The LEGO Ninjago Movie
What’s it about?
Master Wu (Jackie Chan), as wise-cracking as he is wise, mentors a group of young secret ninja warriors who defend their island home (Ninjago) from the nefarious deeds of the evil warlord Garmadon, aka The Worst Guy Ever, who also happens to be the dad of Lloyd (Dave Franco) one of the secret ninja.
What did we think?
If your kids liked The Lego Movie and The Lego Batman movie then they’ll like this one too. While it’s the weakest of the three lego feature films, its reliance on humour (both lego and non-lego) is the biggest drawcard for the young and the young at heart. Adults are more likely to appreciate the homage/satire of an 80s kung-fu movie though it’s not one you’ll want to rewatch over and over. Good school holiday fun though and the kids will roar with laughter at the toy-based slapstick.
American Assassin
What’s it about?
Batman reluctantly takes on new sidekick: grown-up and disturbed Teen Wolf, a man bent on revenge having seen his fiancé gunned down by terrorists (and obviously having been orphaned as a child). His sado-masochistic training is going well until the old dog (Gambit, Batman’s ex-Robin, who they all thought was dead) goes all arms-dealery and everything gets mixed up in a bucket with terrorists and CIA and guns. Lots of people die.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: This is not Shakespeare, people! Imagine 007 without the gratuitous sex scenes (but with extrinsic boobies), more graphic violence and less puns. The clichés are still there – but the action sequences – oh my! And the final special effects rollercoaster … I had to remind myself to breath.
Thus a new mindless-fun Bourne/Bond-clone franchise is born.
Patti Cake$
What’s it about?
Aspiring rapper Patricia Dombrowski (Danielle Macdonald) dreams of escaping the New Jersey suburbs.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Here’s a fun game… Watch the first ten minutes of Patti Cake$, then write a list of all the things that you think will happen. Now you don’t have to see the rest of the movie.
Victoria and Abdul
What’s it about?
Judi Dench is Queen Victoria again in a film that explores the monarch and the the Indian servant who brought light to her final years.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: Queen Victoria is humanised in a delightful way in this Stephen Frears film that’s “Based on true events… mostly.” The monarch’s life is oft visited in cinematic form, but Victoria and Abdul proves her rich history can still provide some surprises. Dench turns in another captivating performance as the regal figure whose crown has become all too heavy in her twilight years. Ali Fazal lights up the screen as her optimistic devoted “Munshi”, a teacher who provided Her Majesty a late-in-life spiritual awakening, much to the disgust of her children. An uplifting, emotional jaunt that’s made no less enjoyable by the fact that it doesn’t really push any boundaries.
IT (2017)
What’s it about?
A group of bullied kids band together when a monster, taking the appearance of a clown, begins hunting children.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Sadly, the scariest thing about the new iteration of IT is leaving New Kids On The Blocks songs running in my head.
Great performance from nearly the entire cast and impressive production values, but simply no tension. It’s actually an excellent 80s coming-of-age movie but let’s face it, that’s not what we signed on to watch.
Little Evil
What’s it about?
Every new step-dad has the occasional thought their new step-child could be evil, but what if they really are the Antichrist?
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Good silly fun with a lot of heart, Little Evil is, at first glance, an entertaining premise stretched to fill an entire film. However, Little Evil’s real strength is in its emotional impact rather than comedic value. Yes, it’s very funny with shout-outs to a range of the genre, but the nuances of emotions and relationships are surprisingly deep. From Evangaline Lily’s loving dedication to her son, to Adam Scott’s recognition of the child’s vulnerability, Little Evil has more than just good laughs. The fantastic cast (it also includes Sally Field and Kurgan from Highlander) well and truly delivers. While it’s not the cult classic he gave us with Dale and Tucker vs Evil, director Eli Craig entertains us enough to leave us looking forward to his third feature film.
What’s Popular
Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween
What’s it about?
While cleaning junk out of an old, abandoned house just before Halloween, some kids come across an old book and a ventriloquist dummy named Slappy. Spooky chaos ensues. Jack Black eventually turns up.
What did we think?
James Tinniswood says: ERMAGERD, GERSBERMS TER
I HERF TER ADMERT *clears throat* I have to admit I liked this more than I thought I would. It does have a bit of a “made-for-Nickelodeon sequel” feel, but it zips along at a good pace and I was never bored. And I liked that it (mostly) plays like a standalone Goosebumps story to the point where it (almost) didn’t need to go back to the meta “RL Stine is a character” well … until it does and reminds you it’s a sequel.
The kind of movie I would have liked the first Goosebumps to be and the third Jumanji to be. “Goosemanji”. Sony, call me, let’s talk.
Bad Times At The El Royale
Criminals, cool kids and cults. Can it come together?
In Like Flynn
What’s it about?
Root-rat movie-star Errol Flynn’s legend began long before Hollywoodland beckoned, as these adventures recollected from his biographical Beams End illustrate.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: In Like Flynn is a boys own adventure gone bad. It has all the elements of a successful movie: the director of Highlander, up-and-coming acting superstars (one is “the next Chris Hemsworth” I read somewhere), a David Wenham cameo (then again, his appearances make up 80% of the movies highlights), and the “true” life story of Errol Flynn … what could go wrong?
Oh, it’s awful. I honestly thought I was watching a 3rd year film students homage to Indiana Jones until Quint from Jaws turned up on the Sirocco. To be fair, aside from a handful of roaming accents, the acting isn’t too bad (with Clive Standen’s Charlie / Quint doing what he can to raise the standard alongside Wenham’s brilliant Dastardly Whiplash), but the script is as wooden and rotten as the boat they sail in, and the whole endeavour just ends up a misogynist try-hard mess.
Rent Highlander or Errol’s Captain Blood instead. This deserves to rest on the floor of the ocean alongside the boat it sunk in.
A Star is Born
What’s it about?
Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) is a mega famous rock star, who is dealing with alcoholism. He discovers Ally (Lady Gaga), and makes her a star.
What did we think?
Imogen Chapman says: B-Coops can sing! And direct! We already knew about the acting thing. In A Star is Born he also manages to do an excellent younger Jeff Bridges impersonation.
This is the 3rd remake of the classic 1937 film, but don’t expect a jazzy Hollywood musical. It’s emotionally raw, which gives you some incredible moments, but very occasionally causes the movie to lag.
Honestly, this is a surprisingly great movie. The songs are powerful, the performances are awesome, and I was actually moved by the story.
I’m not crying, you’re crying.
4.5/5
Editor's Choice
Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween
What’s it about?
While cleaning junk out of an old, abandoned house just before Halloween, some kids come across an old book and a ventriloquist dummy named Slappy. Spooky chaos ensues. Jack Black eventually turns up.
What did we think?
James Tinniswood says: ERMAGERD, GERSBERMS TER
I HERF TER ADMERT *clears throat* I have to admit I liked this more than I thought I would. It does have a bit of a “made-for-Nickelodeon sequel” feel, but it zips along at a good pace and I was never bored. And I liked that it (mostly) plays like a standalone Goosebumps story to the point where it (almost) didn’t need to go back to the meta “RL Stine is a character” well … until it does and reminds you it’s a sequel.
The kind of movie I would have liked the first Goosebumps to be and the third Jumanji to be. “Goosemanji”. Sony, call me, let’s talk.
Bad Times At The El Royale
Criminals, cool kids and cults. Can it come together?
In Like Flynn
What’s it about?
Root-rat movie-star Errol Flynn’s legend began long before Hollywoodland beckoned, as these adventures recollected from his biographical Beams End illustrate.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: In Like Flynn is a boys own adventure gone bad. It has all the elements of a successful movie: the director of Highlander, up-and-coming acting superstars (one is “the next Chris Hemsworth” I read somewhere), a David Wenham cameo (then again, his appearances make up 80% of the movies highlights), and the “true” life story of Errol Flynn … what could go wrong?
Oh, it’s awful. I honestly thought I was watching a 3rd year film students homage to Indiana Jones until Quint from Jaws turned up on the Sirocco. To be fair, aside from a handful of roaming accents, the acting isn’t too bad (with Clive Standen’s Charlie / Quint doing what he can to raise the standard alongside Wenham’s brilliant Dastardly Whiplash), but the script is as wooden and rotten as the boat they sail in, and the whole endeavour just ends up a misogynist try-hard mess.
Rent Highlander or Errol’s Captain Blood instead. This deserves to rest on the floor of the ocean alongside the boat it sunk in.
A Star is Born
What’s it about?
Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) is a mega famous rock star, who is dealing with alcoholism. He discovers Ally (Lady Gaga), and makes her a star.
What did we think?
Imogen Chapman says: B-Coops can sing! And direct! We already knew about the acting thing. In A Star is Born he also manages to do an excellent younger Jeff Bridges impersonation.
This is the 3rd remake of the classic 1937 film, but don’t expect a jazzy Hollywood musical. It’s emotionally raw, which gives you some incredible moments, but very occasionally causes the movie to lag.
Honestly, this is a surprisingly great movie. The songs are powerful, the performances are awesome, and I was actually moved by the story.
I’m not crying, you’re crying.
4.5/5