The Cynical Cinephiles

Director: Morten Tyldum Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt, Michael Sheen, Laurence Fishburne After years stuck in developmental hell, Passengers  seemed destined for greatness after the necessary components started to fall into place. Morton Tyldum, Academy Award nominated director of The Imitation Game  was brought on board to helm the space flick. Two of Hollywood's hottest talents, Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt, were cast as the leads. For this long awaited project, the stars had aligned in cosmic fashion, but does this impressive alchemy translate into an out-of-this-world cinematic experience, or does it plummet to the Earth with a thud? Aboard the Avalon, 5,000 passengers in suspended animation/hyper sleep make the journey to the planet Homestead II to create a new colony. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, passengers Jim Preston (Chris Pratt) and Aurora Lane (Jennifer Lawrence) are awoken - 90 years too soon. Resigned to the knowledge that they won't m

Director: Gareth Edwards Cast: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Forrest Whitaker, Donnie Yen, Riz Ahmed, Ben Mendelshon, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, Jiang Wen The producers of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story have described the deviations away from the episodic formula and foray into spin-offs, with Rogue One , being the first as an experiment. Testing the waters to see whether or not audiences would react positively to a narrative not revolving around the Skywalker lineage, if you will. It's safe to say that the producers of the picture have executed one of the most successful so called "experiments" in Hollywood's history and showcases that Lucas Film continues to go from strength to strength. Leading into the events that occur in Star Wars: A New Hope , Rogue One  tells the story of how the revels came into the possession of the Death Star plans. An eclectic group of freedom fighters, led by Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), band together to find Jyn's father, Galen (Mads

Director: Kelly Fremon Craig Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Woody Harrelson, Kyra Sedgwick, Haley Lu Richardson, Blake Jenner The Edge of Seventeen may sound like a corny title for a film thats genre is so often riddled with the same old tropes (y'know, the thoroughly liable but misunderstood heroine, the cohort of bullies intent on making her life hell, the impossibly dreamy guy who falls in love with our underdog heroine...), but Kelly Fremon Craig's directorial debut avoids all of the above cliches and produces one of the smartest and most thoughtful 'teen films' in years. Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) is an awkward, socially inept and quick-witted high school student whose singular and difficult attitude means she has only one friend, Krista (Haley Lu Richardson). Nadine's world plummets around her when Krista begins to date her brother Darian (Blake Jenner), with whom Nadine has always had a contentious relationship with. Nadine feels discarded. Alone. And she descen

Director: David Yates Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Colin Farrell, Ezra Miller We all thought that 2011's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2  would be our last foray into the world where flying cars and house elves exist. But J.K Rowling clearly couldn't put down the quill for long as she has expanded the wizarding world, gifting the West End with Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Parts 1 and 2) and now the prequel Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them , which finds Brit wizard Newt Scamander abroad - and Rowling proves that she definitely hasn't lost the magic. In 1926, young wizard Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) travels to New York City with a case full of an array of sensational creatures. A blunder leads to the escape of several of Newt's 'fantastic beasts' and he enlists the help of witch sisters Porpentina (Katerine Waterston) and Queenie (Alison Sudol) and No-Maj Jacob (Dan Fogler) to gather up the

Director: Tom Ford Cast: Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Isla Fisher, Armie Hammer Fashion designer turned filmmaker Tom Ford made his directorial debut back in 2009 with A Single Man . Given Ford's occupation, people were dubious, expecting the film to be a prime case of style over substance. Critics and audiences alike were pleasantly surprised and the film garnered acclaim and nominations from major awards ceremonies. Seven years after his roaringly successful foray into the world of film, Ford returns with the self-penned stylish thriller  Nocturnal Animals . Will this second directorial outing establish Ford as one of Hollywood's most exciting directors, or was A Single Man  a case of beginner's luck? Successful but troubled art-gallery owner Susan (Amy Adams) feels disenchanted with her life and is marred by her second husband's constant travelling for business. One day she receives a manuscript from her first husband Edwa

Director: Denis Villeneuve Cast: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forrest Whitaker Hollywood has never shied away from sci-fi, but the focus often lies with the alien race taking over Earth and ensuing a panic amongst the mass population, with weaponised heavies taking the burden to rid the unwelcome visitors from our planet. However, Arrival subverts this well rehearsed trope of the genre and shows the extra-terrestrial's, well, arrival, and poses the questions: what is their purpose? Arrival tells the story of Dr. Louise Banks (Amy Adams), a linguist professor who is recruited by the government to decode alien language after Heptapods (aliens, basically) settle on Earth without explanation. Banks is partnered with physicist Dr. Ian Donnelly and the pair must combine their two different insights and approaches to conclude why the aliens have come to Earth. To simply preface: Arrival is the best film of the year so far. Film in 2016 has been a year riddled with blockbusters that pr

Director: Derek Cianfrance Cast: Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Rachel Weisz Adapted form the M. L. Stedman novel of the same name, The Light Between Oceans  has promised audiences a period piece tale of weepy and emotionally melodramatic proportions. Starring two of the finest actors working today and directed by Derek Cianfrance, a director known for his evocative style, the flick, by all accounts, is in safe and nurturing hands. After a traumatic four years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne (Michael Fassbender) retreats to a quiet life as a lighthouse keeper on the isolated Janus Rock. Whilst on a visit to the mainland, he begins a courtship with Isabel Graysmark (Alicia Vikander), and they soon marry and begin an idyllic life together on Janus. Their desires to start a family are dashed when Isabel tragically suffers several miscarriages; but one day, a boat inexplicably washes ashore, harbouring a dead man and a newborn baby girl. Isabel convinces a reluctant Tom to

Director: Gavin O Connor Cast: Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, J.K Simmons, Jon Bernthal, Jeffrey Tembor, John Lithgow. If Ben Affleck's new flick The Accountant  teaches us anything, it's not to judge a film by its title. Yes, The Accountant isn't about an office-based 9 to 5 number cruncher, but about an autistic assassin with a flair for arithmetic. An interesting premise - but is that made evident in the film itself? Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) is an autistic small-town accountant, with a seemingly mundane and quiet existence. However, this projection is a mere guise as Wolff makes his living as an accountant for hardened criminal organisations. After learning that his cover is in danger of being blown, he assumes a legitimate case at a state-of-the-art robotics company, but finds the case riddled with inconspicuous matters, and life or death action ensues. As the stakes in the financial realm rise, so does the body count as Affleck's Christian Wolff certainly

Director: Scott Derrickson Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tilda Swinton, Mads Mikkelsen, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong Doctor Strange, you say. Who on Earth is Doctor Strange? This character certainly doesn't have the notoriety or popularity in the zeitgeist that superheroes such as Batman or Superman do. But Marvel Disney have always displayed a talent for bringing largely unknown characters from comics to the forefront of popular culture; before 2008's smash hit Iron Man , Tony Stark or his alter ego was an unknown property. Now? He's the MCU's biggest attraction. Will Doctor Strange  be catapulted into the mainstream in such a fashion, or make a blunder at the starting line? Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), a New York neurosurgeon, is a highlight intelligent but egotistical work-obsessed individual. When a catacalysmic car crash leave Strange's hands damaged beyond medical repair, Strange seeks a remedy in Kathmandu and discovers

Director: Tate Taylor Cast: Emily Blunt, Haley Bennett, Rebecca Ferguson, Justin Theroux, Luke Evans, Edgar Ramirez, Alison Janney. When it was announced that The Girl on the Train, the novel that rocked the world, was going to be made into a future film, enthusiastic fans jumped aboard the mystery-thriller express. News of acclaimed actress Emily Blunt portraying Rachel, the book's questionable but fascinating protagonist? Well consider me a part of the procession! However, the revelation that the film's setting would be moved from London to New York meant disgruntled passengers exited the hype train at the next station. With an already tumultuous relationship with audiences, does  The Girl on the Train  prove itself to be worth the price of the ticket? And more importantly - how long will this train metaphor last? Alcoholic divorcee Rachel (Emily Blunt) rides the train into Manhattan everyday, staring out of the window and fantasising about the life of a couple whose h

Director : John Dower Cast : Louis Theroux Criticising Louis Theroux is not something that comes naturally or feels welcome to the humble reviewer. With his quintessentially British, quietly polite inquiries, he tends to ask the questions at the forefront of the viewer’s mind. Oftentimes unsettling his subjects with his interrogation of the most well-mannered kind, his programmes are frequently amusing and profound, but always engaging. Thus it is painful to express the ubiquitous disappointment that was present in the cinema at the special screening of My Scientology Movie . In the Question and Answer session following this showing of the film, Theroux was asked what it was that he could bring to the topic to give a fresh approach or shed new light. Notoriously difficult to infiltrate, the ‘religion’ of Scientology has been explored numerous times before. There was a definite lack of coverage of new ground. From various previous exposés of the enigmatic so-called ‘cult’, su

Director: Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan Starring: Paul Dano, Daniel Radcliffe, Mary Elizabeth Winstead During a recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show , Daniel Radcliffe described Swiss Army Man as an amalgamation between the Farrelly brothers and Terrence Malick - two filmmakers whose works barely exist in the same realm. Naturally, this consensus of the film piqued my interest; just how wacky is Swiss Army Man ?   Wonderfully so. Stranded on a desert island with the possibility of rescue diminishing, Hank (Paul Dano) is moments away from committing suicide when a body washes upon the shore. Calling him Manny (Daniel Radcliffe) and discovering that he harnesses astonishing powers, Hank uses his abilities to survive in the wilderness and the two form an inseparable bond that defies all comprehension. Swiss Army Man, without a doubt, is one of the most singularly unique cinema-going experiences that you are likely to ever have. Consider this an astonishing feat as the cin

Director: Colm McCarthy Cast: Gemma Arterton, Glenn Close, Paddy Considine, Sennia Nanua  The Girl with All the Gifts is a penetrating dystopian drama whose plot maintains optimum tension throughout yet unravels seductively, little by little. After a pandemic of cataclysmic proportions, humankind is spilt into two; the ‘hungries’ and the ‘friendlies’ – you can do the maths regarding which are blood-thirsty zombies and which are not. However, a beacon of hope arises in the form of a group of children of the ‘hungry’ persuasion, but with the bonuses of emotion and speech. One particular hybrid child outshines the rest on account of her pragmatic sensibilities and ostensible willingness to suppress her undead urges. A capital example of the storytelling mantra ‘show, don’t tell’, this film gives wads of narrative explanation gradually, and satisfyingly, giving just enough information to tease the audience. We’re introduced to Melanie, the titular gift-possessing girl, who is

Director: Woody Allen. Cast:  Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Steve Carell, Blake Lively, Parker Posey, Corey Stoll. During the latter period of Woody Allen's career, it's fair to assess that the quality of his work has received its share of criticism as well as praise. However, no one can refute his work ethic as Allen continues his pattern of annual film releases, gracing 2016 with his 47th (!) picture Cafe Society . Is Cafe Society one of his more warmly received outings in recent years, or will it become a forgettable entry in his expansive filmography? Well, the verdict lies somewhere in between. In the 1930's, Bobby Dorfman (Jesse Eisenberg) departs his family home in New York where he's reluctant to join his gangster brother (Corey Stoll) in his nightclub ventures and heads to Hollywood. After securing a job with his Uncle Phil (Steve Carell), Bobby falls for his Uncle's assistant Vonnie (Kristen Stewart) - but she's seeing someone else. Cafe Soc

Director: Morten Tyldum Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt, Michael Sheen, Laurence Fishburn Space. Jennifer Lawrence. Chris Pratt. Those utterances alone are enough to get any film fan excited for a movie release.Yes, Passengers  stars two of Hollywood's most popular leading actors; one an Academy Award darling and the other a recent titan in the realm of franchises with roles in both Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World. Whilst the pairing of these powerhouses has attracted enthusiastic attention, Lawrence's and Pratt's pay packages for the picture that has been widely covered in the media has somewhat overshadowed the integrity of the film. Nevertheless, this could not diminish the hype and titillation surrounding the project, and with the Christmas release steadily edging closer, fans were anxious (myself included) for the trailer to drop. Now that it finally has, was it worth the wait? The trailer's first forty seconds establish a futuristic setting

Director: David Mackenzie Cast : Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Jeff Bridges, Gil Birmingham Hell or High Water is an exemplary model of arresting cinematography working concurrently with expert story-telling and character development. Also enlivened by charismatic performances and pithy dialogue, it is a unique and chucklesome heist-cum-western-movie that provides a hog-killin’ time from start to finish. Toby (Pine) and Tanner (Foster) Howard are two disparate brothers whose mother has recently died. Atwixt them, they execute a series of bank robberies – masterminded by Toby - in order to pay off the debt on their mother’s ranch to prevent foreclosure.  Meanwhile, Marcus Hamilton (Bridges) is the Texas Ranger a hair’s breadth away from retirement, but opts to carry out the ‘one last job’; investigating these thefts (but, have no fear, this does not play out formulaically as one can easily imagine). With trusty partner Alberto Parker (Birmingham), he sets out on a cat and mouse c

Director: Sharon Maguire Cast: Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth, Patrick Dempsey. It's been twelve years since we last saw Bridget Jones grace our screens, and quite frankly, I've missed watching her endure the trials and tribulations of a single thirty-something with a penchant for awkward escapades. Understandably, I was apprehensive about the return of everyone's favourite granny-pant wearing, every-day heroine. Does Bridget Jones's Baby  confirm my deepest fears? Or does it exceed my wildest expectations? The eponymous Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger), now in her early forties, finds herself single once again after splitting from Mr Darcy (Colin Firth), but she has risen up the ranks in the workplace. Having had fleeting dalliances with Mark Darcy himself and hunky American business tycoon Jack Quant (Patrick Dempsey), Bridget finds herself up the duff - and well and truly confused as to who the father is. As the two potential suitors fight for her affection, Bridge

Director: Conrad Vernon, Greg Tiernan Cast:  Seth Rogen, Kristen Wiig, Edward Norton, David Krumholtz, Nick Kroll, Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, Salma Hayek, James Franco, Paul Rudd, Bill Hader Welcome to Shopwell’s; a conglomerate supermarket in which all products are sentient -unbeknownst to humans. The food items are devout to the ‘Gods’ whom give liberation by purchasing and trollying them off through the pearly gates that are the shop doors. Frank (Rogen) is the valiant sausage who starts to doubt the traditional beliefs, and along with girlfriend Brenda the Bun (Wiig), Sammy the Bagel (Norton) and Kareem the Lavash (Krumholtz), he is intent on unearthing the facts regarding the world outside their polythene packaging, all the while being stalked by a revenge-thirsty douche (Kroll).   Proposing the headscratcher ‘What would it be like if our food had feelings?’, Sausage Party is a sendup of animation giants’ tendencies to ask the same of inanimate objects like toys or cars

Director: David Lowery Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard, Oakes Fegley, Wes Bentley, Karl Urban, Oona Laurence, Robert Redford. Disney is certainly not gun shy when it comes to adapting their animated classics into live-action adventures, churning out several over the last couple of years, including Cinderella and the recently critically acclaimed The Jungle Book . Showing no signs of bucking the trend, the powerhouse studio delivers Pete's Dragon  - but can it match the success of its predecessors? In the Pacific Northwest, rumours have swirled for years that a dragon lives deep within the forest - mainly perpetuated by woodcarver Mr Meacham (Robert Redford). His daughter Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard) believes the stories to be folklore until she discovers a young boy called Pete (Oakes Fegley) living in the forest, claiming his friend Elliot, a dragon, has been his companion all these years. As Elliot's once fable-like existence becomes public knowledge, he becomes the victim of

Director: Jaume Collet-Serra Cast: Blake Lively Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water after the unnerving ocean tales such as Jaws , Open Water and Adrift, The Shallows will leave you skittish to let alone dip your toes in the water in fear of a toothy surprise. Medical student Nancy (Blake Lively) travels to a paradisiacal island in order to establish a reconnection with her deceased mother. Whilst the sand is lush and the ocean glimmering, something sinister lurks beneath and throws Nancy's idyllic getaway into a fight for survival. After being forced to take refuge on a rock to escape a bloodthirsty shark, Nancy must use all of her surrounding resources and her wits and strength to outsmart the finned foe. Director Jaume Collet-Serra (responsible for flicks such as Non-Stop ) continues to demonstrate his impressive prowess at directing actions and working wonders with a singular location, highlighting its vast, breathtaking beauty and the indifferent a