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HAVOC, directed by Gareth Evans, delivers electrifying action with Tom Hardy’s gritty detective Walker battling through a neon-soaked underworld. The film’s stunning set pieces, like a brutal nightclub brawl, are marred by a clichéd, convoluted plot and shaky camerawork. A thrilling yet flawed Netflix action film, it’s worth a stream for the violence but lacks any depth.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD, directed by Julius Onah, sees Anthony Mackie shine as Sam Wilson, the new Captain America, with Harrison Ford’s Red Hulk-leaning Thunderbolt Ross adding gravitas. The action pops, with slick shield-and-wing choreography, and Sam’s struggle with the Cap legacy resonates. However, a convoluted plot involving adamantium, mind control, and a Celestial treaty feels overstuffed. Villains like Giancarlo Esposito’s Sidewinder and Tim Blake Nelson’s Leader underwhelm, and the political thriller angle lacks bite. Uneven editing and rushed CGI hurt the climax. It’s a mixed bag—fun for fans but not a standout.

THE INCREDIBLE HULK is a gritty but uneven MCU entry. Edward Norton shines as a tormented Bruce Banner, with solid from Liv Tyler and Tim Roth. The action pops, especially in the Harlem clash, but the pacing drags, and the CGI shows its age. It’s dark and lean at 114 minutes but lacks depth and MCU polish.

Bong Joon Ho’s MICKEY 17 is an ambitious sci-fi satire that doesn’t always land but keeps you hooked. Robert Pattinson stars as Mickey Barnes, an “Expendable” clone facing existential chaos. His dual role is a masterclass in physical comedy and pathos. Naomi Ackie’s Nasha adds heart, but Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette’s cartoonish villains feel off-key. The mix of humor and social critique targets capitalism and colonialism, though heavy-handed jabs and a bloated third act dilute the impact. Visually striking with a warm score, it’s messy but bold.

MOON, Duncan Jones’ debut, is a smart, minimalist sci-fi triumph. Sam Rockwell excels as Sam Bell, a solitary astronaut unraveling a haunting mystery during his lunar mission. With Kevin Spacey’s eerie GERTY as his only companion, the film blends practical effects and a moody score to create an unsettling, thought-provoking vibe. It’s slow but rewarding, leaning on Rockwell’s raw performance to explore identity and isolation.

BLACK BAG, directed by Steven Soderbergh, is a sharp, stylish spy thriller starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett as a British intelligence officer and his wife, caught in a web of betrayal over a deadly software leak. With a stellar cast (Naomie Harris, Regé-Jean Page, Pierce Brosnan), crisp dialogue, and a lean 94-minute runtime, it’s a tense, cerebral throwback to Cold War espionage films. The focus on relationships over action pays off, though the plot can feel convoluted and the third act leans on familiar tropes. Still, it’s a sleek, actor-driven gem.

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY, directed by Tomas Alfredson, is a taut, cerebral adaptation of John le Carré’s Cold War novel. Gary Oldman shines as the reserved George Smiley, tasked with unmasking a Soviet mole in MI6, ed by a stellar cast (Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Mark Strong). The film’s deliberate pace, moody visuals, and intricate plot demand focus but reward with a gripping payoff. It’s a slow-burn spy thriller that swaps action for paranoia and nuance—flawless for patient viewers, less so for those craving flash. A quiet masterpiece.

• Australia
• Brazil
• Casablanca
• Chinatown
• City of God
• Fargo
• Manhattan
• Nebraska
• Notting Hill
• Paris, Texas