Director: Colin Trevorrow
Starring: BD Wong, Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Pratt, Irrfan Khan, Judy Greer, Omar Sy, Ty Simpkins, Vincent D’Onofrio
Reviewed by Matt Adcock

“You just went and made a new dinosaur? Probably not a good idea…”

Can it really be twenty-two years since the events of Jurassic Park, which saw Isla Nublar become an all-you-can-eat human buffet for genetically reborn dinosaurs? It is and yet it seems that we really haven’t learnt any lessons as the infamous park has been reopened as a fully functioning dinosaur stocked ‘Jurassic World’.
Thousands of people now flock to marvel at the dino-attractions but in order to add an additional ‘wow factor’ the scientists have created a new, cooler, bigger monster – the Indominus Rex. Before you can say ‘are you sure you want to make a creature that is smarter, stronger and more vicious than any other on the planet?’ it’s already escaped and is putting it’s various animal DNA boosts to work by killing everything that it meets.
The main human potential on the menu are likeable young brothers, Zach (Nick Robinson) and Gray (Ty Simpkins), who have been sent off on their own to enjoy the Jurassic World – because their aunt Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard), is the park operations manager.
When things go ‘ape’ (or should I say ‘dino’?) in the park, it’s fortunate for everyone that Indiana Jones-alike Grady (Chris Pratt), is on hand to try and save the day. That’s all you need to know really, oh that and the fact that the action scenes are bigger, the dinosaurs look and move better than ever and there are some superb Easter Eggs for those who have watched the original Jurassic Park.
Jurassic World is a great fun thrill ride that brings sustained threat and some quite nasty deaths along with scares, which might be a bit too much for younger viewers. The effects are jaw droppingly impressive, and the new big bad guy Indominus Rex is an iconic creature (a huge improvement on Jurassic Park III’s Spinosaurus ).
There are some really nice nods to other classic monster franchises such as Predator, Aliens, Godzilla etc. Chris Pratt is excellent and his sizzling charisma helps propel the action along much like he did with Guardians of the Galaxy. Bryce Dallas Howard is also decent as the female lead – who manages to be more than just a love interest and the kids are nice enough for you to actually not want them to get eaten for once.
Monster sized fun-packed cinematic thrills don’t come much better!
Thinking material:
Behind the amazing visuals and the popcorn spilling thrills there are some interesting ideas going on that include the time honoured dastardly human trait of wanting to exploit and make money from each other, whatever the consequences. Putting profits ahead of safety or the value of human life – it is tragic that these boo-hiss baddie actions in films like Jurassic World are being carried out daily around the world. OK we aren’t screwing each other over regarding the weaponisation of the recreated dinosaurs (yet), but just look at the human trafficking crisis which is only getting worse or the bank rates that lead to the debt trap that engulfs so many. It’s worth taking a few minutes to ponder who the real ‘monsters’ are after the CGI beasties have done their worst.
CVM Rating: ****1/2   4.5 out of 5 stars
Related Films: Jurassic Park, Godzilla, King Kong, Aliens

Director: Joss Whedon
Cast Starring: Robert Downey, Jr , Mark Ruffalo, Paul Bettany, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Samuel L Jackson, Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen and more

“I know you’re good people. I know you mean well. But you just didn’t think it through. There is only one path to peace… your extermination.”

Full disclosure: I’ve wanted to be Iron Man ever since Robert Downey, Jr reinvented the role and stole the mantel of being the coolest super hero on the block. Alas not being a genius billionaire, I’ll just have to enjoy his big screen adventures – and boy, what adventures they are!?
Age of Ultron: Get ready, the Avengers are back – just in time to try and save us from an extinction level event in the shape of Ultron, part computer virus, part terminator-alike exo-skeleton, all bad guy…
If you’re looking for incredible superhero action, you’ve certainly come to the right place. It’s pure comic book joy to witness the world’s mightiest heroes: Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and leader Captain America (Chris Evans) jump straight into it with no need for any origin tales or even scene setting.
First up is an all out attack on the dastardly HYDRA base that sharp eyed viewers glimpsed in the end credits of the Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The evil Baron Wolfgang von Strucker (Thomas Kretschmann) you see has been experimenting with Thor’s brother Loki’s Sceptre – and has created two new super beings or ‘enhanced humans.’ Scarlett Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) can mind control, use telekinesis and can conjure red energy from her hands and her brother Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) who has super speed (yes the same character from X-Men universe).
Director Whedon who returns from the first Avengers film is right at home as the threat of Ultron comes into play – it’s impressive how the sharp dialogue really brings the CGI robot to life (voiced by James Spader).
Everything crackles along with adrenalin fuelled energy – stand out scenes of which there are many include a jaw dropping fight between a possessed Hulk and Iron Man in his ‘Hulk-buster’ armour, a fun ‘who can pick up Thor’s hammer’ banter scene and the climactic fight that ups the ante even from the first film with all the heroes getting plenty of enemies to fight.
There is just so much on offer here – alongside the crunching action are some more emotional elements such as a touching romance between Hulk and Black Widow and Hawkeye’s family dynamic.
Iron Man still steals the show with his wise cracks and Hulk is incredible to behold in full battle fury. The newcomers to the party are all welcome additions especially the powerful ‘Vision’ (Paul Bettany) who is superb.
Avengers: Age of Ultron is a master class in cinematic enjoyment – essential viewing!!
Thinking material:
There is a ton of testosterone flying around in Avengers: Age of Ultron and it is easy to get caught up in the macho posturing but what is great about this sequel is that it looks deeper in the lives of some of the heroes. The dynamic tension of Hawkeye being a family man whose wife and kids worry about him when he’s out saving the world alongside his super buddies is really touching and warrants some thinking about how right is it to risk ourselves for the greater good when we have dependents.
The ‘mind tampering’ elements of Scarlett Witch’s inclusion is interesting as it takes the film beyond the toughest guy wins scenario and shows that subversion can be a massively effective weapon. If you’re in a team and your team mates start acting against you, what hope is there of achieving anything meaningful?
When the super action wraps it’s worth thinking around the issues presented – even comic books can provide a wealth of real world relatable content. Now, where did I leave my Hulk-buster suit?
CVM Rating: ***** 5 out of 5 stars
Related Films: Avengers Assemble, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Thor: The Dark World, Iron Man 1-3

Director: Matthew Vaughn
Cast Starring: Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Caine, Mark Strong, Taron Egerton, Sofia Boutella

“Manners. Maketh. Man… Do you know what that means? Then let me teach you a lesson…”

Full disclosure – I’ve been a huge fan of Mark Millar’s ‘The Secret Service’ since it came out in the classic CLiNT magazine back in 2012 as a comic series. Millar’s comic puts the ‘graphic’ into the title ‘graphic novel’ and Kingsman does have some troubling moral viewpoints that reactionaries like The Guardian’s Jason Ward have picked up on. So it was with nervous anticipation that I went to witness Matthew ‘Kick Ass’ Vaughn’s big screen take on this tale of world saving superspies who are at heart as old school as they come…
Kingsman: The Secret Service is however a total endorphin rush, cheeky, classy & action packed, both a reverent homage to and a street-smart update of the ‘old-school’ James Bond movies. Co-writers Jane Goldman and Vaughn are on top form adapting Millar’s hyper-violent, rousing story of young Gary Unwin (Taron Egerton) – known as ‘Eggsy’ to his pals – who transforms from teenage council estate petty crim to smooth Kingsman agent with the help of the erstwhile Harry Hart (Colin Firth).
The Kingsmen you see are an elite group of agents who operate at the highest levels but with complete discretion. Headed by Arthur (Michael Caine) and taking their names from the Arthurian Legend, including Merlin (Mark Strong) and Lancelot (Jack Davenport), they are the new ‘knights.’ Stylish tailored suits are their armour, guns, gadgets and technology their weapons.
Whilst young tearaway Eggsy is undergoing ‘the most dangerous job interview ever’ – up against rival candidates like the gorgeous Roxy (Sophie Cookson) and others who all herald from privilege backgrounds – a dastardly global threat comes to light in the shape of Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson).
Can the Kingsmen rise to this challenge that threatens all mankind? Will Eggsy make it to become an agent? It’s delirious fun finding out… Millar’s story is gripping and amusingly self-aware, Jackson’s baddie gets many of the best lines – delivered with an outrageous lisp. In fact all the cast go about the action like their lives depend on it and the manic energy translates to a rip-roaring blast of decidedly non-PC fun.
Valentines’ sidekick bodyguard Gazelle (Sofia Boutella), whose character was originally a guy in the comic, is superb too – adding to the ‘Bond’ feel by slicing enemies to pieces with the blades she has for legs. But Kingsman is made most by the standout performance of Firth who takes to dealing out violent action as if he’s been doing it all his life. It’s hard to explain just how great it is to see him beating thugs, mowing down enemies and generally out ‘Bonding’ 007 himself – all the while personifying the perfect gentleman spy.
One scene may rankle in particular with extreme fundamentalist ‘Christians’ as they are portrayed as a hate group and dispatched en-mass in a delirium of violence that must push the boundaries of what a ‘15’ rated film can pass. So prepare yourself for lively debate as to the thinking behind this!? Indeed director Matthew Vaughn said “We’ve got an action sequence in a church which is going to cause a huge reaction. I’ll probably end up with a Christian fatwa on me!?”
So those who like their spy thrills sedate and high brow, or who are adverse to sweary dialogue might not go for Kingsman as much but for anyone who’s ever enjoyed an action film, you should make seeing Kingsman: The Secret Service an absolute must – as this just might be film of the year!
Thinking material:
There is much to admire here in the midst of the violence and crazily overly the top moral vacuum – at the core is a warm beating heart of gentlemanly valour and noble ambition to save mankind. You won’t find much by way of Christ like analogy or positive spiritual enlightenment but there is a fantastic tale of how a young man on the wrong path can fulfill a destiny greater than that his situation in life has set him upon.
If you’ve ever watched a James Bond film and felt roused to make a stand for good, to face down deranged megalomaniacs and fight what’s right – be it through violence or sheer daring courage… I’d say that this is a primal inspiration that harks from an intimate connection to the larger purpose that can be traced through historical Christian thinking about valour. It was Thomas Aquinas the philosopher theologian who argued that courage / valour is a virtue that could only be exemplified with the presence of the Christian additional virtues of faith hope and love. True courage in Christianity has to be tempered through love and charity – only then can we call the natural virtue of ‘courage’ a Christian virtue.
So Kingsman might be an adrenalin thrill ride / a testosterone drench alternate ‘My Fair Lady’ rather than anything more – but there are always wider perspectives to think about if you have the time and inclination. And at the very least I have a feeling you’ll want to go and upgrade your suit after seeing these gentlemen spies in action.
CVM Rating: **** 4 out of 5 stars (5/5 if you aren’t easily offended)
Related Films: Kick Ass, earlier James Bond films – especially ‘Moonraker’, Mission Impossible

Director: Clint Eastwood
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner, Ben Reed, Elise Robertson, Keir O’Donnell, Marnette Patterson, Jake McDorman
“There are 3 types of people in this world. Sheep, wolf and sheepdogs.
If hatred appeared at the door of a sheep they would not know how to protect themselves.
The predators use violence to prey on the weak. They are wolves.
Then there are those blessed with talent and aggression to protect the flock.
They are a rare breed, they are sheepdogs…
We do not raise sheep in this family.”
Hoorah for American Sniper – a powerful autobiographical big screen account of Chris Kyle who became a legend during his four Navy SEAL tours in Iraq where he was credited with over 160 kills. Director Eastwood certainly knows a thing or two about depicting (and playing) alpha males and here he gives admirable time not just to the intense battle situations but also to the formative experiences and the costs on Kyle and his family in the aftermath.
From the very first moment American Sniper grips and induces a state of shock and awe as the bullets fly but more than that, it skillfully makes you care about the lives of those whose experiences we are sharing. By ‘humanizing’ the soldiers on the front line and showing their lives outside of the war where they have families and day-to-day issues to deal with, the filmmakers manage to really put the viewers into the patriotic sandy boots of the US soldiers.
This is impressive cinematic warfare writ large, the plot looks beyond the politics, much like last year’s frenetic Lone Survivor mixed with The Hurt Locker. Sure the lives and experiences of men of war has been done many times but American Sniper is a class act, thanks in no small part to the incredible performance of Bradley Cooper in the lead role. Nominated for ‘Best Film’ and Cooper for ‘Best Actor’ at this year’s Oscars – this is a film that demands to be seen – whatever your thoughts and feelings about the Iraq war.
The climax sees Kyle going head to head with a fearful Syrian enemy sniper who is a worthy nemesis as he crosses paths with the US sniper at several points and leaves dead marines in his wake – the showdown is almost unbearably tense.
American Sniper was made in consultation with Kyle’s wife and she is portrayed with real heart by Sienna Miller who is a beating heart behind the unstoppable killing machine of her husband.
If you see one war film this year, American Sniper should be your choice, this is a vivid, hard hitting cinematic experience that deserves a wide audience.
Thinking material:
What kind of man are you? Are you a sheep, meek and trusting and wholly at the mercy of those who might resort to violence or menace? Or perhaps in your heart you know that you side more with the wolves, bullying, controlling or threatening your way through life – even if not resorting to actual physical violence. But maybe you are kindred with the sheepdogs – a man who will stand up for or fight to protect those who cannot for themselves.
Most of us are probably a little of each in different situations but it is worth thinking about and looking at your heart. Being willing and able to stand for what is ‘right’ can be hard, especially when there is potential person cost but at the centre of the Christian faith – this is a principal that those who confess to have a faith should strive to live for.
American Sniper has a tragic side, there are no guarantees that things will turn out OK however much we align ourselves with what we believe is ‘right’. I recommend seeing this film with some friends as it is worth discussing, Chris Kyle will be remembered as a legend by the men of the US Armed Forces but Iraqi insurgents dubbed him the “Devil of Ramadi” and put a massive bounty on his head. Every action and ideal lived for can have huge repercussions on those who do not agree, conflict is a part of life – and we potentially need the ‘sheepdogs’ to stand against injustice and oppression more then ever. Will you step up to the challenge?
CVM Rating: **** 4 out of 5 stars
Related Films: The Hurt Locker, Fury, Lone Survivor, Saving Private Ryan
Check out our Movie study resource: ‘Cinemania’ here… 

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Cast: Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts
“Popularity is the slutty little cousin of prestige.”
Back in the ‘90s, the superhero of the hour was Birdman. Birdman was a massive box off smash, the franchise ran for 3 films and made Riggan Thompson (Michael Keaton) a major star. But now his hero days are over and Thompson is a has-been desperate to recapture some credibility by putting on a Broadway play called “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love.”
But Birdman has never really left Thompson and he still ‘speaks’ to him from his subconscious via hallucinations – kinda like a superhero Gollum who taunts him to return to his blockbuster film series and forget his Broadway dreams. Oh, and he’s also given to thinking he can fly and move objects with his mind… maybe it’s the stress of having a high maintenance leading man for his play in Mike (Edward Norton), an on/off flirtation with his ex-wife Sylvia (Amy Ryan), a maybe pregnant girlfriend Laura (Andrea Riseborough) and a daughter with a drug problem Sam (Emma Stone).
Throw into the mix an influential arts critic Tabitha Dickinson (Lindsay Duncan), who tells Thompson that she ‘hates Hollywood celebrities who pretend to be actors’, and promises she will “kill” his play with a negative review and stand back as the fireworks kick off. The resulting meltdown is a visceral, vital viewing experience – you literally can’t look away as the tension cranks up in the run up to opening night.
Keaton is on top form and must surely be in with an Oscar shout in the lead role, but all the cast go for it with manic energy and the result is a film that grips you, traumatizes you in the best possible way and then leaves you wondering ‘what just happened’.
My wife really enjoyed the film too, especially the incredible tracking cinematography that often makes it feel like a claustrophobic single shot narrative throughout.
The underlying ‘art’ versus ‘entertainment’ struggle is deftly handled (the delicious irony of a movie about a play, championing the virtue of art by leaving the world of cinema behind is exquisite).
Birdman tells Thompson at one point “People, they love blood. They love action. Not talky, depressing, philosophical stuff” and causes the world of the Birdman movies to crash into ‘real’ life with helicopter gunships, alien robots and buff commandos bursting into existence. This brief action packed special effects scene is awesome in itself but it also – much like The Player did with it’s Bruce Willis fake ending shows that there are a great number of people who are only looking for a cheap thrill rather than meaning.
This is a film for art lovers and films fans alike – a must see!
Thinking material:
Birdman is a film that presents a lot of material that will resonate with men of various ages – the inner drive and ego that guys’ draw their sense of worth from is one of the strongest. Do we have an inner voice (as personified in the film by the Birdman superhero) that taunts us, makes us feel that we’re not accomplishing all we should or challenges us to give up our dreams and settle for what we know?
Being a man in the current age is tough, no doubt about it, but it would be easier to move forward with confidence if we had a ‘positive’ internal reference point to call o, rather than being held hostage to voices from our past – and I’d argue that is exactly what God wants to give us in the form of the Holy Spirit!? (part of God you can have with you all the time – kind of like how a Jedi would refer to The Force)…
How do you measure your actions? What sources of inspiration and invigoration do you draw upon? Don’t rely on the ‘unexpected virtue of ignorance’ – engaging with the here and now is essential and Birdman is one of the best ‘thinking’ movies to hit the screen in a long time.
CVM Rating: ***** 5 out of 5 stars
Related Films: Fight Club, The Player, 21 Grams, Nightcrawler

Exodus: Gods and Kings (12a)
Dir. Ridley Scott
Cast: Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, John Turturro, Aaron Paul, Ben Mendelsohn, Maria Valverde, Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley, Isaac Andrews
By Matt Adcock

“The Hebrews have been slaves to Egypt for over 400 years. They have not forgotten their homeland or their God…
…and He has not forgotten them.”

First things first. Biblical epics these days just don’t come any bigger or more epic than Ridley Scott’s full-blooded Exodus-em-up. Bringing the well-worn Old Testament Sunday school favourite of Moses and Pharaoh, the 10 plagues, the infamous crossing of the Red Sea and the creation of the Ten Commandments to the big screen in lavish style and with eye-popping special effects.
Prepared to be challenged, disturbed even, as Moses (Christian Bale) wrestles with the mind of God, shoulders the fate of an entire nation and struggles with the rivalry of his powerful stepbrother Ramses (Joel Edgerton).
Director Scott is no newcomer to the historical epic with Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven on his C.V. but with Exodus he gets to go ‘full bible’ for the first time, but this is a heart-pounding massive scale retelling.
So saddle up for violent, intense desert army battles that will make your jaw drop as chariots crash, limbs are severed and lives lost, then feel the grim oppressive slavery of the Hebrews in their bondage to Egypt. This high drama and spectacle is set against the very personal brotherly tale as Moses and Ramses clash.
God is controversially depicted as a young boy referred to as ‘Malak’ (played by 11 year old Isaac Andrews), who only begins to appear to Moses after he suffers a nasty blow to the head – so his state of mind is called into question, much like Noah in Darren Aronofsky’s movie. Sure there is a burning bush on the side too – which might appease some biblical purists but it does seem that Ridley Scott wants to keep a handy ‘it was all in his head’ get out clause in case anyone claim that he’s actually found God for himself.
Malak acts in a petulant and unpredictable manner – which is in keeping with some people’s take on the Lord of the Old Testament’s jealous, vengeful nature. But He is the God who works through miraculous plagues to deliver His people – who are led by a council of elders that includes Nun (Ben Kingsley).
Bale often employs his Batman persona to bring out Moses’ inner freedom fighter – the obligatory training montage of his guerrilla army feels old school, but does help prevent the film lagging too much and the plot cracks along from one stunning set piece to the next.
Moses finds his love interest in shepherdess wife Zipporah (Maria Valverde) who is instrumental in helping him find the God of the Hebrews. Other characters on hand (but under used) include Aaron (Andrew Barclay Tarbet), who is mostly just there to back up whatever Moses says and Joshua (Aaron Paul) who doesn’t get a single memorable moment.
It’s the plagues though that steal the show and for the first few at least the Egyptian advisors manage to explain semi-scientifically: the Nile ‘turns to blood’ when it is stirred up by a host of flesh hungry crocodiles, the water being bad means the frogs leave the river, they die and rot creating thousands of flies who bite leaving boils… The freak weather hailstones is harder to explain and as for the darkness / Passover angel of death – there just aren’t answers. God’s wrath is certainly writ large and the pain caused on the hardhearted Ramses is tangible.
Overall Exodus: Gods and Kings is a staggering film, full of which deserves to be seen on the biggest screen you can find.
Thinking material:
At one point God challenges Moses saying: “You don’t always agree with me?” and he responds by saying that he wants no part in endorsing the further plagues but God continues to amp up the destruction anyway. It is fascinating to be reminded that God wants to dialogue with man, even if we are conflicted in our responses to Him. Filmmaker Scott, who is a self-professed agnostic, has managed to create a film that will cause many people to think again about God. And potentially challenge us all to look more deeply into the story of Moses and the Exodus.
If you’re interested in getting some free resources about the film – you should check: http://www.damaris.org.uk/exodus where the cool team at Damaris have created various media, notes and tools that you can access.
Rating:
****
4 out of 5 stars
Related Films: NOAH, The Ten Commandments, Prince of Egypt

Reviewed by Matt Adcock
Director: Jon Favreau
Cast: Jon Favreau, Emjay Anthony, John Leguizamo, Scarlett Johansson, Sofía Vergara, Robert Downey Jr., Oliver Platt, Dustin Hoffman
Quote:

“I get to touch people’s lives with what I do and I love it and I want to share this with you.”

On the menu today…
Starter:
Decent anticipation for a new, lower budget and more personal movie from the hotshot director Jon ‘Iron Man’ Favreau. Tasty trailer that whets appetite but looks like it might be a little over-sentimental. The thought of seeing jaw-dropping food prepared in high definition on the big screen is enough to make anyone hungry.
Main Course:
Chef sees acclaimed chef Carl Casper (Jon ‘Swingers’ Favreau) unfulfilled cooking for meanie restaurant boss Riva (Dustin Hoffman). He’s also struggling to be any sort of father to his young son Percy (Emjay Anthony) after being divorced by his gorgeous now ex-wife, Inez (Sofía ‘Machete Kills’ Vergara). Speaking of gorgeous there is also Scarlett Johansson on hand as a foxy wine watress.
– When Casper falls fouls of top food critic, Ramsey Michel (Oliver ‘Fargo TV Series’ Platt) his meltdown shouting match goes viral on social media – and wrecks his job prospects.
– Fate sees the Chef flown off to Miami with his wife and son – and handed the chance to rebuild his cooking career by Inez’s other ex-husband (Robert ‘The Avengers’ Downey Jr.) in the shape of a run down food truck.
– Casper’s new mobile food service – making superb Cuban sandwiches and yucca fries – aided by his former soux-chef (John Leguizamo) and his son is an instant hit.
Dessert:
It’s great fun watching Casper get his life back on track – the themes of being inspired by what you love doing and the importance of the father / son bonding shine through in heartfelt style. Favreau eats up the screen and seems to be really enjoying being both behind and in front of the camera.
– The script might be a little heavy on swearing but is genuinely funny and the cinematography encompasses some of the tastiest looking food ever to grace the screen.
– There are additional messages of reconciliation and redemption might be more than some hardhearted types can take but I was moved, inspired and motivated to be a better father to my boys as a direct result of seeing this. In fact the first thing I did upon leaving the cinema was to hug my two sons harder than I ever have before and remind them how much I love them…
– Overall Chef is a excellent, feel good comedy that works on many levels, just be sure not to go on an empty stomach as you could well be drooling long before the credits roll.
Thinking material:
So many children today struggle with the fact that their dads are so busy that there is hardly any scope for quality bonding time to be shared. For others there may be do ‘father’ or male role model in their lives for a host of reasons. Chef does a fantastic job of showing how even just ‘hanging out together’ can be a hugely formative and positive experience for children (and their dads).
For those with faith – the same is true as we relish time spent being with our Heavenly Father!!
Rating: **** 4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

Director: Doug Liman
Cast: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, Dragomir Mrsic, Charlotte Riley, Jonas Armstrong
Quote:

“Come find me when you wake up!”

Plot:
Hotshot but cowardly military PR specialist Major Bill Cage (Tom Cruise delivering over and above the call of duty) – is a spin doctor who can certainly ‘sell’ the war against an alien invasion but who really isn’t keen in actually getting thrown into the action.
But that’s exactly what happens when he tries to weasel his way out of covering the fighting live from the front line. Rather than getting to record the events, Cage is shipped off with a bunch of cannon fodder losers called J-Squad to actually take part in a massive counter strike against the aliens who have taken over mainland Europe.
It’s no spoiler to tell you that Cage gets himself killed within minutes of hitting the ground in a massive Saving Private Ryan-esq beach landing but for some reason he finds himself inexplicably thrown into a time loop-forcing him to live out the same brutal 24hrs of combat over and over.
This is where it gets really interesting… What if you could fight a battle again…and again – each time learning better how to engage your ferocious adversaries, building your fighting skills and helping those around you possibly stand a chance?
Legendary Special Forces warrior Rita Vrataski (Emily ‘Looper’ Blunt) takes Cage under her exoskeleton-ed wings to try and find a way to take the fight to the aliens, and through repeated training and battle encounters get closer to defeating the enemy.
Reaction:
Prepare for a dazzling adrenalin overload of an alien invasion movie. Based on the Japanese novel “All You Need Is Kill” by Hiroshi Sakurazaka, Edge of Tomorrow is this year’s hot sci-fi ticket.
Edge of Tomorrow is a superb high concept thrill ride that delivers mass alien vs mech infantry carnage with stunning special effects. Once you get your head around the genius Aliens and Starship Troopers meets Groundhog Day plot – all you need to do is sit back and let the heavy duty action mixed with dark humour light up your cinematic pleasure receptors.
There is much to enjoy from the supporting cast too who include Bill ‘Aliens’ Paxton as Farrell – a hard as nails Staff Sergeant and Brendan ‘In Bruges’ Gleeson as British General Brigham who is directing the war effort from London.
What are you waiting for? Live. Die. Repeat (watch) the sci-fi film of the year…
Thinking material:
The concept of repeated life / death / regenerate is one that can be traced through to both several religious teachings and is the essence of video-games where players ‘die’ but immediately get to respawn and continue the fight. It’s an interesting concept that embraces our deep wish fulfilment to have the chance to go back and do things better the next time after we mess up!?
Rating: ***** 5 out of 5 stars
Related Films: Aliens, Starship Troopers, Looper, Groundhog Day
Check out our Movie study resource: ‘Cinemania’ here… 

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

Director: Bryan Singer
Cast: Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Halley Berry, Nicholas Hoult, Ellen Page, Shawn Ashmore, Peter Dinklage, Omar Sy, Daniel Cudmore, Fan Bingbing, Adan Canto, Evan Peter
Quote:

“There is a new enemy out there: mutants. You need a new weapon for this war…”

Plot:
Ever had that wish that you could go back in time and correct something that sparked the situation you find yourself in? That’s exactly what Charles Xavier / Professor X (Patrick Stewart) plans when he finds his X-Men heroes being hunted down and exterminated en mass by Sentinels – machines designed to find and adapt to any mutant powered threat and kill it…
Only Logan / Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) has the regenerative powers to survive being bounced through time to his younger self and so he’s given the task of preventing the Sentinel Programme ever getting going in order to stop the future mutant cull. It’s a delicious plot device because it cleverly allows us to have both sets of X-Men in the same film – those from the original trilogy and the ‘60s set prequel ‘First Class’ from 2011.
Reaction:
Days of Future Past plays delivers on all fronts – effectively being a sequel not only to ‘First Class’ but also the less loved ‘Last Stand’ from 2006. Thanks to the winning team of original X-Men Director Bryan ‘Superman Returns’ Singer and writers Jane ‘Kick Ass’ Goldman and Matthew ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’ Vaughn this is the most super mutant fun to hit the screen in years!
So gear up for some breath-taking action scenes – my pick of bunch being an audacious jail break aided by the very cool Quicksilver (Evan Peters) which will have super-fans grinning. But there is also a decent amount of brain power being thrown at this tale which works hard to tie up lose ends from across the X-Men franchise and set up the next in the series (be sure to stay until after the credits for a freaky sneak peek).
Can Wolverine find and unite the young Xavier (James McAvoy) with Magneto (Michael Fassbender) – whilst trying to stop Jennifer Lawrence’s Mystique from assassinating dangerous scientist Bolivar Trask (a superb ‘70s tach sporting Peter ‘Game of Thrones’ Dinklage)?
The against the clock plot builds up a great deal of tension – both in the past as the mission hits all kinds of snags such as prototype Sentinels and Magneto’s evil streak, and in the ‘future’ as the team, beaming Wolverine back, face being wiped out before he can complete the history revision.
Thinking material:
The X-Men are a fascinating fantasy ‘what if’ – one that engages both our desire to be ‘super’ and looks into the fear / mistrust / desire to destroy anything out of our normal frame of reference. This heavy-duty mixture of seeing those who we fear and mistrust fight to save us ‘mere mortals’ is a superb analogy for those with belief who seek the welfare of those who openly ridicule or condemn them.
Rating: **** 4 out of 5 stars
Related Films: X-Men: First Class, X-Men, X-Men: United, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, The Wolverine.
Check out our Movie study resource: ‘Cinemania’ here…