At The Movies

Play Dirty sees writer-director Shane Black (Predator, Iron Man 3) bring pulp fiction favourite Parker to the screen. Robber/gunman Parker (Mark Wahlberg) is roped into a billion dollar heist by untrustworthy Zen (Rosa Salazar – Alita). Expect cars, horses and a spectacular train-wreck. On Amazon Prime.

Steve, starring and produced by Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) is the story of a troubled teacher holding a 1990s English reform school together by sheer will-power. Featuring Tracy Ullman, Emily Watson and musician Little Simz, it’s directed by Belgian film-maker Tim Mielants (Patrick). On Netflix.

The Smashing Machine tells the true story of Mixed Martial Arts pioneer Mark Kerr and his struggles with drugs and depression. Starring Dwayne Johnson/The Rock (Fast and Furious) and Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada), it’s directed by Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems).

French film Holy Cow tells the story of a teenage ne’er do well who decides to turn his life around by winning a cheese-making gold medal. A multi award-winner for both director Louise Courvoisier and star Maïwene Barthelmy, it was also a huge box-office hit at home.

The Teacher Who Promised The Sea is a Spanish-Catalan real life account of a teacher who falls foul of the fascists during the Spanish Civil War. Featured at the recent International Film Festival, it stars Bafta Rising Star Laia Costa.

One Battle After Another sees a retired revolutionary forced to rejoin the struggle when his daughter is captured by an old enemy. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (Magnolia), it stars Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street), Sean Penn (Mystic River), Benicio del Toro (Sicario) and newcomer Chase Infiniti.

Prime Minister is the story of Jacinda Ardern’s eventful five years leading Aotearoa New Zealand. With previously unseen footage shot by Ardern’s partner Clarke Gayford, it’s not just a biopic of a fascinating political figure, but it shows this country at its best and its worst. Directed by American Lindsay Utz (Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry) and Kiwi Michelle Walshe (Chasing Great).

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey features Colin Farrell (In Bruges) and Margot Robbie (Barbie) being drawn back into their pasts by magical rental car! Directed by Kogonada (After Yang) and featuring Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag) and Kevin Kline (A Fish Called Wanda).

Kangaroo has all the right elements for a feelgood, family movie – small-town outback Australia, a big city idiot and a teenage girl both looking for redemption, and an awful lot of kangaroos. Featuring Deborah Mailman and Wayne Blair (The Sapphires), Ernie Dingo (Crocodile Dundee) and Rachel House (Boy).

The Long Walk, based on Stephen King’s first novel, is set in a dystopian future where 50 young men compete to be the last one standing. If they slow down they’re shot. Directed by Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games Catching Fire), it stars Cooper Hoffman (Licorice Pizza) and Mark Hamill (Star Wars).

Splitsville sees the International Film Festival comedy about open marriages get a general release. Essentially a millennial version of a Sixties hit, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, with added (male) nudity. Features Dakota Johnson (Materialists).