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Certificate: PG Running time: 105 minutes  Directed by: Lee Unkrich & Adrian Molina. What’s it about: Miguel dreams of becoming a musician like his ultimate idol Ernesto de la Cruz. However, his family have a ban on music which has lasted for generations. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel ends up on a magical journey of discovery, in the colourful Land of the Dead.  The verdict: I was really looking forward to seeing Coco and when I saw that it had advance previews, I knew I had to go. The trailers had done a good job of making Coco look good, but without giving too much away. In fact, there is footage in the trailer that isn’t actually in the film - a rarity these days.  The characters are great, and Miguel makes a sweet and endearing lead as a boy who loves music with a passion. The supporting characters are also good, made up of members of Miguel’s family - they feel relatable and realistic. The animation is top notch, some of it brea...

20.) Okja This film from director Bong Joon Ho, premiered on Netflix in June, and despite not having a theatrical release, still managed to make an impact. Although, there is a whiff of political agenda about it, Okja is a clever, satirical take on the meat that we eat, where it comes from, and the corporations that provide it. Okja is a bit wacky, a bit off tone at times, but it is also strangely enjoyable and touching. 19.) A Monster Calls I wasn't expecting much from this film, and went to see it expecting it to be pretty average. I couldn't have been more wrong. The mix of fairy-tale fantasy and the brutal reality of everyday life makes for an incredibly touching, devastating, and highly engaging film. Everyone in the cinema was utterly caught up in the film, and by the time it ended, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. 18.) The Disaster Artist There was a risk that making a film about 'The Room,' might be as bad as the infamous ...

  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 ...