
• 
  The Great Gatsby (1974)

  Review preview for The Great Gatsby

  The majority of the cast seem as though they're reading lines from a book and struggling to make the dialogue appear real.

  A struggling salesman moves to Long Island and becomes intrigued by his wealthy neighbour.
• 
  High Fidelity (2000)

  Review preview for High Fidelity

  One of the many reasons why High Fidelity is essential viewing is how well-observed it is when dealing with love and relationships.

  Comedy about a record store owner and his romantic break ups.
• 
  Frequency (2000)

  Review preview for Frequency

  Hoblit and Emmerich try to engage the viewers' brains rather than using the set-up as an excuse to crowbar in action scenes at every chance.

  A man discovers he can talk to his long-dead father via a CB radio.
• 
  Extreme Measures (1996)

  Review preview for Extreme Measures

  There isn't a massive amount of 'action' per say, but Apted's expertly-paced tale throbs with genuine suspense as the net progressively closes in on Guy.

  A surgeon begins to suspect one of his eminent colleagues may be in the business of harming rather than healing people.