Shortwave

• 2017
• US
• 1h 55min
• 15

• Directed by: David Leitch
• Cast: Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, John Goodman, Sofia Boutella,

Lorraine Broughton (Theron) is an MI6 agent tasked with finding a list of double-crossing agents, aided by dodgy fellow spy David (McAvoy) as she kicks the arses of an army of foes in 1989 Berlin. Basically a showcase for Theron’s sparring ability and withering looks, it features authentically exhausting fights and is a shamelessly derivative but fun actioner.

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• 2017
• US
• 1h 59min
• 15

• Directed by: Michael Showalter
• Cast: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, Ray Romano

Culture clash comedy written by real life couple Emily V Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani. It plays out with charming, sometimes toe-curling honesty and an acknowledgement of how complicated life can get when expectations weigh heavy and tradition unceremoniously intervenes.

• 72%
• 86%

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• 2017
• US
• 1h 30min
• U

• Directed by: Pierre Coffin, Kyle Balda
• Cast: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Trey Parker, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Nev Scharrel, Steve Coogan, Julie Andrews, Jenny Slate, Pierre Coffin

Gru (Carell) and new wife and fellow agent Lucy (Wiig) are ensconced with their adorable adopted daughters when supervillain Balthazar Bratt (Parker) decides to take revenge on Hollywood for neglecting him. It’s all a bit familiar but it skilfully balances kid and adult appeal with its madcap approach and embarrassment of mischievous energy.

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• 2017

• Directed by: Paul Sng

A documentary exploring the causes behind the social housing crisis in Britain

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• 2017
• 1h 46min
• 12A

• Directed by: Christopher Nolan
• Written by: Christopher Nolan
• Cast: Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, Cillian Murphy, Harry Styles

Survival story set during the battle of Dunkirk in WWII. The younger cast members acquit themselves admirably, including pop star Harry Styles; and, in its uncomfortable depiction of frightened men looking to save their own skin, this is far from straightforwardly patriotic fare. As he delivers non-stop visual audacity, once again Nolan shows himself to be a master of pure cinema.

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• 2017
• US
• 1h 27min

• Directed by: David Lowery
• Cast: Rooney Mara, Sonia Acevedo, Casey Affleck, Carlos Bermudez

C (Affleck) and M (Mara) are a couple; when C is killed in a car crash, he returns as a ghost to make contact with M. Lowery manages to reanimate the corny old trope of the ghost under a bedsheet, creating a story about grief and a captivating reflection on the enormity of mankind’s existence.

• 78%
• 89%

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• 2016
• Ireland
• 1h 55min
• PG

• Directed by: Aisling Walsh
• Written by: Sherry White
• Cast: Ethan Hawke, Sally Hawkins, Kari Matchett

The story of Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis (Hawkins), who became famous for her simple but cheerful landscapes and pictures of flora and fauna. Hawkins is stunning as the meek and stooped Maud, who battles through her difficult home life and painful arthritis to something like triumph.

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• 2017
• Canada/US/South Korea
• PG

• Directed by: Cal Brunker
• Cast: Will Arnett, Katherine Heigl, Maya Rudolph

In this inexplicable sequel to the underwhelming 2014 original, Surly Squirrel (Arnett) teams up with idealistic Andie (Heigl) and Precious (Rudolph) to save their park from the Mayor (Moynihan). The characters are unappealing and the script relies on uninspired action and flat non-jokes. At least there’s no ‘Gangnam Style’ this time.

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