filmsExaminer

This is a true story, written by the leading star Kumail Nanjiani, a struggling stand-up comedian and co-written by his wife Emily Gordon, the other lead character portrayed. Kumail's story is of the relationship he has with his traditional Muslim parents and how he meets and falls in love with his future wife, who heckles him at one of his stand-up shows. Kumail keeps Emily a secret from his parents, who are trying hard to arrange a traditional Pakistani marriage, especially his mother who knows what's best! The result is a breakup. Emily gets sick and needs to be put into a coma, she requires immediate critical treatment. Emily's parents travel to her hospital bedside to help deal with the illness, and this is where Kumail spends considerable time with them, gradually a bond develops. The film is emotional in places, especially when Kumail goes against the wishes of his parents and is ultimately disowned. So the theme deals with family relationships and with the difficu...

This is set in 1987 - Perth, Australia. Rated Cert. 18 for sustained sexual threat. Based on a true story of the Moorehouse Murders. The themes dealt with are abduction, sex, torture, brutal domination, distress, rape and murder. There are standout performances from Emma Booth (the wife, who is both an abductor and a victim), Stephen Curry (the O.C.D. husband, who is both a dominant figure in his household but also submissive to the men he owes money to) and particularly Ashleigh Cummings (who is the abducted teenage character). This is not a film that you watch to particularly enjoy or be entertained by, but it's gripping and accurately shows how these things could happen! 8/10.

Shocking (but not in a good way) the story of 4 (girl) friends who reunite and have a crazy weekend in New Orleans. I am not the target audience, demonstrated by the fact that I was the only bloke in my local packed cinema attended by only 3 other blokes. This film is interested in money, the media world, portrays the worst of black culture stereotypes and women as property. The film is 2 hours of total nonsense, but it felt like 4. Not funny, terrible attempts at adult humour, endless vulgarity, endless f-bombs, gross, disgusting. In fact I wish I could un-see some of the scenes. It's the worst film this year. Please stay away from this rubbish or they'll make a sequel 'Girls Trip 2 – Another Delightful Weekend Away' AGHHHH! ZERO/10.

A melodrama, based on a true story, set in Nova Scotia over a 30 year period. Sally Hawkins plays the female lead (Maudie), an arthritic hunchback, she is a little simple and frail, but someone who has an artistic gift. When facing difficult or emotional situations she is seen rushing to be by herself to paint, this is her coping mechanism. Ethan Hawk plays the male lead (Everett), a moody fish seller and 'do-it-all' handyman. He has a violent temper originating from a poor childhood, raised in a children's home and an evidently hard present-day life. Maudie answers a shop advert to be Everett's housekeeper, it's clear that no-one else would have tolerated Everett's fiery behaviour. However, they became a couple over time and they eventually get married, both realising they were the best either would ever get. One of Everett's customers notices and appreciates Maudie's art and agrees to purchase everything she can produce. Even though Maudie's art is...

This is an action spy thriller, cert 15 for violence and strong language. Set in Germany (Berlin) in 1989 with a female 'Bond' character and 'John Wick' style action fighting sequences. Produced by and staring Charlize Theron, who portrays a British spy with an authentic 'Joanna Lumley' type accent. Her mission is to fly to Berlin and bring back her dead colleague (who we see killed in the opening sequence), and recover a microfilm containing secret agent details hidden in a C.F.Bucherer watch. The plot narrative is a little clichéd but that didn't bother me. While in Berlin she works with another field based agent though she's never sure if he can be totally trusted. Our heroine is intensely physical, smart and beautiful, even after suffering a black eye and heavy bruising from fights with dozens of big, strong, armed enemies. The film won't win any Oscars but is tense and gripping with a great 80's sound track (though strangely no Blondie track...

This is a good vs evil fantasy horror, Cert. 12a. I was drawn to this film since it was based on a Stephen King book. The purpose of the mysterious 'Dark Tower' is to keep the Universe together. The young hero (Jake) continuously dreams and sketches The Dark Tower and dark demons, his parents are convinced he's a crack-pot and needs help. Jake finds a portal and is transported into another world – he helps the gunslinger to protect The Dark Tower and ultimately save the Universe. The main characters are the 'Gunslinger' played by Idris Elba, the 'Man in Black' played by Matthew McConaughey, and the young hero played by Tom Taylor (the standout performance). The film reminded me of 'Harry Potter' and 'the first Matrix' Not a bad film but not great either, but will be another franchise. 5/10.

Comedy heist ('Dimwits' rob the local speedway). Staring Channing Tatum, Daniel Craig, and Adam Driver. Channing Tatum's character is a construction worker, and plans to pull off what looks like an impossible robbery (sound familiar?), he's very familiar with the geography of their target area, since he worked on this (the tunnels under the track) before loosing his job. To pull this off he needs help from an explosives expert called Joe Bang played by Daniel Craig. You won't help thinking that this film is a very funny (tongue in cheek) version of 'Ocean's 11' The plot is totally chaotic and very funny for it, the robbery is very complex, and really depends on the audience missing some tiny details. But don't worry as it all gets pulled together in the end. Highly recommended. 8/10.