Tangerine (15)
(Sean Baker, 2015, US) Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, Mya Taylor, Karren Karagulian, Mickey O’Hagan. 88 mins
Brash, manic, unashamedly cheap yet gloriously vibrant, this iPhone-shot LA street odyssey is perfectly in tune with its heroine. Sin-Dee is a motormouthed trans sex worker out to find the (cisgender) woman her pimp cheated on her with, and all we can do is tag along for a frenetic tour of working girls, their johns, their tough lives and, ultimately, their spirited defiance.
Steve Jobs (15)
(Danny Boyle, 2015, US) Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen. 122 mins
Aaron Sorkin’s clever script gives us a condensed biopic of the Apple god in three product launches – each fraught with so much backstage drama and mobile camerawork, this comes on like a tech version of Birdman. Despite being too handsome, Fassbender acquits himself well.
The Lady In The Van (12A)
(Nicholas Hytner, 2015, UK) Maggie Smith, Alex Jennings, Jim Broadbent. 104 mins
Dame Maggie is firmly in the driving seat here – even if her vehicle is going nowhere but Alan Bennett’s drive. Her “odiferous” eccentric anchors a very British story of pathos, humour, neighbourliness and liberal guilt.
The Fear Of 13 (15)
(David Sington, 2015, UK) 95 mins
A death row convict expertly narrates his own incident-packed, incredible-but-true autobiography in what’s essentially an augmented monologue – albeit a gripping one.
Fathers And Daughters (15)
(Gabriele Muccino, 2015, US/Ita) Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Aaron Paul. 116 mins
A closing ballad by Michael Bolton tells you all you need to know about this schmaltz-clotted generational melodrama, centred on Crowe’s author.
The Hallow (15)
(Corin Hardy, 2015, UK/US/Ire) Joseph Mawle, Bojana Novakovic, Michael McElhatton. 97 mins
Out-of-towners fall foul of ancient lore in an Irish “something in the woods” horror that lavishes care and craftsmanship on its fiendish creatures and their spooky depredations.
Tell Spring Not To Come This Year (15)
(Saeed Taji Farouky, Michael McEvoy, 2015, UK/Afg) 84 mins
Nato troops may have left but the war goes on in Afghanistan, as this brave documentary, embedded with the national army, forcefully brings home.
Warriors (12A)
(Barney Douglas, 2015, UK) 87 mins
Uplifting story of the first Masai cricket team, which campaigns against female genital mutilation and other outmoded customs.
A Christmas Star (U)
(Richard Elson, 2015, UK) Erin Galway-Kendrick, Rob James-Collier, Bronagh Waugh. 80 mins
A festive fable made by, and with, Belfast kids, with help from the likes of Pierce Brosnan, Liam Neeson and Kylie Minogue.
The Music Box & Block-Heads (U)
(James Parrott, 1932, US & John G Blystone, 1938, US) Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy
Vintage slapstick with comedy’s original dumb & dumber, including their piano-delivery classic.
Out from Friday
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 Jennifer Lawrence at last takes her rebellion to the Capitol. Out from Thu
Revenge Of The Mekons Documentary on the enduring art-punks. Out from Thu
Love Gaspar Noé returns with an in-yer-face erotic odyssey.
The Dressmaker Kate Winslet brings couture to the 1950s outback, and settles a few scores.
Momentum Bond veteran Olga Kurylenko with some action heroism of her own.
My Nazi Legacy Documentary on two sons of Nazi officials.
The Russian Woodpecker Chernobyl conspiracy doc.
Star Men Taking a hike with four astronomers.
Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans Portrait of the Hollywood legend.
Mr Calzaghe The story of the Welsh boxing champ.
The Perfect Guy Sanaa Lathan is dating Mr Wrong.
Hand Gestures The ancient art of bronze casting.
True Romance Reissue for Tarantino’s crime story.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Dress yourself up for 40th anniversary screenings.
Coming soon
In two weeks… Johnny Depp in a different guise in Black Mass … Pixar goes prehistoric with The Good Dinosaur ...
In three weeks… Daniel Radcliffe is assistant to Victor Frankenstein … Festive Seth Rogen comedy The Night Before …
In a month… Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie together again for By The Sea… Bizarre cinephiliac head-trip The Forbidden Room…
