Star Trek Horizon
What’s it about?
Earth’s coalition of planets is at war with the Romulans. But something is wrong – a weapon of immense power that shouldn’t exist is about to change the galaxy.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: For years people have bemoaned the impending death of amateur theatre. Cry no more, for YouTube is the new amateur theatre paradise. As with the local rep, the acting is variable, some casting is dubious, but the passion is never in question. And because the budget is minuscule, there is innovation aplenty (blurring the background to alleviate set design issues is a very nice touch).
The effects, premise & script are all quite good – it’s better than some professional films out there. Open YouTube on your TV and have a Star Trek fan fiction movie night at home!
10 Cloverfield Lane
What’s it about:
After waking up in a cellar after a car accident, Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is told that the surface of the Earth isn’t habitable. However, her trust in her saviour, Howard (John Goodman), is shaken when circumstances take a turn for the worst.
What did we think:
Nick Bleeker says: An utterly thrilling and claustrophobic debut from Trachtenberg who keeps everything extremely precise and in-check. Goodman takes the film by the scruff of the neck and drops an MVP-level performance. I recommend you go into this cold for an infinitely more satisfying experience.
Triple 9
What’s it about?
Under a city’s dark underbelly, the Russian mob extort a crew of ex-military into an impossible bank heist. Everything goes right, until everything goes wrong.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: Even with 90 minutes of jaw-clenching unnervingness and 25 minutes of smouldering acting there’s just one small problem. There’s no actual ending. There’s a plot, some twists, but no resolution. You leave the cinema with a feeling of dread.
If you’re happy to watch a movie filled to the brim with tension but no resolution, go see it. Otherwise you should …
SEE? See what I mean?
Zoolander 2
What’s it about?
After a devastating accident, soon after the conclusion of the last film, Derek Zoolander went into hiding from society. But when Billy Zane delivers an invitation for him to be in the biggest fashion show in the world, Zoolander decides to get his life back together, with a little help from his old friend, Hansel.
What did we think?
Francesca Percy says: The key to enjoying this film is to lower your expectations – it had little to no chance of matching the genius of the first film. It is, however, a nice homage. There are enough genuine laugh out loud moments to keep you engaged, some fun cameos and enough of a plot to tie it all together. But let’s all hope they don’t do Zoolander 3.
Deadpool
What’s it about?
A wise-cracking former Special Forces operative turned mercenary is subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, leading him to adopt the alter ego Deadpool.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: For a non-family friendly movie, Deadpool is surprisingly gleeful. Sure yes, there’s lots of gruesome violence and full frontal nudity but the laughs are nearly non-stop. Fans of the comic Deadpool will love the irreverent and self-referential Wade Wilson who alternates between breaking the fourth wall and breaking faces in what could be the most faithful comic book adaptation yet.
It’s not a perfect film – for a character determined to subvert the paradigm the movie is surprisingly formulaic, there’s no love at all for the representation of Colossus and the talented Morena Baccarin morphs from a fascinating independent character to a damsel in distress – but the unrelenting humour and action more than compensates.
Make sure you pay attention from the very start and read every word of the opening credits.
Risen
What’s it about?
A body has been stolen from the morgue. Tribune Clavius is the hard-boiled Italian detective put on the case. A left-wing revolutionary faction is the prime suspect, but the truth will have Clavius questioning everything he ever knew about life … and the afterlife.
What did we think?
Dan says: Imagine Sergeant Smith from The Bill was cast back in time and tasked to find the disappeared body of Jesus Christ. A police procedural into one of the most unbelievable get-a-ways of all time. The tone of the film flip-flops as much as the accents, but Joseph Fiennes grounds it and keeps it on track.
What’s Popular
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
What’s it about?
The original board game that sucked Alan Parrish into the wilderness has evolved to a video cartridge to capture the imaginations of a new generation. Four kids from different social circles get trapped in the game and must play through its levels to survive and escape.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: Guys, it’s actually pretty damn good. Jumanji next gen manages to pay homage to the original film without crapping on its legacy, and advance the game’s abilities staying true to video gaming conventions in really cute ways. The first two thirds of the film were missing some of the emotional heart of its predecessor, instead relying on hyper-quippy dialogue. But I forgave it, since there was enough heart shoehorned in the last third to make up for it. A genuinely surprising, enjoyable film.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
What’s it about?
Seven months after her daughter’s brutal murder, Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand) rents a trio of disused billboards to express her anger at the case remaining unsolved.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Three Billboards is an instant classic packed with dark humour, unexpected character arcs and some damn good acting. See it as soon as you can.
Darkest Hour
What’s it about?
Handed the poison chalice of leading a country facing imminent invasion by the undefeatable Nazis, the man responsible for the catastrophe at Gallipoli fights on all fronts: denigrators within his own government, Nazi forces amassing in France, and his own inner demons.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: A stirring portrayal of the first days of Winston Churchill rule in WWII, this is no dry history lesson: the script energetically spotlights the politics and perils of leadership and the immense influence of rhetoric. Gary Oldman’s acting masterclass (in his overdue Oscar-winning role) is equally supported by a quality cast (Ben Mendelsohn’s portrayal of King George VI is particularly noteworthy); the uneasy, claustrophobic atmosphere created by Wright’s clever direction, shot-framing and editing; and the niggling social commentary on the little people being toyed with by the power brokers from above.
If a movie is this finely crafted does it matter if its Oscar-bait?
Goodbye Christopher Robin
What’s it about?
Returning from The Great War, Blue (AA Milne) finds it hard to readjust to ‘proper’ society and moves his family to the country where he plans to write a protest book against war. When his wife flees back to the social lifestyle of the city and their nanny abandons him, a bonding with his son Billie (Christopher Robin) changes not only his objectives, but his perspective.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: like a swan, there’s a deceptive volume of activity in Goodbye Christopher Robin: aside from the obvious origins of the classic stories on the surface, there are reflections on the brutality and futility of war, the loss of self brought on by fame, the impersonal relationships caused by the rigid class society of early 20th century Britain, and the brutal consequences that PTSD and post-natal depression have on families.
Like a swan, all of these subplots weave together seamlessly into a charming, heartfelt narrative that paints a picture of a family trying to find the happiness they gifted to the world.
Charming, beautiful and heartbreaking.
Editor's Choice
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
What’s it about?
The original board game that sucked Alan Parrish into the wilderness has evolved to a video cartridge to capture the imaginations of a new generation. Four kids from different social circles get trapped in the game and must play through its levels to survive and escape.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: Guys, it’s actually pretty damn good. Jumanji next gen manages to pay homage to the original film without crapping on its legacy, and advance the game’s abilities staying true to video gaming conventions in really cute ways. The first two thirds of the film were missing some of the emotional heart of its predecessor, instead relying on hyper-quippy dialogue. But I forgave it, since there was enough heart shoehorned in the last third to make up for it. A genuinely surprising, enjoyable film.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
What’s it about?
Seven months after her daughter’s brutal murder, Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand) rents a trio of disused billboards to express her anger at the case remaining unsolved.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Three Billboards is an instant classic packed with dark humour, unexpected character arcs and some damn good acting. See it as soon as you can.
Darkest Hour
What’s it about?
Handed the poison chalice of leading a country facing imminent invasion by the undefeatable Nazis, the man responsible for the catastrophe at Gallipoli fights on all fronts: denigrators within his own government, Nazi forces amassing in France, and his own inner demons.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: A stirring portrayal of the first days of Winston Churchill rule in WWII, this is no dry history lesson: the script energetically spotlights the politics and perils of leadership and the immense influence of rhetoric. Gary Oldman’s acting masterclass (in his overdue Oscar-winning role) is equally supported by a quality cast (Ben Mendelsohn’s portrayal of King George VI is particularly noteworthy); the uneasy, claustrophobic atmosphere created by Wright’s clever direction, shot-framing and editing; and the niggling social commentary on the little people being toyed with by the power brokers from above.
If a movie is this finely crafted does it matter if its Oscar-bait?
Goodbye Christopher Robin
What’s it about?
Returning from The Great War, Blue (AA Milne) finds it hard to readjust to ‘proper’ society and moves his family to the country where he plans to write a protest book against war. When his wife flees back to the social lifestyle of the city and their nanny abandons him, a bonding with his son Billie (Christopher Robin) changes not only his objectives, but his perspective.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: like a swan, there’s a deceptive volume of activity in Goodbye Christopher Robin: aside from the obvious origins of the classic stories on the surface, there are reflections on the brutality and futility of war, the loss of self brought on by fame, the impersonal relationships caused by the rigid class society of early 20th century Britain, and the brutal consequences that PTSD and post-natal depression have on families.
Like a swan, all of these subplots weave together seamlessly into a charming, heartfelt narrative that paints a picture of a family trying to find the happiness they gifted to the world.
Charming, beautiful and heartbreaking.