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What’s it about? A flash look of the life of legendary showman and salesman PT Barnham told in the style of a larger-than-life musical (of course).
What did we think? Visually sumptuous, The Greatest Showman embraces chasing dreams, love and acceptance and anyone with joy in their heart will be swept away.
A stellar cast put in incredible performances and the soundtrack is both truly stunning and catchy. Audiences unfamiliar with the musical device of having periods of time pass during songs may feel the story is rushed and light, but with so much to tell the choice is a strong – albeit unusual – one.
Similarly, the promotion of aspiration over historical narrative provides a feel-good story. It’s not perfect and certainly different but there’s just so much to love about this musical spectacular that it’s easy to overlook the flaws. It’s fitting that a film about Barnham is more style than substance. After all, sometimes the entertainment is more important than the art.
What’s it about? A couple decide to embrace mankind’s newest invention to combat overpopulation – a shrinking process that will see them not only become small but insanely rich.
What did we think? The producers and marketers of this film should be locked up for fraud. The trailer was fresh, original, entertaining and exciting: exactly everything the film is not. In actuality, it is a depressing story that meanders morbidly around while wasting its truly talented cast. The second half of the movie doesn’t even utilise the whole shrinking premise; it’s wasted beyond some early laughs.
What’s it about? A boy growing up in a family who hate music, dreams of becoming a musician. On the day of the dead he decides to pursue his dream with unforeseen consequences.
What did we think? PIXAR’s ability to manipulate our emotions continues unfettered with a delightful tale that will bring a lump to the throat and maybe even tears to the eye. At its heart COCO is a tale about family and you’d have to be devoid of emotion to not get swept away during this journey of exploration. The characters are rich, the humour sly and the music wonderful.
It does focus on dead family members – indeed our hero spends most of the movie visiting the land of the dead where he interacts with ancestors he annually honours and therefore knows. As such younger audience members may have questions about dying but its handled subtly and tastefully.
Intelligent and full of heart, COCO is a must-see for anyone who loves family, music or the genre.
What’s it about? The heroes of the (DC) world have to unite to stop an alien invasion.
What did we think? It’s not great but it’s a lot of fun. I think it’s time Warner Bros/DC call time on the Zack Snyder experiment. His ability to take characters of hope and drag them into a darkness is one thing but it’s time to admit that while he presents nice aesthetics, his ability to tell a story is actually poor. I wanted to like Justice League. Heck, I wanted to love it. And while there was enough to keep me hopeful, it has to be said this movie just didn’t deliver.
After a slow, almost mandatory introduction of the characters it builds to an expected fight scene that remind them of the need to work together. All too predictable but ok. But it then leads to another all-to-similar fight scene that, if anything, was anti-climactic and had no real feel of danger or consequence.
And while they finally showed signs of capturing the essence of one character they’ve constantly missed in recent films, it comes at the expense of Batman who is relegated to little more than a bystander in the fights.
Don’t get me wrong – as I said before there’s some fun here. There’s even some good banter and dialogue (though also some painful stuff too). But what should have been a celebration of the finest collection of heroes comes off as a little flat. Neither comedy or drama, Justice League just doesn’t build up to anything.
Still, at least it’s better than the atrocious Man Of Steel and poor Batman v Superman.
What’s it about? A young boy born with facial genetic defects finally goes to a mainstream school where he and his family face a gamut of reaction.
What did we think? Anthony Sherratt says: Thankfully this wasn’t as tear-inducing as the trailer suggested though it does tug at the heart strings. Wonderfully this isn’t just about Auggie – the boy whose face inspires heartbreaking reactions. It focuses heavily on family and new friends and their actions and motivations. What could have been a semi-light feel-good flick actually becomes something much more with some interesting explorations of human reactions and the reasons behind it. The whys of how we treat each other are possibly even more important than the actual treatment.
This is a story younger people should be made to see.
Unfortunately an unnecessarily saccharine moment at the end threatens to sugarcoat things but it nonetheless remains a movie that will inspire thought and conversation about the very real failings and strengths of human beings.
What’s it about? A murder on a train leaves thirteen suspects for a world-class detective to sift through.
What did we think? Elise Donaldson says: While not a masterpiece, this remake of a classic is still a delightful concoction of drama, passion, intrigue, a splash of neurosis wrapped with a wicked wit.
The all-star cast is top-notch (particularly Johnny Depp as the sleazy crook Ratchett), the CGI effects are breathtaking, the costumes are perfectly styled as is detective Poirot’s amusing moustache. The comedic jabs between characters was an absolute pleasure (and the undoubted highlight). My only criticism would be the uninspiring music score which just didn’t add to the suspense. But the twists and interplay meant it never got boring. So if you’re after a lavish whodunit which will keep you guessing and will deliver a few surprising laughs along the way, then straighten your tie, align your eggs and get yourself a ticket on the Orient Express.
What’s it about? Many know the character Wonder Woman was created by psychologist William Marston but most people don’t realise he was in a polyamorous relationship with two women. This is a look at the controversy the comic generated and the secrets of another time.
What did we think? Anthony Sherratt says: As an avid Wonder Woman fan I was aware of Marston’s colourful past and was half expecting a critical piece focusing on the BDSM and sexist commentary of early Wonder Woman (common criticisms). So it was a pleasant surprise to see this biopic spend more time on the genuine love and respect in the non-traditional relationship where three people genuinely cared about each other, raising a family in an incredibly conservative and judgemental time.
All three main characters are given the depth they deserve and the women in particular are multi-dimensional, intelligent and never relegated into minor roles.
With Wonder Woman enjoying renewed popularity, this biopic is a wonderful chance to question just how far we’ve come in our attitudes even today. Director Angela Robinson deserves a lot of credit for her handling of material that will, once again, no doubt be controversial.
