Star Trek Into Darkness

Last Tuesday I went to see Star Trek Into Darkness.

Kirk, Spock and the rest of the Enterprise crew are back in a spectacular new intergalactic adventure! Back in 2009 J.J. Abrams, the creator of TV sensation Lost, re-booted Star Trek to tremendous success. Respectful of the origins of the franchise, Abrams also brought it up to date for a modern audience - in the process fashioning a massively entertaining blockbuster that pleased both Trekkies and new fans alike. The first film took us back to the roots of Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto), exploring their tentative beginnings aboard the Enterprise. Now, this highly anticipated follow-up begins when Kirk and Spock are called back to Earth - only to be faced with shocking scenes of devastation. Someone has launched a terrifying attack on Starfleet itself - with the culprit seemingly operating from within. Kirk, Spock, Bones (Karl Urban), Scotty (Simon Pegg), Sulu (John Cho) and the rest of the crew must venture into the depths of space to hunt down a fearsome enemy.

Fast and Furious 6

Tonight I have been to see Fast and Furious 6.

Vin Diesel and the team are back for the sixth instalment of the fender-bending franchise! At the end of the blockbusting Fast Five, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his crew ended up with an impressive $100 million following their daredevil Rio heist. The latest film picks up with Toretto and the others scattered across the world, unable to return home and forever forced to live on the lam. But they're about to be brought back together by their old nemesis Agent Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson). Hobbs has been tracking a ruthless unit of road-based mercenaries across 12 countries. And their leader (Luke Evans) is unexpectedly being aided by a significant familiar face. Hobbs realises that the only way to outsmart the villains is to assemble Dominic and his crew to take the baddies on at street level. In return, they will be granted full pardons. Brace yourself for yet more gravity-defying stunts, hot women and exotic locations!

The Place Beyond The Pines

Tonight I have seen The Place Beyond The Pines.

A chance encounter between a bank robber and a policeman resounds across the generations in this sprawling thriller. Luke (Ryan Gosling) is a motorcycle stuntman who regularly participates in carnivals across New York State. Then one day, his life changes forever when his ex, Romina (Eva Mendes), informs him that he has an infant son. Realising he must provide for the child, Luke becomes a bank robber, putting his motorcycle skills to use when it comes to making a quick getaway. Meanwhile, ambitious policeman Avery Cross (Bradley Cooper) is aiming to ascend the ladder whilst beset on all sides by rampant corruption. When the lives of these two very different men unexpectedly smash together, it has significant consequences not just for them but also, years later, for their sons. Blue Valentine director Derek Cianfrance reunites with Ryan Gosling for this atmospheric and violent drama. The impressive cast also includes Rose Byrne and Ray Liotta.