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  Certificate: 12A Running time: 152 minutes  Directed by: Rian Johnson. What’s it about: Sequel to 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi sees Rey learning to wield her new found abilities under the guidance of Luke Skywalker. Meanwhile, The Resistance prepares to do battle with The First Order.  The verdict: Based on the fact that this is possibly the most anticipated film of the year, and has the most dedicated fan base in the universe, this review will be short and sweet. This is in an attempt to keep the intrigue and excitement for cinema goers - we have to stick together! The Last Jedi is a darkly fun adventure, with unexpected moments and canonical tidbits, which will thrill fans. The character development is strong, and brings some of the best moments in the film - it’s great to see so much conflict within certain characters, and to see them humanised so effectively. As expected, the action sequences are brilliant and the film do...

Certificate: 12A Running time: 130 minutes  Directed by: Taika Waititi. What’s it about: The third Thor film, and the seventeenth instalment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Thor: Ragnarok finds Thor in a race against time to save Asgard from the Goddess of Death, and prevent the coming Ragnarok.  The verdict: I have always liked my superhero films on the lighter side, and Thor: Ragnarok definitely fits into this category. The first trailer that was released for Thor: Ragnarok is one of my favourite trailers of the year so far, if not the favourite - I really liked the lighter tone they were going for. Add in being a big Marvel fan anyway, and suffice to say - my expectations for Thor: Ragnarok were high. And fortunately, I was not disappointed. The cast is great, and I liked the chemistry between the characters. Cate Blanchett makes a good villain and although she is hamming it up slightly at times, it doesn’t matter at all because it fits with the playful...

Certificate: 15 Running time: 163 minutes  Directed by: Denis Villeneuve. What’s it about: The highly anticipated sequel to 1982’s Blade Runner. Blade Runner 2049 takes place thirty years after the events of the first film. It follows LAPD Officer K (played by Ryan Gosling), who is set on a quest to find missing former blade runner Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) after he unearths a long-kept secret that has the potential to change everything society knows to be true. The verdict: Firstly a small confession - although I am appreciative of the original Blade Runner and its cult status, I wouldn’t actually say I’m a massive fan of the film. I’ve been looking forward to seeing Blade Runner 2049 as more of a film fan, rather than a Blade Runner fan. That may not seem relevant, but I think that may make a difference to how you receive Blade Runner 2049. Blade Runner 2049 is technically amazing. The sound design, the production design, the visual effects etc are all top notc...

Certificate: 15 Running time: 135 minutes  Directed by: Andrés Muschietti. What's it about: In the town of Derry, people keep going missing without a trace. A team of misfit kids band together to find out why, and are faced with their greatest fears when they have to face off against Pennywise - an evil entity that has been killing for centuries. The verdict: IT is based on the novel by author Stephen King, and has been previously adapted into a television miniseries. As a rule, I am not a big fan of horror and so I have no prior knowledge of either the book or the television miniseries. It is a testament to the brilliant trailers for this 2017 adaptation, that I decided I would work up the nerve to go and see IT (and I went by myself!). What really stood out to me, was what a great cast they had put together. The main cast is made up of seven young actors, and they are all really strong in their different roles. Each kid has their own problems, fears, and distinct pe...

  Certificate: 15 Running time: 115 minutes  Directed by: David Leitch. What's it about: MI6 agent Lorraine Broughton is sent to Cold War Berlin, to recover a priceless dossier and investigate a fellow agent's murder. The verdict: Sometimes you go to see a film, and you absolutely love it. That is how I felt about Atomic Blonde.  Charlize Theron is cool as hell as MI6 agent Lorraine Broughton. She is perfectly cast - relentlessly brutal in some scenes, and chillingly unmoved in others. She pulls off the action sequences brilliantly, and is certainly proving again, as in Mad Max: Fury Road, that she is a convincing action star. Plus she looks awesomely stylish throughout. The supporting cast is great too, James McAvoy in particular is highly entertaining as spy David Percival. The overall visuals of Atomic Blonde are great - really stylish and engaging. It feels like you're watching a comic book thriller, but it also feels like you're watching a tens...

Certificate: 12A Running time: 106 minutes  Directed by: Christopher Nolan. What's it about: Set during the evacuation of Dunkirk. This film follows soldiers as they desperately try to find a way home, and is told from three perspectives - the land, air and sea. The verdict: Christopher Nolan is well known for his epic visuals, and non-linear storytelling style. Consequently, he is one of the highest-grossing directors in history. Despite this, when Christopher Nolan announced his intention to make a film about the evacuation of Dunkirk, many imagined that it would just be a rehash of Saving Private Ryan. However, this is not a case at all. This review is slightly harder to write because I am simultaneously in complete awe of this film, and also slightly dissatisfied with it. Firstly the cast are all very good, with relative newcomer Fionn Whitehead and Academy Award winner Mark Rylance particularly standing out. The cast is full of great actors,...

  10.) Baby Driver (15) A fun and original addition to the car chase genre, with a great soundtrack. The film has its flaws, but a couple of brilliant standout scenes means that this film has snuck into the top ten. I absolutely loved the choreography of the opening credits scene, and Ansel Elgort is definitely someone to keep your eye on. Read the full review here:  http://end-seat.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/baby-driver-review.html 9.) A Monster Calls (12A) I absolutely loved this film. It's so captivating and engaging, and evoked a really strong reaction in me. It deals with serious and heartbreaking issues, with imagination and wonderful storytelling, and it packs an emotional punch. I really enjoyed the visuals as well, and the clever mix of everyday, dreary life with the magical escapism of fairytales. Read the full review here:  http://end-seat.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/a-monster-calls-review.html 8.) Spider-Man: Homecoming (12A) The ...

Certificate: 12A Running time: 133 minutes  Directed by: Jon Watts. What's it about: After the events of Captain America: Civil War, Peter Parker, with the help of his mentor Tony Stark, tries to balance his life as an ordinary high school student while fighting crime as his superhero alter ego Spider-Man. The verdict: I think I was perhaps one of the very few people who didn't love Spider-Man's cameo appearance in Captain America: Civil War. This was purely because, I hated how he was in the trailer for the film. This ruined what could have possibly been one of the greatest, and biggest surprise moments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That was a great opportunity lost. However, that cameo gave us a taste of Tom Holland's Spider-Man and it also set up a good starting point for Spider-Man: Homecoming, as that is where the events of the film unfold from. Firstly, I really liked the plot. In this film, we are dealing with a restless fifteen year old Peter ...

Certificate: 15 Running time: 110 minutes  Directed by: Alex Kurtzman. What's it about: The evil spirit of an Ancient Egyptian princess is unleashed into the world, after her tomb is unearthed by soldier Nick Morton. The verdict: The Mummy is a reboot of The Mummy franchise, and the first instalment in the Dark Universe film series - Universal's planned revival and reboot of classic monster characters. While the most recent Mummy films were centred around explorer Rick O'Connell, the main character is now soldier Nick Morton who is played by Tom Cruise. Tom Cruise is joined by actors Russell Crowe, Jake Johnson, Annabelle Wallis and Sofia Boutella as the titular Mummy. On paper, this is a strong cast, but in reality the cast and characters are pretty weak. Tom Cruise's character, although quite funny at times, isn't necessarily that likeable. And in a film where the main character is in life or death situations, I do think it helps if you are rooting...

  Certificate: 15 Running time: 113 minutes  Directed by: Edgar Wright. What's it about: A talented, young driver relies on the beat of his personal soundtrack to be the best in the game. But after being coerced into working for a crime boss, he must face the music when a doomed heist threatens his life, love and freedom. The verdict: Edgar Wright is known for his quirky, action films and Baby Driver is no exception. The musical sequence which plays as the opening credits come up, could give La La Land a run for its money. The choreography is perfect, and sets the tone of the film really well. The cast is very good, and although no one puts in a career changing performance, everyone is well cast. Kevin Spacey is brilliant as crime boss 'Doc,' he actually has some of the best lines in the film and there is a great dynamic between him and Ansel Elgort's character 'Baby.' The rest of the  supporting cast is also strong, a lot of people will particularl...

Certificate: 12A Running time: 103 minutes  Directed by: Yimou Zhang. What's it about: European mercenaries in search of black powder find themselves imprisoned within The Great Wall, where they discover that the wall has been built to protect China from legendary monsters. The verdict: This film is said to be the most expensive Chinese production ever made, and it performed very well at the Chinese box office. Unfortunately the film is considered to be an overall box office failure as it underperformed in other territories, and it was slaughtered by critics upon its release. I found The Great Wall tricky to review because essentially it is a terrible film, but I really enjoyed it! The film has a good cast, but even acting stalwarts such as Matt Damon and Willem Dafoe are laughingly bad in parts. Matt Damon's attempt at an Irish accent is a bit ropey, and he sometimes seemed to slip into an accent of his own creation. Pedro Pascal is fun as Matt Damon's right...

Certificate: 12A Running time: 129 minutes  Directed by: Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg. What's it about: With Captain Jack Sparrow down on his luck, he teams up with Henry Turner and Carina Smyth in search of the mythical Trident of Poseidon. However he must also face his most formidable foe yet, the murderous and unforgiving Captain Salazar. The verdict: It has been almost fourteen years since we were first introduced to Captain Jack Sparrow, and the first Pirates of the Caribbean film was released. The franchise has been a massive financial success for Disney and has spawned four sequels, with this instalment being the fifth film in the franchise. After the box office success of this film, it looks very likely that even more films will follow. Most of the cast are back in their familiar roles with new additions Brenton Thwaites as Henry Turner, and Kaya Scodelario as Carina Smyth joining the cast. For fans of the previous films, it's nice to see the charac...

Certificate: 12A Running time: 141 minutes  Directed by: Patty Jenkins. What's it about: Based on the DC Comics character of the same name. This film is an origin story following Diana, an Amazonian princess, as she discovers her true destiny and becomes Wonder Woman. The verdict: The DC Film Universe has been plagued with bad reviews and criticism. However, advance screenings of Wonder Woman were reported to being well received, with both critics and fans hailing Wonder Woman as 'the saviour of the DCU.' With that in mind, and having throughly enjoyed the trailers, I went to see Wonder Woman with high expectations.  In terms of the cast, I believe Gal Gadot is well cast. She is endearing as the naive and moralistic Diana, but is also convincingly commanding and impressive when she's kicking ass as Wonder Woman. I really liked Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, Chris Pine is a safe pair of hands in any role. He was likeable, and provided some light relief w...

Certificate: 12A Running time: 106 minutes  Directed by:  Rupert Sanders. What's it about: Based on the Japanese manga of the same name, Ghost in the Shell is set in the near future where the line between humans and technology has been blurred. Major, played by Scarlett Johansson, is the first of her kind - a human, cyber enhanced to be the perfect weapon. The verdict: I'll admit straight away that I've not seen the original Ghost in the Shell, so this will be a review purely based on this version. I have read that fans of the original haven't been overly impressed with the film, but it would be unfair to say that will be the case for all fans of the original, because as I said I haven't seen it! There was controversy in the casting of Scarlett Johansson as Major, and accusations of Hollywood 'whitewashing.' Interestingly, since watching this version, it has made me want to watch the original and see the differences/similarities. The best th...

Certificate: 15 Running time: 104 minutes  Directed by: Jordan Peele. What's it about: Chris, a young African-American, goes with his Caucasian girlfriend to meet her parents on their vast family estate.  The verdict: This film has been making waves in America, as it resonates with issues currently being felt both socially and politically. Because of this, it has garnered a lot of attention and performed well at the box office. I thought the trailers for it were very effective, and although I was concerned it might be scary (I'm not a fan of scary films!), I was looking forward to seeing it.  The opening scene was brilliant, setting the tone of the film perfectly and making the audience feel uneasy. I don't think I'll be able to listen to the song that was playing in the opening scene in the same way again! This great opening to the film also hooked you from the start. The premise of the story is simple, a man going to meet his girlfriend's pa...

Certificate: PG Running time: 129 minutes  Directed by: Bill Condon. What's it about: A live action remake of the 1991 animated film of the same name. Beauty and the Beast follows Belle as she is taken prisoner by a beast, in an enchanted castle.  The verdict: Admittedly Beauty and the Beast isn't one of my favourite Disney films, but I do think it lends itself well to being adapted into a live action film. With that being said, I was looking forward to watching it. Visually it's wonderful. There is the feeling of it being on a set, but the sets are so beautiful, you don't mind. The costumes are well done and well suited to the characters. And whilst the CGI may not be as jaw dropping as other films - it is good, and very watchable.  The film is at its best when the musical set pieces are being played out. The cast come into their own then, and the numbers are fun and engaging. All the classics are there of course, but there are a few new songs as...

Certificate: 12A Running time: 118 minutes  Directed by: Jordan Vogt-Roberts. What's it about: A team of scientists and soldiers undertake a dangerous expedition to an uncharted island in the South Pacific. Once there, they discover that they have ventured into the territory of the mighty Kong. The verdict: I liked the trailers for Kong Skull Island and was looking forward to a fun, action packed film, that I was sure I would enjoy watching. Well the film was definitely action packed, but I can't say I enjoyed watching it. The premise is solid enough, an expedition to an uncharted island. The two scientists that are leading the mission then go about recruiting soldiers to escort them, including ex British Air Service Captain James Conrad played by Tom Hiddleston and Lieutenant Colonel Preston Packard played by Samuel L. Jackson. The start of the film jumps from place to place, and the main characters are introduced one by one, showing how they become involved...

Certificate: PG Running time: 127 minutes  Directed by: Theodore Melfi. What's it about: The true life story of three incredible women who worked at NASA, and played a vital role in the race to space whilst dealing with the prejudices of the time.  The verdict: One of the Oscar Best Picture nominees and a firm favourite during awards season - Hidden Figures has managed to capture audience's hearts, and minds. With that being said, I was really looking forward to seeing this film. The cast is fantastic, Hidden Figures won The Screen Actor's Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and it is throughly deserved. Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe shine as the film's protagonists but the supporting cast of Kevin Costner, Mahershala Ali, Kirsten Dunst and Jim Parsons to name just a few, is also great. The characters are warm and likeable, and you find yourself rooting for them and wanting them to succeed. The f...

Certificate: 15 Running time: 137 minutes  Directed by: James Mangold. What's it about: In the not so distant future, a disillusioned and tired Logan cares for an ailing Charles Xavier. However his attempt to hide from the world is challenged when he discovers a young mutant, who desperately needs their help. The verdict: I am a massive X-men fan and so I went to see this with both high hopes, and trepidation. This was to be Wolverine's swan song, and I was curious to see how it would play out. Firstly the decision to make this film grittier and less family friendly has definitely paid off. Wolverine has always been a character with the potential to be dark and perhaps have a more mature film with him at the centre, and in 'Logan' we finally get to see that. There is nudity, insane amounts of violence, blood splatters and plenty of swearing. Even mild mannered Professor X gets in on the swearing, and I must admit there was some satisfaction in hearing him...

Certificate: U Running time: 104 minutes  Directed by: Chris McKay. What's it about: Lego Batman considers himself the ultimate lone vigilante. After The Joker unleashes a host of villains on Gotham City, Lego Batman must learn to work with others including the young orphan he has adopted. The verdict: The Lego Batman Movie trailer was one of the best trailers to come out of last year's Comic Con, and as such I had very high expectations for the film. I would say that my expectations were mostly met. Firstly the characters are great, Lego Batman was one of the standout characters from The Lego Movie and he continues to be just as entertaining and funny in this. The supporting characters are also good, Robin's eagerness and Alfred's dry humour provide great comic relief. And this incarnation of The Joker is both original and yet familiar at the same time. The animation itself is great, and it looks really good on screen. There are lots of jokes to be had, ...