MattKingsbury

With thrilling high octane action supported by beautiful cinematography, Extraction is a joy to watch. While it is indeed shallow, the beautiful set-pieces are enough to hold your attention for the entire runtime.

Whiplash is an absolute thrillride from beginning to end. Featuring stellar cinematography as well as astounding performances from Teller and Simmons, this film is an absolute must-see. The music is great, too.

Icarus is a very personal documentary that sheds light on the Russian doping scandal. While it slightly over-romantices the Doctor, and the first quarter of the movie feels disconnected from the rest, this is a definite must-watch for anyone interested in sport and its impact on the world.

Athlete A is a beautifully crafted documentary, whose only downfall seems to be a slightly drawn out first hour. The story is touching and at times difficult to watch, but necessary as well. Highly recommend.

Bridge of Spies is a good movie, supported by strong acting from Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance. Everything holds that little bit extra weight when you realise the film is loosely based on a true story. The film is well shot - even if the lens distortion at times is off-putting - but sadly the entire film just feels...a bit uninspired. The film comes and goes, but I don't feel like a lasting impression has been left. Some action scenes feel like they're there just to say "hey, are you still watching?".

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Moonlight is beautifully shot, with music that really has an emotional impact. The second act is without question the highlight of the story, where there is a drive behind the plot: we see the beauty and the ugliness perfectly captured within Chiron's life. The shots where the character's look into the camera are fantastic at drawing you into the feelings of the character. Sadly, the film lacks narrative depth and the plot is limited. Also, the first and third acts drag at moments. Yet after the credits rolled, I couldn't help but be charmed with the film I'd seen.

"Intouchables" is a fantastic movie filled with humour, surprise, depth and character. The incredible music and cinematography help to drive home this unique story that impressed at almost every step.

6 Days is without question a flawed film. For a film that barely reaches 90 minutes, there did feel like a significant amount of filler. The constant use of subtitles and character title cards was unnecessary. The SAS soldiers weren't particularly likeable as characters, the female BBC reporter - regardless of how accurate to reality - was rather irritating and added nothing of value to the plot. The finale was too drawn out and overdramatised. And yet I can't help but take a liking to the film. It helps that the cinematography varies from good to breathtaking: the production values shown here are fantastic. The conversations between Mark Strong and Ben Turner are the true highlights of the film, and both portrayed the strongest characters. It's just a shame that when the credits roll, I felt like more could have been done with the material here.

How can a film based on such incredible events feel this generic? While the film most certainly has its stand-out moments, Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks sadly are unable to bring to life the characters they are portraying. The score especially feels generic and out of place. The direction is a net win, with beautiful shots within the film. I can't help but feel that if you want to see a film about the press uncovering the terrible secrets we try to keep under the rug, you should go and watch Spotlight instead.

A true testament to well crafted characters and an incredible and unique narrative, spotlight is one of those films you just have to watch. Every member of the cast performs to their best, with Mark Ruffalo bringing a truly stand out performance worthy of an Oscar. The music perfectly accommodates the film, and while the cinematography may feel bare bones, it helps keep you grounded in this film based on events that occurred in the real world. An incredible film, you need to watch it if you haven't yet.

The Martian is a film for everyone. It is comedic, yet serious when needed, with beautifully acted characters and a plot that feels grounded enough for the viewer to stay engaged and bold enough for the viewer to...stay engaged. Matt Damon brings a fantastic performance as the lead character. My only gripe with the cast was Donald Glover, whose character I felt was more of a 'Deus Ex Machina' to the plot than an actual flushed out human being. Nevertheless, the Martian is a fantastic sci-fi flick that brings to life a heart-warming story of human survival.

Captain Phillips goes beyond the requirements **** action movie - it delivers a beautiful character performance from Tom Hanks that leaves an impression after the credits have rolled, and thrills from beginning to end. The music is well crafted, and fits the tone of the film perfectly, adding to the spectacle of the events when action is high; and accommodates the tension when lives are on the line. Rarely do films make you feel genuinely sympathetic for the antagonists, yet I couldn't help but feel like they were good people stuck in a terrible situation. I highly recommend this movie.

Built on a very unique premise, the film really impresses. The concept upon which the film is built is fascinating, and the action spectacles are great. The cast is great, as well as the pace of the narrative. The film did not feel too long nor too short. One certain scene really drives the emotional aspect of the film - you cannot help but root for the protagonist. A truly great film.

Eddie Redmayne and Charlie Cox both bring incredible performances, and are without doubt the shining light in a film that seems unable to decide what it wants to be: a focus on Stephen Hawking, his work or his relationship, or all of them. It begins to feel drawn out and sadly falls off. I wish to know more about Hawking's work and how it impacted the world of physics, but sadly you will not find that here.

While the story of the film feels slightly mundane at times, the performances from Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto are a true testament to the craft of acting. We really see the development of the protagonist over the course of the film due to his unfortunate circumstances. At times around the midway point, the plot seems to slow down, or become a tad muddled, but overall the film is gripping and enjoyable. Be ready to feel unconfortable.

Steve Jobs engages from start to finish. The premise of the film taking place at three separate unveilings is **** fantastic. The dialogue crafted by Sorkin for the most part is great - even if at times it comes across a tad over the top. Seth Rogen is the highlight of the film, and Michael Fassbender also brings a strong performance as the title character. An overall well created movie.

This musical-film is nothing short of a masterpiece. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone knock it out of the park with fantastic performances. The cinematogrpahy is fantastic, the narrative is engaging, the dialogue is beautifully crafted, and the songs serve the story well (even if they are not particularly memorable). The ending is the highlight of the film, managing to be incredibly beautiful in a heartbreaking way. A must see for any film lover.

With a fantastic performance from Christoph Waltz, Inglorious Basterds is equally as funny as it is intense as it is violent. The film at the end turns into a relentless bloody mess that, while enjoyable in the shallow sense, does feel a touch incoherent at times. Nevertheless, the movie succeeds in leaving a lasting impression.

On second viewing, realising that Dunkirk was more of an experience than a movie, Dunkirk impresses. Every scene in the plane felt tense, the music swells at the perfect times, and the hints of a story feel...disappointing. I can't help but feel that the addition of a more fledged out narrative would only add to the film. Nevertheless, Dunkirk is beautifully crafted and the incredible sound design pulls you into the second world war like no other film has. Yet, I have to recommend other world war 2 films - such as Hacksaw Ridge - as the must watch films instead.

An incredibly well crafted World War 2 film, Andrew Garfield's stunning performance really brings to life this character that you cannot help but root for. The film is perfectly paced with a fantastic balance os tension and relief. A must see - not only for war movie lovers, but for everyone.

A brilliantly crafted film with dialogue beautifully crafted by Sorkin. Yet, I just cannot quite put it up there with the true greats - and I'm not sure why.

As a Brit, I never expected to be so thoroughly engaged about a sport I do not follow. Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill are able to bring this film to life with spectacular performances that hold up what I would consider to be a slightly run-of-the-mill story.

Fury is an enjoyable movie, however it is unable to become anything more than that. Shia LaBeouf is without question the highlight of the film, providing a fantastically engaging performance that stands out from the rest of the cast, who are also strong, aside from Bernthal whose character is simply irritating and makes you want to put your head into a microwave. Yet halfway through the film seems to lose its way and tries to become something it's not: deep. The attempt to connect with the viewer falls flat, and leaves you begging for 20 minutes to be cut from the runtime. But the film picks up again and ends with a spectacular finale that satisfies.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

A film that truly surprised me in almost every way, Birdman is a fantastic movie that I would recommend everyone to watch at least once. While the 1-take style to some may feel gimmicky, I genuinely believe it adds to, rather than detracts from, the film. With incredible performances from Michael Keaton, Emma Stone and Edward Norton, the film feels like a true breath of fresh air during a time filmed with renowned IPs and sequels. A testament to films that portray beautiful plots over beautiful CGI.

Every aspect of this movie engages. Every member of the cast brings their A-game, with fantastic performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy and Will Poulter. The cinematography is without question the greatest I've ever seen in a movie, and is reason enough to watch. The music is beautifully done, and knows when and where it can be used to enhance the film with its unique style without becoming overbearing. An incredible motion picture, one of the true greats.

A thoroughly entertaining film that is equally as smart as it is witty. Every member of the ensemble cast is strong, and the film manages to make the concepts about which it is written easy to comprehend and yet still engaging to the viewer. Not once did I feel confused about the subject matter. The film effectively portrays the true horrors that occurred during the 2008 crash, perfectly balancing its humorous and serious tones.

No Country For Old Men is a beautifully shot, well acted film that engages its viewers with intense, suspenseful scenes. However, it feels as if the film lacks a bit of "flow", as if scenes are simply stuck together to form a story instead of it feeling like a full story to begin within. Sadly, the ending also disappoints, but this should not be a reason to miss out on such a generally compelling narrative.

An absolute thrillride from beginning to end, Inception captures the viewer with its unique concepts, strong ensemble cast and beautiful cinematography. It ends with a BANG of beautifully realised awesomeness. One of the greatest films ever created, and a true pleasure to watch.

A beautifully cinematic film that sadly is only able to engage in its final act. I only felt the tension during the final game as we watch on through the lens of the protagonist - which is fantastically performed by Adam Sandler. Garnett also brings a strong performance, but there is just not enough substance there for the cast to work from.