1 Dunkirk (12A)
(Christopher Nolan, 2017, Neth/UK/Fra/US) 106 mins
Nolan marshals the troops, the fleet and the Spitfires but strips out the dialogue and bombast to create a war epic like no other. Solemnly viewing the Dunkirk evacuations from three intersecting perspectives, it’s an intense, visceral experience, enhanced by non-CGI action and a throbbing score. The star cast – including Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance and Harry Styles – almost disappear in the mayhem.
2 City of Ghosts (18)
(Matthew Heineman, 2017, US) 92 mins
Few cities can have suffered as much in recent years as Raqqa, Syrian HQ of the so-called Islamic State. This powerful doc tells the story of those who have risked their lives to document the terror for the website Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently, putting first-world gripes in perspective.
3 War for the Planet of the Apes (12A)
(Matt Reeves, 2017, US) 140 mins
Never have audiences cheered on the eradication of their species so enthusiastically, a testament to this saga’s flawlessly rendered non-human characters. This instalment pits Caesar (Andy Serkis) and his struggling tribe against Woody Harrelson’s rogue colonel, in a war epic with depth.
4 Spider-Man: Homecoming (12A)
(Jon Watts, 2017, US) 133 mins
This re-reboot sees Tom Holland get his spandex on, his youthfulness bringing some credibility to Peter Parker’s teen/high-school trials. They’re nicely woven into a superhero plot that sees him finding his feet as an apprentice Avenger (with guidance from Robert Downey Jr), and coming up against Michael Keaton’s disgruntled Vulture.
5 Shot! The Psycho-Spiritual Mantra of Rock (15)
(Barney Clay, 2016, US/UK) 96 mins
Photographer Mick Rock proves to be an engaging narrator with more than a few stories to tell in this bio-doc, which both humanises and mythologises the 70s music scene. He lived the same lifestyle as his famous subjects (Bowie, Lou Reed, Debbie Harry, et al) but his camera also gave him a critical distance.
