What’s it about?
1950’s Virginia: it was a simpler time, when a man could love a woman and a woman her man (so long as they had the same skin colour); and old, white, privileged men could exert their racist bigotry without fear of repercussion … until the US Supreme Court made a landmark civil rights decision and said it was OK to love the one you’re with (Loving v. Virginia).

What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: 2017’s trio of harrowing reminders of segregation is a tender balance of Fences’ stark reality and Hidden Figures’ uplifting feel goodedness*. An unassuming, endearing romance, juxtaposed by ignorance and hatred; Loving confirms that love WILL conquer all, even in a court room (which takes a back seat to love story).

Postscript: Thank goodness no-one judges people anymore on who or how they love. /sarcasm

*this is now a word

What’s it about?
John Goodman and his gang of scientists uncover the secret Skull Island which just so happens to be the home of a mega ape.

What did we think?
Nick Bleeker says: Kong knows exactly what it is: a film about a monster ape wrecking stuff, and, as simple as that sounds, it works in the film’s favour greatly. It looks great, the action is composed great and, most importantly, the world Kong lives in feels special. Add to the fact that Samuel L. Jackson goes insane – like, totally bonkers – and I’d say that’s worth the price of admission alone.

What’s it about?
In a future where most mutants are dead, the former X-man known as Wolverine struggles with life, impending death and an unexpected addition to a grim existence.

What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Finally! A superhuman movie that focuses on the ‘human’ rather than the ‘super’. Gritty, emotional and realistic, Logan is a triumph of story over fight scenes, though the violence exists in brutal abundance as well. The 2016 success of Deadpool as an R-rated film has allowed director James Mangold the freedom to ensure we see Wolverine with the confronting brutality real adamantium claws would bring with them. Surprisingly thoughtful without heavy emotional manipulation, Logan will be loved by everyone with even a passing interest in the character.

What’s it about?
Twenty years after Mark Renton stole the stash of cash from his friends, he returns home but exactly what awaits him?

What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: It’s easy to argue this cult classic didn’t need a sequel but it’s a surprising relief that this follow up stays true to the characters and story. Not as dark as the original, Trainspotting 2 goes for a bit more humour and focuses more on the quirky relationships between the dysfunctional group. Good characterisation, entertaining and faithful stories and quality homage references will leave any fan of the original content though it’s probably unlikely to be a classic itself. Director Danny Boyle uses an impressive soundtrack featuring Iggy Pop, Blondie, Queen, Run DMC and jarring, almost experimental, camera angles to highlight the emotion and anguish particularly of Ewan Bremner’s Spud who almost steals the show during his withdrawal periods. Wonderful to see Ewan McGregor, Johnny Lee Miller and Robert Carlyle on the big screen together again as Boyle slyly and ironically explores nostalgia in a light that is anything but flattering.

What’s it about?
European mercenaries make their way to the Orient in search of the super weapon ‘black powder’.  They discover a powerful army with just one purpose: defending the world against monsters. But are the true monsters… us?

No. It’s quite obviously the giant green lizard things.

What did we think?
Dan says: This is a film about ideas. The story is pretty average and the character motivations are thin on the ground. The film jumps from design idea to illustration idea and every time it’s dazzling. It’s a bit like flipping through the sketch book of that art geek from high school who would shyly tell you what she’d do if she had access to funding. Well someone got access to funding. They don’t know how to write dialogue but their visual story-telling is epic.

What’s it about?
1960’s America was a vortex of social upheaval: apartheid (segregation) was rampant; women’s equality was unimaginable; the space race was nuclear hot; and national pride, if not survival, was at stake. Against all odds, three genii stepped out from the shadows to help NASA realise an impossible dream. Three genii who happened to be black women.

What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: This movie should be compulsory viewing for every man, woman and child. Equality is something many pay lip service to (even today), and while other Oscar-nominated movies show the ugly face of racism via a negative tirade, Hidden Figures lifts you up with a heart-warming, truly accessible story of the little person overcoming insurmountable odds. Inspiring and hopeful.

Incidentally, I never thought I’d see the day where I’d cry watching a man smash a toilet sign off a wall with a crowbar.