At The Movies

Simon Morris looks at two films with a lot riding on them – the new Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, and the introduction of a new Captain America: Brave New World. But he wonders if Andrea Arnold’s miniscule Bafta nominee, Bird, might be a more helpful way to go.

Bird is the latest from critically acclaimed British film-maker Andrea Arnold (Fish Tank, Big Little Lies.). It was a nominee at both the Cannes Film Festival and the Baftas, and tells the story of a 12 year old girl with an unexpected new friend. Also stars Barry Keoghan (The Banshees of Innisherin).

Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy sees the former Noughties party girl struggling with solo motherhood, and also juggling two conflicting suitors. Starring Renée Zellweger, with Hugh Grant, Leo Woodall, Emma Thompson and dozens more familiar faces!

Captain America: Brave New World sees a brave new Captain – former Falcon Sam Wilson – and several old friends and enemies facing new dangers – including a gigantic Red Hulk. Starring Anthony Mackie, with Harrison Ford as the President of the USA.

Widow Clicquot tells how the manufacturer of Veuve Clicquot champagne became the most successful businesswoman of her era. Produced by and starring Haley Bennett (Hillbilly Elegy), with Tom Sturridge (TV’s The Sandman) and Sam Riley (Control).

Simon Morris looks at the art of “true-ish” movies based on real-life events. When does tweaking a story to make sense bury the whole point of a true story? He looks at three films that try and stick to the facts – September 5, Widow Clicquot and Prime Video’s The Order.

September 5 is a blow-by-blow coverage of the story of how a terrorist invasion of the 1972 Munich Olympics was sent out to the world by a sports TV crew. Stars Peter Sarsgaard (Memory), Ben Chaplin (The Dig) and Leonie Benesch (The Teachers Lounge).

The Order adapts a best-selling book about a real-life group of domestic terrorists turned armed bank-robbers. Starring Jude Law (The Talented Mr Ripley) and Nicholas Hoult (About a Boy), it’s directed by Australian Justin Kurzel (True History of the Kelly Gang). Showing on Prime Video.

Companion is a twisted tale of a man who ropes in his sex-bot…. or rather, his “emotional support companion” – to a plot not covered by her User’s Guide. Starring Sophie Thatcher (Heretic) and Jack Quaid (TV series The Boys).

Babygirl sees Nicole Kidman in a Golden Globe-nominated turn as a frustrated CEO of a big tech company, who finds herself being lured into dangerous erotic territory by her new intern. Co-starring Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots) and Harris Dickinson (Triangle of Sadness).

Nightbitch is a Disney Plus semi-fantasy about a mother of a toddler being driven into unexpected territory. Can she be turning into a dog? Starring Amy Adams (Arrival), Scoot McNairy (Woody Guthrie in A Complete Unknown) and Jessica Harper (My Favourite Year).

Simon Morris returns, having missed out on a bumper summer of good movies all lining up for the awards season. He’s less than impressed with his first selection, involving slightly kinky women CEOs – Babygirl - mothers turning into dogs – Nightbitch - and renegade robot girlfriends - Companion.

Dan Slevin reviews three new films in cinemas: In The Brutalist, Adrien Brody plays a Hungarian emigré architect looking for a new life in post-war America, in the documentary The Haka Party Incident, an Auckland University drinking party is disrupted by Māori activists, and in Maria, Angelina Jolie plays the prima donna Maria Callas during the last days of her life.

Legendary diva Maria Callas is in denial about her waning powers.

An Auckland University drinking party is disrupted by Māori activists.