Geek of Oz

Mention the term ‘reboot’ in some quieter circles of the internet and you’re liable for a pasting. The slightest hint that an older story is being retold causes people to lose their freaking minds. Mild mannered 30-somethings start proclaiming that their childhoods are being violated as if under an attack from a Viking horde, which of course is utter nonsense. So … Director Jonathan Liebesman has remade Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and guess what?! It’s actually a fun action film, possibly even better than the 1990 version and, judging by the screaming nine year olds who were in my cinema, the only audience that matters seem to agree. This may not be the definitive Ninja Turtles experience, but it’s far from the worst thing that has had the Turtles name slapped on it over the years. So New York City is under threat from the evil Foot Clan, a gang of ragamuffins who are running amuck, untouched by authorities. Luckily, the dogged April O’Neil (Megan Fox) is hot on their heels...

In 2003 Gore Verbinski and Johnny Depp teamed up to deliver a film based upon a fifty year old theme park ride, which took the world by surprise and cemented Johnny Depp as a mega star. Ten years on, they are now bringing the unlikeliest of films to the big screen: an adaptation of a television show from the 1950s. The Lone Ranger is exactly what I want in a block buster: fast paced action, straight-forward characters, caricature villains and bucket loads of fun. I’m tipping this to be one of the better-performing films of the year.