The Duff
- By Elizabeth Best
- 12 years ago
What’s it about?
In this latest high school comedy, Mae Whitman plays Bianca, a perfectly happy girl whose sense of self is turned upside down when her neighbour and high school jock Wesley (Robbie Amell) tells her she is the DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) of her group.
What did we think?
Francesca Percy says: Homecoming dance! John Hughes references! Makeover montage! This entertaining story is nothing if not self aware, but it falls short of being teen classic material, due to the not-quite fully-formed characters (Bianca excepted). That’s not to say it doesn’t have enough going for it to make it worth your time. There are enough laughs, and Mae Whitman is fantastic as Bianca – it was great to see the character flourish and strengthen her feelings of confidence and self-worth while still staying true to herself.
’71
- By Elizabeth Best
- 12 years ago
What’s it about?
British soldier Gary Hook (Jack O’Connell) is separated from his unit during a Belfast riot. Unarmed and injured in hostile territory, he’s got to survive the night – but who can he trust?
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Director Yann Demange’s depiction of Northern Ireland at the height of the ‘Troubles’ is bleak, ugly and very, very well done. There’s certainly plenty of action, but it’s thoughtful and unglamorous. There are no goodies or baddies – just people trying to make sense of a sad and terrible mess. You won’t exactly have fun watching this, but you’ll be glad you saw it.
Dior and I
- By Elizabeth Best
- 12 years ago
What’s it about?
A beautiful behind the scenes fashion journey following Raf Simons as he creates his first collection as creative director of one of the most prestigious haute couture houses in the world, Christian Dior.
What did we think?
Cindy Nelson says: This story is as beautiful in subject as it is told. Much like the dreamy dresses you see being hand sewn by the masters at the height of their profession, director Frederic Tcheng has woven the history of Christian and the freshly anointed prince Raf Simons’ technique as a designer, vision and aesthetic seamlessly. Despite being acutely aware of the awe inspiring final runway presentation that was the finale and climax to the film, I was still overwhelmed by the “oohs”, “ahhs” and simply lost count of the number of “wows” that audibly filled the cinema throughout the screening. Dior and I is one of the best fashion documentaries of all time. And be warned – a simple bouquet of flowers will never be enough ever again. Sublime.
Shaun the Sheep
- By Anthony Sherratt
- 12 years ago
What’s it about?
When Shaun’s mischief inadvertently leads to the Farmer being taken away from the farm, Shaun, Bitzer and the flock have to go into the big city to rescue him, setting the stage for an epic adventure.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: A delightful movie that proves quality storytelling doesn’t even need dialogue to charm the heart. Amazing characterisation and a surprisingly emotional storyline will leave everyone from toddler to imaginative adults with plucked heartstrings. Even if you aren’t familiar with Shaun and his pals you’ll still find something in this heartfelt comedy.
Get Hard
- By Elizabeth Best
- 12 years ago
What’s it about?
Will Ferrell is James King, a wealthy businessman found guilty of fraud who befriends a hard working small business owner, Darnell Lewis (Kevin Hart), in order to prepare for his time in jail.
What did we think?
Nick Bleeker says: Filled to the brim with racist jokes, rape “humour”, a weird thing against gay people, and a silly number of lazy gags about its title, Get Hard shows a decent rapport between Ferrell and Hart but fails to present any form of humour that isn’t absolutely, totally, 100% morally bankrupt. It gets the extra half star because Kevin Hart is tolerable.
Cinderella
- By Elizabeth Best
- 12 years ago
What’s it about?
Disney raids its back catalogue to gives one of its most iconic tales a coat of live-action paint.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Director Kenneth Branagh’s take on Cinderella doesn’t stray too far from the source material, but plumps the story up enough to be interesting. It’s a beautiful chocolate box of a film that gives its familiar characters a bit more depth (but manages to resist the urge to update by simply cutting-and-pasting modern sass onto fairytale staples). Helena Bonham-Carter’s fairy godmother is a delight, but Cate Blanchett’s wicked stepmother steals the show. Oh, and the Prince (Game of Thrones‘ Richard Madden) wears some very, very tight breeches which can only be described as enchanting. See it before the clock strikes 12.
What’s Popular
A Monster Calls
What’s it about?
A troubled young boy (Lewis MacDougall) is visited by a storytelling monster (Liam Neeson). Emotional growth ensues.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: At first glance, this tale featuring an enchanted tree, a stern grandmother and fantastical revenge on a schoolyard bully seems a Dahl-esque children’s story. However, in an interesting twist on the genre, A Monster Calls takes place in the real world of divorce, chemotherapy and lawsuits, where good and evil aren’t clear-cut and endings are often imperfect. It’s not a subtle film, but the performances are decent, the animation in the storytelling sequences is gorgeous and the ending will make you cry.
War for the Planet of the Apes
What’s it about?
An escalating war between Caesar’s (Andy Serkis) apes and a renegade army colonel (Woody Harrelson) forces Caesar to choose between his desire for revenge and his quest for a better world for ape-kind.
What did we think?
Lisa Clifford says: For the first time in the new series, apes are unapologetically placed front-and-centre as protagonists, and Serkis is utterly brilliant in his third turn as the messianic ape leader. A stark and arresting study of morality in war and how it influences our actions, War for the Planet of the Apes is visually stunning with great action sequences, and a satisfying conclusion to Caesar’s story – forming an interesting bridge between the modern reboot and the original films.
Dunkirk
What’s it about?
An intense depiction of WW2’s Battle of Dunkirk.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Two hours of pure tension. Dunkirk does away with preamble – there are no names, backstories or wistful talk of sweethearts back home. We barely even see the enemy. Instead, we’re plunged straight into urgent, up-close chaos. The strong performances (yes, even from that ‘one’ guy), minimal dialogue, and spectacular soundtrack moved my stoic companion to a masculine tear. See it.
Atomic Blonde
What’s it about?
Charlize Theron goes bananas as an MI6 agent who investigates the death of a fellow agent in Berlin.
What did we think?
Nick says: Putting aside the possible John Wick comparisons, Atomic Blonde is driven by some truly kinetic action that won’t induce seizures, and a great performance from Charlize Theron who asserts herself as a total-badass action-movie star.
Editor's Choice
A Monster Calls
What’s it about?
A troubled young boy (Lewis MacDougall) is visited by a storytelling monster (Liam Neeson). Emotional growth ensues.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: At first glance, this tale featuring an enchanted tree, a stern grandmother and fantastical revenge on a schoolyard bully seems a Dahl-esque children’s story. However, in an interesting twist on the genre, A Monster Calls takes place in the real world of divorce, chemotherapy and lawsuits, where good and evil aren’t clear-cut and endings are often imperfect. It’s not a subtle film, but the performances are decent, the animation in the storytelling sequences is gorgeous and the ending will make you cry.
War for the Planet of the Apes
What’s it about?
An escalating war between Caesar’s (Andy Serkis) apes and a renegade army colonel (Woody Harrelson) forces Caesar to choose between his desire for revenge and his quest for a better world for ape-kind.
What did we think?
Lisa Clifford says: For the first time in the new series, apes are unapologetically placed front-and-centre as protagonists, and Serkis is utterly brilliant in his third turn as the messianic ape leader. A stark and arresting study of morality in war and how it influences our actions, War for the Planet of the Apes is visually stunning with great action sequences, and a satisfying conclusion to Caesar’s story – forming an interesting bridge between the modern reboot and the original films.
Dunkirk
What’s it about?
An intense depiction of WW2’s Battle of Dunkirk.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Two hours of pure tension. Dunkirk does away with preamble – there are no names, backstories or wistful talk of sweethearts back home. We barely even see the enemy. Instead, we’re plunged straight into urgent, up-close chaos. The strong performances (yes, even from that ‘one’ guy), minimal dialogue, and spectacular soundtrack moved my stoic companion to a masculine tear. See it.
Atomic Blonde
What’s it about?
Charlize Theron goes bananas as an MI6 agent who investigates the death of a fellow agent in Berlin.
What did we think?
Nick says: Putting aside the possible John Wick comparisons, Atomic Blonde is driven by some truly kinetic action that won’t induce seizures, and a great performance from Charlize Theron who asserts herself as a total-badass action-movie star.