Film: Smile 2

A good sequel expands on the original along many axes. It's more extreme (which is particularly in the case of horror), it adds depth to the world and finally it derives a more complicated plot on the foundations set before it.

On these measures, Smile 2 is a great sequel. It is of course more of the same, but it's more creepy, polished and deep than the first, although this may come at a cost to its authenticity... but only if you're really paying attention.

The biggest flaw is also carried over from the first movie - at over 2 hours it's too long for a horror movie and the otherwise excellent set pieces suffer for it as they're diluted down.

Overall though Smile 2 gives a fair whack and just about gets a recommendation.

Film: Transformers One

Even though Transformers have been done to death in recent history, they were so overtly different from the Gen One Transformers of our youth that it was largely forgivable that they sucked so badly. They weren't really Transformers movies so who cared? So it was pretty ballsy to approach the almost holy original source material, included the coveted Transformers: The Movie from 1986.

I'm ecstatic to say that they managed to pull it off. The level of respect, novelty and evolution that Transformers One managed to pack into its 104 minutes was striking in an age where nostalgia is a thing to be exploited. This was a treat at least for fans of old - and I think even for those whose initial foray had been delivered by Bay.

It's funny, dramatic, action packed and full of plot and character. It's by no means a perfect movie, but it was good enough to make me smile throughout. Much recommended.