Director: James Watkins

Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries) is a rapidly rising movie star on the verge of greatness. Out celebrating a first Oscar nomination with his friend Corey (Joshua James), he catches the eye of the wrong woman: Mia (Joana Ribeiro), girlfriend of mobster Szabo (David Dencik). When Szabo and his switchblade find out, Matt’s world is destroyed. Alone, destitute and desperate, he turns to scientist Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie), whose technology could give him back everything he has lost. But it has unexpected side effects, and Matt gets more than he bargained for: the chance to avenge those who destroyed him, at the risk of losing who he is and what’s left of his life.

Clayface is not your usual superhero story. More a Joker-inspired dark origin story, owing far more to body horror, with The Substance springing to mind more readily than any Batman outing. It’s dark, violent and gory, and not one for the squeamish. That approach is brave, but for me it wasn’t wholly successful. However, I watched it with my son, who is far more invested in the character than me, and he found it an entertaining and fascinating telling of Clayface’s story.

Reservations aside, it is a solid outing, with a grungy, visceral feel. Gotham is as dark and wet as ever, and it is a film with a creative spark for grisly deaths!

Rhys Harries is at the heart of much of the film, bringing intensity and believability to the role as he struggles with his demons. Naomi Ackie is strong as a scientist desperate to change the world. David Dencik provides menace, there’s the always excellent Eddie Marsan, and a Rob Brydon cameo that feels written for him.

While not long, it feels a little slow and predictable. The modest budget shows at times, though its use of practical effects brings a tactile feel often lost in CGI-heavy superhero films.

For the casual observer, like me, it’s solid if not spectacular, but as my son showed, those invested in the character may get much more from it.

Director: Simon Hynd

It’s been three long months for the Ghosts of Button House since Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) moved out and the developers moved in to turn the house into a hotel and golf course. But things change. First, a group of kids sneak into the abandoned house to try out their Ouija board, and the Ghosts discover a new way to interact with the living. Then eco-campaigners move onto the land, putting the hotel development at risk. But not all is what it seems, and the Ghosts need help. With their newfound young friends, they set off to find Alison and Mike, tackle the less-than-eco-friendly aims of one of the protesters and the local MP, and save Button House’s future.

There’s always a risk in taking a much-loved TV show and giving it a feature-length cinema outing, but the team behind Ghosts don’t put a foot wrong. They deliver a heartfelt, sweet and funny 97 minutes back in the company of well-loved characters.

There’s lots that big-screen adaptations can get wrong, but here the new characters are well thought out. They give the Ghosts an opportunity to expand their horizons in a way that doesn’t feel forced, and they get a story that works.

The film loses none of the show’s charm, mingling plenty of laugh-out-loud moments with some pathos as the Ghosts get a chance to “sample life” once again, and in some cases do things they never got to do.

All the cast are here: Lolly Adefope, Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond. All get their screen time, some more comedic, some more touching. The new additions, especially Sian Clifford and Scott Ellis Watson as Janine and Jack, bring plenty.

It won’t change the world of comedy and isn’t cutting edge, but as a funny, touching and heartwarming big-screen version of a loved TV comedy, it works a treat.

Director: Brian Duffield

When Jay Gardiner (Austin Abrams) returns home after the death at sea of his father, Mitt (Josh Brolin), he is confronted by memories of a difficult relationship and childhood, with a father who showed a greater love for the ocean and its whales than for his son. But when Jay decides to try to find his father’s body in the ocean depths, he encounters a whale, an encounter that sparks an insane battle for survival and forces him to come to terms with his relationship with his father.

Based on Daniel Kraus’s novel, Whalefall is a wild ride. It’s part adventure, part horror, part melodramatic mush. On leaving the cinema I wasn’t sure whether it was a load of nonsense or an entertaining thrill ride; the reality is it lies somewhere in between. It’s a thrill ride that suffers from over-sentimentality, but if you can get past that, there is craziness to enjoy.

It’s a story told partly in flashback, as we learn about Jay and Mitt’s relationship, but mostly in the innards of a whale. It’s in those underwater and inner-whale scenes that it’s at its best: a mix of tension, Indiana Jones-style puzzles to overcome, and horror-inflected moments.

The film is largely carried by Austin Abrams, much of it spent alone underwater and in the digestive system of a whale. Josh Brolin is at home as the hard father, teaching his son life lessons that will literally save his life. Other performances are little more than cameos, although John Ortiz is, as always, an enjoyable watch. It is also well shot: the underwater scenes are hugely convincing, although the inside of the whale is surprisingly well lit!

It works less well when it’s over-sentimental, which is often. It’s very on the nose: yes, we get it, your father’s influence is a whale you have to escape, alongside the literal one. And the final act tips into overripe melodrama.

Then there’s the ridiculousness of the entire premise, which includes stealing an ending you have seen before!

But if you can get past the silliness of it all, you can have a whale of a time.

Director: Aaron Sorkin

Frances Haugen (Mikey Madison) loves her job and believes in Facebook’s ability to bring people together. But when she sees some disturbing trends, she becomes concerned by the direction of the platform run by Mark Zuckerberg (Jeremy Strong). Jeff Horwitz (Jeremy Allen White) is an investigative reporter looking for an insider to follow up on the political impact he is seeing. This brings him and Haugen together, and the more they dig, the more the story comes together. Haugen grows disillusioned by what she sees and ever more determined to see it stopped, leading her on a route that will take her public and place her and Zuckerberg in front of political committees.

This second trip into the world of Facebook for Aaron Sorkin has had mixed reviews, but I thought it was great. I am its target audience. I like Sorkin’s films, and this, with its investigative style, disturbing core premise and the bravery of its “heroine”, is compelling. It lets Sorkin do what he does well: take a complex story and wordy script and keep it engaging and fast-moving, always carrying the audience along.

It has two excellent central performances. Mikey Madison is great as Frances Haugen, thoroughly believable as the seemingly “mousey”, super-intelligent data scientist who stands up to be counted in a way many wouldn’t. Equally believable is Jeremy Allen White, and there’s great chemistry as they trade barbs and quips, but with respect for the work each is doing. Betty Gilpin is excellent as the WSJ’s San Francisco bureau chief. Jeremy Strong has the least to do as a one-dimensional Zuckerberg, although that is probably the point.

Its message is not subtle, although it avoids being preachy, and its disturbing premise is hard-hitting, from the statistical realities to the spread of misinformation and the abuse of the platform’s loose controls by those in power.

This for me was a story with an important message delivered brilliantly. A like from me!

Director: Michael Showalter

Writer Lowen Ashleigh (Dakota Johnson) is published with limited success. But when Jeremy Crawford (Josh Hartnett), husband of author Verity Crawford (Anne Hathaway), asks her to finish Verity’s successful novel series, famed for its focus on the darkest areas of humanity, her life changes. At the family home she finds an author incapable of finishing her work after a car accident, and a family racked with grief. But as Lowen researches Verity’s work, she realises all is not what it seems, complicated by a growing relationship with Jeremy. Will she discover the truth before it’s too late?

Verity is a dark, semi-erotic thriller, similar to 80s/90s favourites like Basic Instinct and more recent fare like The Housemaid. The problem is that throughout its 117 minutes I was constantly reminded of those much better films. I’ve never read Colleen Hoover’s novel, so don’t know if the source material is at fault, but for me Verity is a poor imitation of the genre: formulaic, derivative, hugely predictable and at times quite dull.

It’s a pity, as it starts promisingly, with a strong opening 15 minutes including a great scene as Lowen looks to cross the road. But the setup tells you all you need to know. You’re pretty sure where it’s going from the start; it’s just which options from the buffet of previous thrillers it picks.

The script is predictable and clunky, which hurts the performances. It helps that Anne Hathaway has little dialogue, as she is the best and most believable thing in the film by a mile. But Hartnett and especially Dakota Johnson are hamstrung by the story and script, Johnson struggling to be believable from the moment she enters the house. And I’m not sure why Irina Dvorovenko is there as Verity’s nurse, given almost nothing to do, except an occasional sinister line.

There may have been potential in the book, but the film didn’t work for me. As Pauline Kael once said “it’s fine if you like that kind of thing.” I didn’t but I’m sure others will.

Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu

Digger Rockwell (Tom Cruise), an oil tycoon drilling for oil in the Arctic, is warned by chief scientist Dr. Ganesh (Riz Ahmed) that the drilling is likely to cause a global catastrophe. But the warning comes too late, as Digger’s drilling causes a huge iceberg to break free and head towards Europe. Hauled up in front of the President (John Goodman), Digger is challenged to fix the mess he’s made and avoid ecological disaster. All does not go well, and from Digger himself to an ailing President, his US hierarchy and European courts, it leads humanity down a road from which they may never return.

Digger has had mixed reviews, which is no surprise. While there are things to like, I’m sure others will find it grating.

It’s a story with a clear message about our continued abuse of our planet by those in power, as well as our refusal to deal with it. But it also feels a bit of a mess, and never fully grabs you. It feels like a mix of Wes Anderson and Yorgos Lanthimos, but never quite takes the best bits of either.

It’s not a film I disliked — while it has flaws, there are enjoyable parts, especially in its second half: from the moment Digger tackles a European court of literal grey suits, the film finds a clearer narrative and a more believable Digger.

Cruise in the lead role is solid and believable enough, but it’s not prime Cruise, as he doesn’t balance the comedic elements with the depth his character needs, especially as the film reveals its twist. It’s Riz Ahmed who steals the show, alongside John Goodman’s bumbling, blustering President (remind you of anyone?). A Jesse Plemons cameo is always welcome, and Michael Stuhlbarg and Sophie Wilde also add strong support, although Sandra Hüller is poorly used.

The film is well shot and moves between its two worlds smoothly and smartly, although whether both add value is less clear.

It’s a film that has flaws. Its message is important, but it’s not quite as clever, funny or absorbing as it needs to be, though it’s better than its harshest critics may suggest.

Director: Georgia Oakley

This is the latest screen adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel. Mrs Dashwood (Caitríona Balfe) and her three daughters mourn their father, a loss made worse when his will leaves the family home to half-brother John (Tom Brooke) and wife Fanny (Stacy Martin). Relationships are strained, even if Fanny’s brother Edward (George Mackay) proves a pleasant diversion for eldest daughter Elinor (Daisy Edgar-Jones). Things change when cousin Mrs Jennings (Fiona Shaw) offers a “humble” home in Devonshire. Here Elinor hopes to nurture her friendship with Edward, while impulsive Marianne (Esmé Creed-Miles) draws the attention of charming Mr Willoughby (Frank Dillane) and restrained Colonel Brandon (Herbert Nordrum). Love’s path is far from straightforward, with London trips, passion and heartbreak aplenty, as the Dashwood girls search for happiness.

Sense and Sensibility is a story that feels familiar, with Austen’s text having having countless adaptations and as well as the inspiration for many similar stories. This screen version may not be spectacular, but is a very enjoyable, solid piece of storytelling.

Much of what’s good here comes from the central performances. Daisy Edgar-Jones continues to impress, and it’s her relationship with Esmé Creed-Miles that is the heartbeat of the story, both full of charm and depth. George Mackay delivers the restrained charm of a 19th-century English gentleman, stuck between duty and heart. Frank Dillane brings pantomime villainy, but it’s Fiona Shaw who steals the show as the Dashwoods’ life-loving cousin, full of heart and joy. A couple of strangely wooden performances aside, the ensemble cast is rock solid.

The film looks good, as you’d expect from a period piece, capturing its 19th-century setting perfectly. While perhaps not being a story full of surprises to a modern audience, it’s still an enjoyable, compelling watch, delivered by an engaging cast.

Directors: Steve Cox & Matthew Walker

Halloween is approaching and there is excitement on the farm. For the sheep, their secret pumpkin patch has produced a fine harvest, ready for Halloween carving. The farmer is excited to ask the vet to the Halloween Hoedown. But after a pumpkin patch accident, Shaun needs to find a way of regrowing the pumpkins in days, not months. Shaun’s plan doesn’t only help with the pumpkin shortage, it also creates The Beast of Mossy Bottom, leading to a panicked village and an adventure for the sheep and the vet to return the beast back to where he came from.

This is filled with all the ingredients that make Aardman films so enjoyable. A silly story, lots of lovely detail and plenty of cine-literate nods for the older members of the audience.

Shaun the Sheep is aimed at a younger audience than Aardman’s other favourites, Wallace and Gromit, and it plays like that. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t lots for everyone to enjoy. Shaun is silent movie slapstick in animation form: big, colourful and funny for the youngsters, with nods to horror and popular culture for the older members of the audience, everything from Friday the 13th and “Influencers” to The Traitors making subtle appearances.

The action is frantic and never dull. The film is colourful, the story fast moving (its 80-minute runtime whizzes by). It has great moments of slapstick, and as always with Aardman, wonderful background details — check out the name of the Mossy Bottom barber shop for instance. But it’s not all silly, with a sweet story between the farmer and vet at its centre.

While it’s a film that is dialogue-free, it’s not silent, and its voice cast, including Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Emma Tate, Andy Nyman and Paul Whitehouse, provides plenty of appropriate noises and expressions that, even without words, give you all the meaning you need.

Shaun the Sheep is 80 minutes of rock-solid entertainment, and while it does play a little young, there is still plenty for everyone to enjoy.

Director:Jonatan Etzler

Maria (Saoirse Ronan) is a young teacher who wants to impart her love of education onto her class. Her class wants to learn, but it is made impossible by the disruptive influence of Danny (Eddie Waller), who turns every class into a circus, and puts Maria’s job in jeopardy because of her failure to control him. After a school incident, Maria decides to act, but her actions soon escalate, to the point where Danny ends up locked in her basement. But a school without Danny becomes a joyous place as Maria and her students thrive. But how long can it go on? Has removing the one bad apple made such a huge difference? Or has the damage already been done?

Bad Apples is nuts and it does have its problems, with a ludicrous plot and a final 20 minutes that begins to tie itself in knots. But thanks to the ever-flawless Saoirse Ronan and fabulous newcomer Eddie Waller, it overcomes those flaws to serve up a dark, enjoyably twisted film which is part comedy, part satire, part horror, and, at times, a toe-curlingly tense watch.

It’s a film that borrows across genres, and between its sillier moments it poses questions about education, loneliness, and what people are prepared to do for a good education for their kids at the expense of others.

The film is carried by its lead characters. Saoirse Ronan continually proves that, regardless of the material, she will make it sing. Young newcomer Eddie Waller is brilliantly evil and increasingly vulnerable as the young tearaway. There is also excellent support from another newcomer, Nia Brown, as the increasingly unhinged Pauline. Between them, you’re never sure who the real bad apple, or apples, may be — questions that come to a head in its finale as the whole story takes a wild leap!

As mentioned, it isn’t perfect, as its story stretches credibility and has a last 20 minutes that doesn’t quite hold together.

But that said, its deliciously dark nature and fine central performances give you plenty to enjoy.

Director: Anthony Maras

Pressure is a true story, set in 1944, as the Allies under Eisenhower (Brendan Fraser) make final preparations for D-Day. The operation needs an accurate weather forecast, and on Churchill’s recommendation, Eisenhower calls in James Stagg (Andrew Scott) as Chief Meteorological Officer, with 61 hours to produce one. Stagg, a modern meteorologist driven by real-time data, sees storms coming that could mean disaster and huge casualties. This puts him at odds with Eisenhower’s trusted forecaster, Colonel Irving Krick (Chris Messina), convinced historic patterns mean clear skies  and a power struggle to convince Eisenhower and save the invasion.

History is full of little-known stories that offer fascinating insight into the people behind monumental events. Pressure is one such example. While the film itself is a little “paint by numbers” — well structured if not overly inspiring — that doesn’t take away from the fascinating story at its heart.

Maras deserves credit for taking what is fundamentally a story of men arguing about weather forecasts and making it engaging, tense and fascinating across its 100 minutes.

It’s no surprise Andrew Scott and Brendan Fraser deliver two excellent, engaging performances. Scott is perfect as the slightly awkward but convictions-certain Stagg. Fraser captures an Eisenhower caught between the task’s enormity and the risk to lives in his hands. Messina is solid as Krick, and Kerry Condon’s Kay Summersby provides emotional balance amongst the male egos. While much of the film is people arguing over weather, it also provides opening and closing scenes that are hugely impactful.

It falls a little short in places. The telling feels a touch safe, and some plot points land on the nose. There’s also a subplot with Stagg’s pregnant wife, a fictional addition that feels unnecessary, and it occasionally shows its stage-play roots.

Minor qualms aside, this is a solid telling of a fascinating story, and well worth a watch to learn about a little-known but critical moment in history.