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.
Room
What’s it about?
Based on Emma Donoghue’s best-selling book, this is the story of a Joseph Fritzl-style kidnapping, with a 24-year-old (Brie Larson) trapped inside a pervert’s shed with the five-year-old son she conceived with her captor. We learn about the world of Room through a child’s eyes, and follow them as they make to escape.
What did we think?
Angela Young says: Donoghue’s book is an absolute corker (should have won the Booker in my not so humble opinion) and, thanks to her scripting of the film, this is a corker too. Jacob Tremblay is a dream as the adorable Jack, whose bond with the only person in his whole world, Ma, is palpable. Ambitiously covering a period beyond the book, this beautifully understated film (minus any Hollywood hyperbole and dramatic bullshit) nails it. Take some tissues and enjoy the ride as Jack and his Ma encounter the real world, with all the confusion and heartbreak that entails.
The Dark Knight Movie Review
Add-in an optional excerpt to describe your review. Lorem Ipsum is the standard dummy text.
The Hateful Eight
A gritty and bloody western. but is three hours too long?
What’s Popular
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
What’s it about?
Jedi – Sith / Rebellion – Empire / Resistance – First Order / Good – Evil / Vader – Luke / Rey – Kylo … everything is black and white, right?
Not anymore. Not when “The First Order Strikes Back” and the final trilogy in the Skywalker saga hits the darker, middle episode.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: Sure there’s some darker material here (dark for a family movie) but there’s also comedy (a little too jovial for my taste, but it’s aimed at a younger audience), with the added bonus of some terrific social commentary on capitalism and war profiteering to make the kids think about how the world works.
Where The Last Jedi improves on Episode VII is that it’s captured the original movie’s soul: a super-fun, high-octane fantasy space opera with effects to make your jaw drop, heart-pumping action sequences, and a couple of tear-jerking moments.
The kids are dysfunctional and jaded about the universe and their place in it, the parents bicker and try to find meaning, while the passionate go to extremes.
It’s classic Star Wars and bodes well for the Rian trilogy recently greenlit by Disney.
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?
Editor's Choice
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
What’s it about?
Jedi – Sith / Rebellion – Empire / Resistance – First Order / Good – Evil / Vader – Luke / Rey – Kylo … everything is black and white, right?
Not anymore. Not when “The First Order Strikes Back” and the final trilogy in the Skywalker saga hits the darker, middle episode.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: Sure there’s some darker material here (dark for a family movie) but there’s also comedy (a little too jovial for my taste, but it’s aimed at a younger audience), with the added bonus of some terrific social commentary on capitalism and war profiteering to make the kids think about how the world works.
Where The Last Jedi improves on Episode VII is that it’s captured the original movie’s soul: a super-fun, high-octane fantasy space opera with effects to make your jaw drop, heart-pumping action sequences, and a couple of tear-jerking moments.
The kids are dysfunctional and jaded about the universe and their place in it, the parents bicker and try to find meaning, while the passionate go to extremes.
It’s classic Star Wars and bodes well for the Rian trilogy recently greenlit by Disney.
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?