Heartbreak and humour

I, Daniel Blake (15)

Ken Loach’s latest may be fictional but the fate befalling its titular character is so common modern Britain it may as well be a documentary.

The cast are superb across the board, with Dave Johns’ lead as likeable as he is real. It’s tough and heartbreaking at times, but with welcome outbreaks of joy.

Ouija: Origin of Evil (15) ●●● ●●

Vastly superior to the dull original, this sixties-set prequel turns up the terror.

The possessed child plot doesn’t reinvent the wheel but the scares register and there’s a neat peek behind the curtain of charlatan psychics.

The visual effects are of a high standard and Lulu Wilson is a revelation as troubled youngster Doris.

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (12) ●●● ●●

Losing director Christopher McQuarrie is a blow for Reacher’s inferior second cinematic caper.

Replacement Edward Zwick helms in simplistic fashion and lacks his predecessor’s flair for hard-boiled action.

Zwick re-teams with his Last Samurai lead Tom Cruise and fortunately the mega star still embodies Reacher with inner steel, physical toughness and vulnerability.

The storyline stakes remain high throughout and you’re kept going as to where it’s all going to end up right until the climax.

But none of the villainy can match Werner Herzog’s creepy turn in the first flick, with only Patrick Heusinger’s assassin making any impression.