Transcendence
What’s it about?
If you could save the love of your life, who happens to be one of the greatest minds in history, do you? Should you?
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: A visually sumptuous film with huge philosophical questions tied up in the not-so-impossible science-fiction theme of digitising a human brain. There are some obvious plot holes, but as a “what if” to spark conversation about the future of humanity it is an equal to Blade Runner (from the opening shot the “tears in the rain” quote ran through my head regularly).
Unlike The Lawnmower Man, which this has been unfairly compared to, the deep love between the two lead characters is the crux of this story – driving it towards its devastating conclusion.
Amazing Spider-Man 2
What’s it about?
Spider-Man. Webs. Special Effects. Fighting. Villians. Part 2 (of the reboot).
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: This sequel is an odd movie in that for every pro there’s a con.
It features a very average plot and awkward dialogue (seriously, think George Lucas Phantom Menace level of poor dialogue) but it is punctuated with some incredible action sequences. One framed shot in particular had me exclaiming out loud.
This time around Garfield gives us an angsty and partly stupid Peter Parker which once again grated, but Emma Stone and Sally Field excelled despite the quality of the script.
The decision to add new aspects to the origin story felt completely unnecessary and, if anything, reduced the impact of the iconic Uncle Ben (not to mention stretching the very limits of credibility). And these additions tended to add to the odd pacing without benefiting the plot in an way at all.
It’s better than the first one (though that’s not necessarily saying much) but I can at least say I had some fun this time around. Not enough to see it a second time mind you but it gets a pass mark.
Muppets Most Wanted
What’s it about?
The Muppets world tour is interrupted when a master criminal – who looks just like Kermit – swaps places with the world’s favourite frog.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: It’s time to play the music again and while this follow-up is still a lot of fun it has to be said it lacks the heart of the previous Muppet movie. The plot is relatively weak but the impressive array of cameos compensates somewhat. At a touch under two hours it’s a tad long for the very young but it’s energetic, entertaining and has jokes for all ages so it’s hard to be too critical. After all, there are some things that warm your heart by merely appearing on the screen.
Divergent
What’s it about?
Set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans are divided into factions based on their personality, we follow a young girl who shows signs of having all five qualities in equal abundance.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Written by a youth for youths, the original storyline – while intriguing – is excessively black and white. As such the movie is a little clumsy and heavy handed in places. However having said that it is actually quite enjoyable and good escapism. Gritty enough to keep you interested and entertained. I took a friend who hadn’t read the book and she really enjoyed it. It has action, adventure and romance so she came out of the preview buzzing. Fun but it won’t exactly stick in the memory. Well, not until the sequel next year.
The Lego Movie
What’s it about?
Quite simply, LEGO! Lord Business (Will Ferrell) has taken over Lego City and effectively built a cult of instruction-abiding do-gooders. Emmett, a socially invisible, ordinary Joe-Schmo is mistaken for “the special”, a totally NOT ordinary master builder destined to lead the Lego minions to creative freedom.
What did we think?
Casey and Elizabeth say: BEST. LEGO. AD. EVER. Any movie that opens with Morgan Freeman and Will Ferrell duking it out is going to do it for us. People always say movies have something for everyone but this one really does. It’s full of Lego wonder for the kiddies and has more adult pop-culture references than you can poke a limited-edition Lego Star Wars Millennium Falcon construction kit at (“Come with me if you want to not die”). Lord Business’ quest for the perfect world is admirable, but the underlying message of this film is that sometimes it’s best just to let your imagination run wild. Oh and sing Everything is Awesome.
Grand Budapest Hotel
What’s it about?
Zero Moustafa (Tony Revolori) a young lobby boy and Gustave H. (Ralph Fiennes) the legendary concierge of The Grand Budapest Hotel go on a series of adventures, as told by the Mr Moustafa (F. Murray Abraham).
What did we think?
The colour and quirkiness of this film won me over from the get go. The cast of familiar faces (way too many to name) doesn’t distract from this film; in fact it adds to the wonderful chaos that combines to be a truly enjoyable story of one man’s now very lonely, yet complete, life. The story, cast and production design combine to create on the screen an unreal world that sucks you in and holds you there, and at just the right moments slaps you in the face to remind you that it’s all just a bit of fun.
What’s Popular
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.”.
Suicide Squad
What’s it about?
Set after the events of Batman V Superman, a task force of bad guys is assembled and blackmailed into saving the world from other bad guys, vigilante style.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: It’s not that Suicide Squad is bad. It’s just not… anything. It’s a long, plot-less fight scene, with too many people to pay attention to, moving too fast to actually lock on to anything. Simply put? It’s frenetically boring. Where’s all the fun from the trailer? Characters get loads of screen time but aren’t explored in much depth (Captain Boomerang is an extended punchline, Harley Quinn is a sexy extended punchline, Diablo is the meta-human equivalent of a Bic lighter). Not very much happens except baddies fight baddies to avoid “goodies” (who are kinda baddies) from blowing their heads up. I can’t help but think think DC have done this whole thing backwards; in trying to do an Avengers-style movie, they forgot that all the Avengers had solo movies to establish their characters before they got thrown in together to defeat the big bad. The Suicide Squad aren’t given the same opportunity and as a result we’re still kind of clueless about who they are. Even Jared Leto’s much-hyped Joker doesn’t leave a lasting impression.
Meh. Just meh.
Star Trek: Beyond
What’s it about?
Several seasons into their “five-year mission”, the crew of the Enterprise, led by the cocksure yet jaded James Tiberius Kirk (Chris Pine) and his emotionally detached scientific officer Spock (Zachary Quinto), heed a distress call from uncharted space. It’s a trap! Oh, wrong franchise.
What did we think?
Ben Bissett and Elizabeth Best say: Beyond may be the title card, but this film asks us to boldly go where we’ve gone before. Set pieces that look like they’re straight from the halcyon TV series, populated by aliens that resemble demons from Buffy meld to create a film that pays fond, knowing homage to the old days of the Enterprise, stardate, oh, whenever Shatner was on the bridge. As always, Star Trek is about the relationships, most importantly that of Spock and Kirk, and the actors all deliver here. The message, that unity is stronger than division, resonates in our uncertain political times, and it’s treated with a great deal of reverence. Colossal visual effects are, as per its predecessors, off the planet (sorry) yet the most powerful image in the movie is a single photograph towards the end. Prepare to wipe a tear away, Trekkers.
The Killing Joke
What’s it about?
A recently escaped Joker targets Batman, Commissioner Gordon and his daughter Batgirl in a depraved mission to prove a point: We’re all just one bad day away from going mad.
What did we think?
Clint Skene says: True to the comics as if it was ripped from the pages itself, scenes play out more as art than straight feature. Each scene leaves you more uneasy than the last as The Joker raises the stakes of depravity with each passing second (including an incredibly upsetting song and dance number). It’s high drama, confronting themes and squeamish moments, married with an atmospheric score and amazing performances from Batman alumni Mark Hamill, Kevin Conroy and Tara Strong. This is definitely another smash hit for WB Animation. The Killing Joke is a remarkable and much welcomed addition to the DC Animated universe.
Editor's Choice
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.”.
Suicide Squad
What’s it about?
Set after the events of Batman V Superman, a task force of bad guys is assembled and blackmailed into saving the world from other bad guys, vigilante style.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: It’s not that Suicide Squad is bad. It’s just not… anything. It’s a long, plot-less fight scene, with too many people to pay attention to, moving too fast to actually lock on to anything. Simply put? It’s frenetically boring. Where’s all the fun from the trailer? Characters get loads of screen time but aren’t explored in much depth (Captain Boomerang is an extended punchline, Harley Quinn is a sexy extended punchline, Diablo is the meta-human equivalent of a Bic lighter). Not very much happens except baddies fight baddies to avoid “goodies” (who are kinda baddies) from blowing their heads up. I can’t help but think think DC have done this whole thing backwards; in trying to do an Avengers-style movie, they forgot that all the Avengers had solo movies to establish their characters before they got thrown in together to defeat the big bad. The Suicide Squad aren’t given the same opportunity and as a result we’re still kind of clueless about who they are. Even Jared Leto’s much-hyped Joker doesn’t leave a lasting impression.
Meh. Just meh.
Star Trek: Beyond
What’s it about?
Several seasons into their “five-year mission”, the crew of the Enterprise, led by the cocksure yet jaded James Tiberius Kirk (Chris Pine) and his emotionally detached scientific officer Spock (Zachary Quinto), heed a distress call from uncharted space. It’s a trap! Oh, wrong franchise.
What did we think?
Ben Bissett and Elizabeth Best say: Beyond may be the title card, but this film asks us to boldly go where we’ve gone before. Set pieces that look like they’re straight from the halcyon TV series, populated by aliens that resemble demons from Buffy meld to create a film that pays fond, knowing homage to the old days of the Enterprise, stardate, oh, whenever Shatner was on the bridge. As always, Star Trek is about the relationships, most importantly that of Spock and Kirk, and the actors all deliver here. The message, that unity is stronger than division, resonates in our uncertain political times, and it’s treated with a great deal of reverence. Colossal visual effects are, as per its predecessors, off the planet (sorry) yet the most powerful image in the movie is a single photograph towards the end. Prepare to wipe a tear away, Trekkers.
The Killing Joke
What’s it about?
A recently escaped Joker targets Batman, Commissioner Gordon and his daughter Batgirl in a depraved mission to prove a point: We’re all just one bad day away from going mad.
What did we think?
Clint Skene says: True to the comics as if it was ripped from the pages itself, scenes play out more as art than straight feature. Each scene leaves you more uneasy than the last as The Joker raises the stakes of depravity with each passing second (including an incredibly upsetting song and dance number). It’s high drama, confronting themes and squeamish moments, married with an atmospheric score and amazing performances from Batman alumni Mark Hamill, Kevin Conroy and Tara Strong. This is definitely another smash hit for WB Animation. The Killing Joke is a remarkable and much welcomed addition to the DC Animated universe.