The Martian (12A)
(Ridley Scott, 2015, US) Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Chiwetel Ejiofor. 141 mins
Scott’s long-haul space procedural is more interested in the nuts and bolts than what might be going on internally, but at least takes pains to get the science (mostly) right. Damon sets about his solo survival mission with ingenuity, guts and surprisingly good humour, considering his buddies have just left him for dead on Mars. Classy spectacle and a carousel of A-list characters keep things in orbit.
Macbeth (15)
(Justin Kurzel, 2015, UK/Fra/US) Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard. 113 mins
As inventive and un-stagey a Shakespeare movie as we’ve ever seen, Kurzel’s adaptation is stripped down and ready for battle. Strong performances shine through.
The Walk (PG)
(Robert Zemeckis, 2015, US) Joseph Gordon-Levitt. 123 mins
Philippe Petit’s clandestine Twin Towers tightrope walk was pretty much covered in Oscar-winning doc Man On Wire, but this adds vertiginous 3D visuals and an agreeable performance from Gordon-Levitt.
The Intern (12A)
(Nancy Meyers, 2015, US) Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway. 121 mins
De Niro’s retiree turns up for work at Hathaway’s frantic online start-up for a “we can all learn something here” comedy that at least broaches the plight of the modern working woman.
3 1/2 Minutes, Ten Bullets (15)
(Marc Silver, 2015, US) 99 mins
After Trayvon Martin, Florida’s “stand your ground” law is again under scrutiny in this courtroom doc, following the shooting of an unarmed black teen in powerfully intimate detail.
By Our Selves (15)
(Andrew Kötting, 2015, UK) Toby Jones. 83 mins
Another quintessentially British tramp across the landscape from Kötting, following the footsteps of poet John Clare.
Fidelio: Alice’s Journey (15)
(Lucie Borleteau, 2014, Fra) Ariane Labed. 97 mins
Sophisticated high-seas drama, as a female engineer on an all-male cargo ship weathers professional and romantic storms.
Convenience (15)
(Keri Collins, 2015, UK) Ray Panthaki. 84 mins
Two robbers find themselves putting in a farcically eventful night shift at the garage they’re trying to rob.
Dressed As A Girl (18)
(Colin Rothbart, 2015, UK) 101 mins
Doc exploring east London’s resurgent drag scene.
Ghosthunters (PG)
(Tobi Baumann, 2015, Ger/Aus/Ire) Milo Parker. 99 mins
Semi-animated kids’ adventure.
Made You Look (12A)
(Paul O’Connor, Anthony Peters, 2015, UK) 72 mins
Survey of British graphic artists doing it by hand.
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection Of F (12A)
(Tadayoshi Yamamuro, 2015, Jap) 94 mins
Feature-length instalment of the enduring anime saga.
MLE (15)
(Sarah Warren, 2014, UK) Sarah Warren, Julie Sype. 99 mins
Comedy following a hard-up Canadian actor in London.
Singh Is Bling (NC)
(Prabhu Deva, 2015, Ind) Akshay Kumar. 150 mins
Action comedy.
Letters To Max (NC)
(Eric Baudelaire, 2014, Fra) 103 mins
Intelligent reflection on identity and statehood.
Out from Friday
Sicario Emily Blunt and Benicio Del Toro are caught up in Mexico’s cartel wars. Out on Thu
Regression Suspense, satanism and psychotherapy with Emma Watson and Ethan Hawke.
The Nightmare Sleep paralysis is the stuff of nightmares in this terrifying documentary.
Addicted To Fresno Screwball sisterhood with Judy Greer and Natasha Lyonne.
Red Army Cold war and Soviet ice hockey in this superior sports doc.
Zarafa A boy and his giraffe embark on an animated adventure.
We’ll Never Have Paris Big Bang Theory’s Simon Helberg in a romcom of errors.
A Haunting In Cawdor Supernatural forces haunt an amateur production of Macbeth.
Leading Lady Katie McGrath plays a Brit actor in South Africa.
Unbreakable: The Mark Pollock Story A blind explorer sets out for the South Pole.
Coming soon
In two weeks... Joe Wright’s lavish reinterpretation of (Peter) Pan… Supernatural family fun with Hotel Transylvania 2...
In three weeks... Vin Diesel is the Last Witch Hunter… Russell Brand even more exposed in Brand: A Second Coming…
In a month... Can Bond triumph again with Spectre?… Charlotte Church in Under Milk Wood…
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