The Stag Sevenoaks

1917

• 
• 2019
• UK / US
• 1h 57min

• Directed by: Sam Mendes
• Cast: George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Claire Duburcq, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch
• UK release: 10 January 2020

Lance Corporals Schofield (MacKay) and Blake (Chapman) are given the job of hand-delivering a message to another unit, across the mud and misery of the trenches. It suffers from simplistic dialogue and flat characterisation, but it’s visually impressive and a respectable, heartfelt tribute to the sacrifice of WWI.

Bombshell

• 
• 2019
• US
• 1h 49min
• 15

• Directed by: Jay Roach
• Cast: Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie, Nicole Kidman, John Lithgow
• UK release: 17 January 2020

The story of the Roger Ailes sexual harassment scandal at Fox News. It favours snappiness rather than a serious examination of the crimes, but Theron is excellent as Megyn Kelly and Kidman and Robbie are also compelling. Slick, glossy and entertaining, but it could have used more sensitivity and anger.

Dr John Cooper Clarke

The legendary Mancunian punk poet, who is a spiritual godfather to the likes of Mike Skinner and Plan B hauls his insatiable laconic wit on tour.

Frozen 2

• 
• 2019
• US
• 1h 43min
• U

• Directed by: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
• Cast: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad, Jonathan Groff
• UK release: 22 November 2019

Elsa (Menzel) and Anna (Bell) head off on a dangerous journey after Elsa hears voices calling her to a distant land. The plot is less involving than the character interaction, but Olaf (Gad) is the comedic highlight and while it may be less compelling than the original, it's got all the ingredients for a hit.

Little Women

• 
• 2019
• US
• 2h 15min
• U

• Directed by: Greta Gerwig
• Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, Meryl Streep, Tracy Letts, Bob Odenkirk, James Norton, Louis Garrel, Chris Cooper
• UK release: 26 December 2019

Adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel about a group of sisters growing up after the American Civil War. Gerwig’s affection and respect for the book is obvious but she boldly captures the transition from childhood to womanhood by playing with structure; an outstanding cast and skilful filmmaking make it a…

Spies in Disguise

• 
• 2019
• US
• 1h 41min
• PG

• Directed by: Nick Bruno, Troy Quane
• Cast: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Rashida Jones, Ben Mendelsohn, Reba McEntire, Rachel Brosnahan, Karen Gillan, DJ Khaled, Masi Oka, Carla Jimenez

Lance Sterling (Smith) is a super spy who has to team up with inventor Walter (Holland) to clear his name, but is turned into a pigeon. It’s all very derivative but good fun, with a cute message about embracing your weirdness, and Smith and Holland’s terrific double act should earn them their own live-action buddy comedy.

Weathering with You

• 
• 2019
• Japan
• 1h 51min

• Directed by: Makoto Shinkai
• Cast: Kotaro Daigo, Nana Mori, Chieko Baishô

Hodaka (Daigo), a 16-year-old runaway, arrives in Tokyo and meets orphaned Hina (Mori), who seems to have special powers. An animated tale of adolescent romance set in a beautifully rendered Tokyo, it’s visually resplendent, even if it’s not quite up to director Shinkai’s sublime 2016 Your Name.