Movie of the Week

• Jurassic World: Rebirth

Cinemas

• Hot Milk
• The Shrouds
• Jungle Trouble

Streaming/On-Demand

• The Old Guard 2
• Heads of State
• Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado
• Words of War
• My Dead Friend Zoe

Re-Releases

• Hearts of Darkness
• The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

CAST: Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Luna Blaise, David Iacono, Audrina Miranda, Philippine Velge, Bechir Sylvain, Ed Skrein

CREW: Gareth Edwards (director), David Koepp (writer), Patrick Crowley and Frank Marshall (producers), Alexandre Desplat (composer), John Mathieson (cinematographer), Jabez Olssen (editor)

PLOT: In a world where dinosaurs live among humans in remote tropical environments, covert operative Zora Bennett (Johansson) is recruited by pharmaceutical representative Martin Krebs (Friend) for a top-secret mission where, along with palaeontologist Dr. Henry Loomis (Bailey) and team leader Duncan Kincaid (Ali), she must head to the forbidden research facility for the original Jurassic Park and retrieve the biomaterials of the island’s largest prehistoric creatures, to create a revolutionary drug that could save countless human lives…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• The Jurassic Park/World franchise is given a new lease of life with an all-new adventure filled with nail-biting action and, of course, terrifying dinosaurs
• Director Gareth Edwards and writer David Koepp (who also wrote the first two Spielberg-directed entries) are among the creative team this time round, ensuring a much tighter focus than previous films
• Scarlett Johansson leads a fresh ensemble of new characters, played by the likes of Bridgerton and Wicked breakout Jonathan Bailey and Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali
• There are some top-notch effects used to bring the prehistoric creatures to life in a wide variety of action scenes, including one that is lifted directly from Michael Crichton’s original novel
• Anyone put off by the sub-par (at best) quality of the more recent Jurassic World movies can rest assured that this will bring the franchise back to the top of crowd-pleasing entertainment

Jurassic World: Rebirth is showing in cinemas from Wednesday 2 July 2025

CAST: Emma Mackey, Vicky Krieps, Fiona Shaw, Vincent Perez, Patsy Ferran, Yann Gael

CREW: Rebecca Lenkiewicz (director, writer), Kate Glover, Giorgos Karnavas and Christine Langan (producers), Matthew Herbert (composer), Christopher Blauvelt (cinematographer), Mark Towns (editor)

PLOT: Sofia (Mackey) accompanies her wheelchair-bound mother Rose (Shaw) to the Spanish coast in search of a cure for Rose’s illness, but their bond is tested when Sofia encounters enigmatic traveller Ingrid (Krieps) and finds her world expanding like never before…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• The tender directorial debut of writer Rebecca Lenkiewicz is a sun-soaked drama filled with erotic romance and troubled family dynamics
• Emma Mackey and Vicky Krieps illuminate the screen as an unlikely pair of lovers bound by mysterious and possibly even disturbing circumstances
• The sunny landscapes of Greece fill in for the similarly pristine location of Almeria in Spain, though the effect remains the same as you’re lured into a luscious environment ripe with human drama
• It debuted to hot buzz at this year’s Berlin Film Festival, where it competed for the coveted Golden Bear award
• The subversive directions that it takes will leave you on edge as the sensitive narrative reaches a dramatic pinnacle

Hot Milk is showing in cinemas from Friday 4 July 2025

CAST: Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger, Guy Pearce, Sandrine Holt, Elizabeth Saunders, Jennifer Dale, Eric Weinthal, Steve Switzman, Jeff Yung

CREW: David Cronenberg (director, writer), Saïd Ben Saïd, Martin Katz and Anthony Vaccarello (producers), Howard Shore (composer), Douglas Koch (cinematographer), Christopher Donaldson (editor)

PLOT: Karsh (Cassel), a grieving businessman, creates an innovative tombstone that broadcasts a 3D interactive image of the deceased’s decaying body which can communicate with people looking for closure, but the inventor is soon drawn into a larger conspiracy…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• In his latest film, the iconic David Cronenberg explores themes of grief in the most Cronenbergian way possible
• The filmmaker was inspired by the grief he felt over the passing of his wife Carolyn Zeifman, which makes this a much more personal project for him than many others
• Vincent Cassel puts in an emotional lead performance opposite Diane Kruger and Guy Pearce, who each play vital roles throughout the protagonist’s journey
• It competed for the Palme D’Or at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, and was also a hot ticket at the Toronto International Film Festival in the filmmaker’s native city
• Both a compelling mystery and a tender study of the human condition, this is Cronenberg operating at the height of his powers in ways that fans will definitely not want to miss

The Shrouds is showing in cinemas from Friday 4 July 2025

CAST: Hooman Haji Abdollahi, Alireza Dibaj, Mahsa Erfani, Metanat Esmaili, Pooya Fahimi, Mina Ghiaspour, Amir Hakimi, Hedayat Hashemi, Ali Hemmat Momivand, Hasan Kakhi, Mir Taher Mazloomi, Ardeshir Monazam, Tooraj Nasr, George Petrosi, Javad Pezeshkian, Maryam Radpour, Ebrahim Shafie, Shayan Shambayati, Saeed Sheikhzadeh, Nazanin Yari

CREW: Moahmad Javad Jannati, Hadi Mohammadian and Behnoud Nekooei (directors), Ali Ramezan (writer), Hamed Jafari (producer), Amir Tavassoli (composer), Hassan Ayoubi (editor)

PLOT: Max, a young superhero fanatic, wanders into the jungle and comes across Zuzu, a rare talking tiger who’s on the run from poachers, and they set off on an exciting adventure together…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• This animated adventure is the perfect selection for younger viewers who might be a bit too scared of the dino action in Jurassic World Rebirth
• Originally an Iranian production, the film nonetheless carries a universal quality that anyone of any language can understand
• An unlikely pair of heroes form the fabulous central duo, with kids bound to be entertained by the superheroic antics of a young boy and his talking tiger sidekick
• Its anti-poacher message is also worthwhile, especially for young audiences who may not yet know the immoral and harmful dangers of such an activity
• Families looking for a pre-summer holiday treat that isn’t too intense (again, that rules out Jurassic World Rebirth) will find exactly what they’re looking for here

Jungle Trouble is showing in cinemas from Friday 4 July 2025

CAST: Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Matthias Schoenaerts, Vân Veronica Ngô, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Uma Thurman, Henry Golding

CREW: Victoria Mahoney (director), Greg Rucka and Sarah L. Walker (writers), A.J. Dix, David Ellison, Marc Evans, Dan Goldberg, Don Granger, Beth Kono and Charlize Theron (producers), Ruth Barrett and Steffen Thum (composers), Barry Ackroyd (cinematographer), Matthew Schmidt (editor)

PLOT: Andy (Theron), the leader of an immortal group of warriors, is struggling to live out her life after suddenly losing her immortality. However, when both the ruthless Discord (Thurman), the first such immortal in existence, and Andy’s vengeful former protégé, emerge to cause chaos, the team are forced to come out of hiding and take on the new threat, while also learning some vital secrets about their mysterious immortality…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• Netflix’s 2020 mega-hit action flick expands with a long-awaited follow-up that dives deeper into the lore behind its immortal heroes
• Charlize Theron reprises her lead role, alongside the likes of KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts and Chiwetel Ejiofor, with new additions including Uma Thurman and Henry Golding
• Actor and filmmaker Victoria Mahoney takes over from original director Gina Prince-Bythewood to deliver an all-new set of sequences lifted from the original comics by screenwriter Greg Rucka
• A slew of unanswered questions and unresolved plotlines from the first film will undoubtedly be resolved here, in ways that add greater meaning to the mystery behind certain things
• With ruthless action and intimate character development, this is a great expansion of a new franchise that will hopefully last forever

The Old Guard 2 is streaming exclusively on Netflix from Wednesday 2 July 2025

CAST: John Cena, Idris Elba, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Jack Quaid, Paddy Considine, Stephen Root, Carla Gugino, Sarah Niles, Richard Coyle, Clare Foster, Katrina Durden, Aleksandr Kuznetsov

CREW: Ilya Naishuller (director), Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec and Harrison Query (writers), John Rickard and Peter Safran (producers), Steven Price (composer), Ben Davis (cinematographer), Tom Harrison-Read (editor)

PLOT: Will Derringer (Cena), the President of the United States, and Sam Clarke (Elba), the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, are political rivals who are both targeted by a powerful enemy who forces them on the run together, and with the help of MI6 agent Noel Bisset (Jonas), they must put aside their differences to foil a global conspiracy and take down their adversary, whilst also mending the relationship between their countries…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• Prime Video’s second major POTUS-themed action-thriller of the year is a much less serious and more entertaining romp that puts an all-new light on some of our world leaders
• John Cena and Idris Elba rekindle their on-screen magic after appearing together in 2021’s The Suicide Squad, this time portraying the most high-profile odd couple possible: a US President and a British Prime Minister!
• Director Ilya Naishuller, previously of Nobody and Hardcore Henry, puts his visceral filmmaking skills to good use in a film that blends awesome action and hilarious buddy comedy dynamics
• On a much deeper level, the film also plays on the current trend of populism in modern politics, with Cena’s brash President – a former celebrity – clearly out of his league when elected to the highest office in America (sound familiar?)
• Politics aside, this is a devilishly fun ride that further proves why Cena and Elba form one of today’s most engaging cinematic double-acts

Heads of State is showing in cinemas from Wednesday 2 July 2025

CAST: Samantha Lorraine, Jacob Rodriguez, Mariana Garzón Toro, Acston Luca Porto, Daniella Pineda, Gabriel Iglesias, María Cecilia Botero

CREW: Alberto Belli (director), JT Billings (writer), Kristin Burr and Benjamin Tappan (producers), Kenny Wood (composer), Federico Cantini (cinematographer), Evan Ahlgren (editor)

PLOT: Dora (Lorraine), a teenage explorer, sets out with her cousin Diego (Rodriguez) and their new friends Naiya (Toro) and Sonny (Porto) on an adventure through the Amazonian jungle, where they must find and protect the legendary treasure of Sol Dorado before it is claimed by treacherous mercenaries…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• The beloved Dora the Explorer franchise gets an all-new live-action movie to further please its young audience
• It is a standalone entry after the successful theatrical entry from 2019 which starred Isabela Merced as the wide-eyed explorer herself, though the cast and creative team are all different here
• There are plenty of fun Easter eggs that long-time fans of the original TV show will recognise, including Dora’s loyal simian sidekick Boots who’s given a whole new makeover for this film
• Expect some enjoyable set-pieces that make strong use of the series’ iconic fourth-wall breaking and puzzle-solving while also paying tribute to some of cinema’s most beloved adventure movies
• With enjoyable characters and an engaging plot, this is a neat pre-summer treat for kids looking for an adventure of their own

Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado is streaming exclusively on Paramount+ from Friday 4 July 2025

CAST: Maxine Peake, Ciarán Hinds, Jason Isaacs, Naomi Battrick, Harry Lawtey, Ellie Bamber, Fady Elsayed

CREW: James Strong (director), Eric Poppen (writer), Paul Brennan, Kia Jam, Mark Maxey and Miriam Segal (producers), Snorri Hallgrímsson (composer), Mike Eley (cinematographer), David Charap (editor)

PLOT: In Russia, journalist and human rights activist Anna Politkovskaya (Peake) persists with her extensive reporting of the conflict in Chechnya and the corruption within Vladimir Putin’s regime, which puts her in danger of the dictator’s wrath…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• One of the most important journalistic voices of the early 20th century is given the biopic treatment in a film that pays tribute to their unrelenting fight for the truth
• Maxine Peake delivers a staggering lead turn as Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, with solid supporting turns from Jason Isaacs as Anna’s husband Alexander, and Oscar-nominee Ciarán Hinds as Nobel Prize-winning editor Dmitry Muratov
• Director James Strong is no stranger to telling stories about real injustice, having also overseen the breakout TV miniseries Mr Bates vs The Post Office
• Further solidifying its status as a piece of activism cinema is the inclusion of A-lister and outspoken humanitarian Sean Penn as one of its executive producers
• It’s an important story to be reminded of, especially at a time when journalistic freedom is under threat by fascism and misinformation

Words of War is available to rent/buy on digital platforms from Monday 30 June 2025

CAST: Sonequa Martin-Green, Natlie Morales, Ed Harris, Morgan Freeman, Gloria Reuben, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Thom Tran

CREW: Kyle Hausmann-Stokes (director, writer, producer), AJ Bermudez (writer), Mike Field, Terri Lubaroff, Ray Maiello, Robert Paschall Jr., Paul Scanlan and Richard Silverman (producers), Dan Romer (composer), Matt Sakatani Roe (cinematographer), Ali Greer (editor)

PLOT: Merit (Martin-Green), a US Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, is plagued by the presence of her deceased best friend and fellow soldier Zoe (Morales), which puts her at odds with her family and friends. However, their cosy yet dysfunctional relationship is tested when Merit’s estranged grandfather Dale (Harris), himself a Vietnam War veteran who’s holed himself up in the family’s lakeside house, needs her help…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• This unique buddy comedy-drama takes a light-hearted approach to a very serious topic with surprisingly moving results
• It marks the feature debut of filmmaker Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, who adapts his short film Merit x Zoe which itself was inspired by his time serving in the Middle East
• Star Trek: Discovery’s Sonequa Martin-Green shares an unusual supernatural chemistry with Grey’s Anatomy star Natalie Morales, while screen legends Ed Harris and Morgan Freeman shine in a pair of meaty supporting roles
• After a crowdfunding campaign ensured a theatrical release in the US, the film received widespread critical acclaim for its handling of sensitive subjects with a pleasing tone
• The film packs so much emotion and heart into its original premise that you’ll come away feeling exceptionally moved

My Dead Friend Zoe is available to rent/buy on digital platforms from Monday 30 June 2025

CAST: Eleanor Coppola, Francis Ford Coppola, Robert Duvall, Dennis Hopper, George Lucas, John Milius, Martin Sheen

CREW: Fax Bahr and George Hickenlooper (directors, writers), Eleanor Coppola (director), Les Mayfield and George Zaloom (producers), Todd Boekelheide (composer), Michael Greer and Jay Miracle (editors)

PLOT: A behind-the-scenes look at the infamously troubled production of Francis Ford Coppola’s war epic Apocalypse Now…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• The most quintessential making-of documentary in existence returns to the big screen with an all-new 4K restoration
• The film began life as a collection of footage shot by Eleanor Coppola, the wife of Apocalypse Now’s plagued filmmaker, who then turned it over to filmmakers Fax Bahr and George Hickenlooper who then added new interviews with cast and crew about their experiences on the film
• Some of the wildest on-set stories, from entire sets being destroyed in storms to actor Martin Sheen suffering a near-fatal heart attack, are covered in excruciating detail
• After its debut at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival – the very same festival where Apocalypse Now won the Palme D’Or just 12 years prior – the film received unanimous critical acclaim and even a few awards, with the film also becoming just as embedded in popular culture as the very film it was documenting
• Anyone who’s even the least bit interested in filmmaking will want to see this movie to find out how difficult it can be to will a gargantuan vision into existence

Hearts of Darkness is showing in cinemas from Friday 4 July 2025

CAST (ENGLISH VERSION): Emily Hirst, Andrew Francis, Alex Zahara, Kristie Marsden, Natalie Walters, Shannon Chan-Kent, Cathy Weseluck, David Hurtwitz, Saffron Henderson

CAST (JAPANESE VERSION): Riisa Naka, Takuya Ishida, Mitsutaka Itakura, Ayami Kakiuchi, Mitsuki Tanimura, Yuki Sekido, Keiko Yamamoto, Yōji Matsuda, Sachie Hara

CREW: Mamoru Hosoda (director), Yasutaka Tsutsui (writer), Shin’ichirô Inoue and Jungo Maruta (producers), Kiyoshi Yoshida (composer), Yoshihiro Tomita (cinematographer), Shigeru Nishiyama (editor)

PLOT: Makoto (Hirst/Naka), a high school girl, acquires the power to travel through time, and soon realises that her actions have consequences on those around her…

FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

• Don’t miss your chance to revisit anime legend Mamoru Hosoda’s charming coming-of-age fantasy on the big screen
• Hosoda’s film is a loose sequel to the popular 1967 novel of the same name by Yasutaka Tsutsui, with the book’s protagonist also playing a major role in the film
• It introduced many international anime fans to Hosoda’s captivating storytelling style, which was also used in later films like Summer Wars and more recently Belle
• For younger viewers, its bright and fulfilling narrative offers plenty of escapism set to some striking hand-drawn animation
• Before Hosoda returns with his all-new feature Scarlet later this year, see where it all began for the filmmaker with this delightful re-release of his first original (sort of) piece

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is showing in cinemas from Sunday 6 July 2025