Film Review: The Death Of Stalin

Black comedy based on the death of Stalin and the ensuing chaos where the Kerlin's leading men vye to fill the power gap. Some laugh out moments with some classic British style jokes. Jason Isaacs, Andrea Riseborough, Olga Kurylenko Dir: Armando Iannucci "Everybody wants a piece" Genre: Comedy

Film Review: Perfect Blue

Japanese animation which tells the story of a pop star and her stalker. The story is quite sinister and, while the animation are somewhat dated, the narrative holds the attention. Junko Iwao, Rica Matsumoto, Shinpachi Tsuji Dir: Satoshi Kon "The color of illusion is Perfect Blue." Genre: Animation

Film Review: Thor: Ragnarok

Another great superhero film which has action, script and actors which they can be proud of. The comic element is particularly pleasant and has a Guardians of the Galaxy feel about it. Chris Hemsworth, Eric Pearson, Craig Kyle Dir: Taika Waititi "Thunder Will Reign." Genre: Action

Film Review: Geostorm

Fun disaster movie that fires a lot of action at you in quick succession. Away from the the action, I couldn't get into the hero's background with ex-wife and kid and saw little point to the plotline however this doesn't last long before something else blows up. Gerard Butler, Jim Sturgess, Abbie Cornish Dir: Dean Devlin "Brave The Storm" Genre: Action

Film Review: Jigsaw

I enjoyed this movie a lot more than I was expecting to. Although there's blood splattering everywhere, and body parts scattered about, the fact that machines are doing the nasty work somehow makes it easier to stomach. Also, the story has an element of mystery which encourages the mind to work on solving it rather than get bogged down in the fact that a hand, leg or head has just been sliced off. Matt Passmore, Tobin Bell, Callum Keith Rennie Dir: Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig "A New Game Begins " Genre: Horror

Volunteer: Chris Ryan

Very intimate audience with Chris Ryan who was launching a new book. The majority of the time was him telling the story of his time in Iraq and being caught behind enemy lines. It was a very open and honest insight to a soldier fighting for his life. He's a great story teller and the audience were captivated.

Film Review: Lego Ninjago

Although IMDB has moderate ratings for this movie, I found it awful! There's enough action however the script didn't have the belly laughs that other Lego movies have had. I didn't care in the slightest for either the pathetic "hero" or the gentle "baddie". Hopefully they get it better if, or more likely when, they do another Lego movie. Jackie Chan, Dave Franco, Fred Armisen Dir: Charlie Bean, Paul Fisher "Find Your Inner Piece" Genre: Animation

Film Review: The Ritual

Group of Brits go walking in the Swedish mountains to remember a friend killed in a robbery. Reasonable horror which has some "don't do that" moments. Rafe Spall, Robert James-Collier, Arsher Ali Dir: David Bruckner Genre: Horror

Volunteer: Danny Bhoy

Top notch comedy from the Scotsman who should really have been on the main stage and not a 150 seat venue. An opportunity missed for many fans. His classic was "what happened to me? I just came back from playing 3 sell-out nights at the Sydney Opera House".

Film Review: The Snowman

Fassbender saves this movie which shows more promise than it actually delivers. It does get your brain chugging on various theories but ultimately falls down on plausibility. Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson, Charlotte Gainsbourg Dir: Tomas Alfredson "Soon the first snow will come, and then he will kill again." Genre: Crime

Film Review: Never Say Die

Chinese body swapping comedy which delivers on some nice laughs but you feel you know the storyline before the film even starts. If I told you the two leader characters were a woman reporter and a male boxer then you could guess much of the plot points. Allen Ai, Yuan Chang, Li Ma Dir: Yang Song, Chiyu Zhang Genre: Comedy

Film Review: Blade Runner 2049

This long overdue sequel could easily split an audience. On one hand the wonderful cinematic, story and acting could win you over, however if you haven't seen the original, or have forgotten some of the plot, then you could easily get lost. The story is also told in an unusual way which has you cutting from one scene to the other without clear direction how the detective path led there. The information is all here but it is left to the audience to piece the fragments together. Great if you don't mind some confusion, or at least stopping and thinking for a moment, but it risks ripping from the immersion. Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas Dir: Denis Villeneuve Genre: Crime, Drama

Volunteer: Hamlet

Good version of Shakespeare's play with Benedict Cumberbatch as Hamlet. I'm not convinced NT broadcasts are worth the cost premium although they still seem moderately popular.

Film Review: The Mountain Between Us

Decent mountain survival movie which is less interested in the challenge against the elements but the relationship between the characters. Each time things get tough, something happens to save the day and prevent further hardship. Idris Elba, Kate Winslet, Beau Bridges Dir: Hany Abu-Assad "TAGLINE" Genre: Drama

Film Review: Kingsman: Golden Circle

Disappointing sequel which turned a "cool" franchise into a dumb Austin Powers. Script was weak with fewer killer lines, while the signature slow motion fight scenes were repeated with little variety. Only Colin Firth and Mark Strong (Merlin) save the day with some great performances, while the rest of the cast (particularly on the American side) were unlikable. Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Mark Strong Dir: Matthew Vaughn "Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated." Genre: Action

Volunteer: Paul Walker & Karen Pfeiffer

Music from a pair of talented musicians and songwriters. Karen mixes the English and German songs with nice background stories. Very pleasant.

Film Review: Goodby Christopher Robin

Pleasant film about the life of Christopher Robin ("Billy") and how his life was affected by his PTSD suffering father, A.A.Miles. The insight into both the differing attitudes to the aftermath of WW1, and how families suffered is quite insightful and in many ways is the more interesting story line. Domhnall Gleeson, Margot Robbie, Kelly Macdonald Dir: Simon Curtis "Inspired by the True Story " Genre: Drama

Volunteer: That'll Be The Day

Top notch musical impersonations of many great singing talents. A fun night that's always a sell-out.

Film Review: Flatliners

Okay film that's no better than the original i.e. not clear why they remade it. Starts very scientific/medical but then turn somewhat closer to a horror. Ellen Page, Diego Luna, Nina Dobrev Dir: Niels Arden Oplev "Dare to cross the line" Genre: Thriller, drama

Volunteer: Hope In High Water with Luke Jackson

Raw acoustic folk from Hope in High Water, with Luke Jackson also doing an intimate set.