Another week of wind and rain calls for a trip to the cinema with a whole host of new releases from horror to animation. With famous faces like Brad Pitt and Jennifer Lawrence returning to the screen – not to mention works from one of the industry’s most talented current writers, John Ridley (12 Years a Slave) – there’s certainly something for everyone. And for all those in the Halloween spirit, The Babadook is sure to torment if you ever feared the monster under the bed!
Fury follows a small platoon of just five American soldiers sent on a deadly mission at the tail end of World War II. This intimate action drama reveals, by David Ayer’s ruthless direction, the grim and relentless brutally of this horrific piece of history. Starring Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf and Logan Lerman, viewers are in for a haunting experience.
Laugh out loud romantic-comedy starring Lily Collins and Sam Claflin. Rosie and Alex have been best friends since they were five, but adolescence calls for a new kind of friendship with the new prospects of sex, love and the future. Love, Rosie addresses that impossible question: is it okay to fall in love with your best friend?
Written and directed by Australian film-maker Jennifer Kent, The Babadook is not for the feint-hearted. In the traumatic aftermath of her husband’s death Amelia, played by Essie Davis, is plagued by ghostly memories, but when she open the pages of her son’s bedtime story a new horror emerges. Is Amelia strong enough to save her son from his nightmare?
Bogowie is a Polish biopic examining the fascinating career of renowned cardio-surgeon Znigniew Religa. Religa not only pioneered the first human heart transplant in Poland but was also the first surgeon to graft an artificial valve – undoubtedly an unmissable picture for the medical students amongst you.
This week’s children’s pick is animated comedy-adventure, The Book of Life. Created by Mexican animator Jorge R. Gutierrez, The Book of Life follows the adventures of Manalo, voiced by Diego Luna, who must navigate three beautifully animated worlds to recover the lost love of his life Maria, voiced by Zoe Saldana. A wonderfully colourful feel-good comedy adventure, rated PG.
The second bio-pic of the week presents a year in the life of one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century, Jimi Hendrix. Jimi: All Is by My Side is brought to you by John Ridley, the award-winning writer of 12 Years A Slave, and stars Andre Benjamin as Hendrix and Ashley Charles as Keith Richards.
The Knife That Killed Me documents the events leading up to the death of schoolboy, Paul Vauderman. Shot with an artistically haunting black and white background, the story unfolds when Paul arrives at a new school and is labelled as an outsider. Paul later becomes involved with a gang feud between schools, with focus on the knife crime among them.
Night Train To Lisbon centres around Professor Raimand Gregories, after he saves the life of an elusive woman in a red coat. After Raimand drops everything, leaving his professing post, he goes in search of the woman. The film reflects on his journey and what he discovers when he decides to be impulsive for the first time in his life.
Serena sees Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence starring alongside each other for a third time. Set against the backdrop of North Carolina during the Depression, the married couple are under threat of losing everything they have. With a town rife with secrets and a murder, suspicions are high as the story continues.
After the death of Judd’s father, his mother announces his last dying wish; for his seven grown-up kids to be grounded under one roof for a week. This Is Where I Leave You comically tells a story of rebuilding a family after the loss of a family member, with awkward scenes throughout. Definitely the go-to cheer-up film of the week.
Time is Illmatic is a feature length documentary that marks the 20th anniversary of rapper Nas’ debut album, Illmatic. The film takes viewers on a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the album that was dubbed a new beginning of rap, with particular reference to the social culture that influenced Nas’ music.
The Way He Looks is the coming-of-age story of Leonard, a blind high school student. Set to a soundtrack by Belle and Sebastian, Leonard’s life takes a complicated turn when new boy Gabriel arrives at his school. This is a heart-warming story of finding yourself and first loves, about a boy who just wants to be able to kiss who he wants.
Zabriskie Point is a barren space of land in the American desert, used as a backdrop for Michelangelo Antonioni’s film. The film, originally released in 1970, focuses on the countercultures of America at the end of the 60s. It includes beautifully shot scenes of love-making at Zabriskie Point juxtaposed with rioting and features a soundtrack by the likes of Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones.
