Movie of the Week

• Captain America: Brave New World

Cinemas

• Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
• Memoir of a Snail
• Heart Eyes
• The Sloth Lane
• To a Land Unknown
• Cottontail

Streaming/On-Demand

• The Gorge
• The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep
• La Dolce Villa
• My Fault: London

Re-Releases

• Brief Encounter

CAST: Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford, Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Carl Lumbly, Xosha Roquemore, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Giancarlo Esposito, Tim Blake Nelson, Liv Tyler, Rosa Salazar, Takehiro Hira, Seth Rollins

CREW: Julius Onah (director, writer), Peter Glanz and Matthew Orton (writers), Kevin Feige and Nate Moore (producers), Laura Karpman (composer), Kramer Morgenthau (cinematographer), Madeleine Gavin and Matthew Schmidt (editors)

PLOT: Sam Wilson (Mackie), who has inherited the Captain America moniker, finds himself at the centre of a sinister international conspiracy, one involving the new President of the United States, Thaddeus Ross (Ford)…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• Anthony Mackie’s first solo feature as the new Captain America is a nail-biting and exciting new entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
• It is said to be closer to Captain America: The Winter Soldier in tone, which given how fresh and intense that film was can only be a good thing for this much more overtly political thriller
• Harrison Ford fills in for the late William Hurt as the now-President Thaddeus Ross – and don’t make him angry, for the character is set to transform into the powerful Red Hulk during the film!
• Ross isn’t the only returning character from 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, as Tim Blake Nelson reprises his role as the sinister Leader, while Liv Tyler makes a brief reappearance as Ross’s daughter Betty
• With Marvel set to have a very busy year, with both Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps due for theatrical release as well as new Disney+ shows like Daredevil: Born Again and Ironheart, this is a great place to start for fans of all ages

Captain America: Brave New World is showing in cinemas from Friday 14 February 2025

CAST: Renée Zellweger, Hugh Grant, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Leo Woodall, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Jim Broadbent, Gemma Jones, Isla Fisher, Josette Simon, Nico Parker, Leila Farzad, Sarah Solemani, Sally Phillips, Shirley Henderson, James Callis, Celia Imrie, Ian Midlane, Casper Knopf, Mila Jankovic

CREW: Michael Morris (director), Helen Fielding, Dan Mazer and Abi Morgan (writers), Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner and Jo Wallett (producers), Dustin O’Halloran (composer), Suzie Lavelle (cinematographer), Mark Day (editor)

PLOT: Bridget Jones (Zellweger) is single once again, having become a widow after the death of her beloved husband Mark Darcy (Firth), and raising their two young children Billy (Knopf) and Mabel (Jankovic) with the help of her family and friends, and even her old flame Daniel Cleaver (Grant). In an attempt to forge a new path for herself, she becomes involved with a younger man named Roxster (Woodall) as well as schoolteacher Scott (Ejiofor)…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• Renée Zellweger reprises her iconic role of Helen Fielding’s most famous creation for the fourth, and possibly final, time
• Based on Fielding’s book of the same name, the film finds the hopeless romantic once again navigating the single life, which to her horror (and our amusement) has changed greatly since we first met her all those years ago
• With Colin Firth’s Mark Darcy firmly out of the picture, Bridget has a healthy helping of potential new love interests in the form of Chiwetel Ejiofor and The White Lotus breakout Leo Woodall – as well as an old one, as Hugh Grant is also back as the devious Daniel Cleaver
• In the hands of director Michael Morris, known for episodes of shows like Better Call Saul and House of Cards, as well as the Andrea Riseborough vehicle To Leslie, this entry contains plenty of the series’ trademark humour and a whole lot of heart
• Needless to say, it is perfect for any couple to seek out this Valentine’s Day, but also for anyone hoping to catch Bridget Jones on the big screen one last time (probably)

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is showing in cinemas from Thursday 13 February 2025

CAST: Sarah Snook, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Jacki Weaver, Eric Bana, Magda Szubanski, Dominique Pinon, Tony Armstrong, Paul Capsis, Bernie Clifford, Davey Thompson, Nick Cave, Charlotte Belsey, Mason Litsos

CREW: Adam Elliot (director, writer, producer), Liz Kearney (producer), Elena Kats-Chernin (composer), Gerald Thompson (cinematographer), Bill Murphy (editor)

PLOT: In 70s Australia, a young cleft-lipped girl named Grace (Snook) is tragically separated from her twin brother Gilbert (Smit-McPhee) after the death of their father Percy (Pinon). While Gilbert is sent to an abusive religious family, Grace finds solace in her elderly and eccentric new friend Pinky (Weaver), who gives her courage and confidence as she grows up…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• This grotesque but utterly heart-warming stop-motion animated film from Australia will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions
• It is the first feature by Oscar-winning animator Adam Elliot in more than fifteen years, after his similarly striking debut film Mary and Max, and is currently nominated for the Animated Feature Film Oscar
• Succession star Sarah Snook voices the long-suffering protagonist, who guides viewers through the miserable events of her short but eventful life
• It was awarded the jury-voted prize for Best Film at last year’s BFI London Film Festival, beating other titles like On Becoming a Guinea Fowl and last week’s Bring Them Down
• Don’t be put off by the unappealing (but brilliantly animated) visual style, for it is the powerful storytelling that will have you laughing, crying, and everything in between throughout the film

Memoir of a Snail is showing in cinemas from Friday 14 February 2025

CAST: Olivia Holt, Mason Gooding, Gigi Zumbado, Michaela Watkins, Devon Sawa, Jordana Brewster, Chris Parker, Latham Gaines

CREW: Josh Ruben (director), Christopher Landon (writer, producer), Phillip Murphy and Michael Kennedy (writers), Greg Gilreath and Adam Hendricks (producers), Jay Wadley (composer), Stephen Murphy (cinematographer), Brett W. Bachman (editor)

PLOT: On Valentine’s Day, Ally (Holt) and Jay (Gooding) are co-workers assigned overtime hours together, but are mistaken for a couple by the feared “Heart Eyes Killer”, who reemerges once a year to brutally slay pairs of lovers…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• Spend your Valentine’s Day scared to the core during this fun and gory blend of slasher horror and romantic comedy
• Olivia Holt and Scream star Mason Gooding multitask by sharing sweet chemistry whilst also avoiding a sinister serial killer
• Said killer is immediately iconic for his light-up heart eyes, joining the ranks of other Valentine’s-themed slasher villains like the masked antagonist of My Bloody Valentine
• It’s a fun directorial outing for Werewolves Within filmmaker Josh Ruben, who brings to life a script co-written by producer Christopher Landon, previously of the Happy Death Day movies
• For couples seeking bloody thrills and tender romance this Valentine’s Day, this has something to offer both parties

Heart Eyes is showing in cinemas from Friday 14 February 2025

CAST: Leslie Jones, Teo Vergara, Olivia Vásquez, Ben Gorroño, Facundo Herrera, Remy Hii, Matteo Romaniuk, Dan Brumm

CREW: Tania Vincent (director, writer), Ryan Greaves (writer, producer), Nadine Bates and Kristen Souvlis (producers), Ack Kinmonth (composer), Josef Switak (editor)

PLOT: After a storm destroys their home, Laura (Vergara) and her sloth family move to the animal-populated Sanctuary City, where they hope to turn their old food truck into a thriving business, and attract the attention of Dotti Pace (Jones), a cheetah and fast food magnate…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• The fifth entry in the popular Australian franchise The Tales from Sanctuary City focuses on a crowd-pleasing tale of perseverance and family
• You’ll fall in love with the eccentric family of sloths at its centre, as they overcome obstacles and other personal obstacles to succeed with their business
• SNL veteran Leslie Jones brings her magnetic comedic chops to the supporting role of a cheetah that may or may not hold the key to the sloth’s triumph
• Young children will be pleasantly entertained by the colourful animation and cute animals, while adults can appreciate the strong lessons being imparted to its target audience
• It’s perfect for families looking for something wholesome to check out this upcoming half-term week

The Sloth Lane is showing in cinemas from Friday 14 February 2025

CAST: Mahmood Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Angeliki Papoulia, Mohammad Alsurafa, Mouataz Alshalton, Mohammad Ghassan, Mondher Rayahneh

CREW: Mahdi Fleifel (director, writer, producer), Fyzal Boulifa and Jason McColgan (writers), Geoff Arbourne (producer), Nadah El Shazly (composer), Thodoros Mihopoulos (cinematographer), Halim Sabbagh (editor)

PLOT: In Athens, Chatila (Bakri) and Reda (Sabbagh) are two Palestinian cousins and refugees trying to earn and save enough money to obtain fake passports and migrate to Germany. However, after Reda blows their money on heroin, Chatila concocts a plan to pose as smugglers in a scheme that soon goes awry…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• This tense European thriller sheds light on the darker side of being a refugee in a hostile environment
• Palestinian actors Mahmood Bakri and Aram Sabbah make for a compelling duo as their characters navigate many of life’s hardships together
• Director and co-writer Mahdi Fleifel dives deep into the criminal underworld of the Greek capital of Athens, with extra emphasis on how easy it is for vulnerable people to be taken advantage of
• It was produced through a number of production companies from all across Europe and the Middle East, including the UK, Germany, Greece and Palestine
• If you’re after a compelling look at the harsh realities of being misplaced from your own country, then this will satisfy your appetite sufficiently

To a Land Unknown is showing in cinemas from Friday 14 February 2025

CAST: Lily Franky, Tae Kimura, Ryo Nishikido, Rin Takanashi, Ciarán Hinds, Aoife Hinds

CREW: Patrick Dickinson (director, writer), Carolyn Marks Blackwood, Gabrielle Tana and Hélène Théodoly (producers), Stefan Gregory (composer), Mark Wolf (cinematographer), Andrew Jadavji (editor)

PLOT: After his wife Akiko (Kimura) passes away, Kenzaburo (Franky) receives posthumous instructions to travel from Japan to England’s Lake District, where her ashes are to be scattered with their son Toshi (Nishikido) and his family also present. However, the painful memories of his late wife and his strained relationship with Toshi compel Kanzaburo to travel alone, eventually coming across kindly farmer John (Hinds) who helps him find his way…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• Tears will be shed in this powerful drama that tackles grief, family trauma, and acceptance of things out of our control
• It marks the narrative filmmaking debut of writer-director Patrick Dickinson, while Oscar-nominated Philomena producer Gabrielle Tana is on hand to help steer his project in the right direction
• In front of the camera is an eclectic ensemble of Japanese and British actors, including Shoplifters star Lily Franky and Oscar-nominee Ciarán Hinds who also appears alongside his real-life daughter Aoife Hinds
• Some striking cinematography captures the raw beauty of the Lake District, where a good portion of the heavy drama unfolds
• Your heart will be broken in two and then promptly pieced back together as you experience its various emotional ups and downs

Cottontail is showing in cinemas from Friday 14 February 2025

CAST: Miles Teller, Anya Taylor-Joy, Sigourney Weaver, Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, William Houston

CREW: Scott Derrickson (director, producer), Zach Dean (writer, producer), C. Robert Cargill, Sherryl Clark, David Ellison, Dan Goldberg, Gregory Goodman, Don Granger and Adam Kolbrenner (producers), Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (composers), Dan Laustsen (cinematographer), Frédéric Thoraval (editor)

PLOT: Levi (Teller) and Drasa (Taylor-Joy) are two elite snipers who are assigned a seemingly simply goal: to occupy and guard watchtowers on both sides of an enlarged gorge that is said to contain an unknown evil. However, as their forbidden contact begins to soften, both are drawn into the gorge’s terrifying depths…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• This exciting high-concept action-thriller is filled with plenty of blockbuster entertainment
• Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy form an unusual but effective chemistry as people on separate sides of the titular gorge
• Director Scott Derrickson, of The Black Phone and Doctor Strange fame, brings to life Zach Dean’s original screenplay, which made it onto the 2020 “Black List” of acclaimed unproduced scripts
• The director also inserts his strong horror traits into some of the terrifying discoveries that our leads encounter in that mysterious pit
• With impressive production values and a real human heart at its centre, this is a film that might just be the biggest surprise movie choice this Valentine’s Day

The Gorge is streaming exclusively on Apple TV+ from Friday 14 February 2025

CAST: Doug Cockle, Joey Batey, Anya Chalotra, Christina Wren, Brittany Ishibashi

CREW: Kang Hei Chul (director), Rae Benjamin and Mike Ostrowski (writers), Lauren Schmidt Hissrich (producer), Joseph Trapanese (composer), TBA (editor)

PLOT: In the land of the Continent, monster hunter Geralt of Rivia (Cockle) is hired to investigate a series of attacks in a seaside village, and in the process uncovers an ancient conflict between humans and sea creatures that could have major consequences for the world at large…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• The second anime feature spin-off of the popular Netflix fantasy series, itself based on Andrzej Sapkowski’s book series, takes viewers to an all-new world within the Watcher universe
• Like the first such feature, Nightmare of the Wolf, it was animated by South Korea’s Studio Mir, which also worked on hit series like The Legend of Korra and X-Men ‘97
• The film is a direct adaptation of Sapkowski’s short story A Little Sacrifice, which Witcher fans will recognise from the author’s second anthology Sword of Destiny
• Voice actor Doug Cockle reprises the role of Geralt of Rivia, having previously played the series protagonist in the video game adaptation
• There are some striking visuals and captivating fantasy storytelling to tide fans over until the upcoming fourth season of Netflix’s hit adaptation

The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep is streaming exclusively on Netflix from Tuesday 11 February 2025

CAST: Scott Foley, Violante Placido, Maia Reficco, Giuseppe Futia, Simone Luglio, Tommaso Basili, Daniel Panzironi, Nunzia Schiano, Luisa De Santis, Lucia Ricalzone, Gizelle Lebleu Gant, Madior Fall, Jenny De Nucci, Mitch Salm, Melanie Neu

CREW: Mark Waters (director), Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy (writers), Deborah Evans and Robyn Snyder (producers), Caroline Ho (composer), Theo van de Sande (cinematographer), Travis Sittard (editor)

PLOT: After learning that his daughter Olivia (Reficco) has purchased a crumbling villa in the Italian countryside, businessman Eric (Foley) travels there to talk her out of blowing her life savings on restoring it, only to slowly realise the beauty and tranquillity of the area, as well as fall in love with local woman Francesca (Placido)…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• The beautiful landscapes of Italy serve as the plentiful backdrop of Netflix’s latest warm and cozy romantic-comedy
• Scott Foley, star of the hit TV show The Unit, packs in plenty of charm as the world-weary protagonist who finds himself in the Italian countryside
• It is directed by Mark Waters, the man behind 00s classics like Mean Girls and Freaky Friday, and who has recently made a career of being Netflix’s go-to filmmaker for some of its biggest hits
• All the joys of villa restoration are found here, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what the lead characters turn the originally rundown place into
• It’s got plenty of sweetness, laughter and love to go around for any and all couples this Valentine’s Day

La Dolce Villa is streaming exclusively on Netflix from Thursday 13 February 2025

CAST: Asha Banks, Matthew Broome, Ray Fearon, Eve Macklin, Enva Lewis, Kerim Hassan, Sam Buchanan, Amelia Kenworthy, Jason Flemyng, Harry Gilby, George Robinson, Tallulah Evans, Fiona Marr, Victoria Wyant, Payal Mistry

CREW: Charlotte Fassler and Dani Girdwood (directors), Melissa Osborne (writer), Ben Pugh and Erica Steinberg (producers), James Jacob (composer), Ed Moore (cinematographer), Robert Frost (editor)

PLOT: After moving from Florida to London with her mother Ella (Macklin) and her wealthy stepfather William (Fearon), teenage girl Noah (Banks) meets her stepbrother Nick (Broome) and forms an unlikely attraction to him, while also dealing with an estranged figure from her past…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• Feel the, erm, familial attraction in this steamy YA romance that’s set to be a go-to Valentine’s choice for young couples
• It is a remake of Prime Video’s hit Spanish film, itself adapted from Mercedes Ron’s story that went viral on Wattpad
• Young leads Asha Banks and Matthew Broome share intimate chemistry as an unlikely couple whose union you’re rooting for, despite their questionable connection of the “step” variety
• The film features intense Fast & Furious style car racing, suspenseful family drama, and plenty of teen hormones raging against a tech-heavy soundtrack
• If you’re a fan of the previous film (or its source material), or are experiencing this story for the first time, you’re in for a romantic time!

My Fault: London is streaming exclusively on Prime Video from Thursday 13 February 2025

CAST: Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard, Stanley Holloway, Joyce Carey, Cyril Raymond, Everley Gregg, Margaret Barton, Marjorie Mars

CREW: David Lean (director), Noël Coward (writer, producer), Robert Krasker (cinematographer), Jack Harris (editor)

PLOT: Unhappily married housewife Laura (Johnson) has a chance encounter with charming doctor Alec (Howard) at a railway café, and they slowly develop a meaningful romance that they know can never work out…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• The timeless romantic classic is back on the big screen to mark its 80th anniversary
• It is based on Noël Coward’s one-act play Still Life, with the infamous playwright also providing the film’s screenplay
• The film became a major box office success in both the UK and the US, leading to it receiving three Oscar nominations, including Best Director for the legendary filmmaker David Lean
• It is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, in addition to being considered a major milestone in British cinema and setting the template for numerous romantic dramas made in its wake
• Valentine’s Day is almost too perfect a time to re-release it, as it contains the type of reserved passion and powerful feelings that only the best love stories can offer

Brief Encounter is showing in cinemas from Friday 14 February 2025