What’s it about?
This true story describes the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks in America where an elite team of 12 American soldiers were sent into Afghanistan to bring American wrath to the anti-American Taliban. America!

What we thought
Dan says: If this were a work of fiction it would be scorned for being two dimensional and predictable. The good guys ride in like white knights, the bad guys are all in black and faceless – perfect for a good bullet to the face. The main villain looks a bit like Jaffar from Aladdin sans parrot.

True stories of war succeed when they cast light on the subtitles of both sides. This story is stripped of all its nuance and packaged up to be perfect wank fodder for the audience members who really hate terrorists (I guess that’s most people). It does leave me feeling unsettled to know that I’m being manipulated into feeling delight when a person’s head explodes.

Nice visuals, occasionally muddy sound and good performances especially from Trevante Rhodes and Michael Shannon.

What’s it about?
A guy with a suit that makes him practically invulnerable fights another guy in a suit that makes him practically invulnerable. Yes, it’s another a Marvel movie. Oh, and 99% of the cast is black. And 95% are women.

What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: Empowerment just reached new highs – which is a good thing. This movie is going to inspire millions of downtrodden kids who’ve never seen anyone like them be the hero – not just non-caucasians, but also non-steroid-pumped-white-males. The women in this flick KICK SERIOUS ASS (physically and intellectually).

Unfortunately a stellar cast and unique premise does not a movie make, and it’s hard to be drawn in by the lacklustre story that doesn’t take any great risks.

There are many great themes touched on – the importance of traditions and when to bend or unfollow them, how to follow your moral compass even if it risks changing everything you believe in, the strength in self-belief – but when the ending is just the rehashed finale of Iron Man AGAIN the whole superhero flick concept just starts getting jaded.

What’s it about?

After an injury derails her Olympic skiing career, pre-law student Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain) finds her way into the world of underground, high -takes poker. As business grows, Molly soon finds herself in dangerous waters, attracting the attention of both the Mafia and the FBI.

What did we think?

James Tinniswood says: I dug this. That dialogue is unmistakably Sorkin; it’s like jazz – may not always get what’s going on, but damn it’s got a rhythm. His first time as director, Sorkin’s rapid editing style sometimes matches his dialogue style: more cuts than a game of cards. Chastain is great as Molly – a strong, smart and glamorous woman who takes no BS and (mostly) sticks to her principles in the face of very real danger. Idris Elba is solid as Molly’s reluctant lawyer, as is Kevin Costner as Tough Love Dad. Worth going all in on, and other poker puns.

What’s it about?
The true story of a poor but gifted ice skater who became embroiled in an assault charge on a competitor.

What we thought

Dan says: I expected this film to be ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’ but with skating and knee bludgeoning. Instead, the two dimensional villain from the 24/7 news cycle turns out to be a nuanced and tragic, actual human being. The tale is a poem of violence and bullying.

I’ve seen films with unreliable narrators before but the charm in this film comes from each of them wilfully fighting each other for narrative control. This film’s character work is intimately shot but will then “double axle” into the ice skating scenes that are so well crafted they actually make ice skating routines watchable.

What’s it about?
Jedi – Sith / Rebellion – Empire / Resistance – First Order / Good – Evil / Vader – Luke / Rey – Kylo … everything is black and white, right?

Not anymore. Not when “The First Order Strikes Back” and the final trilogy in the Skywalker saga hits the darker, middle episode.

What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: Sure there’s some darker material here (dark for a family movie) but there’s also comedy (a little too jovial for my taste, but it’s aimed at a younger audience), with the added bonus of some terrific social commentary on capitalism and war profiteering to make the kids think about how the world works.

Where The Last Jedi improves on Episode VII is that it’s captured the original movie’s soul: a super-fun, high-octane fantasy space opera with effects to make your jaw drop, heart-pumping action sequences, and a couple of tear-jerking moments.

The kids are dysfunctional and jaded about the universe and their place in it, the parents bicker and try to find meaning, while the passionate go to extremes.

It’s classic Star Wars and bodes well for the Rian trilogy recently greenlit by Disney.

What’s it about?
Seven months after her daughter’s brutal murder, Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand) rents a trio of disused billboards to express her anger at the case remaining unsolved.

What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Three Billboards is an instant classic packed with dark humour, unexpected character arcs and some damn good acting. See it as soon as you can.

What’s it about?
Handed the poison chalice of leading a country facing imminent invasion by the undefeatable Nazis, the man responsible for the catastrophe at Gallipoli fights on all fronts: denigrators within his own government, Nazi forces amassing in France, and his own inner demons.

What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: A stirring portrayal of the first days of Winston Churchill rule in WWII, this is no dry history lesson: the script energetically spotlights the politics and perils of leadership and the immense influence of rhetoric. Gary Oldman’s acting masterclass (in his overdue Oscar-winning role) is equally supported by a quality cast (Ben Mendelsohn’s portrayal of King George VI is particularly noteworthy); the uneasy, claustrophobic atmosphere created by Wright’s clever direction, shot-framing and editing; and the niggling social commentary on the little people being toyed with by the power brokers from above.

If a movie is this finely crafted does it matter if its Oscar-bait?

What’s it about?
Returning from The Great War, Blue (AA Milne) finds it hard to readjust to ‘proper’ society and moves his family to the country where he plans to write a protest book against war. When his wife flees back to the social lifestyle of the city and their nanny abandons him, a bonding with his son Billie (Christopher Robin) changes not only his objectives, but his perspective.

What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: like a swan, there’s a deceptive volume of activity in Goodbye Christopher Robin: aside from the obvious origins of the classic stories on the surface, there are reflections on the brutality and futility of war, the loss of self brought on by fame, the impersonal relationships caused by the rigid class society of early 20th century Britain, and the brutal consequences that PTSD and post-natal depression have on families.

Like a swan, all of these subplots weave together seamlessly into a charming, heartfelt narrative that paints a picture of a family trying to find the happiness they gifted to the world.

Charming, beautiful and heartbreaking.

What’s it about?
The Bad Moms (Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn) are back – and this time they’re taking back Christmas from their own moms.

What did we think?
Lisa Clifford says: Recipe for one great Christmas movie:

• Take one successful comedy
• Double the amount of moms
• Add some Christmas cheer
• Stir
• Expert tip: If you find the premise a little stale, just add a few more penis jokes!

Second time around the story is a little trite, but that’s more than compensated for by hilarious performances from all six (!) featured mothers and the relatable comedy that comes from dealing with our families over the holiday season.