MOVIE REVIEW

It may have taken 24 years, but Ridley Scott’s long-awaited sequel to the generation-defining Gladiator has arrived. In a time where cinematic experiences are fewer and farther between, it is a treat to sit in a cinema and give a worthy film its undivided attention for two and a half hours. And Gladiator II is most certainly a worthy film. 

The scale and spectacle of this film is immense, and arguably one of its most alluring features. Numerous epic battle scenes set in the Colosseum prove entertaining for the popcorn blockbuster enthusiasts worldwide. The cast of characters (some of whom are familiar to avid Gladiator fans) provide a range of perspectives and a more complex story than the original’s tale of revenge.

It is natural to compare this instalment with its Oscar-winning predecessor. Russel Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix leave enormous shoes for both Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal to fill. To their credit they do a great job and command the attention, as their tension throughout the film and chemistry accumulates to a rousing finale (or thereabouts). Despite their top billing, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the key star of this movie is Denzel Washington. A seasoned actor, Oscar-winner and veteran performer, he is the ideal candidate to spearhead this film and he truly is its beating heart. 

Amidst the movie’s successes, there are some choices that are made which will polarise viewers. One battle in particular involves a ship battle, with the Colosseum being filled with water. This itself is arguably historically accurate, but what does suspend belief is the CGI sharks that infest the man-made sea. Similarly, a battle with a series of primates are so heavily animated it is a scene more akin to Stranger Things than it is to the period-saga audiences have come to expect from Ridley Scott.

With the newly released Napoleon, and now this epic sequel, it could be argued that a return to blockbuster, genre defining blockbusters are returning to the silver screen, something that should delight fans of cinema. In an age where viewers are increasingly waiting for a film to be available on a streaming service, Gladiator II makes a solid case for putting on a nicer pair of pants and heading outside the home to experience a movie as intended – Gladiator II is well worth this effort.

Gladiator II is an immensely enjoyable and captivating story, with enough ties and tributes back to the original which will delight those who remain familiar with its material. 

John Krasinski’s latest film IF couldn’t be further from his previous efforts seen in the Quiet Place series. What seems to be written as something his own kids would enjoy, IF is a heartwarming tale of imaginary friends just trying to find their way in life. 

Cailey Fleming stars as Bea, a young girl who has lost her mother, and now faces possibly losing her dad (John Krasinski) to illness. Despite her dad’s crazy antics, which he creates to make sure she has a childhood, all Bea wants is to be a grown up - that is, until she starts seeing displaced imaginary friends. Teaming up with her neighbour Cal (Ryan Reynolds), Bea goes on a mission to match forgotten imaginary friends up with new children. 

Cailey Fleming perfectly encapsulates the kid who’s had to grow up too fast - which plays off well against Ryan Reynolds’ typical sarcastic cynicism. Rounding out the human cast is the wonderful Fiona Shaw (who can do no wrong) as Bea’s grandmother, Alan Kim (Minari) as the adorable Benjamin, and The Bear’s Liza Colón-Zayas as nurse Janet. 

Steve Carrell heads up the animated IFs as the big, lovable Blue - the main source of laughs throughout the film. Supporting is Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Blossom, and Louis Gossett Jr as Lewis, amongst a slew of characters voiced by Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Sam Rockwell and Jon Stewart, to name a few. All IFs are more wonderful than the last; all with their own touching back stories. 

What starts off as a seemingly cheerful film, takes its turns throughout the film - throwing life’s curveballs at the characters nonstop. While the film can tend to have its slower moments, it makes up for this in heart and in its wholesomeness - which it delivers in droves. There’s a few key moments in the film that had us in tears - also not wanting to grow up (damn you, Krasinski).  

While it’s maybe not necessarily a film for little kids, IF has plenty of charm and relatable moments sprinkled throughout to make it an adventure for the whole family. 

The heroes in a half shell are back for a new adventure in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. Directed by Jeff Rowe (Gravity Falls, Disenchantment) and co-written with power duos Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, as well as Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit (Detective Pikachu), Mutant Mayhem pulls out all the stops, and takes the franchise back to its goofy beginnings. Delving into the backstory of the turtles and their fellow mutants, this reboot is an action-packed romp that covers all bases with both old and new fans.

After living their lives in the shadows, the four turtles want nothing more than to live normal lives and be accepted by society. Despite what they are told about humans by Splinter, the turtles soon try their luck at fighting crime and protecting their fellow New Yorkers - which land them in the middle of a mess created by a crime syndicate lead by the mysterious Superfly. Assisted by their new friend April O'Neil, their goal of bringing down Superfly only gets harder when they realise they aren't the only mutants in New York.

Featuring an all-star cast, Mutant Mayhem flaunts a mammoth lineup in its voice cast, including Jackie Chan as Splinter, Seth Rogen and John Cena as Bebop and Rocksteady, The Bear's Ayo Edebiri as April O'Neil, and Ice Cube as the villainous Superfly. Rose Byrne, Paul Rudd, Hannibal Buress, Post Malone and Natasha Demetriou feature as other members of Superfly's gang, while Giancarlo Esposito and Maya Rudolph voice  scientists Baxter Stockman and Cynthia Utrom. Bringing the turtles to life are Nicolas Cantu as Leonardo, Brady Noon as Raphael, Micah Abbey as Donatello, and Shamon Brown Jr as Michelangelo - who all bring their own flair to their respective character, and really bring them to life.

One of the film's standout features is its gorgeous animation style, which has very obviously taken cues from the Spiderverse series. Rowe's own take on the style is raw, gritty and sketchy; full of imperfections that only just make each character and setting so much more memorable and filled with personality. Fleshing out this world is an incredible score by the legendary Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, who once again hit a home run.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is the right amount of old and new - it being both nostalgic, and full of an insane amount of pop culture references; breathing new life into a beloved franchise. Put simply, it is an incredibly fun film, with plenty of gut-aching laughs, and heart. Not to mention, with a credit scene like Mutant Mayhem's, we are keen to see where future films take us. 

In a world of sequels, prequels and reboots, Disney’s Haunted Mansion is the next in line to get the treatment. Directed by Justin Simien (Dear White People), Disney’s latest take on one of their most successful theme park attractions brings their spooky adventure to life on the big screens. With an all-star cast and a plot that follows along closer to the source material than 2003’s effort, Haunted Mansion delivers on the perfect blend of campy horror tropes mixed with plenty of laughs. 

The film follows astrophysicist Ben (LaKeith Stanfield) as he aids new homeowner Gabbie (Rosario Dawson) and her son Travis (Chase W Dillon) with ridding them from a series of hauntings that they have recently been plagued with. With the help of local priest Father Kent (Owen Wilson), psychic Harriet (Tiffany Haddish), and historian Bruce (Danny DeVito), the group must work together to get to the bottom of the secrets and ghosts that Gracey Manor is home to. 

The back and forth between comedy legends Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito and Tiffany Haddish provide the majority of the film’s laughs, which are supported by up-and-comer Chase W Dillon’s brilliant timing. In contrast, Stanfield’s Ben and Dawson's Gabbie bring humanity and emotion to a film filled with CGI characters. Without spoiling, the film sports a few choice cameos that were cheered on by the audience, and had us all cackling. 

As eagle-eyed viewers (and fans of the ride) will see, Simien has done well to include set design elements from the attraction throughout the film. The backdrop of Gracey Manor borrows heavily from the attraction's iterations across the world; with artwork and scenes taken directly from the ride - much to fans' delight. Despite Haunted Mansion's spooky backdrop, the actual number of frights is minimal - save for a few jump scares scattered throughout. It appears Simien has instead leaned heavily into the comedic side of the film, which with people like Danny DeVito around, still manages to work.

As one of our favourite rides at Disneyland, it was fun to see the lore and details from the attraction included in the film. While Haunted Mansion has its moments where it falls flat, its cast works well in its favour, and makes the film a fun horror-comedy at the best of times. 

Die hard fans of the Mission: Impossible series will not want to miss the latest instalment, Dead Reckoning Part One, which premiered in Australia on a very special day - Tom Cruise’s birthday. 

Celebrating with the man himself and some of the biggest names in the MI cast, fans in Sydney flocked to see both the celebrities in attendance, and the latest film. The action-packed blockbuster is a thrilling ride that pays homage to the original films, while introducing some exciting new characters and a build up for an epic sequel. 

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team return once again, choosing to accept a mission with one directive: stop a deadly weapon from falling into the wrong hands. Along the way, they face a mysterious and powerful adversary, who has a personal connection to Ethan's past. Ethan must decide what matters most - his mission or his friends. The film features an impressive cast, including MI newcomer Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg as the loyal sidekick, Rebecca Ferguson as Ethan’s former ally, and Pom Klementieff as a mysterious hacker. The film also brings back some familiar faces, such as Ving Rhames, Vanessa Kirby, and Esai Morales.

The film has a long run time of just over 2 and a half hours, but never feels boring or slow; all thanks to its action scenes which are second to none. The film, like Cruise’s recent Top Gun sequel, is a visual spectacle - filled to the brim with stunning locations, costumes, and effects. The action scenes are breathtaking and realistic, thanks to Tom Cruise's dedication to performing his own stunts. One such highlight features a train chase that will leave you on the edge of your seat - a scene that has to be seen to be believed. 

Dead Reckoning Part One is a well-crafted, smart, engaging story that balances action, humour and drama perfectly. The only criticism we can find is how brilliantly the film leaves you wanting more. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is the ultimate action film that will satisfy your expectations and more. It is a must-see for any fan of the franchise. 

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to see Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One in cinemas which is out July 8. The fate of the world may depend on it. 

 Fast, Furious, Family

Fast X is a tremendous, entertaining blockbuster film that will delight fans of the franchise. It certainly doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but when the wheels are spinning this quickly and with such adrenaline – why on earth would one want to?

The tenth instalment in the ‘Fast Saga’ (eleventh if you count one spinoff) begins with a focus on the central theme that will come as no surprise to avid (or casual) fans of these films – the importance of family. At a barbecue hosted by Dominic Toretto, his network reintroduce themselves, and us as an audience to a familiar universe. What follows is spectacular chaos.

The gang travel to Rome to complete a misguided mission before a series of cars, trucks and the largest bomb you’ve ever seen convalesce upon the doorstep of the Vatican City. This film will not be studied in physics or engineering classes, but those looking to create a film that creates edge-of-your-seat action sequences and tension should sit up and take note.

By now, the Fast Saga has built up a significant range of supporting characters and villains – many of whom make welcome cameo appearances. Notable inclusions from Helen Mirren, Jason Statham, Charlize Theron and John Cena really carry this film and make its 2 hour 20 minute runtime warranted. 

Brie Larson is a great addition to the universe, but credit must be given to Jason Momoa. To date, Momoa has been somewhat pigeon-holed into serious roles and franchises that match his intimidating stature. While taking the role of a central-villain is not a huge step aside from this categorisation, Momoa fully embraces the ‘fun’ traits this villainous persona allows and truly adds to the experience. 

The star of these movies are the action sequences. Say what you want about the Fast films in general, they know what they are and the do it well. While utilising scenery and locations that add to the scope, there are some incredible moments featured on the Spanish steps and at Hoover Dam. In a time where more people are curtailing their spending and choosing what movies to wait for home/digital release – Fast X is well worth the trip into the cinema to experience as it is intended. 

Without spoiling the end of this film, it is well worth waiting until the post-credits screen. There are no doubts about it – we have not seen the last of Toretto and his family. 

Until now, the John Wick films represented a tight, unique and impressive trilogy, despite the third entry’s cliffhanger that left us guessing. For anyone doubting whether a fourth instalment was necessary, throw those doubts away, as John Wick: Chapter 4 is the best in the franchise so far. 

What started as a very simple premise in the original movie (man’s dog is killed, man seeks revenge) has become a multi-faceted, fantastical world with ever-evolving rules and characters. With Keanu Reeves once again reprising his role as the stoic John Wick, Chapter 4 sees the bounty on Wick’s head getting bigger and bigger, as he takes on the High Table for a chance at retribution. One can be forgiven for forgetting faces and losing track of the plot - and for those new to the John Wick saga, this may be a deterrent. Fear not, the qualities of a John Wick movie - and in particular Chapter 4 - lie in its intense, impressive choreographed action sequences and its utterly beautiful cinematography. One standout sequence involves an aerial, one-take shot overlooking a floor plan that will last with audiences and set a new standard in action films for years to come. 

Wick kills a lot of people, and as a result, it’s hard to keep consistently raising the stakes and engaging audiences. By adding numerous characters with quirks, nuances and personalities, Chapter 4 succeeds in maintaining momentum and interest. Donnie Yen, who stars as Caine, commands his scenes and elicits some empathy early. Without giving anything away, the character of Mr Nobody calls the franchise back to its (arguably simple) roots - making for a satisfying conclusion. As always, the international settings for all scenes are immaculate. Particularly highlighting Paris and its surrounds, this film truly incorporates the location and geography as additional characters, which adds to the film’s theatricality and allure. 

With an almost three-hour run time, this film is a commitment, albeit one that absolutely pays off. Keanu Reeves has cemented himself as a stalwart of cinema who has consistently stood the rest of time and cemented a franchise that could arguably be more relevant and entertaining to today’s audiences than James Bond. 

Needless to say, the film reaches a satisfying conclusion. What is left for the future of Wick remains to be seen, but one can return to this film repeatedly and marvel at both its reinvention of the action genre as well as its commitment to its outlandish universe. 

Five stars. 

Zachary Levi returns as superhero Shazam, for DC's latest sequel Shazam! Fury of the Gods. After director David F Sandberg's 2019 film was met with positive reviews for its fun, goofy take on the genre, Sandberg's sequel continues on the series with plenty of charm, humour and entertainment. After the events of the first film, Billy Batson and his foster siblings have been fighting crime and saving the citizens of Philadelphia, as a super-powered team. Known to their city as the 'Philadelphia Fiascos', the siblings are still finding their feet and working on how to work together. It isn't until the Daughters of Atlas come to town that Billy and his family are tested, and find themselves pushed to their limits, as they try to stop the gods from unleashing a weapon that could destroy the world.

Zachary Levi and Asher Angel once again star as Billy Batson/Shazam, who is joined by Adam Brody/Jack Dylan Glazer as Freddy, Ross Butler/Ian Chen as Eugene, Meagan Good/Faithe Herman as Darla, DJ Cotrona/Jovan Armand as Pedro, and Grace Fulton as Mary - Billy's foster siblings. The sequel seems to have learnt from the first film and has played to its strengths; with more onscreen time spent with the Shazam-ed counterparts of Billy and his family. With the banter between Zachary Levi and Adam Brody being a strong point, the inclusion of a lot more action scenes surprisingly didn't take away too much time for character development and back stories. Also reprising his role is Djimon Hounsou as the wizard (also called) Shazam, but with plenty of comedic moments thrown in this time around. Dame Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu and Rachel Zegler join the returning cast as Hespera, Kalypso and Anthea, the Daughters of Atlas. While the three wouldn't typically play villains, seeing Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu as absolute menaces was a fun element to the film.

Fury of the Gods manages to pack in a lot during its two-hour runtime. While a bit of a CGI-fest at the best of times, the sequel still manages to include what made the first stand out so clearly amongst other DC films - plenty of heart. Despite this being another superhero film, there are still so many relatable moments scattered throughout the film - with Billy's imposter syndrome being an important factor. One of the film's strengths was its incredible design, which included a slew of creatures from Greek mythology; minotaurs, cyclops and harpies, to name a few. We won't go into too much detail about the crazy gothic-looking unicorns or dragon (because why not have a dragon in the film?) - but they were definitely fun moments. That, plus an absolutely bonkers cameo, makes for a fun cinema experience that'll have you sticking around until the very last post-credit scene.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods is a fun sequel, as far as sequels (let along DC sequels) go. Packed full of one-liners, and a crazy amount of action scenes that have to be seen to be believed, the sequel brings back everything we loved from the first film, and then multiplies it by 10. Although at this point it is still unclear if Shazam will be part of the DCU's reboot, we'd love to see the character and Zachary Levi return to screens for another adventure. Shazam! Fury of the Gods is out in cinemas 16 March - make sure you catch it as your next popcorn flick.

For an instalment in a franchise as big as the Rocky canon is, Creed III brings with it a number of firsts. This is Michael B Jordan’s debut as an actor-director, and it’s the first film not to include Sylvester Stallone. On paper this is a daunting prospect, and one that could lead to disappointment, particularly following a lacklustre Creed II. Nonetheless, MBJ delivers a knock-out movie, full of poise, excitement, and genuine entertainment.

After dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed has been thriving in both his career and family life. When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian (Jonathan Majors), resurfaces after serving a long sentence in prison, he is eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring.  The face-off between former friends is more than just a fight. To settle the score, Adonis must put his future on the line to battle Damian -- a fighter who has nothing to lose.

This movie has everything one has come to expect. A solid contest, an exhausting training montage and a finale that keeps all enthralled to the last minute. Michael B Jordan demonstrates a strong understanding of the tone and character focus that made Ryan Coogler’s Creed I so appealing. This movie is a return to form – with the addition of the heavyweight Jonathan Majors a major plus. The chemistry between both leads is superb, and carries the audience through its relatively swift sub-two-hour runtime. 

While perhaps considered a slow burn, true fans of the Creed instalments will relish this latest offering. We will have to wait and see if this is the last Creed movie, but after this, it is hard to imagine anyone else directing it but Adonis himself. 

Cocaine Bear is sure to be the biggest cult film of 2023.

After a 500-pound black bear consumes a significant amount of cocaine and embarks on a drug-fuelled rampage, an eccentric gathering of cops, criminals, tourists, and teenagers assemble in a Georgia forest.

If the premise of this film doesn’t draw in a particular crowd, nothing will. 

This movie is (unbelievably) based on a true story – or at the very least, inspired by true events. Touting a pretty impressive cast including Keri Russel, O’Shea Jackson Jr and the late Ray Liotta, Cocaine Bear is an amusing thriller. Not quite as cinematic as the Grey, and not quite as serious as the Revenant, the cast all know exactly what type of film they are making. 

With a runtime of only 90 minutes, this self-aware romp in the woods is an excellent night out at the cinema – although definitely not for children or the faint of heart. Some explicit violence and gore as well as a few jump scares are to be expected – but laced with the wit of writer Jimmy Warden (the Babysitter) and director Elizabeth Banks, the intended audience will find this film very bearable indeed. 

Would definitely recommend seeing this film with a group of friends in a cinema. 

Five bear claws. 

Antonio Banderas once again returns as the swashbuckling Puss in Boots, in DreamWorks Animations's latest film Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Following on from 2010's Shrek Forever After, the film is directed by Joel Crawford (The Croods: A New Age) and Januel Mercado, based on a story by Tommy Swerdlow and the first Puss in Boots film writer, Tom Wheeler. Featuring some familiar faces alongside a slew of new characters, the newest film from the fairytales of Shrek is an incredible story of adventure, friendship, and funnily enough, mortality.

While saving a town from a giant monster, Puss is accidentally killed. After waking up, he learns that he only has one life remaining from his original nine. With his pride taking the reigns, Puss shakes off the thought of anything bad ever happening to him. It isn't until he loses a fight with a bounty hunter wolf, that he begins to think of his own mortality, and decides to retire and become a domesticated cat at Mama Luna's house. After some time, Puss has become a shadow of his former self, and has buried his past in exchange for his new life as a lap cat. A dog with no name who has disguised himself as a cat begins to attach himself to Puss; sensing his loneliness and sorrow; however, they are soon interrupted by Goldilocks and the Three Bears Crime Family, who are hunting him down. After mistaking Puss in Boots as being long gone, Puss learns that they are searching for the Wishing Star - a fairytale many thought to be untrue. Following them, he plans on stealing the map to the star for himself, which is currently being held by 'Big' Jack Horner, whose plans for his single wish aren't very noble. With a plan to get the rest of his nine lives back, Puss sets out on an adventure to save himself - and just so happens to run into a few characters from his past.

Antonio Banderas is fantastic as always as the titular Puss in Boots; with his smooth voice bringing to life the overly-confident Puss. He is matched by his female counterpart and love interest, with Salma Hayek returning as Kitty Softpaws. Despite the film being animated, the chemistry between the two actors is undeniable, and the two know how to play off each other incredibly. Joining the cast is What We Do in the Shadows' Harvey Guillén as their canine companion, who practically embodies the annoyingness of a yappy little dog. The wonderful Florence Pugh, Olivia Colman, Ray Winstone and Samson Kayo voice Goldilocks, Mama Bear, Papa Bear and Baby Bear, while John Mulaney voices the entirely unhinged Big Jack Horner. While the film does pack in a decent amount of new characters, they are fleshed out well, and do serve their purpose of breathing a breath of fresh air into the franchise.

One of The Last Wish's main highlights is its beautiful animation style, which DreamWorks has very obviously taken inspiration from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The film has taken on a more 'painted' style of animation, which switches up in action sequences to more pronounced, almost comic-like framing. The film itself is incredibly beautiful - and we can see how this new style will prevent the animation itself from ageing, and looking outdated in a few years to come. 

While dealing with a lot darker themes than your average kid's film, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish really is a film for the whole family. There's your typical kid's jokes, sure, but DWA definitely went to the effort of sneaking a few in there for the adults. At surface level, the film is tale of adventure and friendship - but deeper down, it'll remind you that life is precious, and that you should stop and smell the roses once in a while. If this is the new direction DreamWorks Animation is headed in, we're super excited to see what they next have in store. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish comes to cinemas this Boxing Day.

Director Mark Mylod’s latest work comes to fruition in the form of The Menu; a satirical take on the pretentiousness of the food world, filled with plenty of twists and turns. Mylod, known for his work on Succession, Game of Thrones and Shameless is not one to shy away from tension and wit, which his latest film thrives on. 

When couple Margot and Tyler are invited to dine at celebrity chef Julian Slowik’s invite-only restaurant, aspiring foodie Tyler, along with a group of seemingly random guests are quick to jump at the opportunity to savour Slowik’s latest menu. Taking a boat to the remote island and restaurant, Hawthorne, Slowik’s guests range from couple Tyler and Margot, to food critics Lillian and Ted, regular customers Richard and Anne, a group of tech bros, and a movie star and his assistant. Unfortunately for the dinner guests, their chef has a little more in mind than a multiple course meal, designed to assault the senses. 

The fantastic Ralph Fiennes dominates the screen as chef Julian Slowik, who seemingly meets his match in Margot, who is played by scream queen Anya Taylor-Joy. Taylor-Joy is an obvious highlight in the film, much like everything else she stars in, and has truly cemented herself as one of this generation’s standout actors. Her attitude and general uncaring of how unimpressed she is by the industry throughout The Menu is in a way, a response to the ridiculous characters around her. Starring as mega fanboy Tyler, Nicholas Hoult borders on coming across as an obsessed, pathetic fanatic at the best of times, which is incredibly entertaining to watch. 

Supporting the main cast is Janet McTeer who plays critic Lillian Bloom, who leans into pure food critic wankery easily, which is constantly backed up by her yes man and editor, Ted (played hilariously by Paul Adelstein). John Leguizamo stars as a has-been actor who grasps at any possibility of staying relevant, which has his assistant Felicity (Aimee Carrero) working around the clock, while tech influencers Soren (Arturo Castro), Dave (Mark St. Cyr) and Bryce (Rob Yang) are just there for the clout. Rounding out the dinner guests is Hawthorne’s strict and scary maître d Elsa, who is portrayed by Hong Chau, who easily switches between comical and chilling. 

The film’s events are broken up into courses, much like Mylod is serving up each shock and horror on a silver platter. The scenes in which dishes are actually served play out like typical food presentations from Chef’s Table, complete with some hilarious captions (‘Tyler’s bulllshit’ being a highlight). The film is paced well, and doesn’t fall into the trap of a rushed ending - making for a movie that keeps you on your toes at all times. It isn’t until about a third of the way through that the film takes a shocking turn, which can only be described as an extreme escalation of events, that had us and the rest of the audience gasping. 

As an incredibly enjoyable film, The Menu is a fun, fresh take on the comedy horror genre, and one that should be relished by those looking for something a little different. The Menu hits cinemas November 24, so book your tickets now for a real palate cleanser. 

Mrs Harris Goes To Paris is a 1950s period piece directed by Anthony Fabian, about English housekeeper Ada Harris (Oscar nominee Lesley Manville), whose newfound dream of owning her very own Dior dress leads her to the House of Dior in Paris. Coming to terms with the loss of her husband after the war, Ada throws caution to the wind, and takes life one day at a time while living out her wildest fantasies. 

This heartwarming story centres around a character with a heart of gold, and is both honest and real - two things that may surprise you when the story is based on a piece of fiction. The film, based on a novel by American author Paul Gallico (The Snow Goose), is a love letter to the House of Dior, revolving around the famous haute couture and highlighting both the elegance and squalor of Paris in the 50s.

Ada encounters many friends on her journey including the disdainful Claudine Colbert (Oscar nominee Isabelle Huppert), the gentleman Marquis de Chassagne (Lambert Wilson), and the existentialists André Fauvel (Lucas Bravo) and Natasha (Alba Baptista). Paired alongside her friends at home, Archie (Jason Isaacs) and best friend Vi Butterfield (Ellen Thomas), it’s easy to forget the magic of Paris and get caught up in the magic that is Mrs Harris and all that she does for others. 

This feel-good film is so much more than a story about a dress - even if the unsung hero of this story is Oscar-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan (A Room With A View, Mad Max, Cruella). The enchanting flick sweeps you away to another world - as any good book (or movie) can. Coming to theatres 27 October, we highly recommend spending some time with Mrs Harris and friends. 

Dwayne Johnson is at the helm of DC's eleventh entry into their cinematic universe (DCEU) as the god-like being, Black Adam. Bursting his way onto screen after what could be considered a cameo in 2019's Shazam!, the film follows up DC's anti-hero streak, after the ever so entertaining Birds of Prey and The Suicide Squad. Set in the fictional city of Kahndaq, Teth-Adam is released from his imprisonment into modern life, after nearly five thousand years. Attracting the attention of the Justice Society, as well as becoming entangled in the lives of a local family, his warped views on morality are put to the test as the threat of a bigger danger looms closer. After a massive lead up to the film, especially after all the years Johnson has campaigned for the role, director Jaume Collet-Serra (House of Wax, Jungle Cruise) has finally brought the character to light, in all his violent glory.

Dwayne Johnson has played leading role after leading role in recent times, so while unsurprising to see him in yet another film, he sure is fun to watch. After getting in what he calls the best shape of his life, Johnson's determination and passion surrounding the character is obvious throughout the film, making it clear that this is the actor's proud moment. With the introduction of the Black Adam character to the DCEU, also comes the long-awaited Justice Society of America's debut. Fronted by the stoic Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), whose appearance we were super keen for, the team is fleshed out by Doctor Fate (who Pierce Brosnan plays wonderfully), Cyclone (played by Quintessa Swindell, who easily has the film's coolest effects), and Atom Smasher, with Noah Centineo bringing the film's comedic relief. Sarah Shahi and Bodhi Sabongui star as Adrianna and Amon; Kahndaq locals, and the reason for Adam's freedom, while Marwan Kenzari leans into his natural ability to play villains.

Playing a seemingly careless anti-hero this time round, Johnson's star power is enough to cause hype for the film, that may be short lived; while the film is undeniably entertaining, it is not without its faults. It's no surprise that the DCEU is a fan of using an oversized CGI villain - and this is where the film falls a little flat. Originally given an R rating until the eleventh hour, the film still has plenty of gratuitous fight scenes, ultraviolence and an excessive (yet rewarding) amount of slow motion scenes. Personally, we can only dream that an R-rated cut of the film is released, in a similar vein to the Snyder cut of Justice League - simply for the fan service.

Black Adam is probably one of the more enjoyable DC films we've seen in recent years - and most of this is due to Johnson being his usual, effortlessly cool self, plus his overall DGAF attitude to killing anyone in his way. Carrying the movie on his (massive) shoulders is something the actor tends to do in his films, but with plenty of cameos from the DCEU thrown in to get the crowd excited, we're keen to see what this film opens the door to. Black Adam is in cinemas now, so strap yourself in and prepare for the onslaught.

Marketed as the first gay rom-com from a major studio, director Nick Stoller (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Bad Neighbours) and Billy Eichner's co-written effort comes to theatres in the form of Bros. The typical boy-meets-girl trope is flipped on its head in this Judd Apatow-produced film; when boy meets boy, and both agree to a commitment-free relationship as hilarity ensues. Proudly boasting an all LGBTQ+ cast, Bros re-defines the typical genre we're all guilty of enjoying, and unapologetically brings it into the 21st Century.

Billy Eichner stars in the lead role as queer history podcaster and museum director Bobby Lieber, who at 40, has never been in love, and isn't willing to give a relationship a try anytime soon. His love life consists of random hookups and constant swiping on dating apps, which he explains to his friends is just what works for him. It isn't until he meets the attractive and 'boring' lawyer Aaron Shepard at a club, that he finds himself wanting more. The film highlights the honest and sometimes brutal realities that can come from dating in the modern world, especially as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. At the heart of the film - outside of the humour - you are left with a film about finding someone that's worth letting your guard down for; containing a number of important messages from the talented cast. 

Eichner especially is in full swing in Bros; quick-witted as anything, and painfully cynical of the world of queer dating. What comes off as gripes throughout the movie aimed at modern dating, snowballs into Bobby at his most vulnerable; as he breaks down at the thought of being told his identity as a queer man was 'too much' growing up, only for acceptance to hit at breakneck speed too little too late. It's nice to see Eichner in a serious role, despite the strong comedy element in the film, and the at times heartbreaking scenes really hit home for the entire audience. 

Bros understood the importance of what the film would mean to the world, and found a way to shine throughout. The talent of the cast, as well as a number of important and iconic cameos, has us shouting from the rooftops for everyone to head into the cinema to see this film. Bros is out in Australia on October 27. 

An idyllic mid-century heaven hiding a sinister secret is the setting of Olivia Wilde's latest film, Don't Worry Darling. As Wilde's highly anticipated directorial follow up to her 2019 film Booksmart, the psychological thriller follows the seemingly perfect lives of young couple Alice and Jack, who are living their best lives as citizens of the Victory Project. What is essentially the Stepford Wives on crack, the film features an all-star cast, along with plenty of claustrophobia and uneasiness thrown in.

With a screenplay by Katie Silberman (Booksmart), based on a story by Carey and Shane Van Dyke, Don't Worry Darling centres around the company town of Victory in California in the 1950s. Populated by picture-perfect couples, every husband leaves each morning to go to his job in the restricted area, while their dutiful wives stay home; working away the day until their husband returns to them, with dinner already on the table and a drink waiting for them. Lead by Victory's founder/pseudo guru Frank, all families of Victory follow along blindly, blissful in their ignorance, until Alice starts to question the suffocating utopia she lives in.

The incredible Florence Pugh stars as main character Alice Chambers, who is married to businessman Jack, played by Harry Styles in his first leading role. The two share convincing onscreen chemistry, but it is Pugh's talent that carries the film, while Styles' new acting direction still leaves a lot to be desired. Playing the enigmatic Frank is Chris Pine, who leans into his creepy villain role with plenty of shit-eating grins. Equally as chilling is Gemma Chan as his wife Shelley, who keeps the other housewives in line with her calm and collected demeanour. Olivia Wilde and Nick Kroll round out the cast as the Chambers' neighbours and close friends, Bunny and Dean, who have also bought into whatever it is Frank is selling. 

Cinematically, the film is absolutely gorgeous to look at - with golden hues and soft pastels bringing the scenes to life. Every room and costume is beautifully set out, and is a vintage-lover's dream. Until the film's rose coloured glasses start to crack, and Alice begins to realise something is off, the film starts to incite feelings of claustrophobia, despite the vastness of the desert Victory is in the middle of. The use of windows in the film was also clever - with the general feeling being that you were always being watched by someone.

While Don't Worry Darling isn't the most original of films, and has its fair share of imperfections, it is still an entertaining movie. Wilde's use of feminism and gender roles helps drive the film closer to home, making the ending just that bit more satisfying. Don't Worry Darling hits cinemas 6 October. 

As the first feature film for director Tom George, See How They Run is a strong starting point. Playing out like a beloved British procedural, the film is a play on the typical whodunnit, with plenty of meta moments and farce thrown in for good measure. After a murder most foul is committed in London's West End in the 1950s, Scotland Yard puts Inspector Stoppard and Constable Stalker on the case. As the trope goes, the tired detective and rookie cop are an unlikely pairing, but they must learn to put aside their differences and catch the killer.

After a party celebrating the 100th performance of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap, Hollywood film director Leo Köpernick (Adrien Brody) is found murdered. With Köpernick turning out to be quite an unlikable man, each of the stage show's cast and crew all have a motive, and are now the prime suspects. The murder of the obnoxious director soon has Stoppard and Stalker stumped, as they realise the killer's MO goes deeper than they realise. As incredibly entertaining as it is to watch, it soon becomes clear that See How They Run is a mystery hidden within a mystery. 

It's fair to say that anything Sam Rockwell touches is gold, and that is definitely the case with his role as Inspector Stoppard. While it did take us a bit to get used to his English accent, Rockwell's inspector is a homage to any down on their luck, haggard detective, whose cynicism and patience is tested by the newbie police officer. On the other hand, Saoirse Ronan's Constable Stalker is the complete opposite of Stoppard; eager as anything, full of beans, and just excited to be working with a seasoned detective. Supporting the two leads are Ruth Wilson as producer Petula Spencer, David Oyelowo as overrated screenwriter Mervyn Cocker-Norris, and Reece Shearsmith as film producer John Woolf. Playing The Mousetrap's leads are Harris Dickinson as Richard Attenborough, and Pearl Chanda as his co-star wife Sheila Sim. The entire troupe play off each other well, with their characters' lives imitating art, with hilarious results.

The film shares a style similar to a Wes Anderson film, with off-handed jokes, plenty of word-play, and a choppy pacing. The running jokes and callbacks throughout the film are well thought out and have satisfying payoffs, and are easily the strongest facet of the movie. While Rockwell is no stranger to comedies, See How They Run shows Ronan absolutely thriving within the genre - making it one that we'd love to see more of her in.

One of the film's most enjoyable parts is George's use of meta-references and the breaking of the fourth wall, which run throughout the film, adding an extra layer of humour and ridiculousness to the already quirky film. All up, See How They Run is packed full of fun moments and is an absolute hoot to see. Catch it in cinemas from 29 September onwards.