Logan Lucky

What’s it about?
Down-on-their-luck siblings join forces with bomb-addict siblings for a heist that will become legendary: the home of NASCAR.

What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: Logan Lucky (3¾★) wins the heist battle of 2017 over Baby Driver (3½★) thanks to a stronger storyline and beguiling characters – interestingly both films use the transition of musical styles to further tension, in this case from country to bluegrass. Soderbergh cleverly mirrors the same story of a fight-against-the-odds for redemption across three encampments without you realising by using sleight of hand, country music, a couple of clever twists, and some good laughs.

BEWARE: the odds are high you’ll end up singing a John Denver classic. Yep. That one.

An Inconvenient Sequel

What’s it about?
Ten years after An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore is still at it – and with good reason.

What did we think?
Amy Currie says: This is certainly an important film, and its (terrifying) statements about climate change are clearly explained and backed up by solid data. However, the movie itself is blatantly manipulative and spends a lot – like, a lot – of time talking about what a great guy Al Gore is. So great. Wow.

It’s pure propaganda – but when it’s propaganda for good, does it really matter? It’s not a brilliant film, but that’s not the point.

The Big Sick

What’s it about?
Writer and star Kumail Nanjiani brings the story of his burgeoning relationship with his now wife to the big screen, illustrating the ups and downs they faced with their cross-cultural connection, not least of which was Emily being in a coma.

What we thought
Angela Young says: This film is brilliant, go see it. It’s properly funny and properly real. Kumail plays himself, so we know we we’re getting the truth there, but Zoe Kazan is fantastic as down-to-earth and bubbly Emily. You will love all the characters in this film, literally – there’s not a baddie (or bad acting) among them. Even Ray Romano as Dad! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry (but only a little bit), and you’ll only just notice the subtle lessons you’re learning about cultural integration and the hilarious nuances at play within a Pakistani muslim family in modern America.

A Monster Calls

What’s it about?
A troubled young boy (Lewis MacDougall) is visited by a storytelling monster (Liam Neeson). Emotional growth ensues.

What did we think?
Amy Currie says: At first glance, this tale featuring an enchanted tree, a stern grandmother and fantastical revenge on a schoolyard bully seems a Dahl-esque children’s story. However, in an interesting twist on the genre, A Monster Calls takes place in the real world of divorce, chemotherapy and lawsuits, where good and evil aren’t clear-cut and endings are often imperfect. It’s not a subtle film, but the performances are decent, the animation in the storytelling sequences is gorgeous and the ending will make you cry.

War for the Planet of the Apes

What’s it about?
An escalating war between Caesar’s (Andy Serkis) apes and a renegade army colonel (Woody Harrelson) forces Caesar to choose between his desire for revenge and his quest for a better world for ape-kind.

What did we think?
Lisa Clifford says: For the first time in the new series, apes are unapologetically placed front-and-centre as protagonists, and Serkis is utterly brilliant in his third turn as the messianic ape leader. A stark and arresting study of morality in war and how it influences our actions, War for the Planet of the Apes is visually stunning with great action sequences, and a satisfying conclusion to Caesar’s story – forming an interesting bridge between the modern reboot and the original films.

Dunkirk

What’s it about?
An intense depiction of WW2’s Battle of Dunkirk.

What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Two hours of pure tension. Dunkirk does away with preamble – there are no names, backstories or wistful talk of sweethearts back home. We barely even see the enemy. Instead, we’re plunged straight into urgent, up-close chaos. The strong performances (yes, even from that ‘one’ guy), minimal dialogue, and spectacular soundtrack moved my stoic companion to a masculine tear. See it.

What’s Popular

Smallfoot

Is it holiday fun? Or “sno good”?

Johnny English Strikes Again

What’s it about?
Johnny English is called back into the field after MI7 is compromised by a really intelligent hacker.

What did we think?
Nick Bleeker says: It feels a bit out of touch and the story and most of the jokes are predictable, but Johnny English Strikes Again is an incredibly harmless and, surprisingly, fun film. Star Rating: 2.5/5

Stephen Scott says: Predictability can be a blessing and a curse: for fans of Rowan Atkinson and the silly spy genre, in this case it’s a blessing of papal proportions. Johnny English Strikes Again is exactly what you expect: a talking Mr Bean bumbling through an Austen Powersesque adventure. Star Rating: 3.5/5

Ladies in Black

What’s it about?

A coming-of-age story in which Lesley (who desperately wants to be called Lisa) takes a job in a tres chic department store while waiting for her exam results. Based on a bookLadies in Black takes a peek behind the dressing room curtain of the impossibly glamorous women who dressed the well-heeled women of Sydney.

What did we think?

Elizabeth Best says: This is such an enjoyable Aussie film but man it was hard for me to pay attention to anything else but the fashion. Because OH MY GOD THE FASHION. A visually sumptuous film about an innocent time in Australia’s history when department stores were all about providing first class service, and every immigrant was considered a “reffo” (refugee) no matter how bloody fabulous they were. I found myself taking turns sighing with love for the dresses and smiling from ear to ear for the story.

 

 

Searching

What’s it about? 

A father (John Cho) has to search through his daughter’s online life to connect the dots when she goes missing one night.

What did we think?

Elizabeth Best says: Part thriller, part drama, part advertisement for what a Mac can do, Searching is a masterclass in inventive storytelling. The movie unfolds solely through a series of chat windows, tumblr posts, tweets and live streams, and navigates the line between heartache and heart attack deftly. It’s clever with its “show don’t tell” storytelling, and damn it’s nice to see Cho kicking ass in the lead role he deserves

Editor's Choice

Smallfoot

Is it holiday fun? Or “sno good”?

Johnny English Strikes Again

What’s it about?
Johnny English is called back into the field after MI7 is compromised by a really intelligent hacker.

What did we think?
Nick Bleeker says: It feels a bit out of touch and the story and most of the jokes are predictable, but Johnny English Strikes Again is an incredibly harmless and, surprisingly, fun film. Star Rating: 2.5/5

Stephen Scott says: Predictability can be a blessing and a curse: for fans of Rowan Atkinson and the silly spy genre, in this case it’s a blessing of papal proportions. Johnny English Strikes Again is exactly what you expect: a talking Mr Bean bumbling through an Austen Powersesque adventure. Star Rating: 3.5/5

Ladies in Black

What’s it about?

A coming-of-age story in which Lesley (who desperately wants to be called Lisa) takes a job in a tres chic department store while waiting for her exam results. Based on a bookLadies in Black takes a peek behind the dressing room curtain of the impossibly glamorous women who dressed the well-heeled women of Sydney.

What did we think?

Elizabeth Best says: This is such an enjoyable Aussie film but man it was hard for me to pay attention to anything else but the fashion. Because OH MY GOD THE FASHION. A visually sumptuous film about an innocent time in Australia’s history when department stores were all about providing first class service, and every immigrant was considered a “reffo” (refugee) no matter how bloody fabulous they were. I found myself taking turns sighing with love for the dresses and smiling from ear to ear for the story.

 

 

Searching

What’s it about? 

A father (John Cho) has to search through his daughter’s online life to connect the dots when she goes missing one night.

What did we think?

Elizabeth Best says: Part thriller, part drama, part advertisement for what a Mac can do, Searching is a masterclass in inventive storytelling. The movie unfolds solely through a series of chat windows, tumblr posts, tweets and live streams, and navigates the line between heartache and heart attack deftly. It’s clever with its “show don’t tell” storytelling, and damn it’s nice to see Cho kicking ass in the lead role he deserves

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