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Certificate: 12A Running time: 133 minutes  Directed by: David Yates. What’s it about: The second instalment in the Fantastic Beasts film series sees Albus Dumbledore enlist the help of Newt Scamander to help thwart dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald’s plans to subjugate all non-magical beings. The verdict: As a disclaimer, before I start this review, I feel that I should point out that I am a massive Potterhead. Thus I will primarily be reviewing this film as a fan. However I will try to consider the film from a non fan’s perspective as well. So with that being said, did I enjoy Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald? I can tell you that the answer is an resounding YES! Interestingly, just before I went into the cinema, I read some less than complimentary headlines about the film. With that in mind, and my massive expectations, I have to admit that my hopes weren’t overly high. But from the opening scene to the closing credits, I was utterly enthralled and engage...

Certificate: 18 Running time: 104 minutes  Directed by: David Gordon Green. What’s it about: Forty years after Laurie Strode survived a vicious attack by crazed serial killer Michael Myers, Strode finds herself confronting Myers once again after he escapes from a prison bus crash. The verdict: So it should be made clear from the start that I have, prior to watching this film, only ever seen one other Halloween film - Halloween H20. And by seen, I mean I hid during most of it. So I use the word ‘seen’ loosely. I do however have a good knowledge of the franchise, but obviously this has probably had an impact on my viewing of the film. With Halloween, I think it needs to be evaluated in two ways - its merit as a horror film and its merit as a sequel.  So firstly, let’s address its merit as a horror film. And when doing that, I have to say that I found Halloween sub-par. I really liked the first act but the consequent acts went downhill for me. When broken down in...

Certificate: 15 Running time: 112 minutes  Directed by: Ruben Fleischer. What’s it about: Whilst investigating experiments performed by the Life Foundation and its founder Carlton Drake,  journalist Eddie Brock gets more than he bargained for when he finds himself merged with alien symbiote Venom.  The verdict: There was a press embargo on any reviews being published for Venom until the day before its release but rumours had already started to seep through that Venom did not meet expectations. And when the embargo was lifted, critics had throughly slated Venom - with some even going so far as to call it “the worst film of the year.” But is Venom as bad as the critics have made out? The answer is both yes and no.  Let’s address the negatives first. For me, Venom’s biggest flaw was its tonal problems. It almost feels like Fleischer had so many films that he wanted to make that he decided he’d just make them all. At times Venom is a comedy, other ...

Certificate: 15 Running time: 135 minutes  Directed by: Bradley Cooper. What’s it about: Seasoned musician Jackson Maine helps struggling singer Ally launch her music career. But as they fall in love and Ally’s music career takes off, Jackson is fighting an ongoing battle with his personal demons. The verdict: I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that it wasn’t until after seeing this film and reading about it that I realised that A Star is Born (2018) is actually the second remake of the original film. But embarrassment aside, I am glad that I knew nothing about the story going into it. I think it was so much more impactful that way. So if you’re like me and not familiar with the 1937 or 1976 version, then don’t read or research anything about this film before you see it. A Star is Born marks the directorial debut for Bradley Cooper and the film debut for Lady Gaga. And I would say that it is a stunning debut for both of them. Firstly Cooper’s direction shows that he...

  Certificate: 12A Running time: 113 minutes  Directed by: Jon Turteltaub What’s it about: The members of a marine research team, who are carrying out a deep sea project, have a massive problem on their hands when a giant prehistoric shark begins terrorising them. The verdict: I was terrified of Jaws as a child, so much so that I haven’t been able to watch it for over twenty years. With that in mind, I wondered if The Meg, albeit being a CGI blockbuster, could have the same effect for a whole new generation. After seeing it, I feel that I can safely say that this will not be the case. Let’s just get this out of the way and say that The Meg is a pretty bad film. The characters are one dimensional stereotypes and typecast. The dialogue is cheesy, and the plot is highly predictable and obvious. I saw the so-called twist coming a mile off, which may or may not have been the point. But intelligent, this film is not. But most disappointingly was the lack of peril. Wi...

Certificate: 12A Running time: 118 minutes  Directed by: Peyton Reed. What’s it about: Scott Lang is struggling with the consequences of his choices as both a Superhero and a father. When he is confronted with an urgent mission, which means he must again don his Ant-Man suit and fight alongside the Wasp, he soon finds himself engaged in a battle with a powerful new enemy.  The verdict: There have been murmurings that audiences are experiencing superhero film fatigue. And with Ant-Man and the Wasp being the twentieth offering from Marvel, and the film that had to follow the massive success of Infinity War - there was the chance that Ant-Man and the Wasp might fall flat and be a disappointment. Happily, that is not the case. Ant-Man and the Wasp is a fun, easy watch, funny, throwaway film - and it’s all the better for it. After the intensity of Infinity War, this is the perfect Marvel film to remind us about the lighter side of Marvel. The action sequence...

Certificate: 12A Running time: 148 minutes  Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie What’s it about: Ethan Hunt is back. This time, Ethan and his crew find themselves in a desperate race against time as they try to prevent weapons of mass destruction from falling into the wrong hands. But their mission is proved more difficult than ever, when they are faced with questions of loyalty and not knowing who they can trust. The verdict: Although I’ve always liked the Mission Impossible films, I’ve never thought of myself as a big fan of the franchise. So with that thought in mind, I went to see Mission: Impossible Fallout with no particular expectations. Well the film blew me away, and I enjoyed it so much that it has inspired me to rewatch the previous films. Mission: Impossible Fallout is an action packed, nonstop, thrilling adventure film and it’s just massively entertaining. It’s made of up insane set pieces and it’s relentless. It has a long running time,  but t...

 *Before the list commences, a quick note as to my methodology for choosing these films. This list is chosen from films released theatrically in the U.K between the 1st of January 2018 and the 1st of July 2018, and is based on one viewing of the film. Although some of the films have been chosen because of their filmmaking merits, primarily this list is based on my overall enjoyment whilst watching the film. Please feel free to comment and let me know which films you have enjoyed so far this year.*  10.) Unsane (15) Directed by Steven Soderbergh Unsane snuck into the number ten spot due to two factors. Firstly it has a great performance from its lead actor Claire Foy. She carries the film and is in almost every single shot, giving a great and convincing performance. And secondly the fact that it was shot entirely on an iPhone. This may sound like a gimmick and yes it does look like it was filmed on a phone, which admittedly does feel slightly jarring at f...

Certificate: 12A Running time: 149 minutes  Directed by: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo. What’s it about: The Avengers unite to battle their greatest enemy yet - the evil Thanos who is on a mission to collect all six Infinity stones. The fate of the entire planet, and existence itself, lies in the hands of the Avengers as everything they have ever fought for has led up to this moment.  The verdict: Firstly I will be writing this review with the pre-assumption that anyone going to see Infinity War is already familiar with the Marvel Cinematic Universe and is probably a fan of the films. If you’re not, then what have you been doing with your life?! Jokes aside, if you are looking to get into the MCU, then this is definitely not the film to start with. In order not to risk the wrath of Thanos himself who demands our silence, this review shall be reasonably short and sweet so as to avoid even the smallest of spoilers. So, what were my initial thoughts on Infinity W...

Certificate: 12A Running time: 140 minutes  Directed by: Steven Spielberg. What’s it about: Based on the bestselling novel by Ernest Cline, Ready Player One follows Wade Watts, a young gamer who spends his days in the OASIS - a virtual reality universe where people can escape the grim realities of the world. When the creator of the OASIS dies, he leaves his immense fortune to the first person to find an Easter egg that he has hidden somewhere in the OASIS. But just because the contest takes place in virtual reality, it doesn’t mean that the dangers aren’t very real... The verdict: In a lot of ways I feel that it’s slightly unfortunate that I’ve read the novel that this film is based upon. This meant that I couldn’t help but compare the film to the book. So on a quick side note for those who’ve read the book - although I think the film mostly captures the spirit of the book, there are A LOT of changes. Personally I found these changes to be disappointing. Ready Playe...