Movie of the Week

• Sing Sing

Cinemas

• Afraid
• Close to You
• Touch
• The Count of Monte Cristo
• Paradise is Burning
• Black Dog
• Mandoob (Night Courier)

Streaming/On-Demand

• The Deliverance
• Schlitter: Evil in the Woods

Re-Releases

• The Amazing Spider-Man 2
• The Italian Job
• The Terminator
• Ocean’s Eleven

CAST: Colman Domingo, Clarence Maclin, Sean San José, Paul Raci, David Giraudy, Patrick Griffin, Jon-Adrian Velazquez, Sean Johnson

CREW: Greg Kwedar (director, writer, producer), Clint Bentley (writer, producer), Monique Walton (producer), Bryce Dessner (composer), Pat Scola (cinematographer), Parker Laramie (editor)

PLOT: At the infamous Sing Sing maximum security prison, a group of inmates, including John “Divine G” Whitfield (Domingo), become involved in the facility’s theatre-based rehabilitation program, and soon attempt to stage their own original production…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• A modern-day successor to The Shawshank Redemption, this exceptional prison drama offers a deeply humane study of life within incarceration
• Oscar-nominated actors Colman Domingo and Paul Raci lead a tight ensemble of outstanding actors, including some like breakout player Clarence Maclin who were previously imprisoned and belonged to the theatre program depicted in the film
• Director, co-writer and producer Greg Kwedar focuses on the powerful impact that the arts have on these prisoners and how they inspire genuine change for the better
• It debuted to overwhelming acclaim at last year’s Toronto Film Festival, but was held back from release until nearly a year later to allow it more of a chance in the awards season, where it is currently tipped to be a serious contender
• If you’re after a moving and uplifting drama with excellent performances and a raw emotional centre, this is the perfect late-summer treat you’ve been dreaming of

Sing Sing is showing in cinemas from Friday 30 August 2024

CAST: John Cho, Katherine Waterston, Havana Rose Liu, Lukita Maxwell, David Dastmalchian, Keith Carradine, Riki Lindhome, Greg Hill, Ben Youcef, Wyatt Lindner, Isaac Bae

CREW: Chris Weitz (director, writer, producer), Jason Blum and Andrew Miano (producers), Javier Aguirresarobe (cinematographer), TBA (editor)

PLOT: In the near future, Curtis (Cho) and his family are selected to test a revolutionary smart home AI named AIA, which is designed to assist its users by learning their behaviours and routines. Soon, though, AIA starts to interfere too closely with the family’s lives…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• While Blumhouse is busy getting the next M3GAN movie out into the world, the production company invites you to experience a terrifying new AI thriller in the meantime
• Chris Weitz directs and writes this chilling psychological tech horror, in a surprising change of course for the Oscar-nominated filmmaker after previously working on films like About a Boy, The Golden Compass and Operation Finale
• Among the human cast is John Cho, Katherine Waterston and Bottoms breakout Havana Rose Liu
• Some shocking twists and turns help keep the blatant anti-AI message from becoming too dominant
• It may not feature any self-aware humanoid dolls dancing in hallways, but Afraid definitely retains a slight tongue-in-cheek attitude that M3GAN also carried, making it a fun and gripping new alternative

Afraid is showing in cinemas from Friday 30 August 2024

CAST: Elliot Page, Hillary Baack, Peter Outerbridge, Wendy Crewson, Janet Porter, Alex Paxton-Beesley, Daniel Maslany, Sook-Yin Lee, Andrew Bushell, Jim Watson, David Reale, Amanda Richer

CREW: Dominic Savage (director, writer, producer, composer), Daniel Bekerman, Krishnendu Majumdar, Elliot Page, Richard Yee and Chris Yurkovich (producers), Oliver Coates (composer), Catherine Lutes (cinematographer), David Charap (editor)

PLOT: Sam (Page), a trans man, heads home to see his family for the first time since transitioning, and experiences a wave of unexpected emotions as he finds his inner peace…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• Elliot Page puts his all into a remarkable performance that illuminates this tender family drama
• Page (f.k.a. Ellen before transitioning) also collaborated with filmmaker Dominic Savage to create the film’s powerful story, which contains improvised dialogue from a basic script outline
• It highlights the initial awkwardness, and indeed the unfortunate prejudice, of confronting family members who have taken significant steps to be who they’ve always been on the inside
• Page’s starring role should hopefully open up the floodgates for other trans actors to be given their own leading opportunities
• It’s a strong and poignant reintroduction to a major screen talent who is only just beginning to thrive on the screen

Close to You is showing in cinemas from Friday 30 August 2024

CAST: Egill Ólafsson, Kōki, Palmi Kormakur, Masahiro Motoki, Sigurdur Ingvarsson, Yoko Narahashi, Masatoshi Nakamura, Meg Kubota, María Ellingsen, Eiji Mihara, Theódór Júlíusson, Starkadur Petursson, Ruth Sheen, Benedikt Erlingsson, Tatsuya Tagawa, Charles Nishikawa

CREW: Baltasar Kormákur (director, writer, producer), Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson (writer), Mike Goodridge and Agnes Johansen (producers), Högni Egilsson (composer), Bergsteinn Björgúlfsson (cinematographer), Sigurður Eyþórsson (editor)

PLOT: In 2020, Kristófer (Ólafsson) is an elderly Icelandic man who spontaneously travels to London. There, he seeks to find traces of Miko (Kōki), the young Japanese woman he fell in love with as a young man (Kormakur) fifty years prior, but suddenly went missing after a brief affair…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• In the tradition of last year’s Past Lives, director Baltasar Kormákur explores an undying pursuit of love across many years in a profound and deeply romantic tale
• Kormákur also co-writes the script with Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson, the author of the original 2022 novel (and, funnily enough, a leading figure in the creation of Sony’s revolutionary PlayStation console)
• Through multiple flashbacks, we see a tender but ultimately brief romance unfold that will tug at the heartstrings
• Shot with passion by Kormákur, the Icelandic filmmaker delivers a continent-spanning journey that was meant to be experienced on the big screen
• You will almost certainly be reaching for the Kleenex as things begin to wrap up in unexpectedly captivating fashion

Touch is showing in cinemas from Friday 30 August 2024

CAST: Pierre Niney, Bastien Bouillon, Anaïs Demoustier, Anamaria Vartolomei, Laurent Lafitte, Pierfrancesco Favino, Patrick Mille, Vassili Schneider, Julien de Saint Jean, Marie Narbonne, Bernard Blancan, Amaya Ducellier

CREW: Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière (directors, writers), Dimitri Rassam (producer), Jérôme Rebotier (composer), Nicolas Bolduc (cinematographer), Célia Lafitedupont (editor)

PLOT: In 19th century France, sailor Edmond Dantès (Niney) is falsely accused of treason by his jealous friends, and sentenced by corrupt magistrate Villefort (Lafitte) to life imprisonment. Dantès eventually escapes, acquires a large fortune, and returns to French society as the wealthy “Count of Monte Cristo”, a persona through which Dantès seeks his revenge…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• After the success of the recent two-part Three Musketeers adaptation, producer Dimitri Rassam has put similar resources into an adventurous new version of another Alexandre Dumas classic
• Dual writer-directors Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière have been tasked with adapting the mammoth novel into a contained three-hour epic, with impressive results
• Pierre Niney delivers a heroic and charismatic lead performance as the wrongly imprisoned sailor turned vengeance-seeking aristocrat
• Impressive production values bring to life a vision of 19th century France that is rooted in the type of immorality that the titular count hopes to eradicate
• It’s a strong new adaptation that will inspire newer faces who may be unfamiliar with the original story to absorb a truly timeless story

The Count of Monte Cristo is showing in cinemas from Friday 30 August 2024

CAST: Bianca Delbravo, Dilvin Asaad, Safira Mossberg, Ida Engvoll, Marta Oldenburg, Mitja Siren

CREW: Mika Gustafson (director, writer), Alexander Öhrstrand (writer), Nima Yousefi (producer), Giorgio Giampà (composer), Sine Vadstrup Brooker (cinematographer), Anders Skov (editor)

PLOT: In a working-class neighbourhood in Sweden, young sisters Laura (Delbravo), Mira (Asaad) and Steffi (Mossberg) have been left to fend for themselves, leading to a summer of carefree chaos. However, when social services arrange a visit to their home, Laura – fearing that she and her sisters will be separated – sets out to find someone to impersonate their mother…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• There’s more than a hint of Scrapper in this joyous coming-of-age drama from Sweden
• It marks the feature filmmaking debut of writer-director Mika Gustafson, who won the Venice Horizons Award for Best Director at last year’s Venice Film Festival
• Gustafson also went home with the Sutherland Award at last year’s BFI London Film Festival, an award that honours original and imaginative film debuts
• Strong performances from the predominantly young cast make it a naturalistic and deeply effective story about sisterhood and growing up
• As summer draws to a close, it has enough sun-baked energy to give you one last bit of playfulness before the inevitable changing of seasons

Paradise is Burning is showing in cinemas from Friday 30 August 2024

CAST: Eddie Peng, Tong Liya, Jia Zhangke, Zhang Yi, Zhou You

CREW: Guan Hu (director, writer), Ge Rui (writer), Liang Jing (producer), Breton Vivian (composer), Gao Weizhe (cinematographer), Matthieu Laclau and He Yongyi (editors)

PLOT: In 2008, former stunt motorcyclist Lang (Peng) is released from prison and moves back to his hometown on the outskirts of the Gobi Desert in Northwest China. After landing a job with the local stray dog patrol team, whose job is to rid the area of strays in time for the upcoming Beijing Olympics, Lang forms an unlikely connection with a wild dog…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• Dog lovers will be howling with delight as they experience this moving and tender Chinese drama
• The film, from director and co-writer Guan Hu, first won acclaim at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, where it received the coveted Un Certain Regard prize
• The on-screen bond between lead actor Eddie Peng and the dog of the title is so strong that after filming wrapped, Peng formally adopted the canine for his own
• Beyond its central man-dog relationship, the film highlights the overwhelming economic divide that occurred in China during the lead-up to its hosting of the 2008 Olympics
• It’s a heartfelt drama that will speak to anyone in any language from any corner of the world, especially with its firm appreciation towards dogs

Black Dog is showing in cinemas from Friday 30 August 2024

CAST: Mohamad Aldokhei, Mohammed Altawyan, Hajar Alshammari, Sarah Taibah, Abdullah Ahmad, Mohammed Algarawi, Layla Malik, Morouj, Abo Salu

CREW: Ali Kalthami (director, writer), Mohammed Algarawi (writer), Abdulrahman Jerash and Chawki Knis (producers), Ahmed Tahoun (cinematographer), Fakhreddine Amri (editor)

PLOT: In the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh, Fahad (Aldokhei) is a mentally unstable man who is forced to make ends meet as a nighttime delivery driver, which propels him into the city’s dark underbelly where he races against time to save those closest to him…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• This seedy thriller exposes a criminal underworld deep in the heart of Saudi Arabia’s capital city
• The film was an enormous box office success in its home country, outgrossing even the likes of Wonka during its initial theatrical run
• Popular Saudi actor Mohamad Aldokhei gives an emotionally charged turn as a man at wits’ end who’s thrust into a dangerous position
• International audiences responded favourably to the film when it showed at festivals like Toronto and Zurich
• It’s an intriguing piece of Saudi cinema that isn’t often on offer in cinemas outside its home turf

Mandoob (Night Courier) is showing in cinemas from Friday 30 August 2024

CAST: Andra Day, Glenn Close, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Mo’Nique, Caleb McLaughlin, Demi Singleton, Anthony B. Jenkins, Rob Morgan, Omar Epps, Miss Lawrence, Tasha Smith

CREW: Lee Daniels (director, producer), Elijah Bynum and David Coggeshall (writers), Todd Crites, Jackson Nguyen, Tucker Tooley and Pamela Oas Williams (producers), Lucas Vidal (composer), Eli Arenson (cinematographer), Stan Salfas (editor)

PLOT: After moving into a new house with her family, Ebony Jackson (Day) witnesses some disturbing behavioural patterns in her children, which forces her to fight for their soul…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• Oscar-nominated filmmaker Lee Daniels turns to horror for his latest film, a terrifying supernatural thriller in the same vein as The Exorcist
• The film is loosely based on real events that occurred in similar fashion to a family in Indiana
• Daniels assembles a stellar cast including Oscar nominees Andra Day (whom Daniels directed in The United States vs. Billie Holiday), Glenn Close and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
• Most significant is a supporting role for Mo’Nique, who reunites with Daniels after a public feud between the actor and producer due to her refusal to promote her Oscar-winning turn in Daniels’ Precious
• With Netflix reportedly paying a hefty $65 million for distribution rights, there’s a good chance that there’s much more to this film than simple exorcism conventions

The Deliverance is streaming exclusively on Netflix from Friday 30 August 2024

CAST: Louka Meliava, Léna Laprès, Côme Levin, Gilles David, Bernard Eylenbosch, Marie-Paule Kumps, Antime Calbrie Ekeloo, Nelson Maerten, Emmanuel Joucla

CREW: Pierre Mouchet (director, writer), Nicolas Robin (writer), Alain Benguigui (producer), Olivier Rabat (composer), Nicolas Beauchamp          (cinematographer), Nicolas Sarkissian (editor)

PLOT: Lucas (Meliava) returns to his family home in the woods, along with his friends Julie (Laprès) and Arnaud (Levin), to settle the affairs of his deceased parents. Lucas, however, is haunted by a terrible childhood secret: he witnessed the accidental death and subsequent cover-up of his best friend Mathias (Maerten), and now faces retribution when confronted by the boy’s vengeful father (David)…  

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• This suspenseful French horror shows the grisly and horrifically violent nature of revenge
• Filmmaker Pierre Mouchet delivers an impressive array of gory set-pieces that put the more expensive horrors out there to shame
• It deals with repressed childhood trauma and parental grief in unexpectedly emotional ways
• At only 70 minutes, the film packs a tremendous amount of suspense and drama into such a short amount of time
• With nasty kills and fierce filmmaking, this is a horrifying thriller that exposes what tragedy can turn people into

Schlitter: Evil in the Woods is available to rent/buy on digital platforms from Monday 26 August 2024

CAST: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeHaan, Campbell Scott, Embeth Davidtz, Colm Feore, Paul Giamatti, Sally Field, Felicity Jones, Marton Csokas, B.J. Novak, Kari Coleman, Charlie DePew, Skyler Gisondo, Jacob Rodier, Chris Cooper, Denis Leary, Max Charles

CREW: Marc Webb (director), Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Jeff Pinkner (writers), Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach (producers), Michael Einziger, Tom Holkenborg, Andrew Kawczynski, Johnny Marr, Steve Mazzaro, Pharrell Williams and Hans Zimmer (composers), Dan Mindel (cinematographer), Pietro Scalia (editor)

PLOT: After graduating from high school, Peter Parker (Garfield) balances his duties as the web-slinging superhero Spider-Man, and spending time with his girlfriend Gwen Stacy (Stone). However, a wave of new threats emerge – including the electricity-wielding villain Electro (Foxx) – that all have the sinister corporation Oscorp in common…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• Andrew Garfield’s second outing as the beloved Marvel superhero is back on the big screen as the series continues its rollout of re-releases
• There are plenty of new threats for Garfield’s web-slinger to face this time around, most notably Jamie Foxx’s intimidating Electro, as well as new challenges to his relationship with Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy
• It was intended to launch a much wider universe of Spider-Man spin-offs, but plans were scuppered after the film received mixed-to-negative feedback from critics and audiences
• Nonetheless, it’s saved by a number of energetic action sequences and the charm of its lead performers
• On the bright side, the film’s underperformance led to a brand-new version of the character being fully integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with their first instalment returning next week…

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is showing in cinemas from Friday 30 August 2024

CAST: Michael Caine, Noël Coward, Benny Hill, Raf Vallone, Tony Beckley, Rossano Brazzi, Maggie Blye, Irene Handl, John Le Mesurier, Fred Emney, John Clive, Graham Payn, Michael Standing, Stanley Caine, Barry Cox, Harry Baird, George Innes, John Forgeham, Robert Powell, Derek Ware, Frank Jarvis, David Salamone, Richard Essame, Mario Valgoi, Renato Romano

CREW: Peter Collinson (director), Troy Kennedy Martin (writer), Michael Deeley (producer), Quincy Jones (composer), Douglas Slocombe (cinematographer), John Trumper (editor)

PLOT: After being released from prison, career criminal Charlie Croker (Caine) learns that his friend Roger (Brazzi) has been killed whilst attempting to carry out a heist in Italy. Charlie soon takes over the failed mission, which would see him, and a team of specialists, attempt to steal $4 million in gold bullion…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• The crime caper classic makes a glorious return to cinemas in glorious 4K for its 55th anniversary
• Michael Caine saw his movie star status, which had been building all the way through the 1960s, firmly cemented as the leader of a ragtag team of criminals
• The film has become a staple in pop culture for its iconic lines, enthralling Mini Cooper car chases, and a famous cliffhanger ending that was never officially resolved
• It has inspired numerous other cool crime flicks over the years, and in 2003 a well-regarded remake starring Mark Wahlberg and Charlize Theron was released
• Even more than half a century later, the film remains hugely popular with audiences and film lovers of any age

The Italian Job is showing in cinemas from Friday 30 August 2024

CAST: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn, Paul Winfield, Lance Henriksen, Bess Motta, Rick Rossovich, Earl Boen, Shawn Schepps, Dick Miller, Franco Columbu, Bill Paxton, Brian Thompson, Marianne Muellerleile, Rick Aiello, Bill Wisher

CREW: James Cameron (director, writer), Gale Anne Hurd (writer, producer), Brad Fiedel (composer), Adam Greenberg (cinematographer), Mark Goldblatt (editor)

PLOT: In 2029, when humanity is at war with machines, a cyborg assassin known as The Terminator (Schwarzenegger) is sent back in time to the year 1984 to locate and kill a woman named Sarah Connor (Hamilton), whose son John would become an influential resistance leader. A human soldier, Kyle Reese (Biehn), is also sent back to protect Sarah, and both must try and outrun The Terminator before he manages to find them…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• The first (and arguably best) in the popular sci-fi action series is back in cinemas with a new 4K restoration in time for its 40th anniversary
• It was a breakthrough film for both director and co-writer James Cameron, and lead actor Arnold Schwarzenegger who puts in a terrifying turn as the unstoppable killing machine of the title
• Cameron introduces the world-famous lore that birthed numerous sequels, TV spin-offs, comic books, video games, theme park rides and more
• It became an instant audience hit, grossing several times its original $6 million budget, and as of writing has a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes
• With top-notch visual effects, partially crafted by the legendary Stan Winston, and memorable lines and performances, it more than holds up as an intense and gritty thriller with a strong sci-fi edge

The Terminator is showing in cinemas from Friday 30th August 2024

CAST: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy García, Julia Roberts, Don Cheadle, Casey Affleck, Bernie Mac, Elliott Gould, Carl Reiner, Scott Caan, Eddie Jemison, Qin Shaobo, Scott L. Schwartz

CREW: Steven Soderbergh (director), Ted Griffin (writer), Jerry Weintraub (producer), David Holmes (composer), Peter Andrews (cinematographer), Stephen Mirrione (editor)

PLOT: After being released from prison, career criminal Danny Ocean puts together a plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos owned by Terry Benedict (García), the new lover of Ocean’s ex-wife Tess (Roberts). To pull off the heist, Ocean and his partner in crime Rusty Ryan (Pitt) recruit a team of highly skilled thieves that similarly have little to lose…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• Steven Soderbergh’s early-2000s heist caper is back in cinemas to win over a new generation of audiences with its endless coolness
• A remake of the Rat Pack feature from 1960, Soderbergh updates the action with plenty more style and sophistication
• George Clooney leads an all-star ensemble that also includes Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Andy García, and many more
• The film became a huge success with both critics and audiences, birthing a franchise that included two sequels, the female-led spin-off Ocean’s 8, and an in-development prequel rumoured to reunite Barbie stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling
• Filled with twists galore, as well as tons of old-school movie star charisma, this is a hugely entertaining caper that steals your heart as well as millions in cash!

Ocean’s Eleven is showing in cinemas from Friday 5 January 2024