Why him?
What’s it about?
Wholesome Stanford student Stephanie (Zoey Deutch) has a new eccentric (and utterly loaded) boyfriend (James Franco), and super-close Daddy (Bryan Cranston) is struggling to come to terms with the latest development in his little girl’s life.
What did we think?
Angela Young says: I went in with very low expectations, and was actually pleasantly surprised by this crass comedy. The basis for the story has been done to death, sure, but it’s been given a 2016 edge, and the performances, even from Franco, are really good. Special nod to little brother Scotty (played by Griffin Gluck) who is a scream, and to Keegan-Michael Key’s outrageous but loveable Gustave. Watch out, too, for some class lines from Megan Mullally as mum Barb. It’s a frankly hilarious script, as long as you don’t mind the f-word. And I don’t. I love it. Not something to watch with your own ma and pa, though, I’d wager.
Moana
What’s it about?
A Polynesian princess yearns for the open sea and when her island begins to die she embraces the opportunity to seek out the help of the demigod Maui and insist that he return the heart of the world.
What we thought
Dan says:
The stories of ancient tribal cultures tend to get lost in the flash and glitz of 21st century storytelling but Disney have a lot of skill redrafting ‘olde tales’. Moana is exceptional cinema. Lavish scenes, vibrant heartfelt characters and joyous songs combine in that Disney style to share the tales of another whole new world.
Like all of the Disney products there is a sprinkling of shoehorned emotional moments that could have hit the cutting room floor but in total it’s entirely satisfying. I’m still humming the songs and counting down the days until it opens and I can see it again.
Allied
What’s it about?
A Canadian airman working for the British forces in World War 2 meets a beautiful hero from the french resistance. The pair go deep undercover to assassinate a german target but end up storming the beaches of each other’s hearts.
What we thought
Dan Beeston says: A lot has been made of Brad Pitt’s separation from his wife, and rumours have abounded that Pitt had a secret dalliance with his on screen partner Marion Cotillard. Put those rumours to bed by watching just how little chemistry these characters have together. Every escalation in their relationship seems forced and unnatural. Some would say that we’re still feeling the tragic effects of World War 2. This film makes me agree.
The Founder
What’s it about?
A down-on-his-luck milkshake machine salesman (Michael Keaton) comes across a hamburger joint that’s revolutionized fast food and has an idea on how to get involved in the business in a big way. A.k.a: the story of how an asshole came to claim he was the founder of McDonalds.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: I always thought Ray Kroc was the founder of good old Maccas, but it turns out I was wrong… and sort of right. Ray “won” the right to call himself founder through a lot of clever assholery and fast talking that has to be seen to be believed. Here’s hoping the “Oscar buzz” for Keaton turns out to be true, as this is a fine performance to follow his turns in other nominated films Spotlight and Birdman. For a thoroughly fascinating movie on the origins of McDonalds, the story sure left a bad taste in my mouth. So much so that I’m boycotting them… at least, until I smell someone eating a delicious cheeseburger.
Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them
What’s it about?
Eccentric magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) misplaces an enchanted suitcase in 1920s New York. An extremely profitable franchise is unleashed.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Hey, you guys like Harry Potter? Then I’ve got good news. Fantastic Beasts is the worthy spin-off that you’re going to be really into for the next ten years or so. While it’s darker than the original films, it’s packed with subtle little nods to them that fans will adore, and the story (though somewhat complicated) is good enough to stand alone. It’s tremendous fun to see the wizarding world through a 1920s lens – magical speakeasy, anyone? – and the inhabitants of Scamander’s Pokeball-meets-TARDIS suitcase are just as fantastic as advertised. This film will frighten young children, but everyone else will be thoroughly enchanted.
Arrival
What’s it about?
Aliens make contact with earth and Amy Adams is the only person who can speak their language
What did we think?
Nick Bleeker says: An incredibly tense and engrossing film, Arrival subverts the traditional sci-fi blockbuster with a gorgeous mix of cinematography, direction, and really solid narrative. Add Amy Adams’ absolutely stunning performance and you have one of the best movies of 2016.
What’s Popular
Tully
What’s it about?
GAH! Charlize Theron and Ron Livingston have a third baby! It’s awful. The other two children are bad enough. So many children! Nappies! Sore nipples! Sleep Deprivation! Dear Lord! It’s like one of those educational health films from high school except this time they’re using a more persuasive technique to get you to use condoms. At any rate, a savant babysitter turns up and everything settles down a bit.
What we thought
Dan says: This paints the portrait of parenthood, warts and all, and when Tully finally turns up to get things in order it’s with a sigh of relief from the audience as well. Great moments of cinematography, charming performances and some decently funny jokes allow this film to stick the landing.
If you’re single, watch this film and pat yourself on the back for good decisions made. If you’ve had kids, enjoy watching what you’ve already survived. And if you’ve got a newborn…
God help you.
Breath
What’s it about?
Two young boys growing up in 70s Australia are befriended by a stranger who lures them out of their comfort zone as they struggle with their identity.
What did we think?
This simply delightful coming-of-age film is incredibly intimate and wonderfully genuine. It’s unapologetically Australian and that rawness only adds to the emotions of the characterisation. Simon Baker’s directorial debut is ridiculously impressive especially given the constraints of weather dependence and an inexperienced cast. However the cast are magnificent from the two young boys – Ben Spence and Samson Coulter – to the understated Richard Roxburgh.
I grew up in the 70s but in the desert hundreds of kilometres from the surf which sets the background and culture for this flick. The fact it still spoke to me so strongly just shows what an impressive film this is. Slow-paced and stronger for it, this is not a surfing movie as such, but one where surfing is merely important.
Unsane
What’s it about?
Sawyer (Claire Foy) is a young woman starting a new life in a new city but is still traumatised by an incident from back home. After a single session with a counsellor, she unwittingly signs herself in to being committed to a mental instituton. She insists there is nothing wrong with her, but her stay becomes involuntary when the staff begin to question her sanity, and she is forced to confront her greatest fear.
What did we think?
James Tinniswood says: I am so happy Steven Soderbergh is back pumping out movies, especially interesting little gambles like this. Shot entirely on an iPhone but with a good thriller script, this fits in somewhere between his studio and indie/experimental films. Claire Foy is excellent, and Jay Pharoah is also solid support. The ambiguity about what’s really going on gets resolved maybe a bit too early and it becomes more of a conventional thriller, but it’s still an impressive experiment in tension.
Avengers: Infinity War
What’s it about?
Thanos sends his cronies to acquire the remaining infinity stones while our heroes try to stop him. That’s it.
What did we think?
After this movie the term ‘action-packed’ will never be the same. Cramming nearly every Marvel hero into two-and-half hours means non-stop quips and fights. As such, the actual storyline is extremely thin and simple, but the investment in the characters we’ve built up over the past ten years ensures you’ll cheer, laugh and gasp regardless. The sheer number of potential spoiler moments in this movie makes it difficult to write about, but if you’ve enjoyed any of the Marvel films, rest assured you’ll love this ‘roided-up herofest. It’s a delightful romp that is a culmination without being a finale.
Editor's Choice
Tully
What’s it about?
GAH! Charlize Theron and Ron Livingston have a third baby! It’s awful. The other two children are bad enough. So many children! Nappies! Sore nipples! Sleep Deprivation! Dear Lord! It’s like one of those educational health films from high school except this time they’re using a more persuasive technique to get you to use condoms. At any rate, a savant babysitter turns up and everything settles down a bit.
What we thought
Dan says: This paints the portrait of parenthood, warts and all, and when Tully finally turns up to get things in order it’s with a sigh of relief from the audience as well. Great moments of cinematography, charming performances and some decently funny jokes allow this film to stick the landing.
If you’re single, watch this film and pat yourself on the back for good decisions made. If you’ve had kids, enjoy watching what you’ve already survived. And if you’ve got a newborn…
God help you.
Breath
What’s it about?
Two young boys growing up in 70s Australia are befriended by a stranger who lures them out of their comfort zone as they struggle with their identity.
What did we think?
This simply delightful coming-of-age film is incredibly intimate and wonderfully genuine. It’s unapologetically Australian and that rawness only adds to the emotions of the characterisation. Simon Baker’s directorial debut is ridiculously impressive especially given the constraints of weather dependence and an inexperienced cast. However the cast are magnificent from the two young boys – Ben Spence and Samson Coulter – to the understated Richard Roxburgh.
I grew up in the 70s but in the desert hundreds of kilometres from the surf which sets the background and culture for this flick. The fact it still spoke to me so strongly just shows what an impressive film this is. Slow-paced and stronger for it, this is not a surfing movie as such, but one where surfing is merely important.
Unsane
What’s it about?
Sawyer (Claire Foy) is a young woman starting a new life in a new city but is still traumatised by an incident from back home. After a single session with a counsellor, she unwittingly signs herself in to being committed to a mental instituton. She insists there is nothing wrong with her, but her stay becomes involuntary when the staff begin to question her sanity, and she is forced to confront her greatest fear.
What did we think?
James Tinniswood says: I am so happy Steven Soderbergh is back pumping out movies, especially interesting little gambles like this. Shot entirely on an iPhone but with a good thriller script, this fits in somewhere between his studio and indie/experimental films. Claire Foy is excellent, and Jay Pharoah is also solid support. The ambiguity about what’s really going on gets resolved maybe a bit too early and it becomes more of a conventional thriller, but it’s still an impressive experiment in tension.
Avengers: Infinity War
What’s it about?
Thanos sends his cronies to acquire the remaining infinity stones while our heroes try to stop him. That’s it.
What did we think?
After this movie the term ‘action-packed’ will never be the same. Cramming nearly every Marvel hero into two-and-half hours means non-stop quips and fights. As such, the actual storyline is extremely thin and simple, but the investment in the characters we’ve built up over the past ten years ensures you’ll cheer, laugh and gasp regardless. The sheer number of potential spoiler moments in this movie makes it difficult to write about, but if you’ve enjoyed any of the Marvel films, rest assured you’ll love this ‘roided-up herofest. It’s a delightful romp that is a culmination without being a finale.