Avengers: Age Of Ultron (12A)
(Joss Whedon, 2015, US) Robert Downey Jr, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth. 141 mins
The world’s in jeopardy yet again and the Avengers are the solution, yet again. But they’re also the problem this time around, when Tony Stark’s security-conscious dabbling generates a rogue super-AI. It only responds to good old-fashioned bludgeoning action, which this supplies in city-sized chunks, but ultimately it’s writer and director Whedon’s gift for one-liners that saves the day.
The Falling (15)
(Carol Morley, 2014, UK) Maisie Williams. 100 mins
Mass hysteria and hormonal surges induce a destabilising fainting epidemic in this 1960s schoolgirl tale, an eerie take on female adolescence somewhere between The Devils and Picnic At Hanging Rock.
The Emperor’s New Clothes (15)
(Michael Winterbottom, 2015, UK) 101 mins
Russell Brand gets all Michael Moore in this populist agitprop doc, reminding us how little has changed since the 2008 financial crash.
The Good Lie (12A)
(Philippe Falardeau, 2014, Ken/Ind/US) Reese Witherspoon. 110 mins
Refugees from Sudan’s civil war get the coming-to-America treatment in a well-meaning drama, though Witherspoon as their white saviour doesn’t help.
A Pigeon Sat On A Branch Reflecting On Existence (12A)
(Roy Andersson, 2014, Swe/Ger/Nor/Fra) Holger Andersson. 100 mins
Another existential sketch show from the master of mordant absurdism. Andersson’s meticulous tableaux and transcendental bleakness are an acquired taste, but he’s one of a kind.
The Dorkels (15)
(Jean-Charles Hue, 2014, Fra) Frédéric Dorkel. 94 mins
Raw, semi-documentary foray into northern France’s traveller community, following an ex-con fresh out of prison.
Au Revoir L’Eté (12A)
(Koji Fukada, 2014, US/Jap) Fumi Nikaido. 125 mins
A teen’s summer with her aunt leads to gentle self-discovery in this ensemble Japanese drama.
Exit (TBC)
(Chienn Hsiang, 2014, Tai) Chen Shiang-chyi, Easton Dong. 94 mins
Unemployment and early menopause trigger an understandable crisis in this understated Taiwanese character study, carried by Chen’s fine performance.
Stonehearst Asylum (15)
(Brad Anderson, 2014, US) Jim Sturgess. 110 mins
Edgar Allan Poe-inspired chiller, with Sturgess’s 19th-century novice getting a crash course in the genre.
Tea & Sangria (15)
(Peter Domankiewicz, 2014, UK/Spa) Peter Domankiewicz, Angela Boix. 110 mins
A jilted Englishman learns how to love Spain (and its women) in this indulgent, low-budget romcom.
Rigor Mortis (18)
(Juno Mak, 2013, HK) Anthony Chan, Chin Siu-ho. 102 mins
Vampires, ghosts, special effects and martial arts are thrown together for a lurid apartment horror.
The Priest’s Children (15)
(Vinko Brešan, 2013, Cro/Ser/Mon) Krešimir Mikc, Nikša Butijer. 96 mins
Croatian comedy in which a young priest decides to up the local birth rate, with unforeseeable consequences.
Out from Friday
Elsa & Fred Twilight-years romance.
Far From The Madding Crowd Carey Mulligan leads a new Hardy adaptation.
Unfriended Skype scares in a clever teen horror.
Samba French feelgood.
Monsters: Dark Continent Indie sci-fi sequel.
Anti-Social Street art and heists in London thriller.
I Am Big Bird Bio-doc of the man in the yellow suit.
A Letter To Momo Animated Japanese tale.
Bad Land: Road To Fury Dystopian thriller.
Get Up & Go Dublin coming of age comedy.
In The Blood Gina Carano on a Caribbean rampage.
We Are Monster Drama about a real-life racial killing.
Argerich A daughter’s study of her pianist parents.
Darkest Day Micro-budget British zombie horror.
Falstaff: Chimes At Midnight Reissue for Orson Welles’ Shakespeare.
8 1/2 Fellini’s masterpiece.
The Hero Of Colour City Animated kids’ adventures.
Two By Two: Ooops… The Ark Has Gone Cuddly Euro-animation.
Coming soon
In two weeks… Chris Rock gives up comedy in Top Five… Jon Stewart directs Iranian political drama Rosewater…
In three weeks… Back to the dystopian Oz future in Mad Max: Fury Road… Anna Kendrick tunes in once more for Pitch Perfect 2…
In a month… George Clooney takes to Tomorrowland… Iranian vampire flick A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night…
