Goosebumps

What’s it about?
When teenage Zach (Dylan Minnette) moves to a small town, he soon discovers that his new neighbour Hannah (Odeya Rush) and her father, novelist R.L. Stine (Jack Black) are keeping a spooky secret.

What did we think?
Amy Currie says: This adaptation of the popular Goosebumps series starts promisingly enough. The opening scenes are quite self-aware and genuinely funny in a family-friendly sort of way, and Jillian Bell’s Aunt Lorraine character is a standout. Sadly, it soon starts to turn into a Buzzfeed listicle of 15 Crazy Monsters You Might Remember From Goosebumps (Number Nine Will Shock You!). Nostalgia can’t keep it from lagging, Jack Black’s usual intense-eyes-wacky-voice shtick is as grating as ever and by the inevitable final confrontation I was bored. It’s worth pointing out that I’m not ten, though, and the kids in the audience seemed pretty into it. It’s not brilliant, but there are worse family films.

 

Sisters

What’s it about?
Two adult sisters return to their family home to clean out their room when they find out their parents have sold up. But instead of cleaning, they decide to have the party to end all parties. As you do.

What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: Sisters is like a massive bender: it starts out strong, full of promise of an electrifying night ahead. The kegs are full, the punch is spiked, your crazy friend Tiffany has already started dancing on the tables and someone has just found your old game of Twister under the couch; how could this night NOT be awesome? But by the end of the night, the party has run out of steam. There’s no more booze, Tiffany is passed out on said table sprawled over some random, and a guy just threw up over the Twister mat. But who cares? The party was still rad while it lasted.

The who’s-who of Saturday Night Live cast all bring some chuckles to the table, but were it not for the presence of my spirit animals aka Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, this could have been a lot less funny.

Point Break

What’s it about?
FBI rookie Johnny Utah (Luke Bracey) goes undercover to bring activist/criminal/extreme sportsman Bodhi (Édgar Ramírez) and his gang to justice in a loose remake of the original 1991 film.

What did we think?
Amy Currie says: JOHNNY UTAH is a COOL SPY. He is TROUBLED because EXTREME SPORT killed his BEST FRIEND. BODHI is a COOL GUY. He does EXTREME CRIMES but it’s KIND OF OKAY because he LOVES THE PLANET and is EXTREME. JOHNNY joins BODHI’S GANG to STOP the CRIMES. It is EXTREME and there is SNOWBOARDING and SURFING and PUNCHING and BASE JUMPING OR SOMETHING and EXPLOSIONS and PEOPLE DIE. JOHNNY is CONFLICTED but always EXTREME. Everyone is EXTREME. It is an EXTREME MOVIE and it is TERRIBLE.

Star Wars The Force Awakens

What’s it about?
Two orphans meet in an unlikely series of events that see them fighting forces of evil in the company of a charming smuggler and his giant hairy pet friend.

What did we think?
In a triumphant return to a galaxy far, far away we revisit the fine tradition of a fun space opera. There are a few problems with the story but frankly few will care once the familiar theme song starts and finishes what is a well-polished and entertaining new entry. The performances of Harrison Ford and Daisy Ridley are simply captivating and, with more humour this time around, the future looks bright for this beloved franchise. There’s a fine line between homage, respect and being derivative and there are times it appears Abrams is going out of his way to repeat scenes from A New Hope (both charming and a little irritating) but it makes you feel like you’ve come home even as you immerse yourself in new politics and adventures. A great romp.

The Good Dinosaur

What’s it about?
An Apatosaurus named Arlo becomes lost and during his adventure home makes an unlikely human friend.

What did we think?
In itself  The Good Dinosaur is a wonderfully simple and heart-warming tale but it’s this simplicity that is both its strength and weakness. It suffers mainly because we have come to expect so much more from Pixar. Adults won’t enjoy it as much because there’s no intricate multi-layered story with jokes for different ages. Instead we have likeable characters without any real depth and only two emotional scenes to really connect with us. There’s nothing really wrong with the ‘find your way home’ story other than there’s nothing more to it. But the most important thing is that the children WILL enjoy it.

Suffragette

What’s it about?
Combining both real and fictional characters from the underground suffragette movement of 1912 Britain, Sarah Gavron directs this Abi Morgan-scripted foray into the dirty streets of London women’s harsh fight, depicting the sacrifices so many made to place the first brick in the as-yet unfinished road to equality.

What did we think?
Angela Young says: Carey Mulligan is brilliant as working-class mother Maud Watts, drawn into a fight that sees her lose her job, her family and her home. Other poignant performances from Anne-Marie Duff and Helena Bonham Carter ensure the grim reality of this brutal fight against the state hits you right where it hurts, with certain significant events depicted with powerful reservation. It’s not a perfect film, but it’s still a must-see for anyone that feels they owe so much to the women who gave so much.

What’s Popular

Professor Marston and the Wonder Women

What’s it about?
Many know the character Wonder Woman was created by psychologist William Marston but most people don’t realise he was in a polyamorous relationship with two women. This is a look at the controversy the comic generated and the secrets of another time.

What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: As an avid Wonder Woman fan I was aware of Marston’s colourful past and was half expecting a critical piece focusing on the BDSM and sexist commentary of early Wonder Woman (common criticisms). So it was a pleasant surprise to see this biopic spend more time on the genuine love and respect in the non-traditional relationship where three people genuinely cared about each other, raising a family in an incredibly conservative and judgemental time.

All three main characters are given the depth they deserve and the women in particular are multi-dimensional, intelligent and never relegated into minor roles.

With Wonder Woman enjoying renewed popularity, this biopic is a wonderful chance to question just how far we’ve come in our attitudes even today. Director Angela Robinson deserves a lot of credit for her handling of material that will, once again, no doubt be controversial.

Virtual Reality Headset

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Bad Moms 2

What’s it about?
The Bad Moms (Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn) are back – and this time they’re taking back Christmas from their own moms.

What did we think?
Lisa Clifford says: Recipe for one great Christmas movie:

  • Take one successful comedy
  • Double the amount of moms
  • Add some Christmas cheer
  • Stir
  • Expert tip: If you find the premise a little stale, just add a few more penis jokes!

Second time around the story is a little trite, but that’s more than compensated for by hilarious performances from all six (!) featured mothers and the relatable comedy that comes from dealing with our families over the holiday season.

Editor's Choice

Professor Marston and the Wonder Women

What’s it about?
Many know the character Wonder Woman was created by psychologist William Marston but most people don’t realise he was in a polyamorous relationship with two women. This is a look at the controversy the comic generated and the secrets of another time.

What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: As an avid Wonder Woman fan I was aware of Marston’s colourful past and was half expecting a critical piece focusing on the BDSM and sexist commentary of early Wonder Woman (common criticisms). So it was a pleasant surprise to see this biopic spend more time on the genuine love and respect in the non-traditional relationship where three people genuinely cared about each other, raising a family in an incredibly conservative and judgemental time.

All three main characters are given the depth they deserve and the women in particular are multi-dimensional, intelligent and never relegated into minor roles.

With Wonder Woman enjoying renewed popularity, this biopic is a wonderful chance to question just how far we’ve come in our attitudes even today. Director Angela Robinson deserves a lot of credit for her handling of material that will, once again, no doubt be controversial.

Virtual Reality Headset

Add-in an optional excerpt to describe your review. Lorem Ipsum is the standard dummy text.

Bad Moms 2

What’s it about?
The Bad Moms (Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn) are back – and this time they’re taking back Christmas from their own moms.

What did we think?
Lisa Clifford says: Recipe for one great Christmas movie:

  • Take one successful comedy
  • Double the amount of moms
  • Add some Christmas cheer
  • Stir
  • Expert tip: If you find the premise a little stale, just add a few more penis jokes!

Second time around the story is a little trite, but that’s more than compensated for by hilarious performances from all six (!) featured mothers and the relatable comedy that comes from dealing with our families over the holiday season.

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