Hell or High Water
- By Stephen Scott
- 9 years ago
What’s it about?
Two brothers stage a few gnarly bank robberies to try and save their farm while keeping a cunning Texas ranger at bay.
What Did We Think?
Nick Bleeker says: Bolstered by terrific performances from Chris Pine and Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water sets its scenes beautifully, capturing the dry isolation of the west and the characters within that world, it’s just a shame the plot is paper-thin.
Deepwater Horizon
- By Stephen Scott
- 9 years ago
What’s it about?
The night in 2010 when the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, causing the worst oil spill in US history.
What did we think?
Nick Bleeker says: While initially hamstrung by technical jargon and setup, the film goes from zero to a billion in the space of five minutes as the second act begins. The resulting destruction is an incredible spectacle that is grim, bloody, and ultimately, deeply saddening.
The Girl on the Train
- By Stephen Scott
- 9 years ago
What it’s about?
People learn to regret living by train lines.
What did we think?
Sarah Taviani says: I’ve read the book. I knew how the story would unfold. But half an hour in, it became clear the moral grey areas were off limits. Rachel’s more repugnant actions were omitted, and the development of other characters suffered as a result.
Emily Blunt does well with her portrayal of Rachel and Danny Elfman’s score was spot-on, but in the end, the film felt like a thought-provoking study of alcoholism rather than a thrilling mystery.
Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children
- By Anthony Sherratt
- 9 years ago
What’s it about?
Imagine if Tim Burton made an X-Men movie.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: A delightful flight of fancy that will tickle both the heart and imagination, Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children is a welcome breath of fresh air. We’ve had a glut of children’s books becoming franchises but this one has the right mix of intelligence and whimsy that will leave people of all ages wanting more. Masterful performances from an all-star cast make it hard to single out individuals but special mention should be made of Eva Green whose sudden jerky movements mimic the peregrine flacon she transforms into wonderfully.
The few faults – the climax isn’t as big as one would hope and the concept of time is a bit ‘wibbly wobbly’ – are minor and easily overlooked once you lose yourself in a world of hidden secrets and incredible powers. It’s very understated for Tim Burton who seems more focused on the story than excessive quirk, but any movie that makes you want to immediately buy the books is doing something right.
Storks
- By Anthony Sherratt
- 9 years ago
What’s it about?
The storks have modernised and replaced their baby delivery service with an amazon-like corporation. The status quo is threatened however and the company’s heir apparent is tasked with making the final child delivery.
What did we think?
It’s an incredibly cute movie with genuine laugh-out-loud moments. The humour is unmistakably Andy Samberg’s so while the film lacks subtlety or real depth, it compensates with enough raw entertainment to overcome a predictable by-the-numbers plot. Good for all ages, it won’t go down as a classic but it’s fun enough.
Snowden
- By Stephen Scott
- 9 years ago
What’s it about?
From Snowden’s early days contracting for the US government, up until he becomes responsible for the largest leak in history.
What did we think?
Nick John Bleeker says: Oliver Stone’s interpretation of the most significant leak in history highlights its sheer magnitude by making the man behind it have less of an agenda and more of a personal obligation. Despite that, the film struggles to dive deep on the ethical questions …but you’ll still find yourself taping up your laptop’s camera afterwards.
What’s Popular
Ready Player One
What’s it about?
The creator of a virtual reality empire dies and leaves behind a treasure hunt. The winner gets billions of dollars and control of the entire game.
What did we think?
Sarah Taviani says: While some parts feel a bit clunky, Ready Player One is a blockbuster event that will have you chuckling over the endless pop culture references. And thanks to its engrossing concept and visual effects you’ll be happy to overlook the small issues of complicated world-building and consistent characters. Whether you’ve played one video game or hundreds, it’s not hard to get sucked in and wish you could be part of the OASIS.
A Quiet Place
What’s it about?
Monsters that hunt through any form of sound prey amongst the living (and Jim from The Office needs him and his family to survive).
What did we think?
Nick says: 24 hours after seeing this my heart is still beating well above what is medically okay. A Quiet Place establishes the rules of its universe really nicely and adheres to them perfectly, delivering its thrills and tension from the first minute. A terrific debut from Krasinski who delivers a horror film that consistently keeps you on your toes and is emotionally affecting in every way.
A Wrinkle In Time
What’s it about?
Meg is an adorable tween struggling with the loss of her father and her own battle with poor self-esteem. She is then visited by some do-good fairy types who enlist her to save her father, her universe and her own self worth.
What we thought
Dan says: Like Labyrinth or The Wizard of Oz this tells the tale of a young girl defeating evil by having a bunch of visually charged and unrelated experiences. Set piece after set piece assaults your senses and any one of them could be removed and you’d never know.
This is a bold risk by Disney. Sometimes risks pay off, but there’s a reason it’s called a risk. I love that this film exists and I adore even more that it finally ended and I don’t have to watch it again.
Pacific Rim Uprising
What’s it about?
GIANT ROBOTS fight GIANT MONSTERS!! But this time they DO IT FOR A SECOND TIME!!
What we thought
Dan says: This is Pacific Rim ‘Lite’ and the one thing the original had going for it was that it was ‘heavy’: big characters, strong acting, imposing composition. They’ve replaced that with shrill teens, frenetic CGI and the goofy guy from Star Wars.
The first Pacific Rim film was far better than it had any right to be. This film takes that masterfully realised universe and splashes around the shallow end.
Editor's Choice
Ready Player One
What’s it about?
The creator of a virtual reality empire dies and leaves behind a treasure hunt. The winner gets billions of dollars and control of the entire game.
What did we think?
Sarah Taviani says: While some parts feel a bit clunky, Ready Player One is a blockbuster event that will have you chuckling over the endless pop culture references. And thanks to its engrossing concept and visual effects you’ll be happy to overlook the small issues of complicated world-building and consistent characters. Whether you’ve played one video game or hundreds, it’s not hard to get sucked in and wish you could be part of the OASIS.
A Quiet Place
What’s it about?
Monsters that hunt through any form of sound prey amongst the living (and Jim from The Office needs him and his family to survive).
What did we think?
Nick says: 24 hours after seeing this my heart is still beating well above what is medically okay. A Quiet Place establishes the rules of its universe really nicely and adheres to them perfectly, delivering its thrills and tension from the first minute. A terrific debut from Krasinski who delivers a horror film that consistently keeps you on your toes and is emotionally affecting in every way.
A Wrinkle In Time
What’s it about?
Meg is an adorable tween struggling with the loss of her father and her own battle with poor self-esteem. She is then visited by some do-good fairy types who enlist her to save her father, her universe and her own self worth.
What we thought
Dan says: Like Labyrinth or The Wizard of Oz this tells the tale of a young girl defeating evil by having a bunch of visually charged and unrelated experiences. Set piece after set piece assaults your senses and any one of them could be removed and you’d never know.
This is a bold risk by Disney. Sometimes risks pay off, but there’s a reason it’s called a risk. I love that this film exists and I adore even more that it finally ended and I don’t have to watch it again.
Pacific Rim Uprising
What’s it about?
GIANT ROBOTS fight GIANT MONSTERS!! But this time they DO IT FOR A SECOND TIME!!
What we thought
Dan says: This is Pacific Rim ‘Lite’ and the one thing the original had going for it was that it was ‘heavy’: big characters, strong acting, imposing composition. They’ve replaced that with shrill teens, frenetic CGI and the goofy guy from Star Wars.
The first Pacific Rim film was far better than it had any right to be. This film takes that masterfully realised universe and splashes around the shallow end.