Burnt
What’s it about?
Adam Jones (Bradley Cooper) is a Chef who destroyed his career with drugs and diva behavior. He cleans up and returns to London, determined to redeem himself by spearheading a top restaurant that can gain three Michelin stars.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Imagine spending a fortune on the finest ingredients and bringing them together to create a meal that was “just nice”. Welcome to BURNT. Good quality acting, interesting characters, shell of a good story and yet they don’t quite manage to come together in a satisfying way. It’s not bad but you walk out of the restaurant cinema feeling it’s overrated for what you paid. Some ok stuff for the foodies and Cooper fans but wait for the DVD.
Bridge of Spies
What’s it about?
Tom Hanks plays Cold War figure James B. Donovan, an insurance lawyer who defends a Russian spy arrested in America and is then tasked with negotiating his exchange for a pair of American prisoners in Berlin.
What did we think?
Nick says: No-one knows how to move a film camera like Spielberg, and Bridge of Spies shows that he’s still on his game. He’s got a great cast to work with, best of which is Mark Rylance, who plays the Russian spy with understated charm. The first half has some terrific suspense sequences and character moments, and while there’s less of those to enjoy in the procedural-like happenings of the second half, the ending drives the emotion home and makes the whole film well worth seeing.
Black Mass
What’s it about?
A dramatic retelling of Whitey Bulger and his rather rocky “alliance” with the FBI.
What did we think?
Nick says: Depp delivers a terrific performance that I’d count as Oscar nomination worthy and the ensemble shines when they’re given room to breathe, but there are a few questionable narrative choices and a lack of striking imagery that would have made this something special.
The Intern
What’s it about?
A 70 year-old retiree (Robert De Niro) gains an internship at an online fashion store run by a harried young woman (Anne Hathaway). Hijinks and life lessons ensue.
What did we think?
Lisa says: On paper, The Intern sounds like simple, inoffensive fun. It’s a cute concept, helmed by an accomplished (in this genre) director and has a great cast.
Disappointingly the end result is far less than the sum of its parts. The tone is incredibly uneven, varying from sweetly sad, to zany, to hackneyed and borderline offensive.
The second half of the film is especially a drag, weighed down by preachy dialogue and plot points that seem both improbable and clichéd at the same time.
Only tolerable if you’re home alone with nothing better to watch.
The Martian
What’s it about?
During a fierce storm on a mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is impaled by debris and left behind by his crew, assumed dead. When Watney wakes up, his mission becomes one of survival, where he must think out of the box and “science the shit” out of his limited supplies to contact NASA and let them know he is alive.
What did we think?
Francesca Percy says: First things first: unlike the vast majority of movies, this is absolutely worth seeing in 3D. Every detail is stunning and utterly convincing – 99 per cent of the time I forgot I was watching a film – I was completely immersed in the story unfolding. This was also due to the pitch perfect direction from Ridley Scott, central performance from Matt Damon as Watney and the wonderfully-cast supporting actors.
The story really never lost my attention – I was on the edge of my seat for much of it, but that was balanced by the ingenuity and enthusiasm of Watney and the people trying to find a way to bring him home, the surprising moments of humour, and the genuine moments of joy that must come from being a pioneer on another planet.
Pan
What’s it about?
When Harry Potter met Neverland. An orphan is spirited away to the magical Neverland where he meets Han Solo James Hook and embarks on an adventure of flight, fantasy and fairies.
What did we think?
Pan is oozing with over-the-top charm and is actually a good fun film but you’re left feeling it could – and should – have been so much more.
It’s whimsically wonderful, a visual feast that boasts an amazing cast and effects, using colour and contrast delightfully. But while the individual facets are impressive, it falls a little short in the story. Normally a slow-build is balanced by depth of character – but this doesn’t quite eventuate.
Take James Hook, who IS Han Solo (down to the American accent) with a bit of Indy thrown in. One of the dangers of the dreaded prequel is the unexplained tangents and here it feels particularly discordant.
What’s Popular
iPhone Case Review
Add-in an optional excerpt to describe your review. Lorem Ipsum is the standard dummy text.
iPad Pro 2 Review
Add-in an optional excerpt to describe your review. Lorem Ipsum is the standard dummy text.
Murder On The Orient Express
What’s it about?
A murder on a train leaves thirteen suspects for a world-class detective to sift through.
What did we think?
Elise Donaldson says: While not a masterpiece, this remake of a classic is still a delightful concoction of drama, passion, intrigue, a splash of neurosis wrapped with a wicked wit.
The all-star cast is top-notch (particularly Johnny Depp as the sleazy crook Ratchett), the CGI effects are breathtaking, the costumes are perfectly styled as is detective Poirot’s amusing moustache. The comedic jabs between characters was an absolute pleasure (and the undoubted highlight). My only criticism would be the uninspiring music score which just didn’t add to the suspense. But the twists and interplay meant it never got boring. So if you’re after a lavish whodunit which will keep you guessing and will deliver a few surprising laughs along the way, then straighten your tie, align your eggs and get yourself a ticket on the Orient Express.
Professor Marston and the Wonder Women
What’s it about?
Many know the character Wonder Woman was created by psychologist William Marston but most people don’t realise he was in a polyamorous relationship with two women. This is a look at the controversy the comic generated and the secrets of another time.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: As an avid Wonder Woman fan I was aware of Marston’s colourful past and was half expecting a critical piece focusing on the BDSM and sexist commentary of early Wonder Woman (common criticisms). So it was a pleasant surprise to see this biopic spend more time on the genuine love and respect in the non-traditional relationship where three people genuinely cared about each other, raising a family in an incredibly conservative and judgemental time.
All three main characters are given the depth they deserve and the women in particular are multi-dimensional, intelligent and never relegated into minor roles.
With Wonder Woman enjoying renewed popularity, this biopic is a wonderful chance to question just how far we’ve come in our attitudes even today. Director Angela Robinson deserves a lot of credit for her handling of material that will, once again, no doubt be controversial.
Editor's Choice
iPhone Case Review
Add-in an optional excerpt to describe your review. Lorem Ipsum is the standard dummy text.
iPad Pro 2 Review
Add-in an optional excerpt to describe your review. Lorem Ipsum is the standard dummy text.
Murder On The Orient Express
What’s it about?
A murder on a train leaves thirteen suspects for a world-class detective to sift through.
What did we think?
Elise Donaldson says: While not a masterpiece, this remake of a classic is still a delightful concoction of drama, passion, intrigue, a splash of neurosis wrapped with a wicked wit.
The all-star cast is top-notch (particularly Johnny Depp as the sleazy crook Ratchett), the CGI effects are breathtaking, the costumes are perfectly styled as is detective Poirot’s amusing moustache. The comedic jabs between characters was an absolute pleasure (and the undoubted highlight). My only criticism would be the uninspiring music score which just didn’t add to the suspense. But the twists and interplay meant it never got boring. So if you’re after a lavish whodunit which will keep you guessing and will deliver a few surprising laughs along the way, then straighten your tie, align your eggs and get yourself a ticket on the Orient Express.
Professor Marston and the Wonder Women
What’s it about?
Many know the character Wonder Woman was created by psychologist William Marston but most people don’t realise he was in a polyamorous relationship with two women. This is a look at the controversy the comic generated and the secrets of another time.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: As an avid Wonder Woman fan I was aware of Marston’s colourful past and was half expecting a critical piece focusing on the BDSM and sexist commentary of early Wonder Woman (common criticisms). So it was a pleasant surprise to see this biopic spend more time on the genuine love and respect in the non-traditional relationship where three people genuinely cared about each other, raising a family in an incredibly conservative and judgemental time.
All three main characters are given the depth they deserve and the women in particular are multi-dimensional, intelligent and never relegated into minor roles.
With Wonder Woman enjoying renewed popularity, this biopic is a wonderful chance to question just how far we’ve come in our attitudes even today. Director Angela Robinson deserves a lot of credit for her handling of material that will, once again, no doubt be controversial.