Triple Bill Mini Musings: Sharp Claws, Big Explosions, and Saucy Lists...

The Wolverine:
What's it about?
After the devastating events of X-Men 3, Logan/Wolverine retreats into a life of solitude, only to be drawn out again when an old friend calls him to his death bed in Japan. Soon, Wolverine finds himself in all sorts of trouble when the Yakuza come calling just as his powers seem to be fading.
Who would I recognise in it?
Hugh Jackman, Hiroyuki Sanada, Famke Janssen.
Great/Good/Alright/Shite?
Better than X-Men Origins: Wolverine, but still not up to the level of X1, X2, First Class, or Days of Future Past. It's a solid effort, but the middle portion does sag with uneven pacing, and the final act rumble feels pasted in from out of nowhere. However, a tussle on top of a 300mph bullet train is a decided highlight, and the increased focus on Logan's inner turmoil adds a nice sense of weight to proceedings. The plot does get a little bit overcomplicated in some places, and stretched thin in others, for a two hour running time, but it's a big improvement over the previous stand alone spin off. Good, for the most part.

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White House Down:
What's it about?
Channing Tatum goes all Die Hard when terrorists take over the White House.
Who would I recognise in it?
Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Clarke, Richard Jenkins, Joey King, James Woods, and more.
Great/Good/Alright/Shite?
From the director of Independence Day, it's not short of destructive chaos, and there's a pleasing sense of knowing humour to proceedings. Indeed, it never takes itself too seriously and proves to be a fun ride for the duration. The characters, even the side roles, get a decent amount to chew on and there's an interesting extra level of drama added when the wider (even global) implications of such an event are considered. It does nothing to reinvent the action genre, and while it's not particularly tense, WHD is nonetheless a jolly fun time. Good.

The To-Do List:
What's it about?
Coming of age comedy about an inexperienced nerdy girl who takes a very academic approach to sexual exploration before she heads off to college.
Who would I recognise in it?
Aubrey Plaza, Bill Hader, Johnny Simmons, Clark Gregg, Connie Britton, Rachel Bilson, Andy Samberg.
Great/Good/Alright/Shite?
Combining 90s-set nostalgia with 'teen sex comedy' raunch and coming-of-age discovery, The To-Do List is a spunky slice of fun with a great cast. Funny, awkward, saucy, melancholic, it may have a dirty mouth but it's also got a warm heart. Like taking the smut from Superbad and mixing it together with the period-set summer job dramedy of Adventureland - an enjoyable flick with a cool soundtrack and breezy script. On the high end of good.