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

Film Review: Maze Runner: Death Cure

A reasonable action film that fails to live up to the original 'escape the maze' premise. WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD Action is fine, acting is fine however when the group loses a main character then the film drags to snail's pace. Sentimental nonsense which overplays its hand. There's lots of illogical story lines e.g. what reason have the 'goodies' got to blow up the city, or why would a hero go into hiding if he has the cure in his blood? All a bit stupid really. Dylan O'Brien, Ki Hong Lee, Kaya Scodelario Dir: Wes Ball "Every Maze Has An End" Genre: Action

Film Review: Padmaavat

This controversial movie is a visual treat with many dramatic scenes. As a Westerner I can't fairly comment on the religious sensitivities however the film is a well made and has often a thrilling story. It fails a few times due to cheesey scripts and film-making however overall it a nice package. Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor Dir: Sanjay Leela Bhansali Genre: Action, Romance

Film Review: Attraction

I enjoyed this alien invader film more than most Russian films I've seen. The action was good and special effects, although not Hollywood, were quite respectable. Acting is a little wooden in parts but this is consistent with other Russian action films so perhaps this is part of their film-making style(?) Irina Starshenbaum, Alexander Petrov, Rinal Mukhametov Dir: Fedor Bondarchuk "The Earth is for Humans" Genre: Sci-fi

Film Review: The Commuter

Reasonable action thriller along the lines we are used to with Liam Neeson. As with the title, some of the story is a little mundane and the back-stories of others on the train are often too fleeting to provide any depth or emotional attachment. Action scenes are good even if you have seen similar in other films. Liam Neeson, Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson Dir: Jaume Collet-Serra "Lives Are On The Line" Genre: Action, Drama

Film Review: Darkest Hour

Gary Oldman is definitely the star in yet another film about a grumpy Winston Churchill. The story is now getting a bit tired so this portrayal needed to find something new and/or different. However it doesn't really achieve this. The story also sometimes deviates too far from the real events e.g. scene on tube, that its hard to know how much of the story to believe. Overall its not a bad film but its not clear why it was made. Gary Oldman, Lily James, Kristin Scott Thomas Dir: Joe Wright "Never give up. Never give in." Genre: Drama

Film Review: Three Billboards Outside Edding, Missouri

Great film about a mother's unconventional attempts to get her daughter's murder investigated. Frances McDormand and Woody Harrelson are excellent adversaries with mutual respect. Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell Dir: Martin McDonagh Genre: Drama

Film Review: Youth

The Chinese story follows a group of artistic performers in the Chinese army, their relationships with each other, and the different paths their life follows after their performing time is over. With a fast script, and equally fast sub-titles, following the multiple storylines was quite challenging. The fact that the actresses wore identical army uniforms, had similar military grade hairdos, and I was reading sub-titles opposed to looking at faces, meant some scene switches had me totally lost. All the same, the story was interesting and the cast put in a good performance. Xuan Huang, Miao Miao, Caiyu Yang Dir: Xiaogang Feng Genre: Drama, War

Film Review: All The Money In The World

Great performances from everyone in this Paul Getty kidnapping story. A bit of blue screen failure in the desert but otherwise they appear to have replaced Kevin Spacey quite well. Other critics have complained about the lack of story/action in an overly long film, however I didn't find that and was interested throughout. Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer, Mark Wahlberg Dir: Ridley Scott "J. Paul Getty had a fortune. Everyone else paid the price." Genre: Drama

Film Review: CoCo

Fun Pixar animation which has a surprisingly deep story tackling death. Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt Dir: Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina "The celebration of a lifetime" Genre: Animation

Film Review: Hostiles

Wild West story during the time when westerners were pushing into Red Indian territory. Everyone basically is at risk of being killed by everyone. Indians ambush white, white ambush Indians, Indians ambush other Indians and finally white ambush white./p> Amongst this chaos unexpected allies are formed and the film focuses on these relationships. There's still time in the film to fit in some action scenes but there's no place for heroes and it all feels close to reality. Scott Shepherd, Rosamund Pike, Ava Cooper Dir: Scott Cooper "We are all hostiles." Genre: Western, Drama

Volunteer: Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood

Final panto for the year and I can honestly say I'll miss it. During the show's run there's a camaraderie that forms around the actors, staff and volunteers. Most shows are fleeting but with the panto you know the script as well as any actor, and just as you bond with it, its time to finish. I can't wait for next years.

Film Review: Molly's Game

Fast moving retelling of the story of an illegal poker game, run by Molly, for high-rollers. Lots of twists and turns which keep you interested. Both Molly (Jessica Chastain) and her lawyer (Idris Elba) shine. Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner Dir: Aaron Sorkin "Deal with her." Genre: Drama

Volunteer: Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood

Adult version of the show with the dame firing some adult jokes into the normal script.

Film Review: The Greatest Showman

Excellent musical with plenty of great performances from the cast. While the music and singing always holds its own, its the choreography that won the film for me. Dance routines are full of action and continually spice things up with the unusual. The dance on the trapeze is particularly noteworthy. Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron Dir: Michael Gracey Genre: Musical

Volunteer: Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood

Show number 4. In full flow now.