What’s it about?
A man is raising his niece, who is a mathematical prodigy. Once her abilities have been discovered, her grandmother fights for custody.

What did we think?
Imogen says: Watch as one of the Marvel Chrises handsomes his way through this beige movie. It’s got everything you’ve ever seen in a heartwarming film:

1. a man who’s struggling to raise a child by himself,
2. (but does it in a unique and quirky way);
3. an equally unique and quirky child with a special talent;
4. a two-dimensional love interest character (Jenny Slate, you’re better than this);
5. a two-dimensional sassy yet wise black neighbour (Octavia Spencer, you’re WAY better than this).
6. an acoustic soundtrack and predictable outcome.

What it’s about?

A dark tower exists that protects the universe from a demonic apocalypse. The tower can be destroyed by the mind of a child. The Man in Black (Matthew McConaughey) is locked in an eternal struggle with the Last Gunslinger (Idris Elba), as one tries to bring the tower down and the other tries to defend it. One child is caught in the middle of it all.

What did we think?

Elizabeth Best says:  I immediately wanted to watch more of The Dark Tower when the credits rolled. Not because it was a stellar movie, but because I felt like there was SO much we didn’t see. Moviemakers saw fit to compress EIGHT Stephen King books into one movie, leaving the intriguing premise feeling rushed and under explained. This needs to be a TV show so I can binge the crap out of it rather than a movie that piqued my interest but left me dissatisfied.

What’s it about?
50 years after their first adventure launched in comic strip form, spatio-temporal agents Valérian and Laureline finally hit the big screen. In their debut cinematic story, the pair uncover a sinister plot to take genocide to a new level by wiping all knowledge of a peaceful civilisation from galactic history.

What did we think?

Stephen Scott says: Strangely this reminds me of the original Star Wars AND the prequel trilogies at the same time. Like the 1977 classic, you are thrown head-first into a dirty universe, with no back stories to guide you. It’s an assault on your imagination, and a welcome one. Valerian’s universe is spectacular.

Contrariwise, like the flawed prequels, you have to use your imagination to get over the unforgivable plot holes, bordering-on-the-offensive character inconsistencies, and the atrocious miscasting of Dane DeHaan as the (supposedly) womanising tactical genius Valerian.

It’s still good enough to get four stars. Imagine how good it would have been with the appropriate swagger.

What’s it about?
Down-on-their-luck siblings join forces with bomb-addict siblings for a heist that will become legendary: the home of NASCAR.

What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: Logan Lucky (3¾★) wins the heist battle of 2017 over Baby Driver (3½★) thanks to a stronger storyline and beguiling characters – interestingly both films use the transition of musical styles to further tension, in this case from country to bluegrass. Soderbergh cleverly mirrors the same story of a fight-against-the-odds for redemption across three encampments without you realising by using sleight of hand, country music, a couple of clever twists, and some good laughs.

BEWARE: the odds are high you’ll end up singing a John Denver classic. Yep. That one.

What’s it about?
Ten years after An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore is still at it – and with good reason.

What did we think?
Amy Currie says: This is certainly an important film, and its (terrifying) statements about climate change are clearly explained and backed up by solid data. However, the movie itself is blatantly manipulative and spends a lot – like, a lot – of time talking about what a great guy Al Gore is. So great. Wow.

It’s pure propaganda – but when it’s propaganda for good, does it really matter? It’s not a brilliant film, but that’s not the point.

What’s it about?
Writer and star Kumail Nanjiani brings the story of his burgeoning relationship with his now wife to the big screen, illustrating the ups and downs they faced with their cross-cultural connection, not least of which was Emily being in a coma.

What we thought
Angela Young says: This film is brilliant, go see it. It’s properly funny and properly real. Kumail plays himself, so we know we we’re getting the truth there, but Zoe Kazan is fantastic as down-to-earth and bubbly Emily. You will love all the characters in this film, literally – there’s not a baddie (or bad acting) among them. Even Ray Romano as Dad! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry (but only a little bit), and you’ll only just notice the subtle lessons you’re learning about cultural integration and the hilarious nuances at play within a Pakistani muslim family in modern America.