What’s it about?
Two childhood friends exploit a loophole to win a US military contract, and eventually find themselves rich … and in way over their heads.

What did we think?
Angela Bowen says: Jonah Hill steals the show in this watered down concoction of The Big Short, Wolf of Wall Street, and Good Fellas. It’s not as boobs-in-your-face, cocaine-on-the-ceiling as you might expect, but War Dogs delivers a gritty take on true events with some decent chuckles.

What’s it about?
A retelling of the classic hero story: a boy’s magical powers grow as he embarks on a mystical quest – all while playing beautiful shamisen music and creating incredible origami creatures.

What did we think?
Dan Beeston says: Read off the page Kubo is a simple fable: a basic hero’s journey with the requisite sword, armour and helm picked up along the way. The true magic is just how visually splendid the whole piece is. The film is a triumph of stop motion animation. To see these puppets come to life is jaw dropping. Children and lovers of art should immediately rush out and see it. For everyone else? It’s just another okay story. Three stars.

Stephen Scott says: The use of clay animation is a dying art and helps set this film apart. The plot lines exposing youngsters to alternative religious views, cultural practices, and the importance of heritage are the other major selling points. If you have a kids, take them and enjoy a family bonding. Three and a half stars.

What’s it about?

Frazzled mums (Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn) get pushed to breaking point and decide to start being shitty mothers instead. But when a perfect mum (Christina Applegate) pushes their buttons, they decide they need to hit her where it hurts, and challenge her for presidency of the PTA.

What did we think?

Elizabeth Best says: Aside from some slightly problematic messaging (if you ever do anything for just you, your whole life will go down the toilet), this is a fun jaunt exploring what happens when stressed out mums cut loose. Hilarious comic timing from Kunis, Hahn and Bell elevates this from shameless chick flick to worthy comedy. I can’t help but feel, though, that Jada Pinkett Smith was a heartbeat away from the token racially diverse character, only hanging around to say things like “dayum” and “that shit is whack.”.

What’s it about?

Set after the events of Batman V Superman, a task force of bad guys is assembled and blackmailed into saving the world from other bad guys, vigilante style.

What did we think?

Elizabeth Best says: It’s not that Suicide Squad is bad. It’s just not… anything. It’s a long, plot-less fight scene, with too many people to pay attention to, moving too fast to actually lock on to anything. Simply put? It’s frenetically boring. Where’s all the fun from the trailer? Characters get loads of screen time but aren’t explored in much depth (Captain Boomerang is an extended punchline, Harley Quinn is a sexy extended punchline, Diablo is the meta-human equivalent of a Bic lighter). Not very much happens except baddies fight baddies to avoid “goodies” (who are kinda baddies) from blowing their heads up. I can’t help but think think DC have done this whole thing backwards; in trying to do an Avengers-style movie, they forgot that all the Avengers had solo movies to establish their characters before they got thrown in together to defeat the big bad. The Suicide Squad aren’t given the same opportunity and as a result we’re still kind of clueless about who they are. Even Jared Leto’s much-hyped Joker doesn’t leave a lasting impression.

Meh. Just meh.

What’s it about?

Several seasons into their “five-year mission”, the crew of the Enterprise, led by the cocksure yet jaded James Tiberius Kirk (Chris Pine) and his emotionally detached scientific officer Spock (Zachary Quinto), heed a distress call from uncharted space. It’s a trap! Oh, wrong franchise.

What did we think?

Ben Bissett and Elizabeth Best say: Beyond may be the title card, but this film asks us to boldly go where we’ve gone before. Set pieces that look like they’re straight from the halcyon TV series, populated by aliens that resemble demons from Buffy meld to create a film that pays fond, knowing homage to the old days of the Enterprise, stardate, oh, whenever Shatner was on the bridge. As always, Star Trek is about the relationships, most importantly that of Spock and Kirk, and the actors all deliver here. The message, that unity is stronger than division, resonates in our uncertain political times, and it’s treated with a great deal of reverence. Colossal visual effects are, as per its predecessors, off the planet (sorry) yet the most powerful image in the movie is a single photograph towards the end. Prepare to wipe a tear away, Trekkers.

What’s it about?
A recently escaped Joker targets Batman, Commissioner Gordon and his daughter Batgirl in a depraved mission to prove a point: We’re all just one bad day away from going mad.

What did we think?

Clint Skene says: True to the comics as if it was ripped from the pages itself, scenes play out more as art than straight feature. Each scene leaves you more uneasy than the last as The Joker raises the stakes of depravity with each passing second (including an incredibly upsetting song and dance number). It’s high drama, confronting themes and squeamish moments, married with an atmospheric score and amazing performances from Batman alumni Mark Hamill, Kevin Conroy and Tara Strong. This is definitely another smash hit for WB Animation. The Killing Joke is a remarkable and much welcomed addition to the DC Animated universe.