Lucy
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.
A Most Wanted Man
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.
Honeymoon
I do love me a good scary movie. Creepy scary is even better.
Fifty Shades Of Grey
I’m underwhelmed to be honest. But don’t even start me on the book…
Predestination
Oooh. This looks interesting though I’m concerned they’ve given away too much in the trailer.
Premature
Have you ever wondered what Groundhog Day would look like as a B Grade High School US comedy?
Then wonder no more!
(I have to admit I actually will see this – time travel/repeating days are on my Must See Movie List)
What’s Popular
Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them
What’s it about?
Eccentric magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) misplaces an enchanted suitcase in 1920s New York. An extremely profitable franchise is unleashed.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Hey, you guys like Harry Potter? Then I’ve got good news. Fantastic Beasts is the worthy spin-off that you’re going to be really into for the next ten years or so. While it’s darker than the original films, it’s packed with subtle little nods to them that fans will adore, and the story (though somewhat complicated) is good enough to stand alone. It’s tremendous fun to see the wizarding world through a 1920s lens – magical speakeasy, anyone? – and the inhabitants of Scamander’s Pokeball-meets-TARDIS suitcase are just as fantastic as advertised. This film will frighten young children, but everyone else will be thoroughly enchanted.
Arrival
What’s it about?
Aliens make contact with earth and Amy Adams is the only person who can speak their language
What did we think?
Nick Bleeker says: An incredibly tense and engrossing film, Arrival subverts the traditional sci-fi blockbuster with a gorgeous mix of cinematography, direction, and really solid narrative. Add Amy Adams’ absolutely stunning performance and you have one of the best movies of 2016.
Nocturnal Animals
What’s it about?
An art gallery owner is haunted by her ex-husband’s novel, a violent thriller she interprets as a veiled threat and a symbolic revenge tale.
What did we think?
Cindy Nelson says: My high expectations for Tom Ford’s second foray into feature films were not disappointed – this stunning thriller creates a world that is both brutal and visually beautiful, telling a story within a story that you won’t expect, and having you on the edge of your seat right to the last frame. An unsettling, violent and stylish film with emotional, powerhouse performances.
Doctor Strange
What’s it about?
A former surgeon with damaged handsnamed Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) becomes a powerful sorcerer under the tutelage of a mystic known as the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton). Rachel McAdams, Mads Mikkelsen, and Chiwetel Ejiofor co-star in this entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: A highly polished affair featuring possibly the most impressive visual effects we’ve seen in the MCU so far, Dr Strange ticks most of the boxes. The performances are top shelf, the often difficult transition of magic onto the big screen is well-handled and Marvel’s penchant for ever-present humour is of course still on show. The storyline is a bit too simplistic for my taste but that’s the danger of an origin story combined with a need to dumb down complex concepts. Still, Doctor Strange is a worthy addition to the ever burgeoning MCU and will entertain for a few hours.
Editor's Choice
Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them
What’s it about?
Eccentric magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) misplaces an enchanted suitcase in 1920s New York. An extremely profitable franchise is unleashed.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Hey, you guys like Harry Potter? Then I’ve got good news. Fantastic Beasts is the worthy spin-off that you’re going to be really into for the next ten years or so. While it’s darker than the original films, it’s packed with subtle little nods to them that fans will adore, and the story (though somewhat complicated) is good enough to stand alone. It’s tremendous fun to see the wizarding world through a 1920s lens – magical speakeasy, anyone? – and the inhabitants of Scamander’s Pokeball-meets-TARDIS suitcase are just as fantastic as advertised. This film will frighten young children, but everyone else will be thoroughly enchanted.
Arrival
What’s it about?
Aliens make contact with earth and Amy Adams is the only person who can speak their language
What did we think?
Nick Bleeker says: An incredibly tense and engrossing film, Arrival subverts the traditional sci-fi blockbuster with a gorgeous mix of cinematography, direction, and really solid narrative. Add Amy Adams’ absolutely stunning performance and you have one of the best movies of 2016.
Nocturnal Animals
What’s it about?
An art gallery owner is haunted by her ex-husband’s novel, a violent thriller she interprets as a veiled threat and a symbolic revenge tale.
What did we think?
Cindy Nelson says: My high expectations for Tom Ford’s second foray into feature films were not disappointed – this stunning thriller creates a world that is both brutal and visually beautiful, telling a story within a story that you won’t expect, and having you on the edge of your seat right to the last frame. An unsettling, violent and stylish film with emotional, powerhouse performances.
Doctor Strange
What’s it about?
A former surgeon with damaged handsnamed Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) becomes a powerful sorcerer under the tutelage of a mystic known as the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton). Rachel McAdams, Mads Mikkelsen, and Chiwetel Ejiofor co-star in this entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: A highly polished affair featuring possibly the most impressive visual effects we’ve seen in the MCU so far, Dr Strange ticks most of the boxes. The performances are top shelf, the often difficult transition of magic onto the big screen is well-handled and Marvel’s penchant for ever-present humour is of course still on show. The storyline is a bit too simplistic for my taste but that’s the danger of an origin story combined with a need to dumb down complex concepts. Still, Doctor Strange is a worthy addition to the ever burgeoning MCU and will entertain for a few hours.