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Logan Lucky

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.

An Inconvenient Sequel

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.

The Big Sick

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.

A Monster Calls

What’s it about?
A troubled young boy (Lewis MacDougall) is visited by a storytelling monster (Liam Neeson). Emotional growth ensues.

What did we think?
Amy Currie says: At first glance, this tale featuring an enchanted tree, a stern grandmother and fantastical revenge on a schoolyard bully seems a Dahl-esque children’s story. However, in an interesting twist on the genre, A Monster Calls takes place in the real world of divorce, chemotherapy and lawsuits, where good and evil aren’t clear-cut and endings are often imperfect. It’s not a subtle film, but the performances are decent, the animation in the storytelling sequences is gorgeous and the ending will make you cry.

War for the Planet of the Apes

What’s it about?
An escalating war between Caesar’s (Andy Serkis) apes and a renegade army colonel (Woody Harrelson) forces Caesar to choose between his desire for revenge and his quest for a better world for ape-kind.

What did we think?
Lisa Clifford says: For the first time in the new series, apes are unapologetically placed front-and-centre as protagonists, and Serkis is utterly brilliant in his third turn as the messianic ape leader. A stark and arresting study of morality in war and how it influences our actions, War for the Planet of the Apes is visually stunning with great action sequences, and a satisfying conclusion to Caesar’s story – forming an interesting bridge between the modern reboot and the original films.

Dunkirk

What’s it about?
An intense depiction of WW2’s Battle of Dunkirk.

What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Two hours of pure tension. Dunkirk does away with preamble – there are no names, backstories or wistful talk of sweethearts back home. We barely even see the enemy. Instead, we’re plunged straight into urgent, up-close chaos. The strong performances (yes, even from that ‘one’ guy), minimal dialogue, and spectacular soundtrack moved my stoic companion to a masculine tear. See it.

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