Now You See Me 2

What’s it about?
Your favourite vigilante illusionists are back out of hiding but they’re quickly leveraged into pulling off a big heist.

What did we think?
Dan says: Disclaimer: I enjoyed Highlander 2 when I first saw it because I’d never seen the first and didn’t realise what it was destroying. This could also be the case with this sequel.

Heist films have had to become more and more fanciful since Simon Dermott activated an alarm with a boomerang in ‘How to steal a million’. Now they seem to require back-flipping samurai or driving Mini Coopers down hallways. Ed Solomon (Bill and Ted) pens absurd levels of silliness in this caper. It’s delightful and joyous, but try not to work out how they did the tricks… or in fact anything… during their escapades. Best to allow them to make your brain disappear, then reappear after the credits roll.

Ta DA!

Angry Birds

What’s it about?
When an island populated by happy, flightless birds is visited by mysterious green piggies, it’s up to three unlikely outcasts with anger problems – Red, Chuck and Bomb – to figure out what the pigs are up to.

What did we think?
The thought of a movie based on an app filled me with dread but this movie had more charm than it had a right to. It’s hardly going to be remembered as a classic but there are enough gags – both relating to the game and life in general – to keep most attentions on the screen. Certainly the kids will laugh at the over the top antics of the characters and at the end of the day that’s what this film is about.

X-Men Apocalypse

What’s it about?
The X-Men must reunite to face a nearly immortal and super powerful mutant who plans to bring on the apocalypse.

What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: At one point one of the characters in the film comments that the third movie is never as good. It’s as if director Brian Singer was signalling his surrender. Certainly this instalment doesn’t fail because of it’s lack of ambition; it’s just that there’s very little new or even exciting. The same aspirational tone of Xavier having the same argument with grief-stricken Magneto? Check. Cameos for the fanboys? Check. Impressive fx? Check. Unveiling new fan favourites of the ensemble? Check (though we hardly explore them at all). A cliched story hinging on hoping for the better? Check.

It’s what it’s missing that lets it down. A coherent, flowing story for a start, and while movies don’t automatically need a twist this one sure needed something. The clever layers that set the previous movies in the franchise apart are well and truly missing.

Perhaps the expanding cast and easter egg nods to comic book fans will be enough for some but in my opinion this could be the apocalypse for the mutant franchise. To be fair there’s a degree of comic book movie fatigue around at the moment but it doesn’t change the fact this flick is simply not fresh or even very smart.

Green Room

What’s it about?
Teen angst, neo-nazis and punk rock. What could go wrong?

What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: “Pretentious twaddle” was all I thought for the first half hour: a meandering tale following a punk band that’s rejected the internet because music is “in the now”. Then they get a paying gig. Character backstory is over. Now everyone is going to die by bite, blade or bullet cartridge.

Patrick Stewart is the creepiest neo-nazi you’re going to see in a long, long time.

 

The Boss

What’s It About?
When rich CEO and motivational speaker Michelle Darnell (Melissa McCarthy) goes down for insider trading, all her assets are frozen. She vows to get back on top, using a little girl’s brownie selling business to do it.

What Did We Think?
Elizabeth says: A diabolically awful movie, somewhat saved by the fact that Tyler Labine is so damn likeable and Melissa McCarthy is one fucking funny woman to watch.

Eddie The Eagle

What’s it about?
The story of Eddie Edwards, the notoriously tenacious British underdog ski jumper who had to overcome a biased system and a lack of talent before charming the world at the 1988 Winter Olympics.

What did we think?
Despite the abundance of cliches this movie is full of heart. Helped along by the charismatic Hugh Jackman and an incredible performance from Taron Egerton, Eddie The Eagle is that rare beast whose warmth and sheer entertainment value overcome the lack of charisma of the lead character. In fact, if it hadn’t been a true story you would dismiss it as unbelievable schmaltz. As it is you’ll find yourself both cringing and cheering for Britain’s most unathletic Olympic representative who reminded us that the Olympics is just as much about participation as it is about winning.

You’ll find your spirits soaring along with Eddie. Probably the feel-good flick of the year.

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Phantom Thread

What’s it about?
Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) is a renowned fashion designer to the elite in 1950s London. A confirmed bachelor, his cold personality and obsession with work makes it difficult for him to form a substantial relationship with anyone besides his sister Cyril (Lesley Manville). On a countryside trip, Reynolds takes an interest in waitress Alma (Vicky Krieps), whom he brings back to London as his assistant and lover; a romance which turns complicated, tense and deadly.

What did we think?
James Tinniswood says: Daniel Day-Lewis? Daniel Dresses-Ladies! (What? Never mind.)

Firmly in the grand “There Will Be Blood”/”The Master” style of Paul Thomas Anderson movies – not the needle-dropping “Boogie Nights”/”Magnolia” style – this is one of his good ones. DDL is, naturally, fantastic: there’s a shot where he’s just putting on pants and it’s utterly compelling. Woodcock isn’t prone to snap rants about drinking milkshakes, but DDL again brings such a soft-spoken intensity that you think he just might. The kitchen scene near the end is Tarantino-like in its suspense-building.

The movie looks and sounds great; a score that’s alternatingly beautiful and tense, gorgeous costumes and cinematography.

An unconventional “romance” question mark?

Molly’s Game

What’s it about?

After an injury derails her Olympic skiing career, pre-law student Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain) finds her way into the world of underground, high -takes poker. As business grows, Molly soon finds herself in dangerous waters, attracting the attention of both the Mafia and the FBI.

What did we think?

James Tinniswood says: I dug this. That dialogue is unmistakably Sorkin; it’s like jazz – may not always get what’s going on, but damn it’s got a rhythm. His first time as director, Sorkin’s rapid editing style sometimes matches his dialogue style: more cuts than a game of cards. Chastain is great as Molly – a strong, smart and glamorous woman who takes no BS and (mostly) sticks to her principles in the face of very real danger. Idris Elba is solid as Molly’s reluctant lawyer, as is Kevin Costner as Tough Love Dad. Worth going all in on, and other poker puns.

I, Tonya

What’s it about?
The true story of a poor but gifted ice skater who became embroiled in an assault charge on a competitor.

What we thought

Dan says: I expected this film to be ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’ but with skating and knee bludgeoning. Instead, the two dimensional villain from the 24/7 news cycle turns out to be a nuanced and tragic, actual human being. The tale is a poem of violence and bullying.

I’ve seen films with unreliable narrators before but the charm in this film comes from each of them wilfully fighting each other for narrative control. This film’s character work is intimately shot but will then “double axle” into the ice skating scenes that are so well crafted they actually make ice skating routines watchable.

Best Mobile Phone Game

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Editor's Choice

Phantom Thread

What’s it about?
Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) is a renowned fashion designer to the elite in 1950s London. A confirmed bachelor, his cold personality and obsession with work makes it difficult for him to form a substantial relationship with anyone besides his sister Cyril (Lesley Manville). On a countryside trip, Reynolds takes an interest in waitress Alma (Vicky Krieps), whom he brings back to London as his assistant and lover; a romance which turns complicated, tense and deadly.

What did we think?
James Tinniswood says: Daniel Day-Lewis? Daniel Dresses-Ladies! (What? Never mind.)

Firmly in the grand “There Will Be Blood”/”The Master” style of Paul Thomas Anderson movies – not the needle-dropping “Boogie Nights”/”Magnolia” style – this is one of his good ones. DDL is, naturally, fantastic: there’s a shot where he’s just putting on pants and it’s utterly compelling. Woodcock isn’t prone to snap rants about drinking milkshakes, but DDL again brings such a soft-spoken intensity that you think he just might. The kitchen scene near the end is Tarantino-like in its suspense-building.

The movie looks and sounds great; a score that’s alternatingly beautiful and tense, gorgeous costumes and cinematography.

An unconventional “romance” question mark?

Molly’s Game

What’s it about?

After an injury derails her Olympic skiing career, pre-law student Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain) finds her way into the world of underground, high -takes poker. As business grows, Molly soon finds herself in dangerous waters, attracting the attention of both the Mafia and the FBI.

What did we think?

James Tinniswood says: I dug this. That dialogue is unmistakably Sorkin; it’s like jazz – may not always get what’s going on, but damn it’s got a rhythm. His first time as director, Sorkin’s rapid editing style sometimes matches his dialogue style: more cuts than a game of cards. Chastain is great as Molly – a strong, smart and glamorous woman who takes no BS and (mostly) sticks to her principles in the face of very real danger. Idris Elba is solid as Molly’s reluctant lawyer, as is Kevin Costner as Tough Love Dad. Worth going all in on, and other poker puns.

I, Tonya

What’s it about?
The true story of a poor but gifted ice skater who became embroiled in an assault charge on a competitor.

What we thought

Dan says: I expected this film to be ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’ but with skating and knee bludgeoning. Instead, the two dimensional villain from the 24/7 news cycle turns out to be a nuanced and tragic, actual human being. The tale is a poem of violence and bullying.

I’ve seen films with unreliable narrators before but the charm in this film comes from each of them wilfully fighting each other for narrative control. This film’s character work is intimately shot but will then “double axle” into the ice skating scenes that are so well crafted they actually make ice skating routines watchable.

Best Mobile Phone Game

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

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