Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

I was worried that Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy would not live up to its hype. The cast is phenomenal: Oldman, Firth, Hardy and Cumberbatch are just a few members of the all-star line-up. Lots of people have been talking about how this is one of the best films of the year.

Thankfully, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy delivers. In a big way. There is a real sense of drama and anticipation, fantastic dialogue and an exceptional soundtrack that ties it all together in remarkable fashion. The acting performances are, perhaps unsurprisingly, world class. The individual performances alone are fantastic, but it's the way they all work together that really makes this film shine.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a Cold War thriller which focuses on a department in the British intelligence service. After an operation goes wrong Smiley (Oldman) is called out of retirement in an attempt to identify a suspected mole in the top ranks of the organisation.

This film focuses on the hard, gritty side of intelligence agencies that we rarely see in films like James Bond. Cocktails and Blackjack tables are replaced by smoke filled rooms and dark, damp safe-houses. Director Tomas Alfredson gets the tone and feel of the era spot on, and the film benefits greatly as a result. This is a must see movie as the summer season draws to a close.

 Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: 8/10

Friends with Benefits

Friends with Benefits is one of an increasing number of movies that insists on putting the best bits in the trailer. I get why they do that, but some of the best moments in the film, the ones that should really make you laugh, you have already seen.

 That being said, Justin Timberlake was almost good enough in this to make me forget he was once in a boy band and Mila Kunis certainly gives guys a good reason not to feel too bad when their girlfriend drags them out to see this.

The stand out performance comes from Woody Harrelson, who plays a gay sports editor. Dylan (Timberlake) strikes up a friendship with Tommy (Harrelson) who provides some advice and great comedy moments.

 Friends with Benefits is a fun, throwaway movie. It's not going to make you think, the storyline is somewhat inevitable and the cast do an okay job. Chances are you're still going to go and see it anyway, and with the above in mind, you probably won't even be that disappointed.

Friends with Benefits: 5.5/10