It’s goodbye to the kids movies and action heroes of the summer, as a month of dystopian dramas and gritty thrillers – plus the odd comedy – begins. And look out for a couple of local references…
Action/thriller
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials
The second instalment in the thrilling franchise follows the familiar characters after they journey beyond the maze, only to discover a desolate wasteland. With few blockbusters around this month, The Scorch Trials will stand out.
The Transporter Refuelled
This month signals the return of the ruggedly handsome and former special ops mercenary Frank Martin, however not quite as you’ve seen him before. This reboot welcomes Ed Skrein to the role, with a good many years less under the belt compared to Statham, so there’s a guarantee of endless action – let’s just hope the script also warrants some praise.
Legend
Sixties thugs Ronnie and Reggie Kray are now criminal legends, and their myth will be bolstered by this stylish movie. Twins from London’s East End, they become two of the most notorious criminals the city has ever seen, and they have the gangs of London in the palm of their hand. Tom Hardy stars as both Ronnie and Reggie, with Emily Browning and Christopher Eccleston giving support.
No Escape
Lots of good reviews for this thriller. It stars Owen Wilson as a man who moves his family to a new life in south east Asia – only for a brutal coup to put them all in danger. Can he get them to the safety of the American Embassy before the murder squads catch up with them?
Drama
Everest
The title is rather a big give away to what this movie is about. Based on the real life events of a disaster in 1996, Everest is a sure bet for edge of the seat viewing. Stars the ludicrously talented Jake Gyllenhaal and a host of other household names.
Irrational Man
This Woody Allen drama stars Joaquin Phoenix as a small-town professor who is looking for some excitement to get him out of a life rut. An overheard conversation leads him onto a path involving theft, deception and murder, but how far will he go?
Me And Earl And The Dying Girl
‘This is the story of my senior year of high school and how it destroyed my life.’ So begins a film that received a standing ovation at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. Awkward student Greg (Thomas Mann) is forced by his parents to befriend a girl from his school who has leukaemia. Their relationship is at the heart of a poignant, and at times, very funny drama.
Comedy
American Ultra
Starring your favourite emotionless vampire lover and Mark Zuckerberg this new film has two radically different lead actors (Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg), whether this will work wonders or cause blunders; I don’t know. However the film does revolve around a pot head that is awakened as a secret agent, so you never know until you try it now do you. Honestly the film looks like a blast, so it’s a must see for next month.
A Walk In The Woods
When he left North Yorkshire for his US homeland, Bill Bryson yearned for excitement. So he decided to hike the 2,200 miles of the Appalachian Trail. He turned the adventure into a bestselling book, and now that is brought to life with Robert Redford playing Bryson and Nick Nolte his unconventional travelling companion Katz.
Bill
When it comes to olde worlde comedy, the Horrible Histories gang know their chops. In Bill the team turn their focus onto Shakespeare, and mostly the less well known bit before he became the greatest writer the planet has produced. With a plot about the assassination of Queen Elizabeth I, and a starring role for York Minster, this promises to be quite the romp.
Ricki And The Flash
After years of living the wild life fronting a rock n’ roll band, singer and guitarist Ricki has something of an epiphany and decides to right all the wrongs with the family she abandoned for fame and fortune. Meryl Streep stars as rock chick Ricki in this comedy drama from the pen of the writer of Juno.
Horror
The Visit
Inconsistent but brilliant; M. Night Shyamalan brings us an intriguing horror film with a twist, let’s just say I pray your grandparents aren’t quite like this, not only that its done by the producer who brought you insidious, so clearly not for the faint hearted. This should be the part where I say fun for all the family, though I really doubt it would be worth the paranoia believing your grandparents where going to put an end to you, maybe just go on your own. But in all seriousness it looks a great fit for all horror fanatics or if you really just want to get the heart racing; have a nice sleep!
Q&As
Death of a Gentleman plus Christo Hird Q&A
This documentary follows two cricket-mad journalists as they set off on a journey to the heart of the game they love, only to stumble upon one of the biggest sporting scandals ever. After the screening the documentary’s executive producer Christo Hird will answer question.
A Syrian Love Story plus Q&A
At four and 14, Bob and Kaka have already spent their whole lives watching either their father or mother go to prison for their political beliefs under the tyrannical Assad regime. Filmed over five years, the documentary charts their incredible odyssey to political freedom. After the screening, director Sean McAllister will answer questions.