Sunshine on Leith
What’s it about?
Best buddies Davy and Ally return home to Edinburgh searching for love after their tour in Afghanistan ends in tragedy.
What did we think?
Stephen says: In a word: “twee”. In a sentence: It’s a musical version of EastEnders. In an odious comparison: Take Mamma Mia, replace ᗅᗺᗷᗅ with The Proclaimers, dumb down the story, and you have Sunshine On Leith.
Jokes aside, The Proclaimers music is infectious, so even if you only know the opening and closing songs, you’ll still be tapping along throughout. The main problem is the script: the current climate of creating musicals from popular bands’ back catalogues is stripped back to its ugliest form: “hey, they have a song about a Jean – let’s name on of the characters Jean… and one about sending a postcard back from America… and lots of songs about love”. Voila! Extremely flimsy and lacklustre plot written! Thankfully it’s performed and shot well. It’s just bland. Bland but fun. I’m sure mum will enjoy it.
X-Men: Days Of Future Past
What it’s about?
In the dystopian future, outlawed superhuman mutants are hunted down and killed, so gnarled and knuckle-clawed Wolverine is sent back to the 1970s to warn the younger versions of his fellow X-Men, thwart destiny and satiate the kidult Supanova crowd who still covet action figures in their 30s. Like me.
What did we think?
Careful, one of the mutants says of time travel, the mind can be stretched only so far before it snaps. Consider yourself warned. The exposition-and-character-heavy Days of Future Past could lose non-cosplayers fast. But hang in there. Paraplegic telepath Charles “Professor X” Xavier and metal-manipulating Erik “Magneto” Lehnsherr, again portrayed with impeccable dramatic heft by James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender of 2011’s first-class X-Men refresh, make franchise rivals Thor and the Hulk look like the rather silly cartoons they are.
Returning director Bryan Singer adds flesh to his pioneering but outmoded early-2000s X-Men template, melding atomic-grade effects setpieces with Inception’s out-of-body mind-thumps (and Ellen Page), while introducing a tremendous take on the JFK magic-bullet theory. Oh, and there’s Tyrion.
So, Marvel’s latest mutation is both super AND cerebral? Your move, Avengers.
Godzilla
What’s it about?
A natural disaster that isn’t actually natural sparks off a chain of events which leads to a giant monster that could spell the end of the world for humanity.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: The new Godzilla is like a one-night stand. It’s fun and exciting while it lasts but the next morning you have questions and thoughts that are generally unsatisfying.
Great effects and the best finishing move of all time (OF ALL TIME) mask some deficiencies in characterisation and story. The main ‘hero’ follows a journey of interconnected events that is beyond the belief of even someone who’s happy to believe in giant monsters.
But for those who do it isn’t about the frailties of the script, it’s about the giant lizard. And although we don’t see enough of the big guy what we do see is simply good fun. There are some good twists (avoid spoilers beforehand if you can) and some genuine respect and love for the character and its history but just don’t think about it too much.
BONUS: Luckily for me the very talented Rob O’Connor was still awake when I got out of the preview screening and was kind enough to draw this for me.
Transformers 4: Age of extinction (new trailer)
Everybody’s favorite giant robots are back. Even better – there’s no more Shia and instead we have Markie Wahlberg. Thoughts?
And if that’s not enough check out the stills:
A Million Ways To Die In The West (NEW trailer)
To be honest I normally hate anachronistic references in films but I have laughed at every single trailer and clip of this movie. I simply cannot wait.
Check it out and let us know what you think of this new ‘tooth fairy’ trailer.
Lucy
Luc Besson and Scarlett Johansson? I’m there. I don’t even need to see the trailer.
(but here it is in case you need to see it)
What’s Popular
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.
War Dogs
What’s it about?
Two childhood friends exploit a loophole to win a US military contract, and eventually find themselves rich … and in way over their heads.
What did we think?
Angela Bowen says: Jonah Hill steals the show in this watered down concoction of The Big Short, Wolf of Wall Street, and Good Fellas. It’s not as boobs-in-your-face, cocaine-on-the-ceiling as you might expect, but War Dogs delivers a gritty take on true events with some decent chuckles.
Kubo and the Two Strings
What’s it about?
A retelling of the classic hero story: a boy’s magical powers grow as he embarks on a mystical quest – all while playing beautiful shamisen music and creating incredible origami creatures.
What did we think?
Dan Beeston says: Read off the page Kubo is a simple fable: a basic hero’s journey with the requisite sword, armour and helm picked up along the way. The true magic is just how visually splendid the whole piece is. The film is a triumph of stop motion animation. To see these puppets come to life is jaw dropping. Children and lovers of art should immediately rush out and see it. For everyone else? It’s just another okay story. Three stars.
Stephen Scott says: The use of clay animation is a dying art and helps set this film apart. The plot lines exposing youngsters to alternative religious views, cultural practices, and the importance of heritage are the other major selling points. If you have a kids, take them and enjoy a family bonding. Three and a half stars.
Bad Moms
What’s it about?
Frazzled mums (Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn) get pushed to breaking point and decide to start being shitty mothers instead. But when a perfect mum (Christina Applegate) pushes their buttons, they decide they need to hit her where it hurts, and challenge her for presidency of the PTA.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: Aside from some slightly problematic messaging (if you ever do anything for just you, your whole life will go down the toilet), this is a fun jaunt exploring what happens when stressed out mums cut loose. Hilarious comic timing from Kunis, Hahn and Bell elevates this from shameless chick flick to worthy comedy. I can’t help but feel, though, that Jada Pinkett Smith was a heartbeat away from the token racially diverse character, only hanging around to say things like “dayum” and “that shit is whack.”.
Editor's Choice
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.
War Dogs
What’s it about?
Two childhood friends exploit a loophole to win a US military contract, and eventually find themselves rich … and in way over their heads.
What did we think?
Angela Bowen says: Jonah Hill steals the show in this watered down concoction of The Big Short, Wolf of Wall Street, and Good Fellas. It’s not as boobs-in-your-face, cocaine-on-the-ceiling as you might expect, but War Dogs delivers a gritty take on true events with some decent chuckles.
Kubo and the Two Strings
What’s it about?
A retelling of the classic hero story: a boy’s magical powers grow as he embarks on a mystical quest – all while playing beautiful shamisen music and creating incredible origami creatures.
What did we think?
Dan Beeston says: Read off the page Kubo is a simple fable: a basic hero’s journey with the requisite sword, armour and helm picked up along the way. The true magic is just how visually splendid the whole piece is. The film is a triumph of stop motion animation. To see these puppets come to life is jaw dropping. Children and lovers of art should immediately rush out and see it. For everyone else? It’s just another okay story. Three stars.
Stephen Scott says: The use of clay animation is a dying art and helps set this film apart. The plot lines exposing youngsters to alternative religious views, cultural practices, and the importance of heritage are the other major selling points. If you have a kids, take them and enjoy a family bonding. Three and a half stars.
Bad Moms
What’s it about?
Frazzled mums (Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn) get pushed to breaking point and decide to start being shitty mothers instead. But when a perfect mum (Christina Applegate) pushes their buttons, they decide they need to hit her where it hurts, and challenge her for presidency of the PTA.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: Aside from some slightly problematic messaging (if you ever do anything for just you, your whole life will go down the toilet), this is a fun jaunt exploring what happens when stressed out mums cut loose. Hilarious comic timing from Kunis, Hahn and Bell elevates this from shameless chick flick to worthy comedy. I can’t help but feel, though, that Jada Pinkett Smith was a heartbeat away from the token racially diverse character, only hanging around to say things like “dayum” and “that shit is whack.”.