Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
What’s it about?
People try to profit off dinosaurs. Dinosaurs eat people. Other people try to save dinosaurs.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom asks some very interesting questions and even throws in an unexpected surprise. It’s just a shame it’s all couched within a cliched and boring storyline. When you care more about the survival of one of the dinosaurs than most of the human characters (including, it has to be said, the main two), then you’re doing something wrong. The first half was entertaining but the makers seem to have forgotten the charm of the original was based on the humans with the dinos just being the danger.
It’s not bad as monster movies go, but at the end of the day, it’s a blockbuster popcorn movie profiting off a legacy instead of adding to it.
Tag
What’s it about?
Inspired by true events, a group of mates who’ve played a game of tag for decades get back together to see if they can make the only member of the group who’s never been tagged “it” before he retires.
What did we think?
Elizabeth says: That moment when you have to break your review down into three parts because of a badly misfiring joke…
Pre problematic joke: This movie feels like Adam Sandler should be attached to it somehow, I hate myself for enjoying it this much and that’s all you really need to know about that.
During problematic joke: Oh god they’re not going there are they? They went there. Oh god they went there again. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WHY WON’T THEY STOP GOING THERE?!
Post problematic joke: I’m still horrified at the joke subject matter but somehow I’m back to laugh/crying. I need a shower to feel better about this.
The Leisure Seeker
What’s it about?
Ailing septuagenarians flee imminent nursing-home confinement by taking one final road trip in their beloved Winnebago.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: facing your impending death isn’t an everyday movie topic, and while The Leisure Seeker handles the topic with sensitivity and humour, the first half is meandering and turgid, seemingly to set up the far more entertaining second. Beautifully acted by Donald Sutherland as a retired professor in the final stages of dementia and Helen Mirren as his frail, doting wife, the film lacks the celebration of life it requires (and several opportunities exist within the film for these moments but are passed over for commentary on the frustration on human frailty).
Euthanasia advocates will appreciate this film, but people battling with depression would be advised to only see it with a friend.
Solo: A Star Wars Story
What’s it about?
A young Han Solo escapes a hard life to meet a friendly wookie and become a pilot and smuggler in a galaxy far, far away.
What did we think?
Anthony says: I have to admit I had a bad feeling about this, and while it isn’t a masterpiece, nor is it the disaster I was half-expecting. After an uneven and stuttering start that just doesn’t work, Solo finally finds a rhythm when it becomes a simple heist movie. Donald Glover’s Lando threatens to steal the show though he ends up underutilised. It’s not going to be remembered as a classic but it ticks most of the boxes for Star Wars fans looking to a young Han Solo’s life. The characters are fun even if the storyline lacks intense depth.
Gringo
What’s it about?
Downtrodden businessman Harold (David Oyelowo) is caught up in cartels, kidnapping and corporate conspiracies during a business trip to Mexico.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: I would be perfectly happy watching this on hour six of a long-haul flight. I would then never think about it again in my whole life.
Gringo is a pleasant enough darkly comic caper, but an admittedly impressive cast can’t quite save it from a meandering plot.
Deadpool 2
What’s it about?
An anti-hero tries to protect a young boy from a time-travelling half-robot… wait, isn’t that the Terminator? #RipOff
What did we think?
Anthony says: It was always going to be difficult to follow up such a successful and original first movie, and it has to be said Deadpool 2 doesn’t have the same impact as its predecessor. However, the jokes are funnier – both in intelligence and irreverence – and there’s a little more pathos. Unfortunately, there are a few pacing issues with an odd lull or two breaking up the quips, but to be frank they’re soon forgotten. It truly excels with its music choice; not only in the cool-song-I-loved-this-one way, but the subtleties that add another layer of humour (I can’t go into detail without spoiling it so I won’t). And the early-credit scene is not only hilarious but has upped the stakes on how stories could be told. <redacted-spoiler-redacted>
At the end of the day it’s a great movie and I’m not just saying that because Ryan Reynolds has a gun and apparently knows my address.