TIMER

What’s it about?
In a near-future society, people can have timers implanted that let them countdown to when they’ll meet their soulmate. But should we know? And how do people – and society as a whole – react to the change in dynamic?

What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: One of those rare films that poses thought-provoking questions without becoming preachy with answers. In fact a lot of the questions – both subtle and directly – are wonderful explorations about romantic expectations and attitude. Emma Caulfield is incredible as a girl feeling the pressure of finding a soulmate in a world where science has supposedly found a way to guarantee knowing your soulmate. But is love still powerful without mystery? A delightful independent flick that connoisseurs (and sociologists) will enjoy. Not to mention the romantics of course.

Wilson

A misanthrope and a daughter he hasn’t met. What could go wrong?

20th Century Women

What’s it about?
Two women, a man, a boy approaching manhood and a girl becoming a woman face their own crisis of confidence in that short burst of creativity during the late 70’s when punk flared then disappeared as quickly as it came. At its core, a 55 year-old mother is frustrated at her perceived inability to raise her 15 year-old son into manhood.

What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: Coming of age isn’t only for pre-pubescents. The revelations of this share-house-moulded, psuedo-intergenerational family prove it. An endearing exploration of how an individual’s response to the realisation of “this is as good as it gets” changes – with a sharp focus on the pivotal point of puberty via 15, 17 & 24 year-old perspectives.

It’s vexing pinpointing what is so enthralling about this nebulous reflection on everything and nothing. Perhaps it’s best left to the bohemian Abbie’s wistful explanation of the musical ineptitude of punk musicians: “it’s really interesting what happens when your passion is bigger than the tools you have to deal with it. It creates this energy that’s raw. Isn’t it great?”.

Baywatch

What’s it about?
Mitch Buchanan (Dwayne Johnson) is the ultimate boy scout of lifeguards. But when illegal drugs threaten the sanctity of his bay, he and his team take it upon themselves to expose the criminal plot.

What did we think?
Lisa Clifford says: I really wanted to like this one. I used to love watching the cheesy 90s original and I even appreciate the genial charms of Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron. But by the mid-way mark, I was ready to raise an arm and call for somebody to ‘saaaaaaaaaaave me’ (*cue theme song*).

Despite a few laughs and a LOT of gratuitous (but equal opportunity!) body shots, Baywatch suffers a MAJOR identity crisis that causes a lack of cohesion. Is it a re-boot? A parody of the original? Or an awkward continuation of the original Baywatch universe, where the ‘new class’ of lifeguards have the have the exact same names as their predecessors for some bizarre reason? Good luck trying to figure it out, because I doubt anyone involved with the movie has yet.

The Sense of an Ending

What’s it about? 
Tony (Jim Broadbent) leads a reclusive, curmudgeonly existence until a letter from his past resurfaces and forces him to confront his flawed recollections of his past in the film adaptation of Julian Barnes’ Man Booker Prize-winning novel.

What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: It’s ironic that a film about missing memories seems to be missing a crucial “ah-hah” moment for a satisfying conclusion. I kept waiting for a payoff to justify the slow burning, mysterious atmosphere and when it came, it proved too ambiguous and open-ended to provide any closure. Perhaps that’s the point; that in life we may never know the full story. It’s a fine point to make philosophically but proves for a less than satisfying experience for film-goers. Not even captivating performances from all, especially Broadbent, weren’t enough to shake the feeling that something was lost in translation from page to screen.

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

What’s it all about then?

From the beginnin’. Well, there’s this roguish lad see, an’ ‘e an’ his mates are plannin’ a heist …
‘Old on, ‘old on. Yer sure nothin’ ‘appened before the beginnin’? Aw yeah, that’s right. Ye see (flashback) the kid’s not the bastard son of a prostitute, but actually heir to ye olde Englaland’s throne.
That’s more like it my son. Go on … There’s this magical scimitar an’ rooftop parkour an’ a kind-but-fair oriental fight instructor, y’know, everything you’d expect in 6th century Londinium …

What did we think?

Stephen Scott says: in a gloriously raucous post-Roman-occupied Britanniae, trouble is brewing in a cockney lad’s-own adventure that’s bleedingly obviously directed by Guy Ritchie without having all the promos blaring it at a million decibels. Fast, romance-free, with a (fantastic) soundtrack that makes you go “yeah – that’s what action movie music must’ve sounded like in 629AD”, it’s Lock Stock and One Smoking Excalibur. Exactly what you expect.

What’s Popular

A Simple Favor

What’s it about?
A somewhat intense mommy blogger is befriended by a worldly but blunt fellow mother. When her new best friend goes missing it sets events into motion that will forveer change their lives (cue dramatic music).

What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt (who has NOT read the book) says: It would be simplistic to describe this as Gone Girl Gone Wild but it’s hard to escape some comparisons with the 2014 thriller. The major difference is the tone. Director Paul Feig interjects humour at unexpected moments which prevents you from fully engaging with anger at the characters – all of whom you dislike at some point. Even the ending has a touch of slapstick that robs the film of some gravitas. Quite simply there aren’t enough laughs for it be called a comedy but enough where it detracts slightly from the thriller tag. Despite all this, it’s actually a pretty good flick that keeps you guessing and off balance. Great performances from Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively keep you focused and wanting them to be innocent and, more importantly, ensuring you leave with a smile on your face. 3.5

The Predator

What’s it about?
A Predator crashes on earth and proceeds to go hunting, so a bunch of crazy soldiers try and fight it.

What did we think?
Nick says: The Predator starts off a bit wobbly, settles into a solid, often hilarious middle act, but proceeds to crash as things wrap up. Despite that, the cast and their chemistry is dynamite.

Teen Titans Go To The Movies

What’s it about?
A teenage superhero team who dream of Hollywood stardom match wits against a supervillian intent on destroying the world.

What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Anyone familiar with the Teen Titans Go TV show is aware of the wacky and zany adventures that frequently slide into sly self-deprecation and meta references. The movie kicks that into overdrive. The surprisingly intelligent script combines flatulence jokes for the kids and adult jokes about comics (both DC and Marvel universes) and moviemaking that parents will laugh along too. I chuckled a lot. Well-layered and constructed, the movie gets a bit loud and obviously focuses a touch more on the younger audience as its main demographic, however if you like superheroes as an adult then this will a bit of fun for you too.

The Nun

What’s it about?
A miracle-hunting priest (Demian Bichir) and novice nun (Taissa Farmiga) investigate the suicide of a young nun in remote Romanian abbey, where a demonic force has risen.

What did we think?
Lisa says: If you’re into plenty of jump scares and some creepy 1950s Catholic mythology (yes please!), The Nun is a fun, tight horror that won’t leave you with bad dreams afterwards. It’s a prequel to other films in The Conjuring Universe, but perfectly serviceable as a stand-alone feature.

Editor's Choice

A Simple Favor

What’s it about?
A somewhat intense mommy blogger is befriended by a worldly but blunt fellow mother. When her new best friend goes missing it sets events into motion that will forveer change their lives (cue dramatic music).

What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt (who has NOT read the book) says: It would be simplistic to describe this as Gone Girl Gone Wild but it’s hard to escape some comparisons with the 2014 thriller. The major difference is the tone. Director Paul Feig interjects humour at unexpected moments which prevents you from fully engaging with anger at the characters – all of whom you dislike at some point. Even the ending has a touch of slapstick that robs the film of some gravitas. Quite simply there aren’t enough laughs for it be called a comedy but enough where it detracts slightly from the thriller tag. Despite all this, it’s actually a pretty good flick that keeps you guessing and off balance. Great performances from Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively keep you focused and wanting them to be innocent and, more importantly, ensuring you leave with a smile on your face. 3.5

The Predator

What’s it about?
A Predator crashes on earth and proceeds to go hunting, so a bunch of crazy soldiers try and fight it.

What did we think?
Nick says: The Predator starts off a bit wobbly, settles into a solid, often hilarious middle act, but proceeds to crash as things wrap up. Despite that, the cast and their chemistry is dynamite.

Teen Titans Go To The Movies

What’s it about?
A teenage superhero team who dream of Hollywood stardom match wits against a supervillian intent on destroying the world.

What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Anyone familiar with the Teen Titans Go TV show is aware of the wacky and zany adventures that frequently slide into sly self-deprecation and meta references. The movie kicks that into overdrive. The surprisingly intelligent script combines flatulence jokes for the kids and adult jokes about comics (both DC and Marvel universes) and moviemaking that parents will laugh along too. I chuckled a lot. Well-layered and constructed, the movie gets a bit loud and obviously focuses a touch more on the younger audience as its main demographic, however if you like superheroes as an adult then this will a bit of fun for you too.

The Nun

What’s it about?
A miracle-hunting priest (Demian Bichir) and novice nun (Taissa Farmiga) investigate the suicide of a young nun in remote Romanian abbey, where a demonic force has risen.

What did we think?
Lisa says: If you’re into plenty of jump scares and some creepy 1950s Catholic mythology (yes please!), The Nun is a fun, tight horror that won’t leave you with bad dreams afterwards. It’s a prequel to other films in The Conjuring Universe, but perfectly serviceable as a stand-alone feature.

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