Boyhood
What’s it about?
A boy called Mason literally grows up before our eyes. No, seriously… This film uses the same cast over 12 years.
What did we think?
Elizabeth says: The sheer scope of this film is reason enough to make it compulsory viewing. IT’S 12 YEARS. WITH THE SAME CAST. Apparently not even their contracts could legally cover the whole span of the filming. Boyhood is the closest thing you’ll get to seeing real-life on the big screen without it being a documentary. It doesn’t feel scripted, and yet it is. It doesn’t feel directed, and yet it is – meticulously. Not a lot happens in Hollywood terms… there’s no big climax, no massive turning point, no soaring violin strings or life-altering decisions to make… Here is a film with next to no plot, and yet it’s one of the most compelling offerings to grace our screens in years.
Rock the Casbah
What’s it about?
A French/Arabian co-production in which a family gather after the patriarch dies and secrets are revealed that threaten relationships.
What did we think?
Elizabeth says: Come on guys. Death as a precursor for forced disclosure of dysfunctional secrets has been done. Having the dead guy (a magical Omar Shariff) narrate the funereal action is a gimmick not used frequently enough to differentiate this from any other film of its ilk. It’s all been done – and been done better – before.
Magic in the Moonlight
What’s is about?
A romantic comedy about an Englishman brought in to help unmask a possible swindle. Personal and professional complications ensue.
What did we think?
Cindy says: I confess I’m a Woody Allen tragic, but as a rule, even I can admit only every second film he makes is a real winner. Blue Jasmine was a hard act to follow, and Magic In The Moonlight IS lovely; just not amazing. Lovely scenery, lovely cast, lovely performances, lovely art direction, but something’s missing. For die hard fans and those looking for something, well, lovely.
Locke
What’s it about?
Ivan Locke takes a phone call behind the wheel that will put events in motion to unravel his carefully crafted life.
What did we think?
A man. A car. A phone. A life-changing night.
The audience literally rides shotgun in this tale of Locke’s journey towards personal redemption through his own destruction. Tom Hardy is the only person on-screen for the whole movie and he’s mesmerising. We watch in real-time for 85 minutes as he struggles to rebuild his life while the foundations crumble around him, confined to the driver’s seat and at the mercy of his relentlessly ringing phone. It’s close, it’s personal, it’s intimate and we dare you to try and look away.
Predestination
What’s it about?
A time-travelling temporal agent must hunt down a criminal that’s eluded him his whole life.
What did we think?
The less you know about this film the better. Just know that it’s an Aussie film that looks like an American film, that it has excellent performances from Ethan Hawke and Sarah Snook, that it involves time travel and that your brain may be doing loop-de-loops after it’s over. Don’t think about it too hard – the joy of Predestination is the watching, and the more you ponder the hows and what ifs, the more times you’ll find yourself asking “how?” and “what if…?” Which may send you mad.
The Inbetweeners 2
What’s it about?
The four bumbling English lads you know and love from the series and first film undertake an ambitious Australian holiday resulting in a rollicking (and often disgusting) adventure filled with laughs.
What did we think?
Donna Roberts says: Will, Simon, Jay and Neil are back with another politically incorrect, cringe-inducing escapade involving numerous bodily fluids while wandering around Australia. Reportedly the last instalment of the popular series, the movie is superficial, shallow and vulgar resulting in a hysterically funny sequel in which the boys attempt to replicate an authentic ‘travelling’ experience. If none of the above adjectives bother you then you’ll see this as uproarious – though occasionally grotesque – fun.
What’s Popular
Moana
What’s it about?
A Polynesian princess yearns for the open sea and when her island begins to die she embraces the opportunity to seek out the help of the demigod Maui and insist that he return the heart of the world.
What we thought
Dan says:
The stories of ancient tribal cultures tend to get lost in the flash and glitz of 21st century storytelling but Disney have a lot of skill redrafting ‘olde tales’. Moana is exceptional cinema. Lavish scenes, vibrant heartfelt characters and joyous songs combine in that Disney style to share the tales of another whole new world.
Like all of the Disney products there is a sprinkling of shoehorned emotional moments that could have hit the cutting room floor but in total it’s entirely satisfying. I’m still humming the songs and counting down the days until it opens and I can see it again.
Allied
What’s it about?
A Canadian airman working for the British forces in World War 2 meets a beautiful hero from the french resistance. The pair go deep undercover to assassinate a german target but end up storming the beaches of each other’s hearts.
What we thought
Dan Beeston says: A lot has been made of Brad Pitt’s separation from his wife, and rumours have abounded that Pitt had a secret dalliance with his on screen partner Marion Cotillard. Put those rumours to bed by watching just how little chemistry these characters have together. Every escalation in their relationship seems forced and unnatural. Some would say that we’re still feeling the tragic effects of World War 2. This film makes me agree.
The Founder
What’s it about?
A down-on-his-luck milkshake machine salesman (Michael Keaton) comes across a hamburger joint that’s revolutionized fast food and has an idea on how to get involved in the business in a big way. A.k.a: the story of how an asshole came to claim he was the founder of McDonalds.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: I always thought Ray Kroc was the founder of good old Maccas, but it turns out I was wrong… and sort of right. Ray “won” the right to call himself founder through a lot of clever assholery and fast talking that has to be seen to be believed. Here’s hoping the “Oscar buzz” for Keaton turns out to be true, as this is a fine performance to follow his turns in other nominated films Spotlight and Birdman. For a thoroughly fascinating movie on the origins of McDonalds, the story sure left a bad taste in my mouth. So much so that I’m boycotting them… at least, until I smell someone eating a delicious cheeseburger.
Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them
What’s it about?
Eccentric magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) misplaces an enchanted suitcase in 1920s New York. An extremely profitable franchise is unleashed.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Hey, you guys like Harry Potter? Then I’ve got good news. Fantastic Beasts is the worthy spin-off that you’re going to be really into for the next ten years or so. While it’s darker than the original films, it’s packed with subtle little nods to them that fans will adore, and the story (though somewhat complicated) is good enough to stand alone. It’s tremendous fun to see the wizarding world through a 1920s lens – magical speakeasy, anyone? – and the inhabitants of Scamander’s Pokeball-meets-TARDIS suitcase are just as fantastic as advertised. This film will frighten young children, but everyone else will be thoroughly enchanted.
Editor's Choice
Moana
What’s it about?
A Polynesian princess yearns for the open sea and when her island begins to die she embraces the opportunity to seek out the help of the demigod Maui and insist that he return the heart of the world.
What we thought
Dan says:
The stories of ancient tribal cultures tend to get lost in the flash and glitz of 21st century storytelling but Disney have a lot of skill redrafting ‘olde tales’. Moana is exceptional cinema. Lavish scenes, vibrant heartfelt characters and joyous songs combine in that Disney style to share the tales of another whole new world.
Like all of the Disney products there is a sprinkling of shoehorned emotional moments that could have hit the cutting room floor but in total it’s entirely satisfying. I’m still humming the songs and counting down the days until it opens and I can see it again.
Allied
What’s it about?
A Canadian airman working for the British forces in World War 2 meets a beautiful hero from the french resistance. The pair go deep undercover to assassinate a german target but end up storming the beaches of each other’s hearts.
What we thought
Dan Beeston says: A lot has been made of Brad Pitt’s separation from his wife, and rumours have abounded that Pitt had a secret dalliance with his on screen partner Marion Cotillard. Put those rumours to bed by watching just how little chemistry these characters have together. Every escalation in their relationship seems forced and unnatural. Some would say that we’re still feeling the tragic effects of World War 2. This film makes me agree.
The Founder
What’s it about?
A down-on-his-luck milkshake machine salesman (Michael Keaton) comes across a hamburger joint that’s revolutionized fast food and has an idea on how to get involved in the business in a big way. A.k.a: the story of how an asshole came to claim he was the founder of McDonalds.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: I always thought Ray Kroc was the founder of good old Maccas, but it turns out I was wrong… and sort of right. Ray “won” the right to call himself founder through a lot of clever assholery and fast talking that has to be seen to be believed. Here’s hoping the “Oscar buzz” for Keaton turns out to be true, as this is a fine performance to follow his turns in other nominated films Spotlight and Birdman. For a thoroughly fascinating movie on the origins of McDonalds, the story sure left a bad taste in my mouth. So much so that I’m boycotting them… at least, until I smell someone eating a delicious cheeseburger.
Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them
What’s it about?
Eccentric magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) misplaces an enchanted suitcase in 1920s New York. An extremely profitable franchise is unleashed.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Hey, you guys like Harry Potter? Then I’ve got good news. Fantastic Beasts is the worthy spin-off that you’re going to be really into for the next ten years or so. While it’s darker than the original films, it’s packed with subtle little nods to them that fans will adore, and the story (though somewhat complicated) is good enough to stand alone. It’s tremendous fun to see the wizarding world through a 1920s lens – magical speakeasy, anyone? – and the inhabitants of Scamander’s Pokeball-meets-TARDIS suitcase are just as fantastic as advertised. This film will frighten young children, but everyone else will be thoroughly enchanted.