What’s it about?
Beatlemania.

What did we think?
Elizabeth Best & Ben Bissett say: Four boys. Four years. That’s all it took to take the Beatles from the grimy basements of Liverpool to the centre of a claustrophobic global touring hurricane. This was the birth of teenagers losing their shit in epic proportions over the cult of celebrity, and the most revelatory moments are the screamed, sobbing reactions to the barely-out-of-their-teens-themselves Fab Four. The heady rush of the first tours quickly turn to jaded dissatisfaction: by the mid-’60s the mop-tops had become caged animals in the circus, and their final tour gig ends with them carted away in a literal meat locker. Beatles for sale, indeed. Cinema-goers (and only cinema-goers, we’re told) are treated to the previously unscreened ‘65 Shea Stadium concert after the credits, yet this film merely skirts the Beatles lore and footage available in the Anthology series. But then, that damn thing lasted nearly 12 hours. In limited cinemas, one week only.

What’s it about?
Disney orphan a young boy (because Disney) and strand him in the woods. There he’s befriended by a furry dragon (because magic).

What did we think?
An interesting choice to continue Disney’s turning animation-to-live-action project, Pete’s Dragons actually offers up some entertaining surprises. While the obvious surprise might appear to be the choice to make the dragon furry, it’s actually the performance of Oakes Fegley which is the outstanding centrepiece. His charismatic Pete is heartbreakingly authentic and will drag you into belief so strongly you will overlook a story that is by the numbers: it’s not a bad story but it’s predictable. But the emotion is dragged forth regardless. Kids will love it and it’s not too scary even for little ones.

What’s it about?
A bunch of twenty-somethings go exploring in a forest that’s apparently haunted by the Blair Witch.

What did we think?
If you’ve seen the original you’ve seen this, but don’t let that scare you away because, despite that, it’s still a really tautly directed and entertaining 85 minutes. The story is extremely light, but the jump scares are almost omnipresent as the film races towards the big conclusion. It’s intensity will be loved by most horror fans though the familiarity of the journey does detract a bit.

What’s it about?
Helen Fielding’s down-to-earth 20/30/40-something creation is back, still struggling with life, and about to embark on her most extravagant adventure yet – a baby, whose paternal genes she’s not quite sure.

What did we think?
Angela Young says: Let me start with a disclaimer – I hate Renee Zellweger in this role. I loved the books, and always thought the casting was deeply offensive to legions of great British actresses – her ridiculously twitching terribly-accented Bridget did nothing for me. Surprising, then, that I found this sequel to be rather good. Zellweger’s now utterly-toxin-ravaged face is difficult to watch, and she still overplays Jones obscenely, but there are some seriously funny – proper “pah!” LOL moments – and some brilliant turns from Colin Firth, Patrick Dempsey and, particularly, Emma Thompson as the obstetrician who, god bless her, is ageing beautifully (i.e. naturally).

It drags a bit – two hours?? – but it’s got just enough of the good stuff to keep you going, thanks in no small part to Fielding’s work on the screenplay and Shazzer picking up the director’s reins once again. I’m shocking myself by saying this, but it’s worth a watch!

What’s it about?
A father raising his family of six children in the American wilderness, using a strict regime of training and learning, finds his life – and parenting – turned upside down when’s he forced to return to the real world.

What did we think?
Angela Young says: This beautifully imagined film is a joy to behold, confidently tackling topics as diverse as socialism, survivalism, mental illness, social justice and what constitutes the ‘right’ way to bring up your children in our muddled modern world. A great tale of familial love and loss, it brilliantly documents nature crashing headfirst into contemporary America. Viggo Mortensen’s performance as rugged, determined father Ben is brilliant, his authority and stern morals never enough to stop the viewer vouching for him every step of the way. Eldest son Bo, played with raw emotion by George Mackay, provides some great moments, of gripping drama as well as twinkling comedy, and the rest of the kids provide star turns.

What’s it about?
A camera crew catches up with David Brent, the former star of the fictional British TV series The Office, as he now fancies himself a rockstar on the road.

What did we think?
Cindy Nelson says: Ricky Gervais has once again mastered the art of delivering an excruciatingly funny, awkward and tragic tale of the sad clown. If you love the way Gervais can offend, make you laugh, AND make you think at the same time, do not miss this catch up/Christmas special on the big screen, featuring genuinely catchy tunes.

What’s it about?
Two childhood friends exploit a loophole to win a US military contract, and eventually find themselves rich … and in way over their heads.

What did we think?
Angela Bowen says: Jonah Hill steals the show in this watered down concoction of The Big Short, Wolf of Wall Street, and Good Fellas. It’s not as boobs-in-your-face, cocaine-on-the-ceiling as you might expect, but War Dogs delivers a gritty take on true events with some decent chuckles.

What’s it about?
A retelling of the classic hero story: a boy’s magical powers grow as he embarks on a mystical quest – all while playing beautiful shamisen music and creating incredible origami creatures.

What did we think?
Dan Beeston says: Read off the page Kubo is a simple fable: a basic hero’s journey with the requisite sword, armour and helm picked up along the way. The true magic is just how visually splendid the whole piece is. The film is a triumph of stop motion animation. To see these puppets come to life is jaw dropping. Children and lovers of art should immediately rush out and see it. For everyone else? It’s just another okay story. Three stars.

Stephen Scott says: The use of clay animation is a dying art and helps set this film apart. The plot lines exposing youngsters to alternative religious views, cultural practices, and the importance of heritage are the other major selling points. If you have a kids, take them and enjoy a family bonding. Three and a half stars.

What’s it about?

Frazzled mums (Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn) get pushed to breaking point and decide to start being shitty mothers instead. But when a perfect mum (Christina Applegate) pushes their buttons, they decide they need to hit her where it hurts, and challenge her for presidency of the PTA.

What did we think?

Elizabeth Best says: Aside from some slightly problematic messaging (if you ever do anything for just you, your whole life will go down the toilet), this is a fun jaunt exploring what happens when stressed out mums cut loose. Hilarious comic timing from Kunis, Hahn and Bell elevates this from shameless chick flick to worthy comedy. I can’t help but feel, though, that Jada Pinkett Smith was a heartbeat away from the token racially diverse character, only hanging around to say things like “dayum” and “that shit is whack.”.

What’s it about?

Set after the events of Batman V Superman, a task force of bad guys is assembled and blackmailed into saving the world from other bad guys, vigilante style.

What did we think?

Elizabeth Best says: It’s not that Suicide Squad is bad. It’s just not… anything. It’s a long, plot-less fight scene, with too many people to pay attention to, moving too fast to actually lock on to anything. Simply put? It’s frenetically boring. Where’s all the fun from the trailer? Characters get loads of screen time but aren’t explored in much depth (Captain Boomerang is an extended punchline, Harley Quinn is a sexy extended punchline, Diablo is the meta-human equivalent of a Bic lighter). Not very much happens except baddies fight baddies to avoid “goodies” (who are kinda baddies) from blowing their heads up. I can’t help but think think DC have done this whole thing backwards; in trying to do an Avengers-style movie, they forgot that all the Avengers had solo movies to establish their characters before they got thrown in together to defeat the big bad. The Suicide Squad aren’t given the same opportunity and as a result we’re still kind of clueless about who they are. Even Jared Leto’s much-hyped Joker doesn’t leave a lasting impression.

Meh. Just meh.