Robocop (7 February)

Paul Verhoeven’s original Robocop still holds up today, which is probably why the $100 million remake has come under fire. While it may not be as cheeky as the latest Spider-Man reboot, the film’s impending release will draw interest from die-hard fans looking for reasons to hate it and newbies wanting to know what all the fuss is about. Armed with Batman faithfuls Gary Oldman and Michael Keaton; cult figures Samuel L. Jackson and Jackie Earle Haley; a hefty price tag and a CGI overload, we’d like to give the new Robocop the benefit of the doubt.

Why watch? Cracking down on crime, Judge Dredd style!

American Hustle (28 February)

David O. Russell is an actor’s director, who has managed to get Academy Award nominated performances out of his actors in his last three films: The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook and now American Hustle. His latest drama follows a brilliant con man and his seductive partner, who are forced to work for an FBI agent in the dangerous criminal underworld of Jersey. After best supporting wins, Christian Bale and Jennifer Lawrence teams up again with Russell, along with Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper and Jeremy Renner. American Hustle is set to be an entertaining and funny jaunt.

Why watch?  Two words… Jennifer and Lawrence.

Dallas Buyers Club (28 February)

Matthew McConaughey has been at the top of his game ever since The Lincoln Lawyer. He carries Dallas Buyers Club with a transformative portrayal of a spirited Texan cowboy, Ron Woodroof, who stopped coasting through life when he was diagnosed as HIV positive in 1985. The actor lost 23 kg for the part and has garnered a number of nominations and awards for his compassionate and fearless performance. He’s supported by 30 Seconds to Mars frontman, Jared Leto, who delivers an outstanding performance as a transsexual AIDS patient with a drug problem.

Why watch? McConaughey’s radical transformation and Leto in drag.

Lone Survivor (28 February)

Mark Wahlberg stars in Lone Survivor, an action biopic and war film based on the memoir of Marcus Lutrell, about a Navy SEAL team who were sent to Afghanistan on a mission to capture or kill notorious al Qaeda leader, Ahmad Shahd. Writer-director, Peter Berg, best known for The Kingdom, Hancock and Battleship, directs one of the coolest war movie casts in Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster and Eric Bana. While Zero Dark Thirty covered the operation behind the successful assassination of Osama Bin Laden, Lone Survivor deals with the failed Operation Red Wings.

Why watch? If the visuals don’t impress you, you’ll be blown away by the sound.  

NEW DVDs

Prisoners (11 February)

Hugh Jackman is ferocious as a father in search of his missing daughter in this harrowing mystery thriller. We’re thrown in the deep end as a father bends the law and a dedicated detective plays by the rules to pursue the same man in this beautifully crafted crime drama.

Why watch? If you want to truly anger Wolverine, steal his cub.

Gravity (18 February)

In space no one can hear you scream. It’s the tag line for Alien, but could just as easily have been for Gravity too. This survival adventure is truly breathtaking and you’ll be relieved to have air in your lungs and your feet on the ground after watching Sandra Bullock spin out-of-control.

Why watch? It’s the next best thing to flying Virgin Galactic.