A desert planet with a fabled resource is given new custodians: a messiah figure may be among them. Impressive if slightly po-faced partial adaptation (Part Two is to come) of the Frank Herbert allegorical SF classic. Takes its time: the pacing is televisual rather than cinematic. However, it looks great, and a good cast plays to their strengths.
Here’s the trailer. And here’s another view.
A memory technician becomes obsessed with a nightclub singer. Somewhat laboured SF noir, indebted to Blade Runner, Chinatown, and – er – Who Framed Roger Rabbit, saddled with po-faced script and narration. Some visual stuff works (there’s one genuine moment of wonder) but the central mystery and its importance is bungled.
Here’s the trailer.
A spectacular new version of the Frank Herbert novel. The planet Dune is the source of Spice – a substance with profound properties and insatiable galactic value. As a new regime assumes control over spice production, they find themselves under attack from all sides as they discover the secrets of their new world.
A probationary agent finds herself partnered with an MIB legend when an intergalactic crisis looms. Stuttering series reboot, transplanting a star pairing from another franchise with indifferent results. Okay action, poor comedy. Misunderstanding what made the first movies successful results in a film that was more fun to make than it is to watch.
Ethan Hunt and the disavowed MI team track down a terrorist organisation named The Syndicate. Slick, expansive and fast. The series high-point to date, with a breakout performance from newcomer Rebecca Ferguson.
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A musical about showman PT Barnum. That rarest of things these days – an original live-action movie musical. You’ll either love it or hate it, that’s for sure. Good-looking and well made, but goes for the simple and easy trick every time. Eyes and teeth!
Ethan Hunt and his team battle a nuclear conspiracy involving followers of Solomon Lane. Splendid series continuation from Part 5 (MI: Rogue Nation), with hugely-impressive stuntwork and the usual emphasis on twists and double-crosses. Recommended.
An ISS research team discover a life-form in a sample of Mars soil. Effective and well-sustained creature feature, making the most of its actors and the limitations of the space station environment to create plausible tension. Recommended for genre fans.
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