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The Killing Joke

What’s it about?
A recently escaped Joker targets Batman, Commissioner Gordon and his daughter Batgirl in a depraved mission to prove a point: We’re all just one bad day away from going mad.

What did we think?

Clint Skene says: True to the comics as if it was ripped from the pages itself, scenes play out more as art than straight feature. Each scene leaves you more uneasy than the last as The Joker raises the stakes of depravity with each passing second (including an incredibly upsetting song and dance number). It’s high drama, confronting themes and squeamish moments, married with an atmospheric score and amazing performances from Batman alumni Mark Hamill, Kevin Conroy and Tara Strong. This is definitely another smash hit for WB Animation. The Killing Joke is a remarkable and much welcomed addition to the DC Animated universe.

Sing Street

Will you sing along?

Ghostbusters

What’s it about?

When ghosts start to plague the people of Manhattan, four women with paranormal expertise and badass skills band together to save the city. Who you gonna call?

What did we think?

Francesca Percy says: Hallelujah and praise Zuul! It’s been a long time since I saw a movie and wanted to go right back in and see it again; but this fun, joyous, smart, ridiculous, hilarious film made me want to.

As a die-hard fan of the original I was apprehensive about this re-boot, but it has the same fantastic spirit and strikes the right balance between honouring the past and forging a new path. The new ghostbusting foursome are a treat to watch (plus Chris Hemsworth’s comedic side really shines), as are the special effects; from the old-school toys to the new flashy ghosts.

Maggie’s Plan

WHAT’S IT ABOUT?

Maggie (Greta Gerwig) plans to have a baby on her own through artificial insemination, but switches tracks when she falls for a handsome teacher, John (Ethan Hawke), who is already married with kids to a shrewd academic, Georgette (Julianne Moore).

WHAT DID WE THINK?

Dominic Barlow says: Writer-director Rebecca Miller (The Private Lives of Pippa Lee) returns after seven years with this deeply enjoyable screwball romance set in New York City. Gerwig is on fine form as ever, but the entire cast – also including Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph, and Travis Fimmel – turns in amazing and funny performances. Filmed with gorgeous winter scenery and costuming, it’s a warm and affecting story about our obligations to the ones we love.

The Legend of Tarzan

What’s it about?
Ten years after leaving the jungle, Tarzan and Jane must return to save Africa from Christoph Waltz, who wants diamonds, or slaves, or colonialism, or something.

What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Just awful. Alexander Skarsgård’s Tarzan is entirely without charm and personality. Margot Robbie makes desperate attempts to compensate by being as sassy and vivacious as she possibly can, which is even worse. She ain’t your grandma’s Jane! Am I right, ladies? Christoph Waltz tries vaguely as a pantomime villain in white linen, and is the best thing in it with the exception of a CGI baby elephant. Oh, and Samuel L Jackson is Tarzan’s wisecracking cowboy sidekick who fires a machine gun and jokes about licking testicles. At least the animals don’t talk.

The BFG

What’s it about?

Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) is whisked away to Giant Country when she accidently spots a giant (Mark Rylance) going about his business in the middle of the night. She and her new friend the BFG must come up with a plan to stop his friends from kidnapping and eating children in England.

What did we think?

Elizabeth Best says: If you ever read this Roald Dahl book as a child, this movie will be a giant (geddit?), nostalgic punch right in the feels. The BFG himself is brought to glorious life through the ever-expressive face of Rylance and the deft touches of a very talented animation team. The dream worlds fizz with life and imaginative design that leaps off the page.

Adapting a rather short story into a full length movie has it’s pitfalls though, and the pace does seem to lag  in the middle, as smaller ideas from the novel feel fleshed out for time.

Though some of Dahl’s darker ideas are glossed over (as they always seem to be in movie form), and the Sophie seems a bit more precocious than I remember her, The BFG (both movie and character) is still rather charming.

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