Fright Night

Colin Farrell as a charming and seductive vampire? Yes, I can see that working, can't you?

While you may or may not be aware, vampires have been given a 21st Century makeover and are no longer bound to long black cloaks and slicked-back hair. Vamps these days are sexy and stylish and have the women falling at their feet. This remake of Fright Night has also been given the appropriate, er, revamp and is ready for modern-day consumption. It's funny, dark and wicked - the perfect for the build up to Halloween.
Rating: 3 outta 5.

The Three Musketeers

No doubt you've seen this movie in one form or another; it's simply a sexier and more technologically advanced remake of an age-old tale.

This one stars Orlando Bloom, who looks like he could have walked straight off of the Pirates set and onto this one. And for the guys, there's Milla Jovovich to make the film more interesting. Other than that there's not much more I can tell you. It's an adventure romp that will at least keep you entertained for a couple of hours. Sometimes that's all you need.

Rating: 3 outta 5.

The Help

When she returns from college to 1960s Jackson, Mississippi, "Skeeter" finds that she doesn't fit into the privileged, white upper class as easily as she used to. A journalism graduate, she starts to observe the black "help" employed to raise the white children and maintain a pristine household, and approaches her family servant, Aibileen, to discuss what it feels like, for an article. After some initial resistance, a whole can of worms is opened up, giving Skeeter enough fodder for a novel titled "The Help".

While this film obviously comments on the race relations at the time, it's also a story about friendships, loss, forgiveness and pride. With outstanding performances from a brilliant ensemble cast, this is the movie to watch in anticipation of next year's awards season.
Rating: 4 outta 5.

The Smurfs

I'm guessing that most parents who are going to take their kids to see The Smurfs will have been fans of the TV series. Personally I have memories of many afternoons whiled away with the adventures of Papa Smurf, Smurfette, evil Gargamel and his cat Azrael, to name a few.

The old animation has undergone a 21st Century transformation; the blue creatures are slick and shiny and come with celeb voices, like Smurfette who's voiced by Katy Perry. And, best of all, Gargamel is played by a sparsely toothed Hank Azaria, making him and his nastiness larger than life. I have to admit I was sceptical of the remake but I think they've done a pretty good job in making the forest creatures attractive to a new generation. Spread the Smurf love.

Rating: 3 outta 5.