Bone Tomahawk (18)
(S Craig Zahler, 2015, US) Kurt Russell, Patrick Wilson, Richard Jenkins. 132 mins
There’s horror in them thar hills, and sheriff Russell’s unpromising posse sets off to meet it, following in the hoof-prints of The Searchers and other frontier rescue missions. What’s different here is a politically correct adversary (mysterious, savage “troglodytes”) and a modern sensibility that takes in witty dialogue, winding tension and the odd moment of stomach-churning gore.
Triple 9 (15)
(John Hillcoat, 2016, US) Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anthony Mackie. 116 mins
Hillcoat lays out a grand tableau of crime and corruption, taking in the police, the Russian mafia, local criminal gangs and a host of star names (Kate Winslet, Woody Harrelson and Aaron Paul are all in there). All of it comes to a head in one audacious heist, though there’s so much going on, keeping it all together is a challenge.
How To Be Single (15)
(Christian Ditter, 2016, US) Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, Alison Brie. 110 mins
Wilson’s mentoring of Johnson through the modern dating jungle makes this a comedy for all the single ladies (and interested parties), even if the story devolves into some disappointing romcom cliches. The source novel was by Sex And The City writer Liz Tuccillo.
Chronic (15)
(Michel Franco, 2015, Mex/Fra) Tim Roth, Bitsie Tulloch, David Dastmalchian. 93 mins
Roth excels as a conscientious end-of-life care worker whose strong identification with his patients suggests all is not quite right off-duty. An admittedly depressing subject, but intelligently and sensitively handled.
Freeheld (12A)
(Peter Sollett, 2015, US) Julianne Moore, Ellen Page, Steve Carell. 101 mins
Moore and Page portray a real-life New Jersey same-sex couple who fought for pensions equality when one of them was diagnosed with terminal cancer. It’s a worthwhile, well-meaning story, even if the issue comes to eclipse the characters.
Mavis! (PG)
(Jessica Edwards, 2015, US) 81 mins
Illustrious but down-to-earth singer Mavis Staples has more than enough stories to fill this relatively straight bio-doc, having been in business since the 1950s, and crossed paths with everyone from Martin Luther King and Bob Dylan to Prince and Wilco.
The Finest Hours (12A)
(Craig Gillespie, 2016, US) Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster. 117 mins
Trouble at sea demands wholesome 1950s heroism in this disaster epic, in which coastguards come to the rescue of a stricken oil tanker in the freezing waters of Cape Cod.
Orthodox (18)
(David Leon, 2015, UK) Stephen Graham, Michael Smiley, Giacomo Mancini. 94 mins
Orthodox Judaism and underground boxing make this a Brit crime drama with at least some difference. It’s all held together by Graham’s compromised tough.
Only The Dead (NC)
(Bill Guttentag, Michael Ware, 2015, Aus/Iraq) 77 mins
An Australian journalist’s extraordinary first-hand account of the Iraq war and the origins of so-called Islamic State.
Out from Friday
Grimsby Sacha Baron Cohen’s geezer cramps the style of his long-lost secret agent brother in a British buddy comedy. Out from Wed
Secret In Their Eyes Chiwetel Ejiofor and Nicole Kidman lead a US remake of the Oscar-winning Argentinian mystery-thriller.
The Benefactor Richard Gere wields his wealth to sinister effect in this gift-horse-in-the-mouth thriller.
The Forest Natalie Dormer takes a spooky trip to the Japanese forest where her twin sister died.
King Jack Teenage kicks and hard knocks in a dreamy indie with a hard edge.
Exposed Detective Keanu Reeves investigates his partner’s murder and associated witnesses, despite a string of disincentives.
The Propaganda Game Eye-opening documentary taking an officially sanctioned visit to North Korea.
Bafta Shorts 2016 Feature-length programme rounding up this year’s live-action and animated nominees.
Coming soon
In two weeks... The Coens pay homage to 1950s Hollywood in Hail, Caesar!… Gerard Butler picks up the pieces after London Has Fallen…
In three weeks... Charlie Kaufman’s grown-up animation Anomalisa… Its back to his roots for Kung Fu Panda 3…
In a month... Tom Hiddleston in tower-block thriller High-Rise… Bill Murray searches for a star in Rock The Kasbah…
