What’s it about?
In the titular final hours of Earth, as a fiery asteroid crashes into our doomed planet and the Mayans look set for a belated last laugh, an initially flaky young man attempts to help a lost girl find her father before the blast reaches Australia.

What did we think?
Alex says: It’s not often an apocalypse film doesn’t slot into the sci-fi genre but writer/director Zak Hilditch keeps the focus very much on human drama as James (Nathan Phillips) navigates the chaotic streets of suburban Perth with young Rose (Angourie Rice). Hilditch and the cast sustain the tension most of the way and create a hopeless, anarchic environment where most citizens turn to hedonistic partying, descend into insanity or take their own lives. There’s no Hollywood mission to avert the disaster and David Field’s world-weary, unseen car-radio announcer, who keeps us informed of the impending destruction, is a nice touch.

The ending didn’t sit quite right for me but I shan’t give anything away. It’s nonetheless a competent local effort and well worth a look.

What’s it about?
An ordinary woman (Scarlett Johansson) accidentally becomes the drug mule for a Korean drug lord dealing a new substance. She unintentionally gets the drug in her system and experiences super-human effects.

What did we think?
Angela says: It’s like all the deleted scenes from The Fifth Element, Limitless, and Kill Bill were put in a hat and pulled out at random. Throw in some clips of wildlife, Korean drug dealers, and Morgan Freeman discussing evolution and that pretty much sums it up. This movie entertains some thought-provoking concepts but, alas, executes them poorly. It’s a botched attempt at social commentary laced with lost action scenes and weak acting. While exploring the intricacies of the human brain and the world at large should make for an interesting story, this one misses the mark.

What’s it about?
A Chechen Muslim illegally immigrates to Hamburg seeking his father’s ill-gotten fortune, where he gets caught in the international war on terror. The story follows Günther Bachmann (Philip Seymour Hoffman) who heads up an anti-terrorism unit working in Hamburg to stop acts of terror before they happen.

What did we think?
Casey says: Anton Corbijn’s background in still photography for lots of famous bands has clearly influenced the visual aspect of this film. Coupled with the mastery of Andrew Bovell (make no mistake, it’s nothing like his earlier effort Strictly Ballroom), John le Carre’s story and characters suck you in. The tension in this film is delivered subtly, before you know it you are on the edge of you seat. Anton, John, Andrew and Phillip all in one place made this reviewer a very happy camper. A Most Wanted Man is PSH’s last completed film and truly cements why Hollywood will feel his loss for generations to come.