Paper Towns
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
A high school senior (Nat Wolff) finds secret messages left for him by his recently disappeared crush (Cara Delevingne), and takes his friends on a road trip to track her down.
WHAT DID WE THINK?
The term “teen movie” basically exists to say “teenagers don’t know any better”, and Paper Towns is a movie that doesn’t help that. It’s got wonderful performances all around, especially from Cara Delevingne, and there’s a soundtrack filled with trendy music from the likes of Haim and The War on Drugs. Sadly, the smart-alecky and pretentious script imparts the tired message that “nerdy” guys, no matter how gross, are just sweet schlubs that deserve whatever female attention they can get.
Self/Less
What’s it about?
An ageing billionaire is given the chance to cheat death by having his mind transferred into a younger body. When his curiosity threatens the secrecy of the project he must cheat death again… and again… and again.
What we thought
Dan says: It’s like the creators of this film were experimenting with teleportation. Their clever ‘brain-swap’ sci-fi script climbed into the machine but they didn’t notice a gross little nineties action film buzz in at the last moment.
When the smoke clears you’ve got a vaguely interesting tale (brightened up by some artsy editing) that starts to digest itself with dull car chases and lots of uninspired gun fights. I never looked at my watch but I did forget I’d seen it the following day.
The Gallows
What’s it about?
Twenty years after a boy dies while performing in a high school play, a group of students reviving the play are terrorised by his malevolent ghost.
What did we think?
Dominic Barlow says: Behold yet another in the spate of tedious found-footage horror movies that Paranormal Activity unleashed. The usual problems are present – boring attempts at being scary, strained believability in the idea that someone would film it all – but we’re also given what might be the most loathsome main character in any film this year. Another found-footage chiller from this year, Unfriended, showed that vile protagonists are no obstacle to inventive film-making, but there’s no value like that to be found here.
Magic Mike XXL
What’s it about?
Five strippers go to a stripping convention for one last strip.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: This is the movie everyone thought the original would be: an excuse for hot guys to get their kit off and a socially sanctioned way for women to drool over said guys. In between the pelvic thrusting, (I’m PRETTY sure there were scenes between the thrusting…) there’s a sense of humour that was missing from Magic Mike, making this film sillier but somehow more enjoyable (not just because of the semi-naked men, shut up.) If you’ve ever wanted to see porn on the big screen, this is your chance.
Terminator: Genisys
What’s it about?
Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) is sent back to protect Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke) from the Terminator (Arnold Schwartzenegger), but Sarah isn’t the fragile flower she was supposed to be at this point in time. So what happened in the future/past to speed up her transition into butt-kicking warrior?
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: T5 pays homage without hitting you over the head, goes meta without ramming it home and reboots the franchise with a suitably satisfying time-bending plot. It’s the first Terminator film to feel like a Terminator film since T2. The only thing really wrong with this film is Clarke; Linda Hamilton she ain’t. If you haven’t watched the trailer, don’t: spoilers abound and some cool reveals won’t be revelations at all. Ratings wise, I give the pre-credits film 3.5 stars… A post-credits sting scene drops that to a 3. You were so close, guys.
Amy
What’s it about?
Amy Winehouse created one of the greatest albums of our time, thrusting herself into the spotlight of public judgement: exactly the life she wanted to avoid.
What we thought
Stephen Scott says: There are train wrecks and there is Amy Winehouse. The opening of this documentary introduces us to a stella talent, a cheeky young lass with an old soul and the voice of a blues legend. Then the train wreck begins and doesn’t stop. Amy fell in love with a gold-digging drug addict and surrounded herself with “yes” men (including her father). It’s sad, it’s depressing, but how else could she have written such amazing music?
Is there any way I can use weeping emoticons instead of stars?
😢😭😰
What’s Popular
Patti Cake$
What’s it about?
Aspiring rapper Patricia Dombrowski (Danielle Macdonald) dreams of escaping the New Jersey suburbs.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Here’s a fun game… Watch the first ten minutes of Patti Cake$, then write a list of all the things that you think will happen. Now you don’t have to see the rest of the movie.
Victoria and Abdul
What’s it about?
Judi Dench is Queen Victoria again in a film that explores the monarch and the the Indian servant who brought light to her final years.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: Queen Victoria is humanised in a delightful way in this Stephen Frears film that’s “Based on true events… mostly.” The monarch’s life is oft visited in cinematic form, but Victoria and Abdul proves her rich history can still provide some surprises. Dench turns in another captivating performance as the regal figure whose crown has become all too heavy in her twilight years. Ali Fazal lights up the screen as her optimistic devoted “Munshi”, a teacher who provided Her Majesty a late-in-life spiritual awakening, much to the disgust of her children. An uplifting, emotional jaunt that’s made no less enjoyable by the fact that it doesn’t really push any boundaries.
IT (2017)
What’s it about?
A group of bullied kids band together when a monster, taking the appearance of a clown, begins hunting children.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Sadly, the scariest thing about the new iteration of IT is leaving New Kids On The Blocks songs running in my head.
Great performance from nearly the entire cast and impressive production values, but simply no tension. It’s actually an excellent 80s coming-of-age movie but let’s face it, that’s not what we signed on to watch.
Little Evil
What’s it about?
Every new step-dad has the occasional thought their new step-child could be evil, but what if they really are the Antichrist?
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Good silly fun with a lot of heart, Little Evil is, at first glance, an entertaining premise stretched to fill an entire film. However, Little Evil’s real strength is in its emotional impact rather than comedic value. Yes, it’s very funny with shout-outs to a range of the genre, but the nuances of emotions and relationships are surprisingly deep. From Evangaline Lily’s loving dedication to her son, to Adam Scott’s recognition of the child’s vulnerability, Little Evil has more than just good laughs. The fantastic cast (it also includes Sally Field and Kurgan from Highlander) well and truly delivers. While it’s not the cult classic he gave us with Dale and Tucker vs Evil, director Eli Craig entertains us enough to leave us looking forward to his third feature film.
Editor's Choice
Patti Cake$
What’s it about?
Aspiring rapper Patricia Dombrowski (Danielle Macdonald) dreams of escaping the New Jersey suburbs.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Here’s a fun game… Watch the first ten minutes of Patti Cake$, then write a list of all the things that you think will happen. Now you don’t have to see the rest of the movie.
Victoria and Abdul
What’s it about?
Judi Dench is Queen Victoria again in a film that explores the monarch and the the Indian servant who brought light to her final years.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: Queen Victoria is humanised in a delightful way in this Stephen Frears film that’s “Based on true events… mostly.” The monarch’s life is oft visited in cinematic form, but Victoria and Abdul proves her rich history can still provide some surprises. Dench turns in another captivating performance as the regal figure whose crown has become all too heavy in her twilight years. Ali Fazal lights up the screen as her optimistic devoted “Munshi”, a teacher who provided Her Majesty a late-in-life spiritual awakening, much to the disgust of her children. An uplifting, emotional jaunt that’s made no less enjoyable by the fact that it doesn’t really push any boundaries.
IT (2017)
What’s it about?
A group of bullied kids band together when a monster, taking the appearance of a clown, begins hunting children.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Sadly, the scariest thing about the new iteration of IT is leaving New Kids On The Blocks songs running in my head.
Great performance from nearly the entire cast and impressive production values, but simply no tension. It’s actually an excellent 80s coming-of-age movie but let’s face it, that’s not what we signed on to watch.
Little Evil
What’s it about?
Every new step-dad has the occasional thought their new step-child could be evil, but what if they really are the Antichrist?
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Good silly fun with a lot of heart, Little Evil is, at first glance, an entertaining premise stretched to fill an entire film. However, Little Evil’s real strength is in its emotional impact rather than comedic value. Yes, it’s very funny with shout-outs to a range of the genre, but the nuances of emotions and relationships are surprisingly deep. From Evangaline Lily’s loving dedication to her son, to Adam Scott’s recognition of the child’s vulnerability, Little Evil has more than just good laughs. The fantastic cast (it also includes Sally Field and Kurgan from Highlander) well and truly delivers. While it’s not the cult classic he gave us with Dale and Tucker vs Evil, director Eli Craig entertains us enough to leave us looking forward to his third feature film.