Happy Death Day
Death by Deja vu?
Blade Runner 2049
What’s it about?
30 years after the exploits of Roy Batty, rogue replicants continue to be retired by Blade Runners in rain soaked LA.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: Ridley Scott took the premise of Philip K Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep and confronted us with its themes of evolution and identity. Villeneuve’s 2049 extrapolates and adds to those themes, enabling us to see things you people wouldn’t believe. If you’ve seen the original you have to watch this one. No review can do it justice.
5 Star Caveat: this movie will make little sense to those who haven’t seen the original. Watch Blade Runner The Final Cut (my recommendation, although all versions are OK according to Villeneuve) and if you want to be fully prepared, set aside 30 minutes to watch the trio of shorts created to fill in the blanks between 2019 and 2049.
Battle of the Sexes
What’s it about?
Based on the true story of the 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.
What did we think?
Let’s face it, Billie Jean King is a badass, and if you don’t know all she’s done for inequality, you should find out. Start with this movie. There are parts when I wanted to stand up and yell ‘FUCKYESBILLIEJEANKING!’ There are a couple of parts where it lagged and I was ready for a snooze. Overall, pretty decent stuff. I wish I were more shocked about the blatant sexism and homophobia, but this story remains incredibly relevant in 2017. This film will make you want to fight the patriarchy.
Kingsman: The Golden Circle
What’s it about?
When their headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage, the Kingsman’s journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the US. These two elite secret organisations must band together to defeat a common enemy.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: The original Kingsman flick was such a sleek, fresh and intelligent parody that it was always going to be hard to follow up. Without the element of surprise it was unclear how director Matthew Vaughn would attempt to continue to appeal. He chose to go over the top. The problem is they’ve amplified both the good and the bad aspects of the original. Insane and impressive actions sequences? Check. Great soundtrack? Check. Graphic and controversial scene set to light up the internet? Check.
The villainy is a bit more layered but the story probably runs a little long. It’s also bizarre that a movie with so many big name actors uses them so sparsely. The only one actually used – Julianne Moore – is delightful as the drug lord clamoring for legitimacy rather than a billion dollar ransom. But the rest of the Americans are reduced to virtual cameos while the surprise big-star cameo actually takes up a lot more screen time than expected (no spoilers here).
At the end of the day it’s just fun with familiar characters and for most fans of the original that’s more than enough.
The LEGO Ninjago Movie
What’s it about?
Master Wu (Jackie Chan), as wise-cracking as he is wise, mentors a group of young secret ninja warriors who defend their island home (Ninjago) from the nefarious deeds of the evil warlord Garmadon, aka The Worst Guy Ever, who also happens to be the dad of Lloyd (Dave Franco) one of the secret ninja.
What did we think?
If your kids liked The Lego Movie and The Lego Batman movie then they’ll like this one too. While it’s the weakest of the three lego feature films, its reliance on humour (both lego and non-lego) is the biggest drawcard for the young and the young at heart. Adults are more likely to appreciate the homage/satire of an 80s kung-fu movie though it’s not one you’ll want to rewatch over and over. Good school holiday fun though and the kids will roar with laughter at the toy-based slapstick.
American Assassin
What’s it about?
Batman reluctantly takes on new sidekick: grown-up and disturbed Teen Wolf, a man bent on revenge having seen his fiancé gunned down by terrorists (and obviously having been orphaned as a child). His sado-masochistic training is going well until the old dog (Gambit, Batman’s ex-Robin, who they all thought was dead) goes all arms-dealery and everything gets mixed up in a bucket with terrorists and CIA and guns. Lots of people die.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: This is not Shakespeare, people! Imagine 007 without the gratuitous sex scenes (but with extrinsic boobies), more graphic violence and less puns. The clichés are still there – but the action sequences – oh my! And the final special effects rollercoaster … I had to remind myself to breath.
Thus a new mindless-fun Bourne/Bond-clone franchise is born.
What’s Popular
Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween
What’s it about?
While cleaning junk out of an old, abandoned house just before Halloween, some kids come across an old book and a ventriloquist dummy named Slappy. Spooky chaos ensues. Jack Black eventually turns up.
What did we think?
James Tinniswood says: ERMAGERD, GERSBERMS TER
I HERF TER ADMERT *clears throat* I have to admit I liked this more than I thought I would. It does have a bit of a “made-for-Nickelodeon sequel” feel, but it zips along at a good pace and I was never bored. And I liked that it (mostly) plays like a standalone Goosebumps story to the point where it (almost) didn’t need to go back to the meta “RL Stine is a character” well … until it does and reminds you it’s a sequel.
The kind of movie I would have liked the first Goosebumps to be and the third Jumanji to be. “Goosemanji”. Sony, call me, let’s talk.
Bad Times At The El Royale
Criminals, cool kids and cults. Can it come together?
In Like Flynn
What’s it about?
Root-rat movie-star Errol Flynn’s legend began long before Hollywoodland beckoned, as these adventures recollected from his biographical Beams End illustrate.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: In Like Flynn is a boys own adventure gone bad. It has all the elements of a successful movie: the director of Highlander, up-and-coming acting superstars (one is “the next Chris Hemsworth” I read somewhere), a David Wenham cameo (then again, his appearances make up 80% of the movies highlights), and the “true” life story of Errol Flynn … what could go wrong?
Oh, it’s awful. I honestly thought I was watching a 3rd year film students homage to Indiana Jones until Quint from Jaws turned up on the Sirocco. To be fair, aside from a handful of roaming accents, the acting isn’t too bad (with Clive Standen’s Charlie / Quint doing what he can to raise the standard alongside Wenham’s brilliant Dastardly Whiplash), but the script is as wooden and rotten as the boat they sail in, and the whole endeavour just ends up a misogynist try-hard mess.
Rent Highlander or Errol’s Captain Blood instead. This deserves to rest on the floor of the ocean alongside the boat it sunk in.
A Star is Born
What’s it about?
Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) is a mega famous rock star, who is dealing with alcoholism. He discovers Ally (Lady Gaga), and makes her a star.
What did we think?
Imogen Chapman says: B-Coops can sing! And direct! We already knew about the acting thing. In A Star is Born he also manages to do an excellent younger Jeff Bridges impersonation.
This is the 3rd remake of the classic 1937 film, but don’t expect a jazzy Hollywood musical. It’s emotionally raw, which gives you some incredible moments, but very occasionally causes the movie to lag.
Honestly, this is a surprisingly great movie. The songs are powerful, the performances are awesome, and I was actually moved by the story.
I’m not crying, you’re crying.
4.5/5
Editor's Choice
Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween
What’s it about?
While cleaning junk out of an old, abandoned house just before Halloween, some kids come across an old book and a ventriloquist dummy named Slappy. Spooky chaos ensues. Jack Black eventually turns up.
What did we think?
James Tinniswood says: ERMAGERD, GERSBERMS TER
I HERF TER ADMERT *clears throat* I have to admit I liked this more than I thought I would. It does have a bit of a “made-for-Nickelodeon sequel” feel, but it zips along at a good pace and I was never bored. And I liked that it (mostly) plays like a standalone Goosebumps story to the point where it (almost) didn’t need to go back to the meta “RL Stine is a character” well … until it does and reminds you it’s a sequel.
The kind of movie I would have liked the first Goosebumps to be and the third Jumanji to be. “Goosemanji”. Sony, call me, let’s talk.
Bad Times At The El Royale
Criminals, cool kids and cults. Can it come together?
In Like Flynn
What’s it about?
Root-rat movie-star Errol Flynn’s legend began long before Hollywoodland beckoned, as these adventures recollected from his biographical Beams End illustrate.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: In Like Flynn is a boys own adventure gone bad. It has all the elements of a successful movie: the director of Highlander, up-and-coming acting superstars (one is “the next Chris Hemsworth” I read somewhere), a David Wenham cameo (then again, his appearances make up 80% of the movies highlights), and the “true” life story of Errol Flynn … what could go wrong?
Oh, it’s awful. I honestly thought I was watching a 3rd year film students homage to Indiana Jones until Quint from Jaws turned up on the Sirocco. To be fair, aside from a handful of roaming accents, the acting isn’t too bad (with Clive Standen’s Charlie / Quint doing what he can to raise the standard alongside Wenham’s brilliant Dastardly Whiplash), but the script is as wooden and rotten as the boat they sail in, and the whole endeavour just ends up a misogynist try-hard mess.
Rent Highlander or Errol’s Captain Blood instead. This deserves to rest on the floor of the ocean alongside the boat it sunk in.
A Star is Born
What’s it about?
Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) is a mega famous rock star, who is dealing with alcoholism. He discovers Ally (Lady Gaga), and makes her a star.
What did we think?
Imogen Chapman says: B-Coops can sing! And direct! We already knew about the acting thing. In A Star is Born he also manages to do an excellent younger Jeff Bridges impersonation.
This is the 3rd remake of the classic 1937 film, but don’t expect a jazzy Hollywood musical. It’s emotionally raw, which gives you some incredible moments, but very occasionally causes the movie to lag.
Honestly, this is a surprisingly great movie. The songs are powerful, the performances are awesome, and I was actually moved by the story.
I’m not crying, you’re crying.
4.5/5