‘Frost/Nixon’
Resting upon Frank Langella’s remarkable performance as Richard Nixon, director Ron Howard delivers a satisfying drama about David Frost (Michael Sheen) and his ground-breaking interviews with Nixon.

Based on the stage play by Peter Morgan, the film reunites both Langella and Sheen from its first run, a good decision in Sheen’s case, but an essential one in Langella’s.

The interviews, of course, ended up being the closest thing to a trial that Nixon would ever get, and the explosive admissions of the disgraced ex-president, went some way toward satisfying the American public’s demand for accountability, post-Watergate.

Of course, Langella’s performance is the primary draw here, though Sheen’s work as the initially unlikeable and smarmy Frost, gradually sways audience opinion, developing layers of an intriguing personality, as the much-derided TV presenter, matures and steps up to face the master politician, and simultaneously restore his own professional credibility.
4 out of 5

‘Valkyrie’
Throughout the period of Nazi rule in Germany, there were forty two documented attempts on Hitler’s life. One of the most interesting perhaps, was the Valkyrie project, a coup organised by high-ranking officers of his own army.

For a tale with such huge potential, ‘Valkyrie’ is rarely thrilling and ultimately, rather underwhelming. Bryan Singer’s direction is pedestrian at best, a far cry from his early efforts with ‘The Usual Suspects’, and ‘Apt Pupil’.

At the core of the scheme is Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise), a career Nazi soldier, who becomes disillusioned with his fuhrer’s direction, upon losing sight in one eye, a hand, and several fingers during a battle in North Africa.

Stauffenberg then joins the German Resistance and commits himself to the assassination of Hitler and the return the German government back to the people.
3.5 out of 5

‘Role Models’
‘Role Models’ stars Paul Rudd and Sean William Scott as Danny and Wheeler, two energy drink salesmen who write-off their company car after Danny gets dumped by his girlfriend and has a minor meltdown.

Given a choice between jail or community service, they end up in the Sturdy Wings programme, mentoring problematic children, an ultra-nerdy fantasy role-player Augie, and foul-mouthed 10-year old Ronnie. Under close scrutiny by the programme leader (ex-addict/convict), Danny and Wheeler have no choice but to bear the brunt of the kids’ flair for anarchy.

‘Role models’ is nothing new, but the tried-and-tested formula it adheres to, throws up some serious belly-laughs, with Rudd in particular perfecting his nonchalant everyman schtick.
3.5 out of 5