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
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The Hateful Eight
A gritty and bloody western. but is three hours too long?
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Deadpool Movie Review
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New Console Arrives
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Paddington 2
What’s it about?
Aunt Lucy is turning 100 and Paddington has his eye on the perfect present: a meticulously beautiful pop-up book of London … but so has a thief with a taste for the theatrical.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: With the classic Paddington stories montaged out of the way in the first movie, a cohesive tale can now be told, making a much more enjoyable experience. So enjoyable, I can safely say that Paddington 2 is, paws down, the best movie of 2017.
“But it’s not a serious movie!” I hear the purists scream. Let me explain: it doesn’t have to be. The charm and happiness it creates from classic slapstick and a heart-warming narrative ensures it is hilarious, uplifting and utterly delightful.
All The Money In The World
What’s it about?
Despite having “all the money in the world”, JP Getty (Kevin Spacey Christopher Plummer) refuses to pay a ransom when his grandson is kidnapped.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: When editing someone out of a film and still insisting you can stick to your release date, you better make damn sure you do a good job of it. And what a job director Ridley Scott, Plummer and the cast have done, rallying to erase Spacey post #MeToo scandal. Plummer’s performance, shot in just 10 days, is masterful (and with a much larger part than I assumed). Controversy aside, Scott has created a film that remains gripping, even if you know the history behind this “based on true events” tale. I dare you to try and stop yourself muttering “you motherf–ker” every time the penny-pinching Getty sinks lower than you think he could possibly ever go.
Replacing Spacey was the best decision Scott ever made, as having someone with compromised moral character play this asshole would have been film-killing.
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Deadpool Movie Review
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New Console Arrives
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Paddington 2
What’s it about?
Aunt Lucy is turning 100 and Paddington has his eye on the perfect present: a meticulously beautiful pop-up book of London … but so has a thief with a taste for the theatrical.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: With the classic Paddington stories montaged out of the way in the first movie, a cohesive tale can now be told, making a much more enjoyable experience. So enjoyable, I can safely say that Paddington 2 is, paws down, the best movie of 2017.
“But it’s not a serious movie!” I hear the purists scream. Let me explain: it doesn’t have to be. The charm and happiness it creates from classic slapstick and a heart-warming narrative ensures it is hilarious, uplifting and utterly delightful.
All The Money In The World
What’s it about?
Despite having “all the money in the world”, JP Getty (Kevin Spacey Christopher Plummer) refuses to pay a ransom when his grandson is kidnapped.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: When editing someone out of a film and still insisting you can stick to your release date, you better make damn sure you do a good job of it. And what a job director Ridley Scott, Plummer and the cast have done, rallying to erase Spacey post #MeToo scandal. Plummer’s performance, shot in just 10 days, is masterful (and with a much larger part than I assumed). Controversy aside, Scott has created a film that remains gripping, even if you know the history behind this “based on true events” tale. I dare you to try and stop yourself muttering “you motherf–ker” every time the penny-pinching Getty sinks lower than you think he could possibly ever go.
Replacing Spacey was the best decision Scott ever made, as having someone with compromised moral character play this asshole would have been film-killing.