Halloween month is kicking off with some scary new releases, from family-friendly horror (that works!), to an anthropomorphic train that will give you nightmares and the horrible mess that is Venom.
Venom
Age Restriction: 16 H L V
One of Marvel’s most enigmatic, complex and badass characters comes to the big screen, starring Academy Award-nominated actor Tom Hardy as the lethal protector Venom.
Venom is, to put it kindly, all over the place. It’s so discombobulated that, despite remaining relatively faithful to the source material, it remains an absolute mess. There is some fun to be had here, but the cartoonish, crazy moments are not enough to make up for the complete tone and plot confusion.
The House with a Clock in its Walls
Age Restriction: 10-12 PG H V
10-year-old Lewis (Owen Vaccaro) goes to live with his uncle in a creaky old house with a mysterious tick-tocking heart. But his new town’s sleepy façade jolts to life with a secret world of warlocks and witches when Lewis accidentally awakens the dead.
Perfectly balanced between humour and horror, The House with a Clock in its Walls is a fun Halloween movie that’s suitable for the younger crowds… for a change. And from Eli “Hostel” Roth as well! I would not have expected that.
The Forgiven
Age Restriction: 18 L V P
When Archbishop Desmond Tutu (Forest Whitaker) is appointed to head a nationwide investigation, he’s summoned to a maximum-security prison by a notorious murderer seeking clemency (Eric Bana). Inside the brutal prison walls, Tutu is drawn into a dangerous, life-changing battle with the cunning criminal.
While The Forgiven may be a powerful movie tackling a subject that is especially close to home for South Africans, it lacks the substance to really make you care. Though Whitaker’s turn as Archbishop Tutu has a few shaky moments, in general the film’s performances can’t be faulted. The story just doesn’t build up to much.
- Rotten Tomatoes: 55% (Rotten)
- Metacritic: 41 (Mixed or Average Reviews)
Thomas & Friends – Big World! Big Adventures!
Age Restriction: PG
Attempting to be the first engine to travel the world, Thomas leaves Sodor and sets off on an epic journey that will take him to five continents. Along the way, Thomas meets an engine called Nia that will teach him a valuable lesson about friendship.
I know it’s currently a week of school holidays, but no parent should be forced to sit through something like Thomas & Friends – Big World! Big Adventures! I mean, it has exclamation marks in the title for goodness sake.
- Rotten Tomatoes: 11% (Certified Rotten)
For more information about the age restrictions, click here.
Last Updated: October 5, 2018
Captain JJ
October 5, 2018 at 12:27
Now I’m not huge on the comic book hero movies. DC or Marvel. I’ve enjoyed some, no doubt, but I’ve never rushed to watch any, and I’m quite a few behind on both ends.
But Venom seems like a fun watch, regardless of the reviews it’s received so far. I think people are taking it a lot more seriously than it’s meant to be taken.