Lone Survivor
What’s it about?
Based on the true story of four Navy SEALs whose covert operation goes badly wrong in Afghanistan and they find themselves hemmed in by overwhelming Taliban numbers.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: A surprisingly touching piece that depicts not only the bond between soldiers but the gruesome nature of modern warfare and the difficult choices faced. An unexpected focus on the human side of the SEALs made this war movie quite relateable and a startling twist late in the film will have you believing in humanity again – and possibly worrying for the innocents caught up in these wars.
Those expecting a mindless Mark Wahlberg action movie will be initially disappointed but later delighted despite the graphic blood and deaths.
Grudge Match
Imagine a boxing movie about Rocky vs Raging Bull. Then watch this trailer.
I’m unconvinced but seeing the preview screening shortly so watch this space for a review shortly.
Mandela
This should be fascinating. Both the story and what they choose to focus on.
12 Years A Slave
Saw this in the states recently. Good stuff!
How To Train Your Dragon 2
I LOVED the first movie. It was a delightful story and so beautifully made and one of the very few movies I believe work in 3D. So I’m a bit excited about the sequel. It’s interesting that it seems a little more grown up than the original but perhaps it’s aging with its audience. Either way I’m looking forward to it.
Mr Peabody and Sherman
Not characters I have any affinity to but the trailer looks fun and interesting. And I do love time travel…
Okay, now I’ve put it on my To Watch list.
What’s Popular
Triple 9
What’s it about?
Under a city’s dark underbelly, the Russian mob extort a crew of ex-military into an impossible bank heist. Everything goes right, until everything goes wrong.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: Even with 90 minutes of jaw-clenching unnervingness and 25 minutes of smouldering acting there’s just one small problem. There’s no actual ending. There’s a plot, some twists, but no resolution. You leave the cinema with a feeling of dread.
If you’re happy to watch a movie filled to the brim with tension but no resolution, go see it. Otherwise you should …
SEE? See what I mean?
Zoolander 2
What’s it about?
After a devastating accident, soon after the conclusion of the last film, Derek Zoolander went into hiding from society. But when Billy Zane delivers an invitation for him to be in the biggest fashion show in the world, Zoolander decides to get his life back together, with a little help from his old friend, Hansel.
What did we think?
Francesca Percy says: The key to enjoying this film is to lower your expectations – it had little to no chance of matching the genius of the first film. It is, however, a nice homage. There are enough genuine laugh out loud moments to keep you engaged, some fun cameos and enough of a plot to tie it all together. But let’s all hope they don’t do Zoolander 3.
Deadpool
What’s it about?
A wise-cracking former Special Forces operative turned mercenary is subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, leading him to adopt the alter ego Deadpool.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: For a non-family friendly movie, Deadpool is surprisingly gleeful. Sure yes, there’s lots of gruesome violence and full frontal nudity but the laughs are nearly non-stop. Fans of the comic Deadpool will love the irreverent and self-referential Wade Wilson who alternates between breaking the fourth wall and breaking faces in what could be the most faithful comic book adaptation yet.
It’s not a perfect film – for a character determined to subvert the paradigm the movie is surprisingly formulaic, there’s no love at all for the representation of Colossus and the talented Morena Baccarin morphs from a fascinating independent character to a damsel in distress – but the unrelenting humour and action more than compensates.
Make sure you pay attention from the very start and read every word of the opening credits.
Risen
What’s it about?
A body has been stolen from the morgue. Tribune Clavius is the hard-boiled Italian detective put on the case. A left-wing revolutionary faction is the prime suspect, but the truth will have Clavius questioning everything he ever knew about life … and the afterlife.
What did we think?
Dan says: Imagine Sergeant Smith from The Bill was cast back in time and tasked to find the disappeared body of Jesus Christ. A police procedural into one of the most unbelievable get-a-ways of all time. The tone of the film flip-flops as much as the accents, but Joseph Fiennes grounds it and keeps it on track.
Editor's Choice
Triple 9
What’s it about?
Under a city’s dark underbelly, the Russian mob extort a crew of ex-military into an impossible bank heist. Everything goes right, until everything goes wrong.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: Even with 90 minutes of jaw-clenching unnervingness and 25 minutes of smouldering acting there’s just one small problem. There’s no actual ending. There’s a plot, some twists, but no resolution. You leave the cinema with a feeling of dread.
If you’re happy to watch a movie filled to the brim with tension but no resolution, go see it. Otherwise you should …
SEE? See what I mean?
Zoolander 2
What’s it about?
After a devastating accident, soon after the conclusion of the last film, Derek Zoolander went into hiding from society. But when Billy Zane delivers an invitation for him to be in the biggest fashion show in the world, Zoolander decides to get his life back together, with a little help from his old friend, Hansel.
What did we think?
Francesca Percy says: The key to enjoying this film is to lower your expectations – it had little to no chance of matching the genius of the first film. It is, however, a nice homage. There are enough genuine laugh out loud moments to keep you engaged, some fun cameos and enough of a plot to tie it all together. But let’s all hope they don’t do Zoolander 3.
Deadpool
What’s it about?
A wise-cracking former Special Forces operative turned mercenary is subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, leading him to adopt the alter ego Deadpool.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: For a non-family friendly movie, Deadpool is surprisingly gleeful. Sure yes, there’s lots of gruesome violence and full frontal nudity but the laughs are nearly non-stop. Fans of the comic Deadpool will love the irreverent and self-referential Wade Wilson who alternates between breaking the fourth wall and breaking faces in what could be the most faithful comic book adaptation yet.
It’s not a perfect film – for a character determined to subvert the paradigm the movie is surprisingly formulaic, there’s no love at all for the representation of Colossus and the talented Morena Baccarin morphs from a fascinating independent character to a damsel in distress – but the unrelenting humour and action more than compensates.
Make sure you pay attention from the very start and read every word of the opening credits.
Risen
What’s it about?
A body has been stolen from the morgue. Tribune Clavius is the hard-boiled Italian detective put on the case. A left-wing revolutionary faction is the prime suspect, but the truth will have Clavius questioning everything he ever knew about life … and the afterlife.
What did we think?
Dan says: Imagine Sergeant Smith from The Bill was cast back in time and tasked to find the disappeared body of Jesus Christ. A police procedural into one of the most unbelievable get-a-ways of all time. The tone of the film flip-flops as much as the accents, but Joseph Fiennes grounds it and keeps it on track.