It’s the summer, so time for some seasonal selections. This issue we explore something for everyone: films for kids, families, adults and the grandparents who want something a bit more grown-up after looking after the kids all day and being subjected to Baby Shark and “K-Pop Demon Hunters”. Some of the recommendations are especially authentic, with the words coming directly from the mouth of guest contributor, Eponine, age 6. See if you can spot her suggestions…

For Kids

THE BAD GUYS – available to buy now

So the first film is Bad Guys. I like it because it’s positive and lovely. There are lots of different characters-there’s a news reporter, there is a wolf and some other bad guys like a snake and shark, piranha and webs the spider. There’s also another bad guy who isn’t in their team but she actually turns into the Governor of the city who helps the Bad Guys do a heist but do a good thing. That’s because it’s about criminals who try to do good even though they’re bad guys in the first place. My favorite bit is I think when the police Chief starts to wiggle her hips in the dancing scene. It’s really funny and I can’t wait to see Bad Guys 2 in the cinema soon.

DESPICABLE ME – Amazon Prime

So the next film that I would recommend is Despicable Me. It is about a person called Gru who becomes a supervillain and he has some alien like friends that are called Minions and you know what the minions love? Bananas-they cannot get enough of them! I haven’t seen all the Despicable Me films but I’ve seen most of them but I think I would just recommend all of the Despicable Me films because I just like the cheekiness and all of the excitement in them and also a bit of the drama as well. 

For families

WICKED – available to buy now

So the third film is going to be Wicked.  I don’t think it would be appropriate for every child but it’s really good. So it’s a baby who whose born green called Elphaba and then when they go to big school they meet someone called Glinda. Glinda is very posh and popular but Elphaba isn’t but is very powerful. My favourite thing about Wicked is probably the love and humour and hope and the “go go go” part of it. My favorite song in it is Defying Gravity. Oh yeah and my Daddy’s favorite bit is when Glinda tries to turn Elphaba’s outfit into a ball gown, it’s funny as she shouts “ballgown”!

FANTASTIC FOUR – in cinemas now

The latest in the MCU features a gorgeous retro-futuristic style that seems to be set in the 1950s/60s but also possibly in the future. The film spends little time on exposition and instead jumps into the huge action set-pieces that don’t rely on other Marvel films to make sense. The family-orientated focus is an interesting take on the genre and the changes that one character goes through is handled with a maturity often lacking in superhero films. Crucially though, the film is just a lot of fun and, for those invested in Marvel, seemingly sets up a couple of quite significant ‘things’…

For adults/parents

SINNERS – available to buy now

At least one local resident hated this, however, we can ignore their opinion (sorry!), as the film is a magnificent piece of work that should be seen on as large a screen as you can. Going in “cold” to this is best: the marketing reveals too much, but the constant twists and turns means that even if you do know what the general plot is here, there’s still plenty to enjoy. The brief overview is that director Ryan Coogler (responsible for BLACK PANTHER, CREED and FRUITVALE STATION) wrote, directed and produced this original story about a pair of brothers in 1930s America who return to Memphis to set up a club after spending time with different gangs in America. Both roles are played, using actual film magic, by the always-brilliant Michael B Jordan and are accompanied by a stellar ensemble cast, including plenty of recognisable faces. There are at least 3 scenes that stand out as being some of the most original and attention-grabbing in recent years, and alongside some spectacular cinematography and bewitching music, this is one of the best of the year.

MIAMI VICE – iPlayer

This isn’t what you think it will be. Yes, it’s based on the TV show, famous for its glamourous portrayal of the crime-ridden Miami of the 1980s. But, this is directed by Michael Mann of HEAT, COLLATERAL, ALI, LAST OF THE MOHICANS and THIEF fame. This means you get epic scale rendered in incredible wide-shots, thunderously loud action scenes, huge close-ups and lots of guns and windscreens. Watch the first 15 minutes, relax into the pace and style and enjoy a vastly underrated action-crime-thriller gem.

For grandparents

OPPENHEIMER – Netflix

One of the most-talked about, awarded and financially successful films of the last 5 years has arrived on streaming, somewhat quietly, on Netflix. If you missed all of the excitement upon release, Christopher Nolan’s biopic of “father of the atomic bomb J. Robert Oppenheimer” is a spectacular, hugely ambitious and moving portrayal of the development of the atomic bomb and subsequent impact on the world. This isn’t a standard biopic though: it’s told through a complex and riveting narrative structure that absolutely captivates, enthralls and terrifies in equal measure. A masterpiece of modern filmmaking.

CONCLAVE – Amazon Prime

This was released on Amazon Prime as the real-life conclave to elect a new Pope took place, and whilst it probably doesn’t reflect the real-life machinations that take place behind closed-doors at the Vatican, this is an excellent watch and is as intriguing as it is beautiful. A hugely recommended film for fans of classic filmmaking: dialogue heavy, interesting visually and full of mature and interesting themes.

Ian Moreno-Melgar