What's on the big screen this week
CAN a female superhero hold her own in a lead role, and can the classic Baywatch remake live up to the hype?
Those are the questions that will be answered this week as two huge films, Wonder Woman and Baywatch make their debuts on the silver screen.
The latest Pirates of the Caribbean flick took top spot from King Arthur at the box office last week, but expect the Disney film's time at the top to be short lived.
Action-packed Wonder Woman is creating a heap of buzz with viewers for its take on the superhero genre and I expect it will rake it in at the box office.
Baywatch however has had mixed reviews and after a huge build-up it will be interesting to see if the Dwayne Johnson-led cast can deliver.
Here are this week's highlights of the big screen and why you should see them:
Baywatch (MA15+)
Early reviews of the Baywatch film have been less than favourable, but the true test will be how Aussie fans react when it hits the silver screen this week.
Executive producer Dwayne Johnson, AKA The Rock, stars as devoted lifeguard Mitch Buchanan who butts heads with brash new recruit Matt Brody (Zac Efron). The pair is forced to put their differences aside as they
Why you should see it: Why wouldn't you see a film starring The Rock? The man is the epitome of cool. I doubt the movie will expand your thinking, but if you're in for some light-hearted fun, give it a go.
Read what Zac Efron has to say about the film here.
Wonder Woman (M)
Before she was Wonder Woman she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained warrior. When a pilot crashes and tells of conflict in the outside world, she leaves home to fight a war to end all wars, discovering her full powers and true destiny.
There's a lot riding on this one - can a female-led superhero movie capture the viwer's attention and guarantee the big wigs in Hollywood continue to invest in these stories? And can Wonder Woman break out of the superhero formula we've seen so many times before?
Early reviews are overwhelmingly positive, suggesting Wonder Woman can do both these things.
Why you should watch it: While many superhero films are quite dark, Wonder Woman mixes it up and will take you down the byroad to somewhere warm, funny and properly entertaining.
Read the review here.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (M)
A down-on-his-luck Jack Sparrow feels the winds of ill-fortune blowing even more strongly when deadly ghost sailors led by his old nemesis, the evil Captain Salazar, escape from the Devil's Triangle. Jack's only hope of survival lies in seeking out the legendary Trident of Poseidon.
Why you should see it: There's a certain amount of nostalgia with this franchise, which dates back to 2003, which will keep fans coming back for more. But despite the best efforts of new baddie Javier Bardem and young Aussie Brenton Thwaites, Sparrow's story appears to be more worn out than his trusty hat. Read the interview with Geoffrey Rush.
The Shack (M)
After suffering a family tragedy, Mack Phillips spirals into a deep depression causing him to question his innermost beliefs. Facing a crisis of faith, he receives a mysterious letter urging him to an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Despite his doubts, Mack journeys to the shack and encounters an enigmatic trio of strangers led by a woman named Papa.
Why you should see it: This well-meaning film has a good message at its core, but that's undermined by some heavy-handed preaching and some melodramatic clichés.
Sense of an Ending (M)
A man becomes haunted by his past and is presented with a mysterious legacy that causes him to re-think his current situation in life.
Why you should see it: Fans of the book may be underwhelmed by this big-screen adaptation, but Jim Broadbent gives a fabulous performance.
Don't Tell (M)
The story of a young woman who fought back after enduring sexual abuse at a prestigious private school. With a dogged and determined local lawyer by her side, Lyndal takes on the powerful church that denied her abuse for over a decade.
Why you should see it: This important Australian film, based on a true story, will stand in time as one of the most important films about our attitudes towards sexual abuse, our education system and the church. Read the review.
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (M)
Robbed of his birthright, Arthur comes up the hard way in the back alleys of the city. But once he pulls the sword from the stone, he is forced to acknowledge his true legacy - whether he likes it or not.
Why you should see it: Director Guy Ritchie doesn't quite nail the combination of his modern action and jagged pacing with an age-old legend. The result is a mess and unlikely to stand the test of time. Read the review.
Viceroy's House (PG)
In 1947, Lord Mountbatten assumes the post of last Viceroy, charged with handing India back to its people, living upstairs at the house which was the home of British rulers, whilst 500 Hindu, Muslim and Sikh servants lived downstairs.
Why you should see it: If you are still mourning the demise of Downton Abbey, then this lavish period drama is one you should consider. Hugh Bonneville is perfectly cast as Lord Mountbatten and Gillian Anderson nails the refined British accent. Read the review.
John Wick: Chapter 2 (MA 15+)
After returning to the criminal underworld to repay a debt, John Wick discovers that a large bounty has been put on his life.
Why you should see it: This sequel is a delicious mess of blood, cars, guns, explosions, more guns and even more blood. It's also the first time Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne have worked together since The Matrix films. Read the interview with Keanu.
Alien: Covenant (MA 15+)
The crew of the colony ship Covenant discover what they think is an uncharted paradise, but it is actually a dark, dangerous world, whose sole inhabitant is the synthetic David, survivor of the doomed Prometheus expedition.
Why you should see it: There are plenty of scares and blood in this new Alien prequel, which also answers a few questions from Prometheus, but it doesn't take Ridley Scott's space saga in a new direction. Read the review.
