Movies

The Map That Leads to You was released in August (Image: Amazon MGM Studios)As a self-proclaimed film fanatic who watches at least two or three movies per week, I take great pride in my recommendations. This year, I have made it my mission to make a dent in my ever-growing watchlist, and it's going pretty well, but it can be hard not to resist the dozens of new releases, particularly as we gear up for Oscar season.There's a newly released rom-com in there, a beautifully moving picture set in Shetland, and a two-hander that secured many awards among my favourites. Here are my highlights of the year so far. Read more: The most popular Netflix film of all time might surprise you Read more: I’m a book lover – my favourite read of all time is now on Netflix Saoirse Ronan in The Outrun (20...

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale conclude not just a film trilogy but a 15-year period drama franchise spanning 1912 to 1930.The film concluded with Lord and Lady Grantham moving to the Dower House and leaving the stately home to their currently single eldest daughter, Lady Mary and her son George.While most of the characters got their happy endings, the new movie felt more like the start of a new beginning for the franchise in a soft reboot.The 76-year-old creator and screenwriter Julian Fellowes may be busy with The Gilded Age, but give it a few years and we’d expect either Downton Abbey 4 or a soft reboot TV series with or without him. After all, one star even said that "there's been talk".Depending on how long a break, the Crawleys could host a Wilderness Years Winston Churchill, cov...

This period movie has been described as the "best Netflix film ever made" by fans, and it has a stellar cast lineup. The King is an epic historical drama film directed by David Michôd and released in 2019. It is based on several plays from William Shakespeare's Henriad, and the screenplay was written by Michôd and Joel Edgerton, who both produced the film with Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, and Liz Watts.The ensemble cast led by Timothée Chalamet as the Prince of Wales and later King Henry V of England, alongside Edgerton, Sean Harris, Lily-Rose Depp, Robert Pattinson, and Ben Mendelsohn. The film's synopsis reads: "Young Henry V encounters deceit, war and treachery after becoming King of England in the 15th century, in the aftermath of his brother's death."Fans of the film ha...

Viewers and critics have been showering acclaim on a captivating new period drama that's absolutely worth your time, following others who have savoured a "masterful" series and witnessed a perfect 10/10 Netflix production, reports the Mirror.The picture had its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 7 and will be arriving on screens next month, including Amazon Prime Video.On IMDb, one viewer branded the film "an exhilarating ride", whilst the visuals were celebrated as "sumptuous and riotous".The user continued: "There is so much going on in every scene. The pacing varies from breakneck to brief respites of calm."They added: "I'll be thinking about this film long after I finished seeing it. You can't ask more of any film."A perfect 10/10 review on the plat...

Millennials yearning for a trip down memory lane are in for a treat as the beloved noughties comedy-drama 'Coyote Ugly' is now streaming on ITVX at no cost.The film features 'Yellowstone' star Piper Perabo and boasts a stellar cast including Adam Garcia and Tyra Banks.Despite receiving a chilly reception from critics, 'Coyote Ugly' laughed all the way to the bank, raking in a cool $113 million globally.Over time, it has garnered a cult following and secured its status as a millennial treasure.Set against the backdrop of the renowned Coyote Ugly bar in New York City, the film charts Piper Perabo's character Violet Sanford's journey from New Jersey to the Big Apple in pursuit of her songwriting dreams.Upon her move to New York City, Violet lands a gig at the infamous Coyote Ugly bar and c...

Many would argue a large portion of modern cinema has consisted of remakeswhich have failed to live up to their predecessors' quality with very few exceptions.Some literary and cinematic works spawn endless rehashings as directors try decade after decade to capture lightning in a bottle for a second time.One such example is the ageless tale of Little Women, the 1868 novel by Louisa May Alcott, which chronicles the lives of the March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, as they manoeuvre poverty, love, and personal growth from adolescence to womanhood.Seven attempts have been made to retell this story on the silver screen, with some more warmly received than others, dating as far back as 1917.These films have featured Hollywood icons such as Elizabeth Taylor, who starred in the 1949 adaptati...

This 'epic' film combines the writing of the author behind Planet of the Apes and the directing of one of the most prolific figures in British cinema – and you can stream the entire thing now.The Bridge on the River Kwai remains one of the greatest war films of all time, 60 years since its release in 1957, and is hailed as a 'masterpiece' by fans of the genre. Set against the backdrop of the brutalities of the Second World War, just 12 years after it ended, it's safe to say its timely production is what's helped it stay at the forefront of viewers' minds all these years later.On the review platform Rotten Tomatoes, the award-winning film has an impressive overall score of 96% based on real reviews. One of those reviews claims: "There will never be another movie that approaches this one ...

Stephen King has revealed his top 10 favourite films – and among the heavy-hitters from Coppola, Scorsese and Spielberg sits a title once dismissed as a box office disaster.The horror master, who shared his picks “in no particular order,” placed William Friedkin’s 1977 thriller Sorcerer at the top of his list.The film was released just a month after Star Wars rewrote the rules of Hollywood, and its gritty, fatalistic story about four desperate men hauling nitroglycerine across treacherous terrain couldn’t compete with George Lucas’ sci-fi spectacle. At the time, critics were lukewarm and audiences stayed away.But in the years since, Sorcerer has been rediscovered and hailed as one of Friedkin’s finest achievements. Even the director himself, best known for The French Connection and The ...

From Nazi prison jailbreaks and frontline mediaeval battles to a dangerous Vietnam War odyssey, critics' top 10 war movies span thrilling, rousing and haunting onscreen depictions. The war film genre is stacked with greats from Apocalypse Now to blockbusters like Black Hawk Down.Rotten Tomatoes has rounded up the best reviewed war movies on their site and its clear stories about World War 2 have captivated filmmakers. Which of your favourites have left a lasting impression on critics – and which didn't make the cut? The results might be surprising.

Oscar-winning drama Sound of Metal, starring Riz Ahmed, is now available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.Originally released in 2019, the film bagged Academy Awards for Best Film Editing and Best Sound. In addition to these accolades, the musical drama was also nominated for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay.The plot revolves around Ruben Stone (played by Ahmed), a punk drummer who starts experiencing hearing loss. When warned by a specialist that his condition will only deteriorate, Ruben fears his career might be over, reports the Mirror.His girlfriend Lou (portrayed by Olivia Cooke) worries that Ruben, a recovering heroin addict, may relapse and checks him into a sober community for people with hearing impairments.Community founder Joe (played by Paul Raci) then helps Ruben navi...