The Odyssey is every bit as epic as its source material, its ever-bubbling reputation, its box office, its aspect ratio, its ear-pummelling sound and its now legendary Director. You already know that and, likely, already experienced it. Showing off vast technical achievement in terms of sound design, practical effects, location work, costuming, visuals and skill with new IMAX equipment it is mandated that you do see this in the biggest screen you can find. Like a few films be

Should Disney stop this live action remake train? Critical consensus would certainly suggest so with nearly ubiquitous bad reviews, accusations of money grabbing and now, possibly, diminishing audiences. However, is the latest addition to the roster: Moana a tad unlucky for arriving at the moment that this endeavour is really taking a bashing? I’d say the answer to that is a resounding yes. It’s undeniable that, from a critical and filmmaking perspective, these remakes have b

You’ve got to admire a one setting, script-driven, ‘play-like’ film. The Invite is a top drawer example from Olivia Wilde and almost reinvents the classic screwball comedy for the modern era. As one couple (Wilde herself and Seth Rogen) invite their upstairs neighbours (Penelope Cruz and Edward Norton) for a dinner party they get more than they bargained for in every which way. At times a farce, a comedy, a drama and a psychological study of relationships this is a very sharp

It’s only the second film in the fledging, new DC Universe and already we’ve resorted to type. Despite all the potential shown and, hopefully, still on the horizon and all this particular story could have been, Supergirl is your standard and rote ‘modern’ superhero film. For every bit of promise here, and don’t worry there is a few to go into, the overwhelming whiff of studio interference and playing it safe casts a cloud as dark as much of the film itself. And there’s the ru

Has there been a fifth instalment in a franchise that feels timely and relevant and also holds up to its predecessors? It’s a small collection but one that Toy Story 5 can happily add itself to. It’s easy to be sceptical about this considering Pixar’s inconsistent sequels, the disappointing Lightyear and the ever-increasing awareness of the ‘business’ side to Disney and its many partners but this film justifies its own existence and delivers on the quality. It’s a forehead-sl

A man coming out of prison and trying to locate his buried stolen loot is a plot top line where you probably imagine you know exactly what comes next. The Last Viking is very much not that film. This Danish delight contains multitudes. There’s a flavour of ‘Coen missing money crime’ sure but it’s sprinkled with outright comedy, trauma, violence, heart and a dive into personality disorders. To say too much would be to spoil the surprises (there are two incredible rug pulls her

We all know Steven Spielberg and aliens is a perfect match but, whilst Disclosure Day offers a suitable amount of nostalgic delight in that regard, it also feels a little outdated. Let’s not get this wrong, this is a terrifically made, immaculately shot, ‘big’ feeling blockbuster that is a true family film like only Spielberg can create. It’s just perhaps a film that would maybe be better thought of if it was released 10 or 20 years ago. The story of disclosing long held gove

Could He-Man be the next big franchise everyone seems to be seeking? The new take on Masters of the Universe actually makes a pretty decent swing at making this once, and probably still, seemingly mad possibility a reality. The beauty of the retro and toy-based is the way it can be sent up and adapted. Mattel themselves already did it to winning effect with Barbie and Hasbro likewise with the more obvious torchbearer here Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves. By making th

You can add Tuner to this great little sub-genre of music-adjacent thrillers which use sound as a core concept and propulsion. Of a piece with Whiplash, Sound of Metal (and kind of Baby Driver but that’s a little more high-octane) this is another brilliantly crafted movie. Our titular Piano Tuner Niki has a hearing condition that makes him highly susceptible to loud sounds but realises that this gives him the means to unlock safes. Cue a tale where he gets caught up in a litt

In what looks like what could be an all timer of a year for Blockbuster releases, there’s always going to be a couple which perhaps go a little underseen and undervalued. The first unlucky candidate of 2026 strangely seems to be the first new Star Wars film since the pandemic. Of course, Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu is a little different to its predecessors in the franchise and seems to suggest an initial investment from the viewer is required in the form of having seen

The British rom-com might well be back with Finding Emily. Three years ago, Rye Lane was a breath of fresh air in a genre that hadn’t been seen in a minute and Alicia MacDonald’s film rises to meet it. A properly likeable, winning, charming, funny and romantic modern movie which already feels like a classic whilst also sitting squarely in the here and now. A postcard version of Manchester, a meticulously curated soundtrack of local music, a predictable but rollicking story an

John Carney has got to be one of the most underrated Directors out there. His particular brand of music and romance has always struck just the right note if you’re in the mood and each film has retained his inimitable essence whilst also feeling distinct from each other. His latest, Power Ballad, is another masterstroke if you like his films but perhaps doesn’t quite challenge Sing Street, Once or Begin Again for the top spot in his oeuvre. The story here focuses on Rick Powe