The inspiring untold story about the unsung professionals, their struggles on screen to perform at the highest level, and their fight off-screen to be treated fairly and equally. Julie Ann Johnson’s entry into the stunt world in the 1960s in some ways sums up the assumptions faced by stuntwomen in one tiny anecdote: a casting… Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story Read More
The Devil All The Time 3.5 stars
In Knockemstiff, Ohio and its neighbouring backwoods, sinister characters – an unholy preacher, twisted couple, and crooked sheriff – converge around young Arvin Russell as he fights the evil forces that threaten him and his family. An orphan boy, two romantically involved serial killers, a corrupt sheriff, several guileless young women, one preacher who believes… The Devil All The Time Read More
Baby Driver 4.5 stars
Baby Driver isn’t simply a funky soundtrack-driven heist movie – it’s as much about movement as music. There’s a choreographer listed in the credits, and you can see why – as Baby, the driver of the title, makes his naturalistic if slightly gawky way through the world. In fact the film galvanises so many senses it’s like watching a 4D film in 2D…. Baby Driver Read More
The Mummy 3 stars
I enjoyed this film and not just because it’s proof that ancient mummies might have a chance with Tom Cruise. It’s cliche-ridden nonsense of course, with cheesy dialogue and so many swarms of rats and spiders it frequently ends up looking like a challenge from “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here”, only this time with proper celebrities. But while The Mummy… The Mummy Read More
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge 2.5 stars
Pirates Of The Caribbean 5 is confusing enough without the two different titles (in the UK it’s known as Salazar’s Revenge but in the US it’s Dead Men Tell No Tales) – with an indecipherable plot and vast numbers of pirates, some already dead but fighting gamely on. The film is set in the 18th century, so I can’t accuse… Pirates Of The Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge Read More
Alien: Covenant 3.5 stars
A Covenant is an agreement between god and his people but Alien Covenant is so heady with religion I’m surprised they didn’t go the whole way and call it Alien: Old Testament. The question is who is god here – Weyland, David, the Engineers, or Ridley Scott himself who has clearly hugely enjoyed drenching his… Alien: Covenant Read More
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 2 (3D) 3.5 stars
“There are two types of being in the universe – those who dance, and those who do not” as many a clubbing friend has suggested, in hope rather than expectation, while watching me drunkenly flail my arms around to everything from Abba to the Sisters of Mercy, unaware that the back of my skirt is tucked into… Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 2 (3D) Read More
Beauty And The Beast (2D) 3.5 stars
“Think of the one place you’ve always wanted to see” says the Beast to Belle, as he shows her a magic book of the world in his incredible library – and off they go to plague-ridden Paris, which wouldn’t be my choice for a free holiday of a lifetime with a gazillionaire prince, especially an ugly one, but there you… Beauty And The Beast (2D) Read More
La La Land 4.5 stars
La La Land is an absolute joy, to watch and to listen to. It was probably the most fun two hours I’ve had at the cinema since a really excellent first date back in 1987 with the friend of the guy I was meant to meet but who didn’t turn up (Reader, I didn’t marry… La La Land Read More
Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them 4 stars
Hunt for the Niffler – if that’s not already the name of a Great American Rock Band it certainly should be. And if you ever meet a niffler you will fall in love with it, even as the little critter is stealing the gold necklace your granny left you. And that title. So much more evocative than the usual boring stuff about lemon drizzle… Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them Read More
Jack Reacher – Never Go Back 3.5 stars
I was looking forward to this film as the subheading to my life as a mum is Never Go Back, usually after my kids have done something considered unspeakable by polite society in a delightful local teashop involving a homemade scone and a milk jug. And I was only slightly disappointed. Edward Zwick’s film is not going to win… Jack Reacher – Never Go Back Read More
Inferno 2 stars
“Abandon all hope…” says a character early on in Ron Howard’s Inferno, quoting Dante’s, er, Inferno. And now I know exactly what they meant. Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks), a world renowned Dante scholar who at one point in this film still needs Dante to be explained to him by glamorous prodigy Dr Sienna Brooks (Felicity… Inferno Read More