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Certificate: 15 Running time: 137 minutes  Directed by: Kenneth Lonergan. What's it about: Loner Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) is forced to return to his hometown after the death of his brother. Once there he must face up to the challenges of taking care of his nephew, and the past he left behind. The verdict: This film has been gathering a lot of Oscar buzz, and looks set to gain several nominations. A lot of this is centred around Casey Affleck's performance, and I can see why, because he is brilliant in this. His performance is subtle yet engaging. It can be difficult to portray emptiness and numbness in a character but Affleck does this well. He is tightly wound with a sea of emotions rippling beneath the surface. His character doesn't always behave in the best way but you can't help but root for him. And ultimately you want him to find peace. The supporting cast are also brilliant. Lucas Hedges who plays Patrick, Lee's nephew, is certainly one to ...

Certificate: 12A Running time: 128 minutes Directed by: Damien Chazelle. What's it about:   Following the lives of an aspiring actress and jazz musician, as they fall in love and try to make their dreams come true. The verdict: La La Land is one of those films that has captivated both cinema goers and critics alike, and so I approached it with some caution - I didn't want to be disappointed. And I wasn't. From the brilliant opening number to the wonderful use of lighting, La La Land is an absolute joy to watch. The day scenes are bright and vibrant, and the night scenes are lit by beautiful moonlight and soft street lamps. This gives the film a great overall look. The locations used are iconic enough to give the film an identity, but they don't overpower the characters or the story. This film is all about the characters, and is really well written. I was rooting for both main characters - Sebastian played by Ryan Gosling and Mia played by Emma Sto...

Certificate: 15 Running time: 129 minutes Directed by: Ben Affleck. What's it about: Based on the novel by Dennis Lehane, and set in the Prohibition era. Live by Night follows the story Joe Coughlin, a criminal turned notorious gangster.  The verdict: Ben Affleck has proved himself to be both a proficient actor and director. Unfortunately Live by Night hasn't generated the same buzz as his previous endeavours into directing. Whether this is because of the subject matter of the film or the release date, it's hard to tell.  Live by Night is certainly ambitious, you can tell this in the attention to detail - the costumes, the locations, the cars etc. There are moments that stood out, mostly in the action sequences. Whether it be a car chase or a shootout, Ben Affleck is definitely able to deliver thrilling and tense scenes.  There are slight changes in the tone and pace of the film, as the film follows Joe Coughlin over many years in his life. I fe...

Certificate: 12A Running time: 108 minutes Directed by: J.A Bayona. What's it about: A lonely boy named Connor is desperately trying to deal with being bullied at school, and his single Mum's diagnosis of Cancer. One night he finds himself calling upon a Monster to help him. The verdict: This film is based upon the book by Patrick Ness, and is predominantly a young adult novel. But this film can be enjoyed by both adults and children - and I would highly recommend it for all ages. There are aspects of both the real and unreal to this film - with elements of fairytales and the supernatural but also everyday issues that everyone can relate to. It's shot well, and the CGI and animated parts add even more to the visuals. I felt like I was being told a beautiful bedtime story and I was engaged throughout. Before the film started, a group of rowdy teenagers came in and I felt my heart sink. But within five minutes of the film starting, they too were utterly drawn in...

Certificate: 12A Running time: 115 minutes Directed by: Justin Kurzel. What's it about: Based on the popular game franchise, Assassin's Creed tells the story of Callum Lynch who discovers that he is the descendant of a master assassin. He soon becomes caught between two warring factions, each seeking a legendary artefact - 'The Apple of Eden.' The verdict: I went to see this with no prior knowledge of the franchise, having never played the game. I wasn't sure what to expect but the trailers promised cool visuals and well choreographed fight scenes. I certainly got that, and the visuals were definitely the best part about the film. The use of parkour across both ancient and modern cities was also great to watch and was an added visual treat. The performances were good, I think the actors did well with the material they were given. I always find Michael Fassbender incredibly watchable in everything he does. And Marion Cotillard brings a mesmerising pres...

10.) Eye in the Sky (15) I was expecting a typical warfare film, with nothing particularly new to say. What I actually got was a nail biting, tense and provocative film which raises questions on the morality of modern warfare. In particular the use of drones, and their consequences. There were moments when I was literally on the edge of my seat, and the acting was superb. This is such a relevant film for today's audience. 9.) Morgan (15) This film received mixed reviews, most of them negative. However this was mostly due to unfair comparisons between it and Ex Machina. Morgan isn't Ex Machina but it isn't trying to be. If you take this film on its own merits, then it's a really engaging sci-fi. It's shot beautifully and I loved the ending. A lot of films are let down by their ending, but Morgan's ending manages to both satisfy and astound its audience. 8.) The Light Between Oceans (12A) I wasn't bothered about seeing this film at all and I actually...