The long Bank Holiday weekend is almost here and there's plenty to keep everyone in the family entertained at your local cinemaplex - whatever the weather! The two biggies this week are the welcome return of Matt Damon as Jason Bourne while Finding Dory is another follow-up to a much loved family favourite.
There's plenty more big summer blockbusters to choose from and in Dublin, the Gaze Film Festival is screening some of the best LGBT movies and documentaries from around the world.
Jason Bourne ***1/2 | Cert: 12A
Director: Paul Greengrass
Starring: Matt Damon, Alicia Vikander, Tommy Lee Jones, Julia Stiles, Vincent Cassel
After nine years, plenty of will-they-won't-they? along the way and an avalanche of story material to draw from, Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass bring author Robert Ludlum's hero Jason Bourne back to an even more messed up world. So much has changed on screen and off since he's been away that Jason Bourne really could have gone anywhere. That more risks weren't taken with the story is the biggest disappointment here, but in terms of action, energy and pacing, you get more than your money's worth.
Read the full review here.
Finding Dory ****1/2 Cert: | Cert: GEN
Director: Andrew Stanton, Angus MacLane
Starring: Ellen DeGeneres, Ed O'Neill, Ty Burrell, Diane Keaton, Idris Elba
There's been a bit of splish-splashing in some quarters that Finding Dory doesn't offer as much sub-aquatic treasure as its adored-to-the-gills predecessor, 2003's Finding Nemo.
If you're hoping for more of the same right here then you better sling your hook: Dory is just as sweet and even more exciting than what director Andrew Stanton and stars Ellen DeGeneres and Albert Brooks gifted us 13 years ago. Plus (and this is a very big plus), Modern Family and Married With Children's Ed O'Neill has dived in this time too, and his character turns out to be one of the greatest in Pixar history.
Read full review here.
The BFG **** Cert: | Cert: PG
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Mark Rylance, Ruby Burnhill, Penelope Wilton
Reuniting Steven Spielberg with his Bridge of Spies Oscar winner Mark Rylance, this decades-in-the-works adaptation of Roald Dahl's heroic hand-me-down is very sweet, a bit scary and a feast for the eyes. It was adapted for the screen by the late ET writer Melissa Mathison, and for many in a new generation this will be their comfort blanket in years to come.
There are a few quibbles about pacing here and there but as Spielberg approaches his 70th (!) birthday The BFG shows just how young at heart he is - this feels like a 35-year-old filmmaker with the bit between his teeth.
Read the full review here.
Star Trek Beyond ***1/2 Cert: | Cert: PG
Director: Justin Lin
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Sofia Boutella, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, Zoe Salanda
Following the ponderous and leaden Star Trek Into Darkness, Fast and Furious director Justin Lin puts real zip back into the space-going franchise. Zip being the operative word - Star Trek Beyond whips along at warp speed but it’s also well-paced and when the action does pause, it is for some philosophical conjecture and sharp banter between the leads.
Simon Pegg, who co-wrote the screenplay with Doug Jung, must also be applauded for a script that relocates the chemistry between the leads and the nobility and soul of the sixties series. It boldly goes back to basics with sheer fun and a great sense of wonder.
Read the full review here.
Gaze Film Festival July 28-Aug 1
Location: Lighthouse Cinema, Smithfield, Dublin 7
The annual LGBT Gaze Film Festival is now in full swing at the Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin until Bank Holiday Monday. The festival kicked off on Thursday with a documentary looking at the lives of the six surviving dancers from Madonna's Blond Ambition tour while on Saturday there's also a chance to savour Madge's once-controversial documentary, Truth or Dare, on the big screen.
There's also an array of international features, Irish short films and documetaries while the closing film is the Oscar shortlisted Irish film, Viva, about a Cuban drag queen. Written by Mark O'Halloran, the movie has already received rave notices at festivals and will go on general release in Ireland in August. For more details of the programme go to gaze.ie.
For a full list of all our reviews and cinema listings for around the country go to our movie page by clicking here.
