by Dave Corkery

Here’s an enigma: Is Robert Downey Jr. a great actor or is Robert Downey Jr. just being Robert Downey Jr. all the time? When a charismatic, smart-mouthed playboy is playing a charismatic, smart-mouthed playboy, it’s hard to tell whether we’re looking at a de Niro style performance or just some cool guy who’s comfortable in front of a camera. But really, when an actor can bring this much energy, humour and sarcastic cool to a role, who really cares if he’s acting or just having a laugh? Downey Jr. is an absolute joy to watch and proves that he oozes enough charm to front a super-budget Hollywood movie. Like Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean, he has proven that he can make the transition from indie golden boy to megastar leading man with ease. What this will mean for his career though, is another matter.

… then Robocop would be an utter waste of tax-payers’ money

by Richy Davies

The thing about technology is that essentially it is shit. It is utterly unreliable and usually makes a point to stop working at a critical moment. Machines are notorious pains in the arse, and so are people for that matter. Robocop is half man and half machine. Worse still, he’s half Irish-man, half machine. Try to imagine if Windows Vista carried a semi-automatic hand cannon and was powered by a dead Irish-man who isn’t particularly pleased about being deceased.

You are imagining Robocop.

Despite being bullet proof, Robocop was not much better than any normal cop, and he was prone to rust. The cost of running and feeding Robocop could probably have paid the salaries of another 20 cops. That’s an entire department.

by Puptentacle

Lars (Ryan Gosling) is lonely and emotionally distant. He works a nondescript office job and lives in a converted garage on the grounds of the house he and his brother own. As he doesn’t seek the company of others and recoils from human contact, his brother and sister-in-law are surprised to hear about Bianca, a new lady in Lars’ life. Perhaps more surprising is that she’s an inflatable “Real Girl” ordered online, and that Lars is unshakable in his conviction that they are in love. Naturally, concerns for Lars’ mental health are raised at this point. The local doctor in this Northern Canadian town diagnoses Lars as delusional, but harmless. She recommends that his family allow him to work through his emotional issues by accepting Bianca as he sees her.

Here’s the first official poster for ‘big-green-smashy-smash fest’ starring serious actors.

Up front there, we have Edward Norton doing the classic ‘sad-walking away’ look that any fans of the 80s Incredible Hulk TV show will know well (cue sad piano plonking)

And then behind Mr. Norton is Bruce Banner’s alter ego, the titular Hulk himself; looking very much like he’s in an ad for Levis. Or the front cover of ‘Men’s Health.’

Overall, this is a cool, effective one-sheet for a film that will have to battle hard for a place amongst fellow superheroes IronMan, BatMan and Archaeologist Man (you know who).

Click left for a larger look

Cathy Cullen

The plot of this film is as basic as it is awful. Which is very. Ted Grey moves to a new town to study pathology. He seems to be a nice enough guy, hard-working, loving fiancée, etc. He’s a brilliantly talented doctor (of course), with a great life planned out for himself. However, within about ten minutes Ted becomes seduced by the ‘it’ crowd of med students in his class, lead by Jake Gallows. He quickly becomes a murderous, lust driven drug addict who kills for kicks. Pornographically violent scenes ensue.