Spy (15)
(Paul Feig, 2015, US) Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Jude Law, Jason Statham. 120 mins
Putting McCarthy into James Bond’s shoes (and a frumpy cat sweatshirt) sounds like a predictable sight gag, but she’s well up for the mission, physically as well as verbally. The female slant is refreshing but this action comedy succeeds where so many others have failed primarily by being giddily funny all the way through. One-liners zip by like bullets, the slapstick is smart, Statham is a hilarious self-parody, and there’s just enough political edge to keep it focused.
Listen Up Philip (15)
(Alex Ross Perry, 2014, US) Jason Schwartzman, Elisabeth Moss. 109 mins
Schwartzman’s arrogant, selfish writer is a bravely dislikable centre for a literary character drama that’s handled with impressive confidence.
Queen And Country (15)
(John Boorman, 2014, Ire/Fra/Rom) Callum Turner, Pat Shortt. 115 mins
Boorman follows up 1987’s Hope And Glory with a warm, semi-autobiographical semi-sequel on postwar national service: square-bashing, skiving, first romance – those were the days.
Black Coal, Thin Ice (15)
(Diao Yi’nan, 2014, Chi) Liao Fan, Gwei Lun-Mei, Wang Xuebing. 110 mins
Grisly slayings in a factory town lead Liao’s hard-boiled detective to a mysterious femme fatale, and a whole heap of trouble, in this atmospheric Chinese noir.
Shooting For Socrates (PG)
(James Erskine, 2014, UK) John Hannah, Richard Dormer. 91 mins
Northern Ireland’s 1986 World Cup campaign prompts an uplifting story of family drama, political history and the unifying power of sporting underdogs.
Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story Of Cannon Films (18)
(Mark Hartley, 2014, Aus/US/Isr/UK) 106 mins
An affectionate tribute to the 80s schlock merchants who gave us Chuck Norris, Death Wish II, American Ninja and other such trashy cash-ins, plus the odd accidental gem.
Survivor (12A)
(James McTeigue, 2015, US) Milla Jovovich, Pierce Brosnan, Dylan McDermott. 94 mins
Jovovich is on the runaround, with Brosnan her elusive nemesis, in a routine thriller that’s not ashamed to invoke 9/11 to bolster its shaky credibility.
1971 (TBC)
(Johanna Hamilton, 2014, US) 79 mins
Activists spill the beans on a Vietnam-era whistleblowing episode in which they broke into the FBI’s offices and liberated files on a widespread surveillance programme. A timely story told honestly.
Second Coming (15)
(Debbie Tucker Green, 2014, UK) Nadine Marshall, Idris Elba. 105 mins
An immaculate conception in modern-day London? Elba is equally incredulous when his wife Marshall becomes pregnant, setting up a mysterious domestic parable.
Four Corners (15)
(Ian Gabriel, 2013, SA) Brendon Daniels, Jezriel Skei, Lindiwe Matshikiza. 119 mins
Doing for South Africa’s Cape Flats what City Of God did for Rio’s favelas, this authentic, over-packed thriller sets its characters criss-crossing a landscape of gang tribalism and violent outcomes.
Insidious Chapter 3 (15)
(Leigh Whannell, 2015, US/Can) Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott. 98 mins
Horror prequel promising the usual onslaught of teen fear, paternal concern, supernatural malevolence and don’t-look-under-the-bed shocks.
Out from Friday
Gascoigne Soccer star-studded documentary portrait of the contradictory sporting hero. Out from Mon
Jurassic World Chris Pratt meets the latest generation of perfectly safe dinosaur attractions.
London Road Innovative musical of a neighbourhood crime scene.
The Look Of Silence Indonesia’s genocide revisited in a powerful sequel to The Act Of Killing.
West A German woman experiences life on both sides of the iron curtain.
Age Of Kill Martin Kemp plays an assassin coerced into a killing spree.
Freaks Reissue for Tod Browning’s singular circus masterpiece.
The Misfits Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable’s legendary final film.
Unhallowed Ground Low-budget horror putting the frighteners on schoolkids.
Coming soon
In two weeks… Vincent Chase goes feature-length with Entourage… Ian McKellen plays retired sleuth Mr Holmes…
In three weeks… Michael Fassbender saddles up for western thriller Slow West…Watch out for the Minions…
In a month… Winehouse remembered in Amy… Schwarzenegger reboots for Terminator: Genisys…
