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Well cast and stunning to look at, but rigid dialogue, surprisingly weak characterization and patchy plotting make Man Of Steel a bloated attempt to bring some Batman-flavoured darkness to Superman.

My review: ramp.ie/index.php/Movie-detail/movie-review-man-of-steel-2/

Wit and fun abound in Joss Whedon's hilarious and brilliantly accessible take on Shakespeare. Charm oozeth from every pore.

My review: www.scannain.com/movie/much-ado-about-nothing

Behind The Candelabra is a rote biopic at heart, but Michael Douglas and the camerawork shine so brightly that you'll gladly overlook the story tropes.

My review: www.scannain.com/movie/behind-the-candelabra

Try as Leonardo DiCaprio might, he's ultimately swamped by Baz Luhrmann's 3D behemoth. The rest of the cast vary from fine to badly miscast, massive swooping camera shots abound and the subtle motifs of Fitzgerald's novel are replaced with obvious symbols and fan-placating references.

Rather disappointing, old sport.

My full review: ramp.ie/index.php/Movie-detail/movie-review-the-great-gatsby/

Olympus Has Fallen has a few moments of exciting destruction, and Morgan Freeman lends it some gravitas. However, for the most part, this is a high-concept 90s action flick married to post-9/11 thinking, with awkward results.

My review: ramp.ie/index.php/Movie-detail/movie-review-olympus-fallen/

It looks good and has solid performances, but The Place Beyond The Pines' plot is overambitious and overstreched, whilst its three-act structure means some characters get badly short-changed.

My review: ramp.ie/index.php/Movie-detail/movie-review-place-pines/

The plot crams in a few too many twists and turns, but Mara and Law give committed turns, and Soderbergh keeps things going at a heady, entertaining pace.

Full review here: ramp.ie/index.php/Movie-detail/movie-review-side-effects/

The plot's perfunctory, but Wood's performance, LA's polished surfaces and Khalfoun's violent and claustrophobic direction mark this as a remake of note.

Full review here: ramp.ie/index.php/Movie-detail/movie-review-maniac/

A solid cast and stunning visuals help sell a story which chokes itself with twists and double-crosses.

Full review here: ramp.ie/index.php/Movie-detail/movie-review-trance/

Stoker favours atmosphere over plot, but Chan-wook Park cranks up the tension masterfully, and the performances shine through, Mia Wasikowska in particular.

My full review: ramp.ie/index.php/Movie-detail/movie-review-stoker/

Several stories across time and space through which are woven common themes, motifs and actors. Cloud Atlas' ambition is incredible, but each story borrows liberally from better films, some of the stories themselves go nowhere, and the omnipotence of some of the actors is either a masterstroke or an irritation.

My full review: ramp.ie/index.php/Movie-detail/movie-review-cloud-atlas/

A plot bloated to excess and the unnecessary novelty of 48 frames per second combine to rob The Hobbit of the majesty of the Lord of the Rings.

Full review here: ramp.ie/index.php/Movie-detail/movie-review-hobbit-unexpected-journey-2/