This Week's Cinema

Miss PotterGet over the end of Christmas with a trip to the cinema.

Tim Evans has already seen the new releases (jammy dodger that he is) and is keen to share his thoughts... 

MISS POTTER

Certificate: PG Running time: 93m

What's it about? Renee Zellweger plays Beatrix Potter, the Kensington girl who defied Victorian convention to carve out a successful career as a writer and illustrator.

What's good? This reveals the hidden story of Potter, her ill-fated love affair with her publisher (Ewan McGregor) and the far-sighted view she took of her adopted Lake District home.

ApocalyptoWhat's bad? Not a lot. It's beautifully played by Zellweger and McGregor, and the Lake District shots will beguile those who don't share a love of Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddleduck.

Worth a look? Yes. It's solid British film-making and the story will surprise those who thought Potter existed to keep National Trust shops in profit.

Click for full skymovies.com MISS POTTER review

APOCALYPTO

Certificate: 18 Running time: 137m

What's it about? Mel Gibson goes back to the ancient Mayan civilisation of South America to direct this fast-paced action yarn about a family whose father looks like he'll end up as a ritual sacrifice.

Employee Of The MonthWhat's good? It looks great - if a bit on the gory side - and Rudy Youngblood excels as Jaguar Paw, the hunter-gatherer who finds himself the prey.

What's bad? Taken on face value, not much. Gibson's decision to script the dialogue in the original Mayan may irritate... but it also conveys an authenticity that could have been lacking.

Worth a look? Yes. As a simple adventure flick, it's worth, erm, sacrificing some of your time for.

Click for full skymovies.com APOCALYPTO review

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

Certificate: 12 Running time: 108m

What's it about? Two supermarket rivals - one a slacker, the other a jobsworth - find themselves locked in a bitter struggle to win the heart of Jessica Simpson's till girl.

What's good? Stand-up Dane Cook and Dax Shepard have a real comedy chemistry and there's the odd surreal flight of fancy to distinguish this from every other teen romcom.

What's bad? It gets a bit laboured and, let's face it, Jessica Simpson isn't going to win any acting awards.

Worth a look? Maybe. If it's laddish laughs you're after put it on your shopping list.

Click for full skymovies.com EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH review