The Killing Joke
What’s it about?
A recently escaped Joker targets Batman, Commissioner Gordon and his daughter Batgirl in a depraved mission to prove a point: We’re all just one bad day away from going mad.
What did we think?
Clint Skene says: True to the comics as if it was ripped from the pages itself, scenes play out more as art than straight feature. Each scene leaves you more uneasy than the last as The Joker raises the stakes of depravity with each passing second (including an incredibly upsetting song and dance number). It’s high drama, confronting themes and squeamish moments, married with an atmospheric score and amazing performances from Batman alumni Mark Hamill, Kevin Conroy and Tara Strong. This is definitely another smash hit for WB Animation. The Killing Joke is a remarkable and much welcomed addition to the DC Animated universe.
Sing Street
Will you sing along?
Ghostbusters
What’s it about?
When ghosts start to plague the people of Manhattan, four women with paranormal expertise and badass skills band together to save the city. Who you gonna call?
What did we think?
Francesca Percy says: Hallelujah and praise Zuul! It’s been a long time since I saw a movie and wanted to go right back in and see it again; but this fun, joyous, smart, ridiculous, hilarious film made me want to.
As a die-hard fan of the original I was apprehensive about this re-boot, but it has the same fantastic spirit and strikes the right balance between honouring the past and forging a new path. The new ghostbusting foursome are a treat to watch (plus Chris Hemsworth’s comedic side really shines), as are the special effects; from the old-school toys to the new flashy ghosts.
Maggie’s Plan
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Maggie (Greta Gerwig) plans to have a baby on her own through artificial insemination, but switches tracks when she falls for a handsome teacher, John (Ethan Hawke), who is already married with kids to a shrewd academic, Georgette (Julianne Moore).
WHAT DID WE THINK?
Dominic Barlow says: Writer-director Rebecca Miller (The Private Lives of Pippa Lee) returns after seven years with this deeply enjoyable screwball romance set in New York City. Gerwig is on fine form as ever, but the entire cast – also including Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph, and Travis Fimmel – turns in amazing and funny performances. Filmed with gorgeous winter scenery and costuming, it’s a warm and affecting story about our obligations to the ones we love.
The Legend of Tarzan
What’s it about?
Ten years after leaving the jungle, Tarzan and Jane must return to save Africa from Christoph Waltz, who wants diamonds, or slaves, or colonialism, or something.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Just awful. Alexander Skarsgård’s Tarzan is entirely without charm and personality. Margot Robbie makes desperate attempts to compensate by being as sassy and vivacious as she possibly can, which is even worse. She ain’t your grandma’s Jane! Am I right, ladies? Christoph Waltz tries vaguely as a pantomime villain in white linen, and is the best thing in it with the exception of a CGI baby elephant. Oh, and Samuel L Jackson is Tarzan’s wisecracking cowboy sidekick who fires a machine gun and jokes about licking testicles. At least the animals don’t talk.
The BFG
What’s it about?
Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) is whisked away to Giant Country when she accidently spots a giant (Mark Rylance) going about his business in the middle of the night. She and her new friend the BFG must come up with a plan to stop his friends from kidnapping and eating children in England.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: If you ever read this Roald Dahl book as a child, this movie will be a giant (geddit?), nostalgic punch right in the feels. The BFG himself is brought to glorious life through the ever-expressive face of Rylance and the deft touches of a very talented animation team. The dream worlds fizz with life and imaginative design that leaps off the page.
Adapting a rather short story into a full length movie has it’s pitfalls though, and the pace does seem to lag in the middle, as smaller ideas from the novel feel fleshed out for time.
Though some of Dahl’s darker ideas are glossed over (as they always seem to be in movie form), and the Sophie seems a bit more precocious than I remember her, The BFG (both movie and character) is still rather charming.
What’s Popular
Peter Rabbit
What’s it about?
A young family orphaned by their violent neighbour, who killed (and ate!) their father, seeks murderous revenge on his nephew.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: if you’d let your kids watch the homicidal activities of Itchy & Scratchy or Wiley Coyote & Roadrunner, then you’ll all have a ball with this cute and highly modernised take on the beloved classic. As with all good family films, it works on many levels, with a simple storyline for the five year olds up to some quirky characters for the adults. Hilarious and stupid fun.
Ready Player One
What’s it about?
The creator of a virtual reality empire dies and leaves behind a treasure hunt. The winner gets billions of dollars and control of the entire game.
What did we think?
Sarah Taviani says: While some parts feel a bit clunky, Ready Player One is a blockbuster event that will have you chuckling over the endless pop culture references. And thanks to its engrossing concept and visual effects you’ll be happy to overlook the small issues of complicated world-building and consistent characters. Whether you’ve played one video game or hundreds, it’s not hard to get sucked in and wish you could be part of the OASIS.
A Quiet Place
What’s it about?
Monsters that hunt through any form of sound prey amongst the living (and Jim from The Office needs him and his family to survive).
What did we think?
Nick says: 24 hours after seeing this my heart is still beating well above what is medically okay. A Quiet Place establishes the rules of its universe really nicely and adheres to them perfectly, delivering its thrills and tension from the first minute. A terrific debut from Krasinski who delivers a horror film that consistently keeps you on your toes and is emotionally affecting in every way.
A Wrinkle In Time
What’s it about?
Meg is an adorable tween struggling with the loss of her father and her own battle with poor self-esteem. She is then visited by some do-good fairy types who enlist her to save her father, her universe and her own self worth.
What we thought
Dan says: Like Labyrinth or The Wizard of Oz this tells the tale of a young girl defeating evil by having a bunch of visually charged and unrelated experiences. Set piece after set piece assaults your senses and any one of them could be removed and you’d never know.
This is a bold risk by Disney. Sometimes risks pay off, but there’s a reason it’s called a risk. I love that this film exists and I adore even more that it finally ended and I don’t have to watch it again.
Editor's Choice
Peter Rabbit
What’s it about?
A young family orphaned by their violent neighbour, who killed (and ate!) their father, seeks murderous revenge on his nephew.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: if you’d let your kids watch the homicidal activities of Itchy & Scratchy or Wiley Coyote & Roadrunner, then you’ll all have a ball with this cute and highly modernised take on the beloved classic. As with all good family films, it works on many levels, with a simple storyline for the five year olds up to some quirky characters for the adults. Hilarious and stupid fun.
Ready Player One
What’s it about?
The creator of a virtual reality empire dies and leaves behind a treasure hunt. The winner gets billions of dollars and control of the entire game.
What did we think?
Sarah Taviani says: While some parts feel a bit clunky, Ready Player One is a blockbuster event that will have you chuckling over the endless pop culture references. And thanks to its engrossing concept and visual effects you’ll be happy to overlook the small issues of complicated world-building and consistent characters. Whether you’ve played one video game or hundreds, it’s not hard to get sucked in and wish you could be part of the OASIS.
A Quiet Place
What’s it about?
Monsters that hunt through any form of sound prey amongst the living (and Jim from The Office needs him and his family to survive).
What did we think?
Nick says: 24 hours after seeing this my heart is still beating well above what is medically okay. A Quiet Place establishes the rules of its universe really nicely and adheres to them perfectly, delivering its thrills and tension from the first minute. A terrific debut from Krasinski who delivers a horror film that consistently keeps you on your toes and is emotionally affecting in every way.
A Wrinkle In Time
What’s it about?
Meg is an adorable tween struggling with the loss of her father and her own battle with poor self-esteem. She is then visited by some do-good fairy types who enlist her to save her father, her universe and her own self worth.
What we thought
Dan says: Like Labyrinth or The Wizard of Oz this tells the tale of a young girl defeating evil by having a bunch of visually charged and unrelated experiences. Set piece after set piece assaults your senses and any one of them could be removed and you’d never know.
This is a bold risk by Disney. Sometimes risks pay off, but there’s a reason it’s called a risk. I love that this film exists and I adore even more that it finally ended and I don’t have to watch it again.