Love Rosie
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
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
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
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
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
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
Fifty Shades Darker
What’s it about?
The sequel to Fifty Shades of Grey sees sexually dominant Christian Grey beg his lady love, Anastasia Steel to come (snigger) back into his life, but not without women from his past shaking things up.
What did we think?
Andrew Danyals says: I have to admit that while watching this, I had the urge to be tied up and licked. Or spanked. Pretty much anything to get my mind off this dreadful movie. While it has slightly better eroticism than the first one (not necessarily saying much), the sequel suffers from a discordant narrative that drove me nuts. It’s all over the place. I like seeing the exploration of erotic themes and empowering situations on the big screen but this barely qualifies as the former and still confuses as the latter. I still can’t get over how a film about this sort of sex is somehow so very vanilla.
DISSENTING SQR REVIEW BELOW
Patriots Day
What’s it about?
A retelling of the horrific Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, and the dramatic four-day chase of the Tsarnaev brothers.
What did we think?
Angela Young says: Hollywood dramatising recent tragic events makes me uneasy, so I can’t say I find this film anything other than distasteful and unnecessary. That said, it’s reasonably well told (not too much high-drama BS thrown in with the facts) and a lot of the actors do a pretty good job, including Kevin Bacon and a strangely deflated-looking John Goodman, though Mark Wahlberg’s made-up hero character designed to neatly tie things up is pretty overdone. I’d much rather see a well-made documentary.
Live By Night
What’s it about?
It’s the 1920s, and Ben Affleck is a zoot suit-wearing, machine gun-toting gangster. Sometimes he has feelings, but you can’t really tell.
What we thought
Amy Currie says: Live by Night is overstuffed with plot and takes itself far too seriously. I’m sure the book on which it was based is quite interesting, and that it would have made a decent Netflix series. As it is, it’s not so much a saga as an edited highlights package. It certainly looks pretty, and some of the subplots and characters are genuinely intriguing. They’re gone in a flash, though, and we’re back to more of Affleck not moving his face.
Don’t bother.
Manchester By The Sea
A sombre examination of mourning as a withdrawn and troubled man is unexpectedly left guardianship of his dead brother’s 16-year-old son.
Angela Young says: This film will split audiences. For me, I was seared in two by its utterly real depiction of a pain so awful as to kill a man’s soul. An eccentric soundtrack (from orchestral to choral to swing) and extremely slow pace fits this artistic masterpiece like a glove. Casey Affleck’s portrayal of Lee – now guardian of his late brother’s kid – deserves the Oscar. Michelle Williams’ brief appearances are perfect, and Lucas Hedges is spot on as the kid. A profoundly moving piece on the vast variances of mourning, superbly written and directed.
Editor's Choice
Fifty Shades Darker
What’s it about?
The sequel to Fifty Shades of Grey sees sexually dominant Christian Grey beg his lady love, Anastasia Steel to come (snigger) back into his life, but not without women from his past shaking things up.
What did we think?
Andrew Danyals says: I have to admit that while watching this, I had the urge to be tied up and licked. Or spanked. Pretty much anything to get my mind off this dreadful movie. While it has slightly better eroticism than the first one (not necessarily saying much), the sequel suffers from a discordant narrative that drove me nuts. It’s all over the place. I like seeing the exploration of erotic themes and empowering situations on the big screen but this barely qualifies as the former and still confuses as the latter. I still can’t get over how a film about this sort of sex is somehow so very vanilla.
DISSENTING SQR REVIEW BELOW
Patriots Day
What’s it about?
A retelling of the horrific Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, and the dramatic four-day chase of the Tsarnaev brothers.
What did we think?
Angela Young says: Hollywood dramatising recent tragic events makes me uneasy, so I can’t say I find this film anything other than distasteful and unnecessary. That said, it’s reasonably well told (not too much high-drama BS thrown in with the facts) and a lot of the actors do a pretty good job, including Kevin Bacon and a strangely deflated-looking John Goodman, though Mark Wahlberg’s made-up hero character designed to neatly tie things up is pretty overdone. I’d much rather see a well-made documentary.
Live By Night
What’s it about?
It’s the 1920s, and Ben Affleck is a zoot suit-wearing, machine gun-toting gangster. Sometimes he has feelings, but you can’t really tell.
What we thought
Amy Currie says: Live by Night is overstuffed with plot and takes itself far too seriously. I’m sure the book on which it was based is quite interesting, and that it would have made a decent Netflix series. As it is, it’s not so much a saga as an edited highlights package. It certainly looks pretty, and some of the subplots and characters are genuinely intriguing. They’re gone in a flash, though, and we’re back to more of Affleck not moving his face.
Don’t bother.
Manchester By The Sea
A sombre examination of mourning as a withdrawn and troubled man is unexpectedly left guardianship of his dead brother’s 16-year-old son.
Angela Young says: This film will split audiences. For me, I was seared in two by its utterly real depiction of a pain so awful as to kill a man’s soul. An eccentric soundtrack (from orchestral to choral to swing) and extremely slow pace fits this artistic masterpiece like a glove. Casey Affleck’s portrayal of Lee – now guardian of his late brother’s kid – deserves the Oscar. Michelle Williams’ brief appearances are perfect, and Lucas Hedges is spot on as the kid. A profoundly moving piece on the vast variances of mourning, superbly written and directed.