Kong: Skull Island (12A)
three stars
Dir: Jordan Vogt-Roberts
With: Brie Larson, Samuel L Jackson
Runtime: 118 minutes
THIS star-laden action drama is proof that more money and gizmos do not necessarily make for a bigger thrill ride. The 1933 classic with Fay Wray could induce shivers through nothing more than a rustle of foliage. Here, director Jordan Vogt-Roberts throws container-loads of special effects, a host of stars (Samuel L Jackson, Brie Larson and Tom Hiddleston are among the travellers to the titular island who soon find out it is far from uninhabited), and assorted other big beasts at the screen, yet he comes away with a picture that has plenty of crash and bang but little in the way of emotional wallop. Hokey dialogue is among the irritants, as is Larson tearing around in a two sizes too small T-shirt. Still, the big ape makes for an endlessly impressive sight.
Catfight (15)
three stars
Dir: Onur Tukel
With: Sandra Oh, Anne Heche
Runtime: 95 minutes
VERONICA and Ashley could not bear each other at college, so when they meet again at a New York party years later, they ought to just nod, smile and go their separate ways. Only that is not how it turns out in Onur Tukel’s bonkers, bleak as the grave comedy. Over the course of 95 minutes the two batter each other senseless then break to deal with the consequences. Ultimately overstretched, but kudos to Oh and Heche for giving this often wickedly funny tale their all.
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