Film

Coming to our cinema screens in June is the 3D comedy adventure staring Sandra Bullock  Minions and it looks great. Minions begins at the dawn of time. Starting as single-celled yellow organisms, Minions evolve through the ages, perpetually serving the most despicable of masters. Continuously unsuccessful at keeping these masters—from T. rex to Napoleon—the Minions find themselves without someone to serve and fall into a deep depression. But one Minion named Kevin has a plan, and he—alongside teenage rebel Stuart...

After book sales took the world by storm, it's hardly surprising that the film of Fifty Shades of Grey is anticipated to do the same. Rumours are already prompting speculation around the actual percentage of on-screen film time devoted to sex scenes - around 20 per cent apparently. While waiting for it's release here's a clip to keep you going:

By Philip Benton @pablobento  My experience of Norwegian film-making is limited to the “slow-tv” shows which made headlines around the world including a 7 hour train ride, a 134 hour ferry voyage and a knitting marathon which were phenomenally successful with Norwegian viewers. So my expectations were not high despite the film being selected by Norway as its entry for ‘Best Foreign Film’ at the 2013 Academy Awards. Directed by Iram Haq, ‘I Am Yours’ is reminiscent of her life...

By Emma Silverthorn @HouseOf_Gazelle Daniel Ribeiro’s acutely observed coming of age tale The Way He Looks is a tender-hearted and convincing portrait of this classic genre, with the added twist that it’s also a coming out tale. Sao Paulo based Leonardo is an unusual teenager, only listening to classical music, avoiding parties and having just one very, close female friend. However, like most teenagers, Leonardo craves more independence than his parents are willing to give, his burgeoning desire for autonomy...

By Corrina Antrobus @CorrinaCorrina  Aardman is back with a delightfully silly story of how a little sheep herds himself around the big city and uses  friendship and teamwork to get home sweet home. Shaun, who’s now got a little more wool on his chin after ageing-up from his 1995 appearance in Wallace And Gromit - A Close Shave, finds that his life is starting to feel a little like Groundhog day. The creature comforts of his familiar farm and the...

By Corrina Antrobus @CorrinaCorrina  In 1965 Martin Luther King, Jr, led 1000s of protestors 54-miles from Selma to Montgomery in support of black citizens’ right to vote - something that was already a constitutional right but was met with institutional hurdles. Director Ava DuVernay’s accomplished new film tells the story of those three long marches in one cinematic journey. The marches eventuated in the 1965 Voting Rights Act which spelt victory for King and his followers but shame on the...

By Stephen Mayne @finalreel  thefinalreel.co.uk   After the fast paced economic implosion of Margin Call and the remote terror of All Is Lost, J.C. Chandor’s third feature takes place in a dark and icy New York of 1981. This is a place in which protagonists walk a yellow tinged balancing act between principles and power. In look and feel, A Most Violent Year resembles an old newspaper rediscovered at the bottom of a drawer. A sense of familiarity hangs over...

Ryan Reynolds gets more than a few cuddles from his fury friends in this bizarre but brilliant looking dark comedy. This affable factory worker has a secret world where he hangs out and chats to his pets, namely his cat Mr Whiskers and his pet pooch Bosco leading him seemingly down a path of no return. The Voices: Starring Ryan Reynolds, Anna Kendrick, Gemma Arterton and Jacki Weaver Directed by Marjane Satrapi (Persepolis). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKp-lDM5fus

By Sam Inglis @24FPSUK  @24fps.co.uk  Lourdes, Jessica Hausner's third film, was my film of the year in 2010. Austere and thought provoking, it can be read in many different ways, and continues to fascinate and challenge with every viewing. This, quite apart from everything else about it, is why Amour Fou is such a massive disappointment. Set in 1811, Amour Fou takes place in what appears to be an upper middle class home. where Henriette (Birte Schnoeink) and her husband...