Mark Gerard Barry

Crimes of Grumble Bore more like it. Like most I was pushed into watching this at our local (upgraded) fleapit on a wet British Thursday afternoon. But despite its undoubted feast of special effects and a really great opening scene that owes much to headless horsemen movies of yore - after not too long awhile the whole thing just comes off as a jumbled mess and frankly a bit of a bore. And after only a week or so – no one seems that interested either (the large new cinema with seats at only £3.50 barely had six people in it). The convoluted story and mumbled dialogue is often far too complicated and knowing for its own good. But worse - not only do you not understand what’s going on or being said - you care little for any of the characters even if you could decipher all its oh-so-smug in-house Potter-world jargon. As additions go, Johnny Depp does a very good evil-minded boggle-eyed baddy (Grindelwald) and Jude Law adds a genuine touch of star power, charm and classy humanity as the young wizard Dumbledore to a film that badly needs all of it. The ladies triumph too - a long line of different nationality lovelies who are unfortunately mostly made to wave wands and look like they mean it. Which brings me to the other problem. My missus thought it was just 'silly' and not in a fun way and also too wildly implausible and wrapped up in its own adult dialogue to notice what its core audience is – young kids and teens. And I can't help but agree. Harry Potter fans will probably chew it up, but personally I was more excited by the Mary Poppins Returns trailer than I was by this whole scrappy mess. Maybe we've come to expect too much from effects, but given what the forthcoming Aqua Man movie looks like (stunning) and the general weariness most now feel towards another sequel after a prequel after an origins story ad nauseam - and its no wonder there were six people in a huge empty cinema with most wishing they were looking at something (anything) that could be construed as original. Wait for the BLU RAY to drop to pennies or the streaming download to come online for free later in 2019 – but paying for this flashy crud feels like a mistake in any format...

In a sea of lesser Rom-Com titles - "Holidate" was a blast, kept very much alive by the chemistry and sheer likeability of the two leads - Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey who wisecrack their way through a zippy script. "Holidate" is one of those lightweight films you don't expect very much from - and yet with a large smart supporting cast - it delivers over and above what other more starry leads don't. The dialogue and set-scenes were funny and well-paced and of course you start to root for this lost couple of souls and get invested. Give it a shot...

For sure there are places, themes and locations in "The Nevers" that we've all been too before. Who cares! I loved it. "The Nevers" is gorgeous to look at, the story is clever and the huge ensemble cast rocks - especially Ann Skelly, Laura Donnelly, Eleanor Tomlinson, Ben Chaplin, Tom Riley, James Norton, Amy Manson and the mighty Pip Torrens - all rocking it. And how good is it to see such a wealth of parts for young upper-coming actresses to shine. "The Nevers" has a sense of hope about it too - dark vs. light - played out against a backdrop of old London and gadgets and large swabs of Sherlock Homes and Enola Holmes thrown in. The kind of thing the critics seem to hate, but like "Carnival Row" - this is one I suspect the public will love. And if they aren't already - Laura Donnelly and Ann Skelly are going to be huge stars...

I know we've been to this territory before and as the father of a 30-year old son with severe Autism - this film would have a lot of triggers for me that are too painful to even think about. But the setting is believable; the casting is so extraordinarily good with top actors who know they're working on a wee gem. And the two leads - Shia LeBeouf and Zak Gottsagen - knock it out of the ballpark so many times as their characters move begrudgingly towards each other. The beautiful Dakota Johnson as a carer of this vulnerable Downs Syndrome man adds a layer too - as do the gruff real-world charms of Bruce Dern, Thomas Haden-Church and John Hawkes - actors who lift anything up that they lend a hand to. This is a little film with a big heart and traversing such dangerous waters as 'special needs as entertainment' - it moved me, made me laugh and occasionally had dialogue between the two lost souls that made blubb. Well done to all involved...

The kind of film that critics hate and one that unfortunately sets itself up for the slaughter. The cataplexy medical condition is a very clever hook but you might feel it's a one-horse joke stretched the length of a movie. But 2019's "Ode to Joy" feels so much better than that. Writing, acting chops and a certain life-affirming warmth permeates the Jason Winer Direction and feel of the film - lifting it up above cliché. "Ode to Joy" is smarter than its limiting premise and often goes to a place where it’s actually profound and moving – especially when dealing with internalised pain – hang-ups most all of us have. Not only does it have a really brilliant script (courtesy of Max Werner) that constantly allows the actors to stretch and laugh and look foolish if needs be - it hosts four great leads in the shape of Martin Freeman and Morena Baccarin playing Charlie and Francesca, an unlikely couple trapped in their own bubbles, criss-crossing lovers with Jake Lacy with Melissa Rauch who play Charlie's younger brother Cooper and the super-factoid-obsessed Bethany. As couples go, this is nerd-central. And yet across the viewing hours, the set scenes are cleverly done – bringing out each character’s journey to the place they are now – compromised and needing to escape mental prisons. The reality of his condition that can and does make him a laughing stock, come home in the little slashes everyday life throws at him. But as funny and pithy as "Ode To Joy" is in places, you also get the cruel sickle of pain and how it debilitates a person. Charlie can't hope for hope because even that in itself might kill him if he faints in the wrong set of circumstances. The only slight quirk in all of this is the obvious – the sheer gobsmacking beauty and sexiness of Morena Baccarin who would probably elicit a full on heart attack in any mere mortal man who comes within ten paces of her. Morena and her life-filled character Francesca look stunning in this - in every single scene. So it is a hard sell getting us to believe her character would even consider someone as fundamentally damaged as Charlie – especially as a 'love interest'. Melissa Rauch is the same, but in a different more bookworm kind of a way. Yet despite these considerable visual odds - both leading ladies are quietly sensational in this film - given real meat to work with. All this and there's a touching final reel after the credits you will want to see. "Ode To Joy" may seem like a cornball title for a film, and its hopeful premise maybe even a tad cheesy and reaching. But, in truth, it reached me and I'm certain it will do the same for many others too. A rather lovely and life-affirming surprise and well done to all involved...

Moving, lyrical and redemptive, beautifully filmed and realised - and with Hanks and the extraordinary newcomer Helena Zengel shining throughout. It's not a masterpiece for sure, but it is superb filmmaking from Director Paul Greengrass - and with TH once again proving why he's one of the world's fave actors. Netflix produces another winner...

This should have been cheesy and so many wannabe rom-coms with supposed teens are - but there was a freshness to "The First Time" that seemed so believable. Britt Robertson is gorgeous of course and always has been and the chemistry between her and Dylan O'Brien - the 'boy in love with someone else who isn't in love with him' - is powerful and believable. "The First Time" is the kind of 'young love' movie the critics love to poo-poo and put down, but the 91% audience approval rates show that Director Jonathan Kasdan nailed it. A lovely film and one you'll find yourself liking when so many others make you want to reach for the exit button...

Stunning first episode - writing amazing - and the remainder of episodes just as good. When you sit through dross like "The Undoing" - you realise how good this is. And all the leads are fantastic especially Aniston and that chilling exchange between Carrell and Martin Short.

It's hard to make the transition from child actress to young adult and do it convincingly. Saoirse Ronan is one of the few - but we can now add Millie Bobby Brown to that list. "I thought "Enola Holmes" was fab - a hugely entertaining - well cast and really well written film about the mighty Sherlock's just as smart younger sister. Throw in cool types like Henry Cavill and Sam Clafin as Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes with Helena Bonham-Carter as Enola's mum (who teaches her everything) and you're on a winner. It's also amazingly affectionate between the characters which is a hard thing to create believably. The support cast is great, it zips along like a Guy Ritchie film (nicking some of his cinematic tricks), is funny, touching and smart, looks fabulous and Millie is sensationally good in the lead role. She even Exec Produces. Wow. You go girl - or should I say accomplished young lady...