So, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets... Dane DeHaan doesn't nail the 'infuriating but lovable jerk' Han Solo thing his role needs, Cara Delevigne's okay on her own but doesn't really bring a lot of chemistry to her side of the pairing either (the two of them have a few moments, but what it really needed was to be swimming in so much sexual tension that any time they so much as look at each other it becomes R-rated just because of what you know they're both thinking), the script in general could've used another pass to streamline some exposition, and quite a lot of the dialogue fails to impress (again, the flirtation misses the mark as often as not).

Nevertheless, I loved, loved, LOVED this movie - even DeHaan, I think I kind of get what Luc Besson saw in him when he reportedly decided that this guy is totally Valerian, despite it not working on screen, in my mind's eye I agree with him, and in my personal fantasy world where the French government funds Besson to make as many sequels as it takes for the rest of the world to admit this is awesome, he'd still be Valerian. As even the unimpressed critics are saying it's visually magnificent, just a stunning avalanche of space opera light and sound. I haven't read Valerian & Laureline itself (although I will - I got into a preview screening and the cinema gave out booklets with the start of Ambassador of the Shadows in it, which was nice of them) but I've read a fair bit of French sci-fi comics and other European ones in the same family, and even when the movie was flailing around missing the mark, it was doing 'French sci-fi comic' perfectly. I want films like this for miles. (So it's sad it's doing poorly, and my proposed solution is a UN resolution so every time Paramount makes another godawful Transformers movie, they have to give Besson enough money to fund a Valerian sequel by way of reparations.)

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Chris Cook

Through the Looking-glass - Every world needs a Willow and Tara.

I loved, loved, LOVED Black Panther (like everyone else evidently, but I just wanted to make a note of it, in case any kittens are wondering if they should go see what all the fuss is about). Great cast, great script, lavish visuals, wonderfully realised setting, lively humour, punchy action, good handling of some weighty themes, and worth seeing again and again (literally - between friends and my mum also wanting to go, I've seen it three times already, and it was worth it every time).

The only confusing this is, how many films does Marvel have to make - and the rest of Hollywood joining in as well - before everyone knows to keep their butts sat down while the credits are rolling to get the extra scenes? (If you really are in a genuine hurry, at least stay for the mid-credits scene, after the fancy visual main credits but before the big long plain-text credits - that one's pretty important, whereas the final post-credits scene at the end is more the usual 'gift to fanboys/fangirls' type.)

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Chris Cook

Through the Looking-glass - Every world needs a Willow and Tara.

The Greatest Showman!!!

I was rewatching Leave No Trace last night because I LIKE BEING SAD. But it really is a great movie. About how parents who love you and only want the best for you can still fuck you up something awful. And how it's ok for you to say to "no" to them without ever losing sight of the fact that there is still love there. This is such a great movie. Right up there with Florida Project, which will totally fuck your shit up.