Nocturnal Animals
What’s it about?
An art gallery owner is haunted by her ex-husband’s novel, a violent thriller she interprets as a veiled threat and a symbolic revenge tale.
What did we think?
Cindy Nelson says: My high expectations for Tom Ford’s second foray into feature films were not disappointed – this stunning thriller creates a world that is both brutal and visually beautiful, telling a story within a story that you won’t expect, and having you on the edge of your seat right to the last frame. An unsettling, violent and stylish film with emotional, powerhouse performances.
Doctor Strange
What’s it about?
A former surgeon with damaged handsnamed Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) becomes a powerful sorcerer under the tutelage of a mystic known as the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton). Rachel McAdams, Mads Mikkelsen, and Chiwetel Ejiofor co-star in this entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: A highly polished affair featuring possibly the most impressive visual effects we’ve seen in the MCU so far, Dr Strange ticks most of the boxes. The performances are top shelf, the often difficult transition of magic onto the big screen is well-handled and Marvel’s penchant for ever-present humour is of course still on show. The storyline is a bit too simplistic for my taste but that’s the danger of an origin story combined with a need to dumb down complex concepts. Still, Doctor Strange is a worthy addition to the ever burgeoning MCU and will entertain for a few hours.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back
What’s it about?
Tom Cruise returns as Lee Child’s enigmatic action hero. In an action movie. With lots of action.
What did we think?
The second Jack Reacher film is a slick affair with quality production, scenes and acting. It’s hard to fault specifically but its largely by-the-numbers feel leaves little impression beyond the moment. Adding emotional constipation to an action hero is hardly a huge step but Cruise handles it well while Cobie Smulders basically reprises her SHIELD role and does a good job. Youngster Danika Yarosh also entertains but the pieces somehow just don’t come together.
To be fair it’s a fun action movie that will pass the time and popcorn, but despite the polish this film just doesn’t Reach (see what I did there?) great heights.
Hell or High Water
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
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
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.
What’s Popular
The Leisure Seeker
What’s it about?
Ailing septuagenarians flee imminent nursing-home confinement by taking one final road trip in their beloved Winnebago.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: facing your impending death isn’t an everyday movie topic, and while The Leisure Seeker handles the topic with sensitivity and humour, the first half is meandering and turgid, seemingly to set up the far more entertaining second. Beautifully acted by Donald Sutherland as a retired professor in the final stages of dementia and Helen Mirren as his frail, doting wife, the film lacks the celebration of life it requires (and several opportunities exist within the film for these moments but are passed over for commentary on the frustration on human frailty).
Euthanasia advocates will appreciate this film, but people battling with depression would be advised to only see it with a friend.
Solo: A Star Wars Story
What’s it about?
A young Han Solo escapes a hard life to meet a friendly wookie and become a pilot and smuggler in a galaxy far, far away.
What did we think?
Anthony says: I have to admit I had a bad feeling about this, and while it isn’t a masterpiece, nor is it the disaster I was half-expecting. After an uneven and stuttering start that just doesn’t work, Solo finally finds a rhythm when it becomes a simple heist movie. Donald Glover’s Lando threatens to steal the show though he ends up underutilised. It’s not going to be remembered as a classic but it ticks most of the boxes for Star Wars fans looking to a young Han Solo’s life. The characters are fun even if the storyline lacks intense depth.
Gringo
What’s it about?
Downtrodden businessman Harold (David Oyelowo) is caught up in cartels, kidnapping and corporate conspiracies during a business trip to Mexico.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: I would be perfectly happy watching this on hour six of a long-haul flight. I would then never think about it again in my whole life.
Gringo is a pleasant enough darkly comic caper, but an admittedly impressive cast can’t quite save it from a meandering plot.
Deadpool 2
What’s it about?
An anti-hero tries to protect a young boy from a time-travelling half-robot… wait, isn’t that the Terminator? #RipOff
What did we think?
Anthony says: It was always going to be difficult to follow up such a successful and original first movie, and it has to be said Deadpool 2 doesn’t have the same impact as its predecessor. However, the jokes are funnier – both in intelligence and irreverence – and there’s a little more pathos. Unfortunately, there are a few pacing issues with an odd lull or two breaking up the quips, but to be frank they’re soon forgotten. It truly excels with its music choice; not only in the cool-song-I-loved-this-one way, but the subtleties that add another layer of humour (I can’t go into detail without spoiling it so I won’t). And the early-credit scene is not only hilarious but has upped the stakes on how stories could be told. <redacted-spoiler-redacted>
At the end of the day it’s a great movie and I’m not just saying that because Ryan Reynolds has a gun and apparently knows my address.
Editor's Choice
The Leisure Seeker
What’s it about?
Ailing septuagenarians flee imminent nursing-home confinement by taking one final road trip in their beloved Winnebago.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: facing your impending death isn’t an everyday movie topic, and while The Leisure Seeker handles the topic with sensitivity and humour, the first half is meandering and turgid, seemingly to set up the far more entertaining second. Beautifully acted by Donald Sutherland as a retired professor in the final stages of dementia and Helen Mirren as his frail, doting wife, the film lacks the celebration of life it requires (and several opportunities exist within the film for these moments but are passed over for commentary on the frustration on human frailty).
Euthanasia advocates will appreciate this film, but people battling with depression would be advised to only see it with a friend.
Solo: A Star Wars Story
What’s it about?
A young Han Solo escapes a hard life to meet a friendly wookie and become a pilot and smuggler in a galaxy far, far away.
What did we think?
Anthony says: I have to admit I had a bad feeling about this, and while it isn’t a masterpiece, nor is it the disaster I was half-expecting. After an uneven and stuttering start that just doesn’t work, Solo finally finds a rhythm when it becomes a simple heist movie. Donald Glover’s Lando threatens to steal the show though he ends up underutilised. It’s not going to be remembered as a classic but it ticks most of the boxes for Star Wars fans looking to a young Han Solo’s life. The characters are fun even if the storyline lacks intense depth.
Gringo
What’s it about?
Downtrodden businessman Harold (David Oyelowo) is caught up in cartels, kidnapping and corporate conspiracies during a business trip to Mexico.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: I would be perfectly happy watching this on hour six of a long-haul flight. I would then never think about it again in my whole life.
Gringo is a pleasant enough darkly comic caper, but an admittedly impressive cast can’t quite save it from a meandering plot.
Deadpool 2
What’s it about?
An anti-hero tries to protect a young boy from a time-travelling half-robot… wait, isn’t that the Terminator? #RipOff
What did we think?
Anthony says: It was always going to be difficult to follow up such a successful and original first movie, and it has to be said Deadpool 2 doesn’t have the same impact as its predecessor. However, the jokes are funnier – both in intelligence and irreverence – and there’s a little more pathos. Unfortunately, there are a few pacing issues with an odd lull or two breaking up the quips, but to be frank they’re soon forgotten. It truly excels with its music choice; not only in the cool-song-I-loved-this-one way, but the subtleties that add another layer of humour (I can’t go into detail without spoiling it so I won’t). And the early-credit scene is not only hilarious but has upped the stakes on how stories could be told. <redacted-spoiler-redacted>
At the end of the day it’s a great movie and I’m not just saying that because Ryan Reynolds has a gun and apparently knows my address.