A mixed bag of treats
THERE’s no shortage of adaptations of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel.
But with a stellar cast, director Greta Gerwig’s new addition to that canon has to rank among the best.
Rising Aussie actor Eliza Scanlen stars opposite Emma Watson, Florence Pugh and Saoirse Ronan in this modern yet respectfully traditional take on the classic story of four sisters coming of age in America in the aftermath of the Civil War.
It’s a reunion for Ronan and Timothee Chalamet, who starred together in Lady Bird – also directed by Gerwig.
Understandably, fans were shocked when Gerwig was snubbed in the Golden Globe nominations, which have favoured all male directors for the second year in a row.
Stars: Florence Pugh, Saoirse Ronan, Eliza Scanlen, Meryl Streep, Emma Watson, Timothee Chalamet
Director: Greta Gerwig
Best for: Mums and daughters In cinemas: New Year’s Day
THIS entertaining family film won’t win many awards, but parents won’t fall asleep in it either.
Will Smith voices super spy
Lance Sterling, who must team up with scientist Walter Beckett (Tom Holland) after he is accidentally transformed into a pigeon.
Aussie actor Ben Mendelsohn voices the bad guy, while country music singer Reba McEntire and DJ Khaled have cameos.
First-time directors Nick Bruno ( The Peanuts Movie) and Troy Quane ( Ice Age: Collision Course) took their inspiration from the award-winning short film Pigeon: Impossible for this espionage comedy, which features a soundtrack by hit-maker Mark Ronson.
There’s plenty of action and humorous gags, with a goodnatured take-home message on the importance of teamwork.
Stars: Tom Holland, Karen Gillan, Will Smith
Directors: Nick Bruno, Troy Quane
Best for: Kids and tweens
In cinemas: New Year’s Day
BRINGING George Lucas’s Skywalker Saga to its conclusion was always going to be a tough ask.
In The Rise of Skywalker, the surviving Resistance faces the First Order once more as Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron’s journey continues. With the power and knowledge of generations behind them, the final battle commences.
Fans will find moments of joy in this final chapter, but overall it’s a disjointed mess as director J.J. Abrams tries to right the wrongs of the previous film The Last Jedi.
While the ending is ultimately a satisfying one on an emotional level, the film takes too long to find its feet.
After more than 40 years of love and support, the Star Wars fandom deserves better. Stars: Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson Director: J.J. Abrams
Best for: Teens and adults
In cinemas: Now
DIRECTOR Guy Ritchie, who most recently helmed Disney’s live-action remake of Aladdin, returns to familiar ground in this British crime comedy.
Matthew McConaughey stars as American expat Mickey Pearson, who has built a highly profitable marijuana empire in London. But when word gets out that he’s looking to cash out of the business forever it triggers plots, schemes, bribery and blackmail in an attempt to steal his domain out from under him.
This crime caper features a great support cast including Jeremy Strong, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Eddie Marsan, Hugh Grant, Michelle Dockery and a tracksuit-clad Colin Farrell.
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong
Director: Guy Ritchie
Best for: Adults
In cinemas: New Year’s Day