Beauty And The Beast
What’s it about?
Really? We’re really going there? Fine. In a shocking twist, Beauty And The Beast Redux is actually a big-screen offshoot of Marvel’s Legion: a fever dream where David places himself in yet another musical hostage situation. But will Stockholm syndrome work for or against this powerful mutant?*
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: an epic revitalisation of the golden Hollywood musical, replete with a dastardly villain, breathtaking choreographed-from-above dance numbers, and a happy ending for all. There are winks and nods aplenty within this utterly adorable Best Picture Oscar winner for 2018 (without Silence of the Lambs it’ll be a shoe-in).
*1 It’s your fault. You asked. What a stupid question “what’s Beauty and the Beast” about. Idiot.
*2 If you haven’t watched Legion yet, get thee to FX immediately.
Loving
What’s it about?
1950’s Virginia: it was a simpler time, when a man could love a woman and a woman her man (so long as they had the same skin colour); and old, white, privileged men could exert their racist bigotry without fear of repercussion … until the US Supreme Court made a landmark civil rights decision and said it was OK to love the one you’re with (Loving v. Virginia).
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: 2017’s trio of harrowing reminders of segregation is a tender balance of Fences’ stark reality and Hidden Figures’ uplifting feel goodedness*. An unassuming, endearing romance, juxtaposed by ignorance and hatred; Loving confirms that love WILL conquer all, even in a court room (which takes a back seat to love story).
Postscript: Thank goodness no-one judges people anymore on who or how they love. /sarcasm
*this is now a word
Kong: Skull Island
What’s it about?
John Goodman and his gang of scientists uncover the secret Skull Island which just so happens to be the home of a mega ape.
What did we think?
Nick Bleeker says: Kong knows exactly what it is: a film about a monster ape wrecking stuff, and, as simple as that sounds, it works in the film’s favour greatly. It looks great, the action is composed great and, most importantly, the world Kong lives in feels special. Add to the fact that Samuel L. Jackson goes insane – like, totally bonkers – and I’d say that’s worth the price of admission alone.
Logan
What’s it about?
In a future where most mutants are dead, the former X-man known as Wolverine struggles with life, impending death and an unexpected addition to a grim existence.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Finally! A superhuman movie that focuses on the ‘human’ rather than the ‘super’. Gritty, emotional and realistic, Logan is a triumph of story over fight scenes, though the violence exists in brutal abundance as well. The 2016 success of Deadpool as an R-rated film has allowed director James Mangold the freedom to ensure we see Wolverine with the confronting brutality real adamantium claws would bring with them. Surprisingly thoughtful without heavy emotional manipulation, Logan will be loved by everyone with even a passing interest in the character.
Trainspotting 2
What’s it about?
Twenty years after Mark Renton stole the stash of cash from his friends, he returns home but exactly what awaits him?
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: It’s easy to argue this cult classic didn’t need a sequel but it’s a surprising relief that this follow up stays true to the characters and story. Not as dark as the original, Trainspotting 2 goes for a bit more humour and focuses more on the quirky relationships between the dysfunctional group. Good characterisation, entertaining and faithful stories and quality homage references will leave any fan of the original content though it’s probably unlikely to be a classic itself. Director Danny Boyle uses an impressive soundtrack featuring Iggy Pop, Blondie, Queen, Run DMC and jarring, almost experimental, camera angles to highlight the emotion and anguish particularly of Ewan Bremner’s Spud who almost steals the show during his withdrawal periods. Wonderful to see Ewan McGregor, Johnny Lee Miller and Robert Carlyle on the big screen together again as Boyle slyly and ironically explores nostalgia in a light that is anything but flattering.
The Great Wall
What’s it about?
European mercenaries make their way to the Orient in search of the super weapon ‘black powder’. They discover a powerful army with just one purpose: defending the world against monsters. But are the true monsters… us?
No. It’s quite obviously the giant green lizard things.
What did we think?
Dan says: This is a film about ideas. The story is pretty average and the character motivations are thin on the ground. The film jumps from design idea to illustration idea and every time it’s dazzling. It’s a bit like flipping through the sketch book of that art geek from high school who would shyly tell you what she’d do if she had access to funding. Well someone got access to funding. They don’t know how to write dialogue but their visual story-telling is epic.
What’s Popular
Skyscraper
What’s it about?
The Rock reimagines Die Hard by saving his family from terrorists in a locked-down skyscraper.
What did we think?
It’s time to put aside the Chuck Norris jokes and declare that gravity doesn’t affect The Rock; The Rock affects gravity. Skyscraper walks a fine line between homage and plagiarism but if you just want to see Dwayne Johnson saving the day amidst explosions and eye-rolling stunts then you will love this mindless action film. There are actually a few good scientific tidbits and accuracies in here as well as an interesting motive. It’s a shame that there are also flaws that render any credits from them immediately worthless. It’s highly predictable but to be honest, Liz and I had a blast predicting lines and cliched incidents (it even had a Rocky shout out) so would be fun slightly intoxicated. At the end of the day there’s one sentence that will decide whether you’ll see it or not: it’s The Rock.
Ant Man and the Wasp
What’s it about?
Scott/Ant Man (Paul Rudd) is struggling with the fallout of answering the Civil War call. He’s not legally allowed to have contact with Hank (Michael Douglas) or Hope (Evangeline Lilly), but they need him for a mission so…
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: It’s the characters who make this movie enjoyable, which is lucky because a strong story line is nowhere to be found. It’s a sequel that doesn’t really know what it wants to be, and that leaves the audience clinging to the quips of our heroes and waiting for something to really invest in. Interestingly, this movie was meant to be released BEFORE Avengers: Infinity War. I won’t say whether they do or don’t address that but it’s worthwhile noting.
Show Dogs
What’s it about?
A loner police dog gets partnered with a goofy and impatient FBI officer to go undercover at a dog show in search of a stolen panda.
What we thought
Dan says: Show Dogs biggest claim to fame is a misguided subplot about the hero learning to be relaxed when his dog junk is physically checked for quality. This scene was removed in the international version for accidentally sending the wrong message to children about molestation.
Interfering with the auteur’s vision can have negative effects on the resulting product.
Thankfully, in this instance, the auteur appears to have spent so much of the film’s budget on coke that nothing makes any sense before the edited scene. The story is both simplistic and yet baffling at the same time. The effects are laughably nineties. There are more jokes about breeding than I’d expect in a kid’s film including one with Ru Paul that I can’t figure out whether it’s racist or transphobic.
I did chuckle twice at the pug.
Sicario: Day of the Soldado
What’s it about?
Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro team up to try and incite a war between drug cartels, but don’t really do a very good job.
What did we think?
Nick says: Day of the Soldado opens and closes beautifully, but the big issue lies in the fact that there’s not a lot to rave about in the middle. Still, Del Toro and Brolin are terrific and there are some really satisfying bits and pieces amongst the retreading and boring politics.
Editor's Choice
Skyscraper
What’s it about?
The Rock reimagines Die Hard by saving his family from terrorists in a locked-down skyscraper.
What did we think?
It’s time to put aside the Chuck Norris jokes and declare that gravity doesn’t affect The Rock; The Rock affects gravity. Skyscraper walks a fine line between homage and plagiarism but if you just want to see Dwayne Johnson saving the day amidst explosions and eye-rolling stunts then you will love this mindless action film. There are actually a few good scientific tidbits and accuracies in here as well as an interesting motive. It’s a shame that there are also flaws that render any credits from them immediately worthless. It’s highly predictable but to be honest, Liz and I had a blast predicting lines and cliched incidents (it even had a Rocky shout out) so would be fun slightly intoxicated. At the end of the day there’s one sentence that will decide whether you’ll see it or not: it’s The Rock.
Ant Man and the Wasp
What’s it about?
Scott/Ant Man (Paul Rudd) is struggling with the fallout of answering the Civil War call. He’s not legally allowed to have contact with Hank (Michael Douglas) or Hope (Evangeline Lilly), but they need him for a mission so…
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: It’s the characters who make this movie enjoyable, which is lucky because a strong story line is nowhere to be found. It’s a sequel that doesn’t really know what it wants to be, and that leaves the audience clinging to the quips of our heroes and waiting for something to really invest in. Interestingly, this movie was meant to be released BEFORE Avengers: Infinity War. I won’t say whether they do or don’t address that but it’s worthwhile noting.
Show Dogs
What’s it about?
A loner police dog gets partnered with a goofy and impatient FBI officer to go undercover at a dog show in search of a stolen panda.
What we thought
Dan says: Show Dogs biggest claim to fame is a misguided subplot about the hero learning to be relaxed when his dog junk is physically checked for quality. This scene was removed in the international version for accidentally sending the wrong message to children about molestation.
Interfering with the auteur’s vision can have negative effects on the resulting product.
Thankfully, in this instance, the auteur appears to have spent so much of the film’s budget on coke that nothing makes any sense before the edited scene. The story is both simplistic and yet baffling at the same time. The effects are laughably nineties. There are more jokes about breeding than I’d expect in a kid’s film including one with Ru Paul that I can’t figure out whether it’s racist or transphobic.
I did chuckle twice at the pug.
Sicario: Day of the Soldado
What’s it about?
Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro team up to try and incite a war between drug cartels, but don’t really do a very good job.
What did we think?
Nick says: Day of the Soldado opens and closes beautifully, but the big issue lies in the fact that there’s not a lot to rave about in the middle. Still, Del Toro and Brolin are terrific and there are some really satisfying bits and pieces amongst the retreading and boring politics.