Love Rosie
- By Anthony Sherratt
- 11 years ago
What’s it about?
Rosie and Alex have been best friends since they were 5, so they couldn’t possibly be right for one another…or could they? When it comes to love, life and making the right choices, these two are their own worst enemies.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Tender, earnest and sweet, Love Rosie is proof that when it comes to romantic comedies the UK always do it so much better. Even though it’s hardly perfect it still manages to portray more humanity than the average Hollywood formula. Love Rosie’s strength is not the predictable destination but of the almost whimsical journey it takes to get there.
Sam Clafin will inevitably be compared to Hugh Grant (he has many of the mannerisms down pat) but his chemistry with the talented Lily Collins only adds an extra later to a film that true romantics will not be able to get enough of. It certainly has some weaknesses but the characters and pacing gloss over the cracks and you’ll find your heartstrings tugged regardless.
John Wick
- By Anthony Sherratt
- 11 years ago
What’s it about?
Keanu Reeves plays the titular character, a widower who seeks vengeance against the Russian mobsters that have stolen his car and killed his poor sweet dog.
What did we think?
Dominic Barlow says: Behold: a pulpy retribution flick that puts THE EQUALIZER to shame. This goes through similar story beats to Denzel Washington’s killing spree, but with a fun and refreshing simplicity. A cool neon glow pulsates all throughout its visuals, and the music occasionally makes odd choices that turns the blood-soaked battles into a hypnotic ballet. Through it all, Reeves spits fire as a guy who recognises but can’t help his own barbarism, and he’s backed by a terrific supporting cast that includes Willem Dafoe and John Leguizamo. It’s a revenge fantasy for those well-adjusted enough to understand the second part of that phrase.
This Is Where I Leave You
- By Anthony Sherratt
- 11 years ago
What’s it about?
When their father passes away, four grown siblings are forced to return to their childhood home and live under the same roof together for a week, along with their over-sharing mother and an assortment of spouses, exes and might-have-beens.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: It’s intelligent, poignant and – to be honest – a little manipulative. Thankfully the tone is more thoughtful than preachy and the quality of the cast is incredible so you can forgive the occasional heavy handedness. Had the potential to be a lot more but it does manage to touch the heart if not fully engage the mind.
Fury
- By Elizabeth Best
- 11 years ago
What’s it about?
It’s April 1945 in Germany and Sergeant Don “Wardaddy” Collier leads his crew and tank (named Fury) behind enemy lines. Norman Ellison (Logan Lerman) a clerk who’s been in the army eight weeks is assigned to Fury as their assistant driver as they move through Germany protecting key Allied strongholds.
What did we think?
Casey says: Graphic, confronting, revolting, and touching all at the same time, Fury shows the worst and the best of the people thrust unwillingly into war. I started watching this thinking it would be entertainment – a touching story of good triumphing over evil… with cool explosions. Instead I left the cinema thinking about what war has the capacity to do to people… aaaaaand marveling at the awesome explosions and disappearing heads.
Kill The Messenger
- By Elizabeth Best
- 11 years ago
What’s it about?
Jeremy Renner stars in the true story of a journalist who stumbled into the shady world of the CIA’s drug dealings in Venezuela during the Cold War. Investigating the story could be the opportunity of a lifetime but it risks cutting that lifetime short.
What did we think?
Dan says: This true story tells the horrifying reality of the grey areas in which the CIA has dealt in the past. For a film with such a shocking story to tell it seems to struggle to capture that tone. It feels like a shorter story stretched thin and long. Like drinking two big glasses of lite milk instead of one of full cream, I was getting all the goodness of the contents but it never seemed satisfying and by the end I was feeling decidedly bloated.
Before I Go To Sleep
- By Elizabeth Best
- 11 years ago
What’s it about?
Christine (Nicole Kidman) suffers from Guy Pearce syndrome a condition that results in her memory being erased whenever she sleeps. Whom can she trust when she can’t trust herself?
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: It’s Memento: Suburban Edition! Before I Go To Sleep is both a well-paced whodunnit and a sensitive depiction of living with severe illness. A few ridiculous bits of exposition are tempered by top-notch performances, especially by Colin Firth and a few genuinely nifty twists. For a film about memory loss, it’s pretty memorable. Sadly, even at a cracking 97 minutes, it’s still 10 minutes too long. When will writers learn that loose ends don’t all need to be bloody tied up?
What’s Popular
Split
What’s it about?
A trio of teenagers are kidnapped and imprisoned by a brilliant but strange man with ambiguous motives. Also, it’s an M. Night Shyamalan film, so, you know, take that as you will.
What we thought
Dan Beeston says:If there’s one thing M. Night does well, it is suspense. The problem is that there is always a sword of Damocles distracting you from being in the moment. That notion that you’re waiting for ‘The Twist™’. Ignore that. Split is not ‘The 6th Sense’. It’s just a scary and interesting story told well.
It’s also one where you can’t trust the reviewer’s experience. I can tell that some people will get a lot more out of this than I did and some people will be left frustrated. Ironically, I expect ‘Split’ to be divisive.
Jackie
What’s it about?
An intimate portrait of stoicism, pride and ego; Jackie is an imagining of the Life magazine interview with Jacqueline Kennedy (Natalie Portman); covering her dignified reaction to the traumatic events she experienced in November 1963, and how she created the legend of Kennedy’s Camelot from her unabashed desire for a meaningful legacy.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: The culmination of a thought-provoking script, Portman’s mesmerising portrayal of the iconic First Lady, psychological storytelling technique verging on poetic, and an innovative and organic soundtrack, Jackie delivers a profound exploration of how truth is manufactured and interpreted.
Elizabeth Best says: Just give her the Oscar already.
Monster Trucks
What’s it about?
An all american teen boy finds a strange creature that uses his old truck as a hermit crab shell that allows him locomotion at high speeds.
What we thought
Dan Beeston says: This conceit is so absurd that I expected a collision of poorly thought out reasons for shonky car chases. What I did not expect was a kids adventure story that rivals Spielburgian classics like ET and the Goonies. Every story element meshes together beautifully. Characters are beautifully realised and I found myself chuckling through the entire film.
This film also manages to add something new and fresh to the tired (no pun intended) trope of the car chase.
Editor's Choice
Split
What’s it about?
A trio of teenagers are kidnapped and imprisoned by a brilliant but strange man with ambiguous motives. Also, it’s an M. Night Shyamalan film, so, you know, take that as you will.
What we thought
Dan Beeston says:If there’s one thing M. Night does well, it is suspense. The problem is that there is always a sword of Damocles distracting you from being in the moment. That notion that you’re waiting for ‘The Twist™’. Ignore that. Split is not ‘The 6th Sense’. It’s just a scary and interesting story told well.
It’s also one where you can’t trust the reviewer’s experience. I can tell that some people will get a lot more out of this than I did and some people will be left frustrated. Ironically, I expect ‘Split’ to be divisive.
Jackie
What’s it about?
An intimate portrait of stoicism, pride and ego; Jackie is an imagining of the Life magazine interview with Jacqueline Kennedy (Natalie Portman); covering her dignified reaction to the traumatic events she experienced in November 1963, and how she created the legend of Kennedy’s Camelot from her unabashed desire for a meaningful legacy.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: The culmination of a thought-provoking script, Portman’s mesmerising portrayal of the iconic First Lady, psychological storytelling technique verging on poetic, and an innovative and organic soundtrack, Jackie delivers a profound exploration of how truth is manufactured and interpreted.
Elizabeth Best says: Just give her the Oscar already.
Monster Trucks
What’s it about?
An all american teen boy finds a strange creature that uses his old truck as a hermit crab shell that allows him locomotion at high speeds.
What we thought
Dan Beeston says: This conceit is so absurd that I expected a collision of poorly thought out reasons for shonky car chases. What I did not expect was a kids adventure story that rivals Spielburgian classics like ET and the Goonies. Every story element meshes together beautifully. Characters are beautifully realised and I found myself chuckling through the entire film.
This film also manages to add something new and fresh to the tired (no pun intended) trope of the car chase.