Far from the Madding Crowd (2015)

UK Release Date: 1st May 2015

In Victorian England, the independent and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene attracts three very different suitors: Gabriel Oak, a sheep farmer; Frank Troy, a reckless Sergeant; and William Boldwood, a prosperous and mature bachelor (www.imdb.com).

Director: Thomas Vinterberg (The Hunt)

Starring: Carey Mulligan, Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Sheen, Tom Sturridge

Far from the Madding Crowd, a well respected novel with an adaptation already to its name, hasn't got much new ground to cover. This 2015 film, starring Carey Mulligan, upholds the book's reputation. Bathsheba (Mulligan) is a headstrong farm owner who meets three possible suiters in a short space of time; Gabriel the farmer, William the nobleman and Frank the soldier. All bear distinctive qualities. All wish Bathsheba to marry them the moment they lay eyes on her. FftMC favours one man over the rest. We're smitten before even given the chance to decide. Mulligan's the charismatic, leading lady, making decisions that come at a price. Schoenaerts, Sturridge and Sheen add flavour to this period drama, their personalities and dialogue capturing what action cannot. 

4/5

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

UK Release Date: 2nd June 1983

After rescuing Han Solo from the palace of Jabba the Hutt, the rebels attempt to destroy the second Death Star, while Luke struggles to make Vader return from the dark side of the Force (www.imdb.com).

Director: Richard Marquand

Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, David Prowse, Peter Mayhew, Frank Oz, Ian McDiarmid

Return of the Jedi, episode six of the Star Wars universe, starts off where it means to push on. Han Solo (Harrison Ford) is prisoner to Jabba the Hutt, so Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and friends (R2-D2, C3P0, Leia) set out to rescue him. After a successful mission, Han and Leia lead a band of Rebels to the moon of Endor where the second Death Star is being protected by a force field, whilst Luke tries to bring Darth Vader back from the dark side of the force. The long awaited last film of the Star Wars universe ends well but falters slightly on the way. Strong detail and a quick drive pushes the plot forward, hitting a bump when the Ewoks make their appearance. Han and Leia's mission's halted by the furry little creatures, spoiling what we want to see with what George Lucas wants us to see. The humans' story is sacrificed by the Ewok's screen time. At least a spectacular big space battle and Luke's personal endeavour compensates for the events on Endor. One small blip won't trouble the fans too much.

4/5

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

UK Release Date: 21st May 1980

After the rebels have been brutally overpowered by the Empire on their newly established base, Luke Skywalker takes advanced Jedi training with Master Yoda, while his friends are pursued by Darth Vader as part of his plan to capture Luke (www.imdb.com).

Director: Irvin Kershner (Never Say Never Again, Robocop 2) 

Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, David Prowse, Peter Mayhew, Frank Oz

The Empire Strikes Back does not suffer from 'middle film syndrome'. It greatly enhances the Star Wars universe. Luke Skywalker's (Hamill) adventures take us to the ice planet Hoth, where the Rebels are hiding from the Imperials. They're eventually rooted out by Darth Vader and his army. Luke, Leia (Fisher) and Han (Ford) and the droids make their escape, the former heading to Dagobah for Jedi training, whilst the others seek help from an old friend. TESB is full of blistering action; the battle of Hoth, with the AT-AT walkers and Luke's first Jedi experiences making the back of the neck tingle. A now heightened romance between Han and Leia plays out to stunning effect. New characters are introduced, but only a few so that Empire never detracts from the main trio. Then there's the twist. If you don't know about it then you should, otherwise start watching Star Wars now. There's no need to be a fan of science fiction, just excellent entertainment.

5/5

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

UK Release Date: 27th December 1977

Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a wookiee and two droids to save the universe from the Empire's world-destroying battle-station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the evil Darth Vader (www.imdb.com).

Director: George Lucas

Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Peter Cushing, Alec Guinness, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, David Prowse

Star Wars: the ultimate science fiction. The go to franchise. A New Hope is where it all started. George Lucas labelled his first outing as the fourth episode, holding the start of the story until a later date. For 22 years though, we're with Luke Skywalker (Hamill), a youngster keen on joining the Rebel alliance, teams up with Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi (Guinness), a couple of droids (R2-D2 and C3PO) and rough outlaws (Harrison Ford's Han Solo and Peter Mayhew's Chewbacca) to save princess Leia (Fisher) from the clutches of the evil Empire and destroy their battle station, the Death Star. A New Hope is groundbreaking, both in genre and visual effects. It represents the forces of good vs. evil perfectly. Luke's the guy we all want to be, whilst the Sith Lord Darth Vader intimidates with voice, presence and action. Leia and Han show glints of romance that hints at more to come. ANH is an all round great film in a world that encompasses unlimited possibilities. It's more of a need to see than a want.

5/5 

Knock Knock

UK Release Date: 26th June 2015

When a devoted husband and father is left home alone for the weekend, two stranded young women unexpectedly knock on his door for help. What starts out as a kind gesture results in a dangerous seduction and a deadly game of cat and mouse (www.imdb.com).

Director: Eli Roth (Cabin Fever, Hostel)

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Lorenza Izzo, Ana de Armas

Eli Roth is a master of suspenseful horrors. Unfortunately Knock Knock doesn't follow the likes of Hostel and Cabin Fever. Keanu Reeves is Evan, a devoted husband and father left at home to work whilst his family are away for the weekend. He's an innocent, good natured soul who answers the door to two young women who need help. A seductive game of cat and mouse commences as soon as he lays eyes on them. Things take a turn for the worst when Evan caves in to their sexual advances. Knock Knock's most interesting aspect comes from its very different gender roles. Reeves is the 'damsel in distress', sympathy untoward from his moment of passion. The young women, Genesis (Roth's wife Lorenza Izzo) and Bel (Ana de Armas) are in control, yet ironically out of control. This Strangers style film struggles to get the reaction it deserves. Serious moments are funny when they shouldn't be. The plus side for director Eli Roth is the women reach the maximum level of annoyance whilst Evan conjures up low amounts of courage, throwing our emotions in to disarray. Knock Knock is a hard one to judge. It'll make you feel dirty and awkward, even if there's nothing to hide. 

3/5

The Walk

UK Release Date: 9th October 2015

In 1974, high-wire artist Philippe Petit recruits a team of people to help him realize his dream: to walk the immense void between the World Trade Center towers (www.imdb.com).

Director: Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Flight, Cast Away)

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Charlotte Le Bon, Guillaume Baillargeon

Joseph Gordon-Levitt doesn't look like Philippe Petit, the master of the wire, plus his french is a bit ropey. This doesn't stop him bringing life into this biopic, trading eccentric blow for eccentric blow, just as Petit did. Only a crazy, arrogant person of his calibre would do the insane things he intends. Petit's dream is to find the highest place to put his high wire, and walk on it. The Twin Towers, otherwise known as the World Trade Center, is that spectacle, to walk from tower to the other. A simple, but daring dream. A team is assembled, and a daring mission plays out. Petit is adverse and cold to his friends. Director Zemeckis fleshes out the story just enough to make Petit interesting. Petit's storytelling, guiding us through what we see, is awkward, breaking up The Walk's momentum. When Philippe's walk finally hits the screen, it's unnerving. Zemeckis takes us to places that documentary Man on Wire could not. These shots are incredible, beautiful and scary. The Walk is worth the watch for the end quarter alone, especially in 3D. 

3.5/5