Yves Saint Laurent
What’s it about?
Yves Saint Laurent: the maestro at his best and worst, darling.
What did we think?
Cindy says: This film is sublime. I should have more words but I don’t. If you love cinema, if you love art, if you love storytelling, then see this film. It’s a love story, it’s a masterpiece, it’s just beautiful. No words. OK, a few words. Did I mention see this film?!?
How To Train Your Dragon 2
What’s it about?
A small Viking Community has embraced their former nemesis’ into their lives but there are bigger dangers than just Dragons lurking in the unexplored seas.
What did we think? Dan says: HTTYD2 presents itself as a film with a moral compass but that compass is spinning like a roulette wheel. The characters empower strong women by letting men rescue them. They instill a sense of duty by showing the value of rebellion. They pursue the idea of non-violent conflict resolution by blowing characters into smaller pieces.
Despite this there are enough bold decisions made by the director to keep children amused and adults from ducking off to the bar. It could have done with some better jokes and less reliance of the power of love.
Or perhaps I’m just jaded.
No, I was right the first time. The power of love is just lazy storytelling.
22 Jump Street
What’s it about?
Remember they made a comedy movie based on that TV show, which launched Johnny Depp’s career, about undercover cops infiltrating a high school? This is the sequel paying homage to all sequels. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum are back and they’re off to college to do “exactly the same mission” they had to do in the first movie.
What did we think?
Tom Harrison says: The movie plays to sequel tropes and works best with its self-aware humour. When it works it works but, with Hill and Tatum bickering about their friendship it quickly falls into the same rut every Judd Apatow “bro-love” styled movie seems to. The humour and pacing are solid and it’s much more enjoyable than the first outing. In the end it does what any good sequel should do, which is be bigger, funnier, and generally better than the first one.
Blended
What’s it about?
A series of highly implausible coincidences sees a widower (Adam Sandler) and his three daughters forced to share South African holiday accommodation with a divorcee (Drew Barrymore) who he went on a terrible blind date with and her two sons. Predictable hijinks and the titular “blending” of the families ensue.
What did we think?
It’s not often one thinks to use the term “poor man’s Brady Bunch” but that pretty much sums up this painfully unfunny vehicle. For some reason it seemed a good idea to pair Sandler – doing his wisecracking, sad-sack buffoon shtick yet again – with Barrymore for a third, worst outing. Racial stereotypes and way too many gender-based “jokes” abound. Best to avoid.
The Cherry Ripe I consumed during the screening was quite nice, though, so silver linings and all.
The Giver
Fascinating concept.
“In a seemingly perfect community, without war, pain, suffering, differences or choice, a young boy is chosen to learn from an elderly man about the true pain and pleasure of the “real” world.”
If I Stay
Wow.
I can’t wait. This looks like an interesting little gem!
What’s Popular
Blair Witch
What’s it about?
A bunch of twenty-somethings go exploring in a forest that’s apparently haunted by the Blair Witch.
What did we think?
If you’ve seen the original you’ve seen this, but don’t let that scare you away because, despite that, it’s still a really tautly directed and entertaining 85 minutes. The story is extremely light, but the jump scares are almost omnipresent as the film races towards the big conclusion. It’s intensity will be loved by most horror fans though the familiarity of the journey does detract a bit.
Bridget Jones’s Baby
What’s it about?
Helen Fielding’s down-to-earth 20/30/40-something creation is back, still struggling with life, and about to embark on her most extravagant adventure yet – a baby, whose paternal genes she’s not quite sure.
What did we think?
Angela Young says: Let me start with a disclaimer – I hate Renee Zellweger in this role. I loved the books, and always thought the casting was deeply offensive to legions of great British actresses – her ridiculously twitching terribly-accented Bridget did nothing for me. Surprising, then, that I found this sequel to be rather good. Zellweger’s now utterly-toxin-ravaged face is difficult to watch, and she still overplays Jones obscenely, but there are some seriously funny – proper “pah!” LOL moments – and some brilliant turns from Colin Firth, Patrick Dempsey and, particularly, Emma Thompson as the obstetrician who, god bless her, is ageing beautifully (i.e. naturally).
It drags a bit – two hours?? – but it’s got just enough of the good stuff to keep you going, thanks in no small part to Fielding’s work on the screenplay and Shazzer picking up the director’s reins once again. I’m shocking myself by saying this, but it’s worth a watch!
Captain Fantastic
What’s it about?
A father raising his family of six children in the American wilderness, using a strict regime of training and learning, finds his life – and parenting – turned upside down when’s he forced to return to the real world.
What did we think?
Angela Young says: This beautifully imagined film is a joy to behold, confidently tackling topics as diverse as socialism, survivalism, mental illness, social justice and what constitutes the ‘right’ way to bring up your children in our muddled modern world. A great tale of familial love and loss, it brilliantly documents nature crashing headfirst into contemporary America. Viggo Mortensen’s performance as rugged, determined father Ben is brilliant, his authority and stern morals never enough to stop the viewer vouching for him every step of the way. Eldest son Bo, played with raw emotion by George Mackay, provides some great moments, of gripping drama as well as twinkling comedy, and the rest of the kids provide star turns.
David Brent: Life On The Road
What’s it about?
A camera crew catches up with David Brent, the former star of the fictional British TV series The Office, as he now fancies himself a rockstar on the road.
What did we think?
Cindy Nelson says: Ricky Gervais has once again mastered the art of delivering an excruciatingly funny, awkward and tragic tale of the sad clown. If you love the way Gervais can offend, make you laugh, AND make you think at the same time, do not miss this catch up/Christmas special on the big screen, featuring genuinely catchy tunes.
Editor's Choice
Blair Witch
What’s it about?
A bunch of twenty-somethings go exploring in a forest that’s apparently haunted by the Blair Witch.
What did we think?
If you’ve seen the original you’ve seen this, but don’t let that scare you away because, despite that, it’s still a really tautly directed and entertaining 85 minutes. The story is extremely light, but the jump scares are almost omnipresent as the film races towards the big conclusion. It’s intensity will be loved by most horror fans though the familiarity of the journey does detract a bit.
Bridget Jones’s Baby
What’s it about?
Helen Fielding’s down-to-earth 20/30/40-something creation is back, still struggling with life, and about to embark on her most extravagant adventure yet – a baby, whose paternal genes she’s not quite sure.
What did we think?
Angela Young says: Let me start with a disclaimer – I hate Renee Zellweger in this role. I loved the books, and always thought the casting was deeply offensive to legions of great British actresses – her ridiculously twitching terribly-accented Bridget did nothing for me. Surprising, then, that I found this sequel to be rather good. Zellweger’s now utterly-toxin-ravaged face is difficult to watch, and she still overplays Jones obscenely, but there are some seriously funny – proper “pah!” LOL moments – and some brilliant turns from Colin Firth, Patrick Dempsey and, particularly, Emma Thompson as the obstetrician who, god bless her, is ageing beautifully (i.e. naturally).
It drags a bit – two hours?? – but it’s got just enough of the good stuff to keep you going, thanks in no small part to Fielding’s work on the screenplay and Shazzer picking up the director’s reins once again. I’m shocking myself by saying this, but it’s worth a watch!
Captain Fantastic
What’s it about?
A father raising his family of six children in the American wilderness, using a strict regime of training and learning, finds his life – and parenting – turned upside down when’s he forced to return to the real world.
What did we think?
Angela Young says: This beautifully imagined film is a joy to behold, confidently tackling topics as diverse as socialism, survivalism, mental illness, social justice and what constitutes the ‘right’ way to bring up your children in our muddled modern world. A great tale of familial love and loss, it brilliantly documents nature crashing headfirst into contemporary America. Viggo Mortensen’s performance as rugged, determined father Ben is brilliant, his authority and stern morals never enough to stop the viewer vouching for him every step of the way. Eldest son Bo, played with raw emotion by George Mackay, provides some great moments, of gripping drama as well as twinkling comedy, and the rest of the kids provide star turns.
David Brent: Life On The Road
What’s it about?
A camera crew catches up with David Brent, the former star of the fictional British TV series The Office, as he now fancies himself a rockstar on the road.
What did we think?
Cindy Nelson says: Ricky Gervais has once again mastered the art of delivering an excruciatingly funny, awkward and tragic tale of the sad clown. If you love the way Gervais can offend, make you laugh, AND make you think at the same time, do not miss this catch up/Christmas special on the big screen, featuring genuinely catchy tunes.