Film Review: You Were Never Really Here

A moody film which uses lots of clever camera angles and editing to hide the violence that's happening on the screen. The image of the aftermath is far more dramatic for it. Joaquin Phoenix, Judith Roberts, Ekaterina Samsonov Dir: Lynne Ramsay Genre: Drama

Film Review: Tomb Raider

I generally enjoyed this movie more than most reviewers, but then again I enjoy simple action movies. Generic story with lots of impossible CGI. Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Walton Goggins Dir: Roar Uthaug Genre: Action

Film Review: Mom and Dad

Jet black comedy about parent going crazy and trying to kill their kids. Pretty poor and probably worth avoiding. Nicolas Cage, Selma Blair, Anne Winters Dir: Brian Taylor Genre: Comedy

Film Review: Sweet Country

Crime drama set in the Australia outback story during the 1920's. Focuses on the relationship between the powerful settlers and the Aboriginals, and provides some hard-hitting insight into how society lacked balance and fairness. Bryan Brown, Matt Day, Tremayne Doolan Dir: Warwick Thornton "Inspired by true events" Genre: Drama, Crime

Film Review: Kobiety Mafii

Translation: Women of Mafia Moderate polish film which although having some reasonable characters, chops around too much between too many separate storylines. Acting and editing isn't always up to scratch. Olga Boladz, Aleksandra Poplawska, Kasia Warnke Dir: Patryk Vega Genre: Action, Crime

Film Review: I Tonya

Story of figure skating great, Tonya Harding, who despite her skating talent was continually overlooked because of her deprived background. Solid story and great acting bring this documentary style story to life. Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney Dir: Craig Gillespie "There's no need to have class when you have talent." Genre: Biography, Comedy

Film Review: Gringo

Reasonable film which unfortunately just misses the mark. Lead actor David Oyelowo puts in a great performance and story hops along at pace however it's not quite sure what it wants to be. Comedy is frequently a bit weak while not being strong enough story to be a successful thriller. Joel Edgerton, Charlize Theron, David Oyelowo Dir: Nash Edgerton "An American Corporation, The Mexican Cartel, Chances Are This Won't End Well." Genre: Action, Comedy

Film Review: Monster Hunter 2

Chinese blend of animation and real life actors provides a cute and joyful fix. The action, typical over-the-top Chinese spinning, jumping and improvised weapons ,is frequent and exciting. Kids will love it. Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Baihe Bai, Boran Jing Dir: Raman Hui Genre: Animation

Film Review: Operation Red Sea

Chinese Marine Corp story of bravery where our heroes defy the odds to save the day. This big budget movie has obvious government backing (check out the military equipment involved!) but can push the propaganda a bit hard at times - not too dissimilar to some US films I could mention. Its let down occasionally by the acting but ultimately fine film that doesn't hide the brutality of war. . Yi Zhang, Johnny Huang, Hai-Qing Dir: Dante Lam Genre: War, Action

Film Review: Game Night

Fun comedy with a dark under-tone. Highly recommended for a chilled night out with a giggle. Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Kyle Chandler Dir: John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein "This is not a game." Genre: Comedy

Film Review: Red Sparrow

Interesting enough thriller which fails somewhat on the story. It twists and turns but it all feels a little too obvious with little surprise. The high budget and nice location shots, with a sexy and moody Jennifer Lawrence, do save it somewhat. Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton, Matthias Schoenaerts Dir: Francis Lawrence "Seductive. Deceptive. Deadly." Genre: GENRE

Film Rewiew: Finding Your Feet

Sentimental tale centered around 2 elderly sisters who re-find friendship through marriage breakdown and adversity. Classic British mixture of comedy and tears. Joanna Lumley, Timothy Spall, Imelda Staunton Dir: Richard Loncraine Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance

Film Review: Lady Bird

Coming of age story following a Sacramento teenager struggling with friends, love and money in the build up to leaving home. Great performances from all with a sharp script to back it. Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts Dir: Greta Gerwig "Time to fly" Genre: Drama, Romance

Film Review: Black Panther

Good old Marvel story that meets the normal criteria without being exceptional. I heard this morning that this movie has taken more money in its first 14 days than the total takings for 8 other Marvel movies including Iron Man 2 and Doctor Strange. Its astounding the commercial success and personally this is not a representative of the movie's quality. Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o Dir: Ryan Coogler "Long live the king." Genre: Action

Film Review: Shape of Water

Good film with some great cinematography and music. The love story is somewhat far fetched however this is quite acceptable in a fantasy premise. I would have liked to have seen more backstory on the creature since the viewer is left largely ignorant of its history and capture. Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon Dir: Guillermo del Toro "A Fairy Tale for Troubled Times" Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Film Review: Fifty Shades Freed

Better than the last installment with more interesting drama. Story is rather shallow but the story flicks around enough to keep the interest. Ultimately nothing overly special however the film delivers on what you expect e.g. bondage, alpha male behaviours and tension between Mr and Mrs Grey. Much of the feedback on IMDB is simple snobbery, and there is more credit here than portrayed by some of those reviews. Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Eric Johnson Dir: James Foley "Mrs. Grey will see you now" Genre: Drama

Film Review: The 15:17 To Paris

Drama looking at the American friends who took down a terrorist attempting to slaughter people on a French train. As the real action was over in a few minutes, Clint Eastwood has filled the hour and half with backstory on how the friends came to together, how they knew certain pieces of information e.g. medical and combat training, and why they were on the train. At times this feels overly stretched The fact that the story is told with the real people leads to some acting feeling a bit amateurish. Alek Skarlatos, Anthony Sadler, Spencer Stone Dir: Clint Eastwood "A true story. The real heroes." Genre: Action, Drama

Film Review: Phantom Thread

While this film, about a dress maker in the 1950's is beautifully made, with great acting (Daniel Day Lewis, Vicky Krieps) and cinematography, the film is just bland. Although I can see why there's a chance of an Academy Award for DDL's acting, it is somewhat absurd to consider this for 'Best Picture'. These people need to watch more movies!! Vicky Krieps, Daniel Day-Lewis, Lesley Manville Dir: Paul Thomas Anderson Genre: Drama, Romanance

Film Review: Den of Thieves

Good old cop and robbers story with a bank (check), car chase (check), a bad guy (check) and a cop who breaks the rules (check). Nothing to lift it to greatness but some of the twists and turns are nice. Personal plea to film makers, can we have a successful cop who isn't going through, or has gone through, a marriage breakdown? The plot is somewhat tired now. Gerard Butler, Pablo Schreiber, O'Shea Jackson Jr. Dir: Christian Gudegast Genre: Crime, Drama

Film Review: Downsizing

This film had so much potential however lost its focus part way through to ultimately deliver mediocre. The first third of the movie was fun and we see the logic and build up to the shrinking process, however after Matt Damon is reduced to 5" tall, the story turns into an adventure story with absolutely no relevance to his size. I would like to have seen the downsizers face new and unique challenges e.g. insect, and use their new viewpoint to solve problems in inventive ways. But no. The environmental and poverty issues addressed in the story are exactly the same as faced by full size humans. Matt Damon, Christoph Waltz, Hong Chau Dir: Alexander Payne "We are meant for something bigger." Genre: Adventure, Sci-fi

Film Review: Winchester

Ghost story with a bit of a difference i.e. not just simple haunted house. Acting and script are good, with plenty of jumpy moments. Helen Mirren, Sarah Snook, Finn Scicluna-O'Prey Dir: Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig "Terror is building" Genre: Horror

Film Review: 12 Strong

Worthy movie telling of the Horse Soldiers in Afghanistan just after the Twin Towers are destroyed. It is particularly good at showing the distrust between different warring fractions, and how nothing is black and white in a war zone. Some scenes feel a little too Hollywood at times ("yeeha!!") but there is no doubt about the braver by soldiers on all sides. Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, Michael Peña Dir: Nicolai Fuglsig "On September 11, 2001 the world watched in terror. On September 12, 2001 they volunteered to fight." Genre: Action, War.

Film Review: Early Man

The newest Nick Park stop-frame animation is fun however drops short of Wallace 'n Gromit or Chicken Run greatness. Animation is always top quality however some of the gags are weaker than we've come to expect from this studio. The lead character (Dug) is well played however I struggled to relate, while other characters such as Goona sat better with me. Tom Hiddleston, Eddie Redmayne, Maisie Williams Dir: Nick Park "Real Men Don't Settle For Bronze" Genre: Animation

Film Review: Insidious: The Last Key

Parapsychologist (Lin Shaye) goes ghost hunting in her old home and gets more than she bargained. Good tense horror which will definitely have you jumping out your seat or hiding behind closed eyes. The 2 idiot co-ghost hunters add some welcome comic relief between the tension. Lin puts in a fine performance as a very relate'able hunter, playing so naturally that she could easily be your aunt. Lin Shaye, Leigh Whannell, Angus Sampson Dir: Adam Robitel "Fear comes home." Genre: Horror

Film Review: The Post

Great film following the build up, and aftermath of the battle between the US government and the press, over the publication of a cover-up around the Vietnam war. As ever, Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks shine as the drama moves around the different arguments to publish, or not to publish, secret documents. The film not only looks at the battle-of-the-press arguments, but also the fact the The Post key decision maker is a woman who got the job through inheritance. The scripts does well to hop between these two left-wing ideals without necessarily losing sight of the other. Quite commendable although perhaps a bit forced at times. Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Sarah Paulson Dir: Steven Spielberg Genre: Drama