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.

What’s it about?

Each year a Western Australian music festival hosts the same ensemble of die-hard performers and fans. Their stories leap forward every twelve months for three summers.

What we thought

Dan says: Imagine you remade ‘Love Actually’ but instead of being about love and promoting emotionally unhealthy relationships, it was about cultural tolerance and trying to be less of a dick. Ben Elton’s jokes are great. I cackled a lot, but it still feels like he’s directing an episode of Black Adder. Cameras are locked off and dialogue is awkwardly expository as he races for the next gag.

As with all ensemble pieces there’s just not enough time to bring any subtlety to the storytelling. Attempts at pathos feel unearned and he can’t make up his mind whether he wants to respect all cultures or mock them. Good jokes, but it feels like an opportunity to do something wondrous was missed.

What’s it about?
The God of Thunder finds himself weaponless and pitted against a new foe whose power seemingly knows no limit. Will teaming up with friends, old and new, be enough to overcome a goddess of death?

What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Funny as bro!

What’s it about?
A 1959 seemingly perfect American town is rocked by both integration and murder, throwing doubts on just how perfect a place it is.

What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Imagine a high-quality slow burner where half the plot seems to fizzle out. Well, actually you don’t need to imagine as it now has physical form in Suburbicon. It’s a dark look at the two ugly faces of white America told by two (nominally) interweaving tales in ‘classic America’. I want to call it a dark comedy but the laughs are few and often inspired unintentionally. It’s beautiful tonally but the two stories feel discordant rather than one large coherent one. Still, there’s a lot to like: the acting is top-shelf, Oscar Isaac nearly steals the entire movie, and it will definitely inspire discussion. But for me, the small predictables were going to be offset by a culmination of the stories coming together; an intertwining that sadly never occurred.

What’s it about?
Based on the true story of the 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.

What did we think?
Let’s face it, Billie Jean King is a badass, and if you don’t know all she’s done for inequality, you should find out. Start with this movie. There are parts when I wanted to stand up and yell ‘FUCKYESBILLIEJEANKING!’ There are a couple of parts where it lagged and I was ready for a snooze. Overall, pretty decent stuff. I wish I were more shocked about the blatant sexism and homophobia, but this story remains incredibly relevant in 2017. This film will make you want to fight the patriarchy.

What’s it about?
When their headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage, the Kingsman’s journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the US. These two elite secret organisations must band together to defeat a common enemy.

What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: The original Kingsman flick was such a sleek, fresh and intelligent parody that it was always going to be hard to follow up. Without the element of surprise it was unclear how director Matthew Vaughn would attempt to continue to appeal. He chose to go over the top. The problem is they’ve amplified both the good and the bad aspects of the original. Insane and impressive actions sequences? Check. Great soundtrack? Check. Graphic and controversial scene set to light up the internet? Check.

The villainy is a bit more layered but the story probably runs a little long. It’s also bizarre that a movie with so many big name actors uses them so sparsely. The only one actually used – Julianne Moore – is delightful as the drug lord clamoring for legitimacy rather than a billion dollar ransom. But the rest of the Americans are reduced to virtual cameos while the surprise big-star cameo actually takes up a lot more screen time than expected (no spoilers here).

At the end of the day it’s just fun with familiar characters and for most fans of the original that’s more than enough.

What’s it about?
Master Wu (Jackie Chan), as wise-cracking as he is wise, mentors a group of young secret ninja warriors who defend their island home (Ninjago) from the nefarious deeds of the evil warlord Garmadon, aka The Worst Guy Ever, who also happens to be the dad of Lloyd (Dave Franco) one of the secret ninja.

What did we think?
If your kids liked The Lego Movie and The Lego Batman movie then they’ll like this one too. While it’s the weakest of the three lego feature films, its reliance on humour (both lego and non-lego) is the biggest drawcard for the young and the young at heart. Adults are more likely to appreciate the homage/satire of an 80s kung-fu movie though it’s not one you’ll want to rewatch over and over. Good school holiday fun though and the kids will roar with laughter at the toy-based slapstick.