Everest (12A)
(Baltasar Kormákur, 2015, UK/US/Ice) Josh Brolin, Jake Gyllenhaal, Keira Knightley. 121 mins
The star cast suggests an old-school Towering Inferno-style disaster epic, but the treatment here is the opposite: a faithful account of a true story with the emphasis on mountaineering authenticity and ordinary people. That’s both a blessing and a curse. There’s real conviction to the high-altitude, sub-zero settings, but the dramatic impetus can get lost amidst the high-insulation clothing. Not quite the pinnacle of mountain movies, but a noble assault.
A Walk In The Woods (15)
(Ken Kwapis, 2015, US) Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson. 104 mins
Old duffers wheeze along the Appalachian Trail in a Bill Bryson-sourced travelogue that becomes a familiar odd-couple bonding trudge.
Tangerines (15)
(Zaza Urushadze, 2013, Geo/Est) Lembit Ulfsak, Giorgi Nakashidze. 87 mins
Abkhazia’s early 90s war is the setting for an Oscar-nominated parable, in which an old villager takes in a wounded soldier from each side, and wrings some humanity out them.
The D Train (15)
(Andrew Mogel, Jarrad Paul, 2015, UK/US) Jack Black, James Marsden. 101 mins
Black’s grown-up dweeb undertakes a quest to get his celebrity ex-classmate to the school reunion – hardly a pressing story, but this dark comedy has its moments.
A Syrian Love Story (12A)
(Sean McAllister, 2015, UK/Syr/Leb/Fra). 76 mins
Personal and political fuse in a remarkable documentary following an activist Syrian family’s Arab Spring.
A Girl At My Door (18)
(July Jung, 2014, S Kor) Bae Doona, Kim Sae-ron, Song Sae-byeok. 119 mins
Impressive debut following a disgraced city cop exiled to the country, where her fateful friendship with a young girl lifts the lid on the country’s darker aspects.
Horse Money (12A)
(Pedro Costa, 2014, Por) Ventura, Tito Furtado. 105 mins
Beguiling portrait of a poor man apparently adrift in time and space, wandering the streets and his memories.
Bill (PG)
(Richard Bracewell, 2015, UK) Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby. 94 mins
The Horrible Histories gang up to their olde worlde tricks with an alternative Shakespeare biopic.
The Messenger (15)
(David Blair, 2015, UK) Robert Sheehan. 98 mins
Another misfit role for Sheehan, as an outsider cursed with the ability to talk to the dead – or is he? The premise is frustratingly unfulfilled.
Infini (15)
(Shane Abbess, 2015, Aus) Daniel MacPherson, Grace Huang, Luke Hemsworth. 106 mins
A rescue mission to a distant space colony generates sci-fi confusion.
Misery Loves Comedy (TBC)
(Kevin Pollak, 2015, US) 94 mins
A host of stand-up comics talk shop in this choppy talking-heads doc.
Dartmoor Killing (15)
(Peter Nicholson, 2015, UK) Rebecca Night, Gemma-Leah Devereux. 93 mins
Two friends’ hiking getaway takes a twisty, creepy detour when they encounter an apparent stranger.
Steamboat Bill Jr (U)
(Charles Reisner, Buster Keaton, 1928, US) Buster Keaton. 70 mins
Silent masterpiece with a climax that still astonishes.
Out from Friday
99 Homes Andrew Garfield on the frontline of the US foreclosure epidemic.
Life Robert Pattinson guides a young James Dean (Dane DeHaan).
Mia Madre Nanni Moretti’s portrait of a film-maker.
McFarland, USA Kevin Costner sees potential in his poor Latino students.
Miss You Already Toni Collette and Drew Barrymore confront major life changes.
Lessons In Love Pierce Brosnan is plagued by women and romcom issues.
Captive David Oyelowo and Kate Mara in a spiritual hostage drama.
Just Jim Welsh teen comedy.
Solace Psychic Anthony Hopkins does battle with serial killer Colin Farrell.
Narcopolis Brit sci-fi set in a future of legalised drugs.
Lost In Hong Kong Chinese comedy thriller.
Orion: The Man Who Would Be King Jeanie Finlay doc on a surrogate Elvis.
Palio Doc getting behind the Siena horse race.
Premature Teen comedy.
Arcade Fire: The Reflektor Tapes Life with the band.
Coming soon
In two weeks... Matt Damon in Ridley Scott’s The Martian… Michael Fassbender is a new Macbeth…
In three weeks... Emily Blunt leads cartel thriller Sicario… Sleep paralysis goes under the spotlight in The Nightmare…
In a month... Carey Mulligan joins the feminist fight in Suffragette… Joe Wright’s lavish reinterpretation of (Peter) Pan…
