Entourage
What’s it about?
After some time in exile Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven) returns to Hollywood to head up a movie studio. Naturally he hands his boy Vincent Chase (Adrian Grenier) a big fat cheque and a directors chair. When Vinnie needs more cash to complete the movie, everything comes unstuck for Ari.
What do we think?
Casey Moon-Watton says: Exactly as one expects from Entourage the movie starts with loads of beautiful women, and finishes highlighting the importance of surrounding yourself with people whom you care about, and who care about you. As a fan of the show I loved this movie. It was true to the format that worked for so many seasons, made a bunch of in jokes that seemed to go over my fellow reviewers heads, but had me laughing out loud. Ari Gold swearing more celebrities that you can poke a stick at and cameo by Warren Buffet…
Jeremy Piven is by far the stand out performer in this film, playing by far the most likeable character. Excuse me while I disappear into the night chanting “spin off”.
Aloha
What’s it about?
A celebrated military contractor returns to the site of his greatest career triumphs and re-connects with a long-ago love while unexpectedly falling for the hard-charging Air Force watchdog assigned to him.
What did we think?
Angela Bowen says: Despite a very strong cast, Aloha doesn’t have any true weight. The film skims on some serious issues like military, love, and marital issues, but so shallowly that you struggle to care or even know why you are supposed to.The Hawaiian setting is used sparingly and is almost a side note. Aside from Emma Stone’s character repeatedly saying that she is Hawaiian, there is little to remind the audience of what should be a culturally rich location.
Even hard-core Rom Com fans, Bradley fans, or Emma fans may struggle with this one. There are some confusing and unnecessary side plots and a lack of believable chemistry between the characters. Aloha can mean hello or farewell, but I couldn’t wait to use it in the goodbye sense for this fim.
Paper Towns
I admit when I first saw this trailer (the first one) I went out and bought the book the very next day. Now I’m trying to decide if I should read it before the movie or not. On the one hand books are usually better (nearly always) and yet the trailer was that good it possibly deserves to suck me in.
Hmmm.
Me and Earl and the dying girl
Yeah I’m so there.
Cooties
Um… I’m conflicted. The premise looks good but it seems to go overboard a bit and not enough for it to become good again. Plus Kristen Stewart.
San Andreas
What’s it about?
The ‘big one’ – the overdue earthquake that has threatened California for over 100 years – finally hits. Cue special effects. And The Rock.
What did we think?
I grew up on disaster movies (Towering Inferno is seared into my brain) so have a special place in my heart for them. So I enjoy Hollywood revisiting them every few years despite the fact that most of them are quite poor. But there’s still something ‘fun’ about watching mayhem and carnage on the big screen and for special effects San Andreas is incredible despite the fact you’ve seen most of the best ones in the trailer. The rippling of the earth is almost worth the price of the ticket alone although how they spend so much on FX and still have have one of the worst photoshopped family pictures is beyond me. Plotwise it’s incredibly predictable and the fact a decorated war hero stole a government helicopter to save two family members over the thousands of people he is paid to save is completely overlooked. The science is woeful (don’t start me on the tsunami) and the aftermath is heavily sanitised. I still enjoyed it as a mindless popcorn movie but my wait for a new smart disaster flick continues.
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.