The Man in the High Castle
Another graduate from Amazon’s pilots project, The Man in the High Castle is based on the Philip K Dick novel set in an alternate America, where the Nazis have taken over after winning the second world war. But don’t worry, patriotic Americans: there’s an underground resistance working hard to undermine the Reich! It’s a stylish affair with a strong hook, and a solid turn from Rufus Sewell relishing his role as an all-American Nazi. Luke Kleintank and Alexa Davalos star.
The Fall
Jamie Dornan and Gillian Anderson return in season two of their cat/mouse, cop/serial-killer game around Belfast in a followup that suffers from a sense of diminishing sense of returns, despite strong performances from the leads.
Into the Badlands
“A mighty warrior and a young boy search for enlightenment in a ruthless territory controlled by feudal barons.” Daniel Wu, Aramis Knight and Emily Beecham star in a new kung-fun mash-up that seems to be throwing as many genres into the mix that it can.
Ray Donovan
Liev Schreiber and Jon Voight dance around each other in a punchy drama about a Hollywood fixer that really starts to find its feet in this second season.
Film
The Dark Knight Rises
“Christopher Nolan brings the curtain down on his grim Batman trilogy with Wagnerian confidence – but Heath Ledger’s absence is sorely felt.” Review here.
Gravity
“Alfonso Cuarón’s glorious creation, less sci-fi and more a thriller set in space, makes you breathless with excitement.” Review here.
Don Jon
“Joseph Gordon-Levitt turns his hand to directing, as well as acting, in this broad comedy about porn that isn’t bad.” Review here.
The Gunman
“Gym-bunny Sean Penn’s toned physique is the best thing in this underpowered tale of Congo mercenaries.” Review here.
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
“Ana Lily Amirpour’s feature debut is a bloody triumph.” Review here.
While We’re Young
“Director Noah Baumbach returns older, wiser and funnier with this insightful comedy of midlife manners and meltdown.” Review here.
The Campaign
“There is nothing particularly sharp or sophisticated in this broad political comedy about a badly behaved congressman, Will Ferrell, campaigning for re-election.” Review here.
Contagion
“The 1970s-style all-star disaster flick gets a slick modern update in Steven Soderbergh’s global disease thriller.” Review here.
Life As We Know It
“There’s a some slight chemistry between leads Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel, but otherwise this rom-com is very ho-hum.” Review here.
Midnight In Paris
“Woody Allen is back on form – just about – with this light-as-a-feather fantasy about 20s bohemian Paris.” Review here.
J. Edgar
“Clint Eastwood’s biopic of J Edgar Hoover never gets to grips with the FBI founder’s sexuality, or his impact on American life.” Review here.
Red Riding Hood
“Is a Twilight-lite version of the fairytale with the girl in red really necessary?” Review here.
Hanna
“Even with Eric Bana and Cate Blanchett in the cast, Joe Wright’s would-be thriller about a teen assassin is oddly boring.” Review here.
