The Sofa and Popcorn Degree

MY COUSIN RACHEL starring Rachel Weisz, Sam Claflin directed by Roger Michell A review by Helen J. Reynolds   My Cousin Rachel is based on the book written by Daphne du Maurier ( Rebecca , The Birds ) and stars Rachel Weisz as the beautiful, enchanting cousin Rachel. The beginning is a rushed and disjointed account for the early life of Philip (Sam Claflin), an orphan who has little experience of women, brought up by his bachelor uncle – a wealthy and beloved man. Fast-forward to Philip as an adult and he returns home to find his uncle ill. Recommended to warmer climates, his uncle goes alone to Italy, where he meets their cousin Rachel who he uncharacteristically falls in love with. Death follows him shortly after they marry and Philip receives a disturbing letter from his uncle that implies Rachel was behind his death... The mystery surrounding Rachel is the source of intrigue for much of the movie and creates tension in what would otherwise be a very ordinary ta...

THE MUMMY starring Tom Cruise, Sofia Boutella directed by Alex Kurtzman A review by Helen J. Reynolds   In principle, there's nothing wrong with reboots. The Mummy franchise is eighteen years old with its last movie bombing just under a decade ago, so there is a case for trying to give it life again in 2017. However, bringing a franchise back means bringing something new to what we’ve come to expect from the series. So, what does this movie do that's fresh? There are new characters, for one. Tom Cruise plays rogue soldier, Nick, who hunts artefacts in a war-torn desert. The role suits him about as well as the turban we meet him in. His partner-in-crime is Chris (Jake Johnson), who gets the raw end of a curse after they dig up the tomb of a power-hungry Egyptian princess. The discovery of this forgotten royal is the lifetime work of Jenny (Annabelle Wallis), but she almost misses the front row seat after Nick sleeps with her then robs her of the map to the tomb...

WONDER WOMAN starring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine directed by Patty Jenkins A review by Helen J. Reynolds DC Entertainment has got a lot wrong with their superheroes of late. It's not enough to dress a man in a cape and drop in some CGI - superheroes need a decent story, fleshed out characters and maybe scenes where you don't just laugh because it's so damn awkward.  Thankfully, Wonder Women , the first movie for this female badass, offers a great deal more than only its name to get you in the seats. Gal Gadot plays Diane, the next leader of the Amazons and acts more like a young King Arthur than princess. She's hungry for glory, has a good-heart and is so naïve it becomes a funny quirk of her still evolving character. The other Amazon's indulge her, with House of Cards star Robin Wright fierce as ever, and Connie Nielsen ( Gladiator ) as the Queen who must protect her daughter from men "who don't deserve her".    Steve (Chris Pine) is the luc...

MISS SLOANE starring Jessica Chastain, Mark Strong directed by John Madden A review by Helen J. Reynolds Politics is a toxic subject to talk about, yet addictive to watch. TV shows like House of Cards or The Westwing prove the audience, and politically driven movies like Zero Dark Thirty grab the awards. Miss Sloane is a fast-talking, stylish and intriguing movie. It follows Jessica Chastain as Elizabeth Sloane, a driven, unsentimental, drug-addicted lobbyist. However, for once she's fighting the good fight and trying to get guns in America background checked (the gall!) The plot keeps you hooked until the end and is full of political backstabs, as you might expect, yet at it's core this is a character movie. Miss Sloane is nothing without its leading lady and Chastain is an interesting choice. While she's starred in political movies before ( The Debt , Zero Dark Thirty ), here she's given something a bit different. Beautiful and ruthless, without a ...