Based on an early novel by Hunter S. Thompson that was only published in 1998, this portrait of zany, drunken journalists in 1960s Puerto Rico provides reasonable entertainment without delivering on its promise.
THE RUM DIARY **
Directed by Bruce Robinson, who was responsible for the cult classic Withnail and I, and starring Johnny Depp in a role that gives him a chance to do some acting instead of camping it up for the big bucks, Thompson's story of the adventures of young journalist Paul Kemp (Depp) is given an uneven treatment that leaves you feeling that what could have been an interesting exploration of a fascinating era and the politics of power is instead an average collection of moments that don't quite hold together. However, the chemistry of the cast, the period detail and the beauty of the location make it worth a watch. - Tymon Smith
MAD BUDDIES *
Leon Schuster has established himself as every white South African woman's hero. Mad Buddies overflows with enough bowel humour to keep the adolescents screaming; flashes enough of local lass Tanit Phoenix to occupy the guys, and has just enough of a good race-relations, nation-building message to keep the old guilt-ridden in-laws glued - giving the woman of the house a chance to take a well-deserved break and a relaxing soak in the bath. It's the perfect sell to the purse holders of the household, thereby explaining the persistent and cryptic success of Schuster's productions. - Keith Tamkei
SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN *
In a convoluted retelling of the Grimm brothers' fairytale, Charlize Theron provides a painful lesson in overacting as the evil witch Queen Ravenna. But swinging from malevolent hisser to pitiful wailer like a toddler from hell sadly isn't this film's worst element.
The entire plot is a stapled- together snapshot of scenes taken purely for their artistic appeal. One moment we're in a moody forest chasing fairies, the next we're roaring along a wave-washed beach towards an intimidating castle.
Kristen Stewart's unchildlike Snow White has its charm, but with a ruefully clichéd script and short-cut scenes, Pinocchio probably had more emotion in just one of his hinges. A forgetful distraction. - Keith Tamkei
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