At The Movies: w/c 12 February 2010

This Valentine's weekend, on nationwide release in UK cinemas, we have: a demi-God, a suicidal man, loving couples, and a werewolf:

"PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS:
THE LIGHTNING THIEF"

Fantasy adventure. A teenager discovers he's the descendant of a Greek god and sets out on an adventure to settle an on-going battle between the gods.

Director: Chris Columbus

Starring: Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Sean Bean, Pierce Brosnan, Steve Coogan, Rosario Dawson, Kevin McKidd & Uma Thurman

Tomatometer: 54% (Fresh; based on 61 reviews) "Though it may seem like just another Harry Potter knockoff, Percy Jackson benefits from a strong supporting cast, a speedy plot, and plenty of fun with Greek mythology."

"A SINGLE MAN"

Drama. A story that centres on an English professor who, after the sudden death of his partner tries to go about his typical day in Los Angeles.

Director: Tom Ford

Starring: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Nicholas Hoult & Matthew Goode

Tomatometer: 83% (Fresh; based on 120 reviews) "Though the costumes are beautiful and the art direction impeccable, what stands out most from this debut by fashion designer Tom Ford is the leading performance by Colin Firth."

"VALENTINE'S DAY"

Rom-com. Intertwining couples and singles in Los Angeles break-up and make-up based on the pressures and expectations of Valentine's Day.

Director: Garry Marshall

Starring: Jessica Alba, Kathy Bates, Jessical Biel, Bradley Cooper, Patrick Dempsey, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Anna Hathaway, Ashton Kutcher, Julia Roberts, Queen Latifah, Emma Roberts & Taylor Lautner

Tomatometer: 16% (Rotten; based on 89 reviews) "Eager to please and stuffed with stars, this squanders its promise with a frantic, episodic plot and an abundance of rom-com cliches."

"THE WOLFMAN"

Horror thriller. Upon his return to his ancestral homeland, an American man is bitten, and subsequently cursed by, a werewolf.

Director: Joe Johnston

Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving & Art Malik

Tomatometer: 31% (Rotten; based on 95 reviews) "Suitably grand and special effects-laden, The Wolfman suffers from a suspense-deficient script and a surprising lack of genuine chills."