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  • 13 Going On 30 (2004)
    Review preview for 13 Going On 30

    The sheer predictability of the plot means it doesn't really stand up to the scrutiny of anyone older than 15.

    Amber Wilkinson · 3 out of 5
    Age swop rom-com, as a feisty 13-year-old high school girl goes Big and wakes up as a man-eating magazine executive.
  • 24 Hour Party People (2002)
    Review preview for 24 Hour Party People

    What the film achieves, better than any other rock music movie, is how unorganised and stupid so much of what went on behind the scenes was.

    Angus Wolfe Murray · 4 out of 5
    The short history of Madchester and the club scene, with Steve Coogan as Tony Wilson.
  • The Adventures Of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn (2011)
    Review preview for The Adventures Of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn

    A rollicking, humorous rollercoaster ride with stunning set pieces.

    Paul Logan · 4 out of 5
    A young globetrotting journalist partners with an old alcoholic sea Captain to unravel a mystery.
  • The Batman (2022)
    Review preview for The Batman

    This feels leaden, not just due to its length, but in the attempt to be heavy, to be worthy.

    Andrew Robertson · 3 out of 5
    When sadistic serial killer the Riddler, begins murdering key political figures in Gotham, Batman is forced to investigate the city's hidden corruption and question his family's involvement.
  • Brighton Rock (2011)
    Review preview for Brighton Rock

    Succumbing to rather too much melodrama in the final third, which undercuts the chilliness of what has gone before, this is nonetheless an interesting debut that promises better to come.

    Amber Wilkinson · 3 out of 5
    A gangster woos a cafe waitress to save himself from the noose.
  • Burke And Hare (2010)
    Review preview for Burke And Hare

    While much of the comedy might have garnered a few laughs as part of a Two Ronnies' skit back in the Seventies, here it feels dated, predictable and bland.

    Amber Wilkinson · 2 out of 5
    Story of the infamous Edinburgh-based murderers.
  • A Christmas Carol (2020)
    Review preview for A Christmas Carol

    In truth, this is yet one more safe retelling of an old favourite. Not radical at all.

    Jane Fae · 3 out of 5
    A dance-infused interpretation of the seasonal classic.
  • The Cottage (2008)
    Review preview for The Cottage

    Taken as a straightforward comic horror movie, this feels too derivative and clichéd. Taken as homage or pastiche, it's not nearly funny, knowing or camp enough.

    Susanna Krawczyk · 2.5 out of 5
    When wannabe big-time crooks kidnap a gangster's daughter and hole up in a remote cottage, they find there are scarier people out there than the mob.
  • Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes (2014)
    Review preview for Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes

    Distrust is a dangerous and volatile thing and Reeves' film shows how it is this rather than grandstanding gestures that often lead to conflict.

    Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
    Caesar's apes find themselves on the brink of war with human survivors of simian flu.
  • Deathwatch (2002)
    Review preview for Deathwatch

    Bassett's taut script takes risks with credibility.

    Angus Wolfe Murray · 4 out of 5
    First World War horror movie exposes the hell of trench life and the fear of imminent death.
  • Extraordinary Rendition (2007)
    Review preview for Extraordinary Rendition

    As a work of fiction focusing on human rights, as a protest film, it is first rate. But as cinema entertainment it may well be swamped by similar themed films using larger budgets.

    Chris · 3 out of 5
    An insight into the life of a man who is kidnapped and subjected to extraordinary rendition.
  • Flushed Away (2006)
    Review preview for Flushed Away

    Exciting, adventurous, and flush with visual and verbal gags

    Anton Bitel · 4 out of 5
    A pet mouse flushed down a toilet struggles to find his way home, encountering all manner of adventures along the way.
  • Inkheart (2008)
    Review preview for Inkheart

    Frankly, it’s a muddle.

    Angus Wolfe Murray · 2 out of 5
    Children's fiction comes alive in a fantasy adventure story.
  • King Kong (2005)
    Review preview for King Kong

    Big is back.

    Angus Wolfe Murray · 5 out of 5
    Peter Jackson revisits his favourite film in a great remake.
  • Long Shot (2019)
    Review preview for Long Shot

    The politics are basic if not base and do not fulfil a rich man’s lunch hour.

    Angus Wolfe Murray · 2 out of 5
    A journalist unexpectedly reconnects with his babysitter... who is now planning a run for the presidency and hires him as speechwriter.
  • The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)
    Review preview for The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring

    Has its moments of genius.

    Jennie Kermode · 4.5 out of 5
    Frodo Baggins and his friends must destroy a powerful, malevolent ring before it falls into the wrong hands.
  • London: The Modern Babylon (2012)
    Review preview for London: The Modern Babylon

    For all its beautiful editing, he most compelling aspect of the film remains the first-person testimony from 'ordinary' Londoners.

    Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
    Snapshot of England's capital from the turn of the 20th century.
  • Longford (2006)
    Review preview for Longford

    Excellent acting alone can’t stop the nagging suspicion that things are being grossly simplified.

    Amber Wilkinson · 3.5 out of 5
    Docudrama about penal reform campaigner Lord Longford, with particular reference to Moors murderer Myra Hindley.
  • Mowgli (2018)
    Review preview for Mowgli

    The characters are crudely drawn in more ways than one..

    Jennie Kermode · 2 out of 5
    The story of a boy raised by animals who comes back into contact with humans as he grows up.
  • Pandaemonium (2000)
    Review preview for Pandaemonium

    The facts are twisted out of recognition.

    Angus Wolfe Murray · 1 out of 5
    Friendship and rivalry between Romantic poets, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth.
  • The Prestige (2006)
    Review preview for The Prestige

    Some films envelope you, others baffle you. The Prestige is a mixture of the two.

    Angus Wolfe Murray · 4 out of 5
    A tale of bitter rivalry between two 19th century magicians.
  • The Return Of The King: Extended Edition (2003)
    Review preview for The Return Of The King: Extended Edition

    Numerous small changes work together to change the character of the battle.

    Jennie Kermode · 5 out of 5
    Gandalf and Aragorn lead the world of men against Sauron's army to draw his gaze from Frodo and Sam as they approach Mount Doom with the One Ring.
  • Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes (2011)
    Review preview for Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes

    In short, this is a great summer movie, spectacular in its realisation, yet resonant in its themes.

    Anton Bitel · 4 out of 5
    Man's experimentation on apes sparks a war for supremacy.
  • Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (2010)
    Review preview for Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll

    As the film progresses through bouts of selfishness and success, you learn to dislike him more.

    Angus Wolfe Murray · 3.5 out of 5
    The life and wild times of Ian Dury - pop singer, artist, hell raiser.
  • Shiner (2001)
    Review preview for Shiner

    Caine turns in a picture-stealing performance as the over-ambitious Shiner, menacing and yet able to find the humour in his role.

    Amber Wilkinson · 3.5 out of 5
    London boxing promoter attempts to find out why an important fight goes against him.
  • Stella Does Tricks (1997)
    Review preview for Stella Does Tricks

    The fantasy sequences don’t work and the childhood flashbacks are too predictable.

    Angus Wolfe Murray · 2.5 out of 5
    The story of a Glaswegian prostitute in London.
  • Star Wars: Episode 7 - The Force Awakens (2015)
    Review preview for Star Wars: Episode 7 - The Force Awakens

    The Force Awakens manages to stop one thinking about how disbelief is suspended and instead carry one along.

    Andrew Robertson · 4.5 out of 5
    A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a new threat has emerged and new heroes must arise to save the day.
  • Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
    Review preview for Star Wars: The Last Jedi

    It's that old magic again.

    Andrew Robertson · 4.5 out of 5
    Having taken her first steps into the Jedi world, Rey joins Luke Skywalker on an adventure with Leia, Finn and Poe that unlocks mysteries of the Force and secrets of the past.
  • Stormbreaker (2006)
    Review preview for Stormbreaker

    The film will appeal perfectly to its age group. There is nothing too violent and nothing too serious.

    Angus Wolfe Murray · 3.5 out of 5
    Alex Rider is a junior James Bond for the 21st century
  • Sugarhouse (2007)
    Review preview for Sugarhouse

    It's refreshing to see a British film that aims for the freewheeling, semi-improvised feel of Scorsese's Mean Streets.

    Jeff Robson · 3 out of 5
    A white collar worker meets a petty crook to buy some illegal merchandise, which happens to have been stolen from the neighbourhood psycho.
  • The Two Towers: Extended Edition (2002)
    Review preview for The Two Towers: Extended Edition

    There is more world building here than in any other part of the trilogy, and the additional material means it’s better balanced with character development.

    Jennie Kermode · 4.5 out of 5
    While Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor with the help of the shifty Gollum, the divided fellowship makes a stand against Sauron's new ally, Saruman, and his hordes of Isengard.
  • War For The Planet Of The Apes (2017)
    Review preview for War For The Planet Of The Apes

    While the last of the trilogy succeeds in preserving its substantial core, the coating this time feels forced and overpowering.

    Evelin Toth · 3 out of 5
    As the apes suffer catastrophic losses, Caesar wrestles with his desire for revenge.
  • Wild Bill (2011)
    Review preview for Wild Bill

    The steady - but never sluggish - pace allows the characters to live and breathe.

    Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
    A fresh-out-of-jail ex-con, finds himself landed with taking care of his kids... whether they like it or not.

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Flying blind Michael Woloson and Scott Tinkham on improvisation, experimental writing and Littermates

In deep water Dominic Curran on internet overexposure and A Little Learning Is A Dangerous Thing

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Festival coverage

Festivals
Cannes festival coverage, 2026

We're bringing you all the latest news and reviews from the Cheltenham International Film Festival, the Leeds International Film Festival, the Thessaloniki International Film Festival and Tallinn Black Nights.



We're looking forward to the French Film Festival and DOC NYC.



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