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!
Are you here
Eh… not sold…
Edge of Tomorrow
What’s it about?
A non-combat officer finds himself caught in a time loop during a war with an alien race. He combines with a special forces officer but will it be enough to save the world?
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Yes, it’s Groundhog Day mashed with Independence Day. And it works. With more laughs than I would have expected, the latest Tom Cruise sci-fi offering has a great balance of action, good characterisation and interesting plot. Emily Blunt is amazing and it has to be said Cruise plays the unlikeable Major/Private Cage really well. The story is well-told so the repetition doesn’t (quite) grate and you’re not actually not quite sure how it’s going to end which is a nice change.
Even anti-Tom Cruise fans should enjoy it as they at least get to watch him die a hundred or so times.
What’s Popular
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.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back
What’s it about?
Tom Cruise returns as Lee Child’s enigmatic action hero. In an action movie. With lots of action.
What did we think?
The second Jack Reacher film is a slick affair with quality production, scenes and acting. It’s hard to fault specifically but its largely by-the-numbers feel leaves little impression beyond the moment. Adding emotional constipation to an action hero is hardly a huge step but Cruise handles it well while Cobie Smulders basically reprises her SHIELD role and does a good job. Youngster Danika Yarosh also entertains but the pieces somehow just don’t come together.
To be fair it’s a fun action movie that will pass the time and popcorn, but despite the polish this film just doesn’t Reach (see what I did there?) great heights.
Hell or High Water
What’s it about?
Two brothers stage a few gnarly bank robberies to try and save their farm while keeping a cunning Texas ranger at bay.
What Did We Think?
Nick Bleeker says: Bolstered by terrific performances from Chris Pine and Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water sets its scenes beautifully, capturing the dry isolation of the west and the characters within that world, it’s just a shame the plot is paper-thin.
Deepwater Horizon
What’s it about?
The night in 2010 when the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, causing the worst oil spill in US history.
What did we think?
Nick Bleeker says: While initially hamstrung by technical jargon and setup, the film goes from zero to a billion in the space of five minutes as the second act begins. The resulting destruction is an incredible spectacle that is grim, bloody, and ultimately, deeply saddening.
Editor's Choice
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.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back
What’s it about?
Tom Cruise returns as Lee Child’s enigmatic action hero. In an action movie. With lots of action.
What did we think?
The second Jack Reacher film is a slick affair with quality production, scenes and acting. It’s hard to fault specifically but its largely by-the-numbers feel leaves little impression beyond the moment. Adding emotional constipation to an action hero is hardly a huge step but Cruise handles it well while Cobie Smulders basically reprises her SHIELD role and does a good job. Youngster Danika Yarosh also entertains but the pieces somehow just don’t come together.
To be fair it’s a fun action movie that will pass the time and popcorn, but despite the polish this film just doesn’t Reach (see what I did there?) great heights.
Hell or High Water
What’s it about?
Two brothers stage a few gnarly bank robberies to try and save their farm while keeping a cunning Texas ranger at bay.
What Did We Think?
Nick Bleeker says: Bolstered by terrific performances from Chris Pine and Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water sets its scenes beautifully, capturing the dry isolation of the west and the characters within that world, it’s just a shame the plot is paper-thin.
Deepwater Horizon
What’s it about?
The night in 2010 when the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, causing the worst oil spill in US history.
What did we think?
Nick Bleeker says: While initially hamstrung by technical jargon and setup, the film goes from zero to a billion in the space of five minutes as the second act begins. The resulting destruction is an incredible spectacle that is grim, bloody, and ultimately, deeply saddening.