Ocean’s 8

What started as a man powered franchise, has now developed into an all woman cast, as Danny Ocean’s sister follow’s in her brother’s law-breaking footsteps.

George Clooney and Brad Pitt are nowhere in sight as this film instead finds itself fronted by Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett who take the meaning of a high end heist to whole new level as they take on the The Met Gala and all the jewels within.

Despite approaching this franchise from a different point of view, director, Gary Ross, struggles to find the right equilibrium between new and old as the characters often feel a little too rehearsed.

This being said, the film does have a lighthearted nature, which will be sure to please audiences of all ages. And more importantly still, it provides Hollywood with a prime example of women owning powerful lead roles.

Game Night

It’s not just a game.

What starts as a weekly ritual amongst friends soon turns into something a little more complicated when a few unwanted guests turn up to a friendship groups game night.

Aside from the ridiculous concept of this plot, the comedy aspect of this big screen blunder certainly has some laugh out loud moments, in spite of its seemingly never-ending plot twist.

Though, having said that, even a few laughs aren’t enough to cover up the painfully dismal attempts at comedy induced action, which use a neglected effort in failed CGI technology, leaving all hope for this films redemption behind.

Want to find out more? Check out the trailer here.

Red Sparrow

To fight or to die, that is the question.

After an unbearable incident that leaves her unable to dance again, Dominica is employed by the Russian government, courtesy of her uncle, to become a spy, but soon her problems escalate when she realises there’s no way out unless you’re willing to meet an early grave.

Jennifer Lawrence grabs the head role in this film with both hands and refuses to let go, infusing her eager youth into her troubled character to produce an authentic performance that keeps the audience on edge throughout this exhilarating tale.

Though the colours of the film remain docile and somewhat gloomy throughout the European setting, the action and fast-paced plot enable an active engagement throughout, which is somewhat subdued by the over detailed dialogue between characters to allow for some subtle drama admid the chaos of action.

Want to find out more? Check out the trailer here.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Justice has never looked better in the headlights.

After her daughter was raped, murdered and then burnt, Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand) takes the law into her own hands when she puts up three controversial billboards questioning the local police forces’ lackluster investigations.

Though the film is incredibly serious in its nature, the ludicrously wonderful levels of sarcasm and general humor injected into the script provide ample relief for what is a painfully heart-wrenching tragedy.

At the heart of this comic relief are Frances McDormand and Woody Harrelson (Chief Willoughby) who take the craft of acting to a new level, with beautifully sensitive performances that give their characters a quiet sensitivity which is echoed throughout the storyline of the film.

Regardless of this films inherent delicacy, as a stand-alone piece of cinema, it is a spectacular culmination of small-town community and human compassion.

Murder on the Orient Express

Kenneth Branagh conducts this investigative wonder, steamrolling its way into our hearts.

Hercule Poirot is a detective like no other, and this case is proving hard to crack, as he finds himself stranded upon the orient express amongst thirteen suspects and one very gruesome murder.

The location of filming throughout this films entirety is nothing short of spectacular, with every aspect of 1930s Europe being crafted with immaculate precision, making the cinematography a marvel to behold.

Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the worryingly long running time, which is corrupted with false endings throughout, confusing the audience’s senses as they try to grapple with the senseless accusations.

Though with a cast as acclaimed as this, the script manages to claw its way back by shining the light on the countless number of talented actors, from Josh Gad to Dame Judi Dench, making this film a bearable pleasure.

The Snowman

A chilly start to a snowballing crime sees Michael Fassbender pursue a carrot-nosed villain.

Infamous detective, Harry Hole (Fassbender), must strike up a work-life balance before he loses everything. What starts out as a harmless homicide investigation soon escalates into a matter of personal revenge, with Harry becoming the target.

The film had enormous potential to be one of the most hard-hitting crime dramas in years, but unfortunately, the lacklustre script left the overwhelmingly talented cast pining for a bigger challenge. At every turn, this film had the ability to stun, but, director Thomas Alfredson, disappointed with a culmination of scenes that merged into one another without much hope of climax.

Whatsmore is the lack of explanation as to why a story set in Oslo,  Norway has all-English speaking characters. Though clearly done in order to heighten accessibility in the cinematic universe, it does create confusion for audiences who are not familiar with the Jo Nesbo book on which this film is based, and simply adds to the overall uninspired finish of the film.

Kingsman: The Golden Circle

Entertainingly ridiculous, and yet not quite as good as its predecessor.

Eggsy’s (Taron Egerton) back, and so apparently is Harry (Colin Firth), despite ending the last film with a gunshot wound to the head. A new crisis befalls them in this action-packed sequel, as they must take down a crazed drug lord (Juliann Moore) in an attempt to save the world. In other words, it’s business as usual for the Kingsman, with a little help from their American cousins; The Statesman.

As is the case with most sequels, this film lacks the mystery of the first, which makes for a very predictable storyline laced with lackluster plot turns. Yet, regardless of the stunted excitement, the star-studded cast put a tremendous amount of effort into uplifting this seemingly foreseeable storyline.

With an opening scene crammed fall of computer-generated warmth, the audience is repeatedly gifted with orchestrated action throughout the film, which in some ways makes up for the unimaginative plot that must be suffered.

 

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American Assassin

Terrorist annihilation has never looked so thrilling.

After losing his girlfriend to the deadly clutches of a terror attack, Mitch Rapp (Dylan O’Brien) takes revenge to the next level as he becomes a one-man army in an attempt to infiltrate and kill those responsible for his girlfriend’s demise. Though his plan seems flawless, the CIA decides his talents would be put to better use as part of a team, and so intercept him before he gets in too much trouble.

As movie partnerships go, Dylan O’Brien and Michael Keaton’s on-screen chemistry is electrically on point, with both managing to bounce of one another’s talent. The duos energetic charisma keeps the plots ever-growing tension, upbeat, without seeming forced. 

With a certification of 18, the film boasts a splendid amount of violently orchestrated bloodbaths, but given the nature of the film, it was a necessary evil in order to provide the authenticity of terrorist-driven activity.

Wind River

Snow storms are not the only danger for the residents of an American Indian Reserve in Wyoming.

When local hunter, Cory Lambert, goes on a tracking expedition for some Lions, he finds more than he bargained for when he comes across the body of a young girl, which results in an FBI investigation.

The script for this film is a constant stunner, with twists and turns that keep the audience gripped throughout. And with a cast fronted by Jeremy Renner, the film continues to portray an authentically dramatic set of events.

With little to no representation of American Indians in today’s film industry, this film shows a particularly striking revelation, which brings with it an important message regarding the all too often disappearance’s of American Indian women, who are not considered worthy of counting towards the missing person’s report of America.

 

Logan Lucky

Eccentrically ridiculous, yet somehow entertaining; the Logan family take the meaning of ‘heist’ to a whole new level.

The three Logan siblings aren’t exactly in tip top shape to pull off a bank robbery; with one brother missing an arm, and the other with a dodgy leg. Yet, somehow, they beat all odds to undertake a highly unconventional heist at a NASCAR race in West Virginia. 

With Daniel Craig, Channing Tatum and Adam Driver in the lead roles, this film excels in the acting department, even if the plot seems nonsensical at times. 

Unlike any other heist films that have graced our screens, Logan Lucky definitely takes a new approach to the crime genre, with director Steven Soderbergh certainly not taking himself, or the storyline, particularly seriously.