All Articles

McFarland, USA arrives as a biographical drama directed by Niki Caro, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Kevin Costner and Maria Bello give McFarland, USA a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in McFarland, USA comes into focus without a long explanation: Jim White moves his family after losing his last job as a football coach, and at his new school he turns seven disappointing students into one of the best c

Spotlight arrives as a crime drama directed by Tom McCarthy, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Mark Ruffalo and Michael Keaton give Spotlight a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Spotlight comes into focus without a long explanation: The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Chu

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. arrives as a comedy directed by Guy Ritchie, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer give The Man from U.N.C.L.E. a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. comes into focus without a long explanation: In the early 1960s, CIA agent Napoleon Solo and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin participate in a joint mission against a mysterious criminal o

Sicario arrives as an action film directed by Denis Villeneuve, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Emily Blunt and Josh Brolin give Sicario a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Sicario comes into focus without a long explanation: An idealistic FBI agent is enlisted by a government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs at the border area between the U.S. Across its 2h 1m running time, Denis

Jupiter Ascending arrives as an action film directed by Lana Wachowski, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis give Jupiter Ascending a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Jupiter Ascending comes into focus without a long explanation: A young woman discovers her destiny as an heiress of intergalactic nobility and must fight to protect the inhabitants of Earth from an ancient and d

Poltergeist arrives as a horror film directed by Gil Kenan, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Sam Rockwell and Rosemarie DeWitt give Poltergeist a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Poltergeist comes into focus without a long explanation: A family whose suburban home is haunted by evil forces must come together to rescue their youngest daughter after the apparitions take her captive. Across its 1h 33m ru

Insidious: Chapter 3 arrives as a horror film directed by Leigh Whannell, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Dermot Mulroney and Stefanie Scott give Insidious: Chapter 3 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Insidious: Chapter 3 comes into focus without a long explanation: A prequel set before the haunting of the Lambert family that reveals how gifted psychic Elise Rainier reluctantly agrees to use her abi

Southpaw arrives as an action film directed by Antoine Fuqua, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jake Gyllenhaal and Rachel McAdams give Southpaw a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Southpaw comes into focus without a long explanation: After a fatal incident sends him on a rampant path of destruction, a champion boxer fights to get custody of his daughter and revive his professional career. Across its 2h

Focus arrives as a comedy directed by Glenn Ficarra, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Will Smith and Margot Robbie give Focus a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Focus comes into focus without a long explanation: In the midst of veteran con man Nicky's latest scheme, a woman from his past now an accomplished femme fatale shows up and throws his plans for a loop. Across its 1h 45m running time, Glenn Fi

The Hateful Eight arrives as a thriller directed by Quentin Tarantino, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Samuel L. Jackson and Kurt Russell give The Hateful Eight a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Hateful Eight comes into focus without a long explanation: In the dead of a Wyoming winter, a bounty hunter and his prisoner find shelter in a cabin currently inhabited by a collection of nefarious chara

Fantastic Four arrives as an action film directed by Josh Trank, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Miles Teller and Kate Mara give Fantastic Four a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Fantastic Four comes into focus without a long explanation: Four young outsiders teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe which alters their physical form in shocking ways. Across its 1h 40m running time, Josh Trank k

Joy arrives as a biographical drama directed by David O. Russell, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro give Joy a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Joy comes into focus without a long explanation: Joy is the story of the title character, who rose to become founder and matriarch of a powerful family business dynasty. Across its 2h 4m running time, David O. Russell keeps