benoit_03

Everyone loves a bit of Brit. What made 'The Best' so pleasing was the brilliant performances and dry humour from the cream of Britain's OAPs, and 'The Second Best' triumphs just the same. Equally as 'best' as the first.

Eight months have passed since the end of the first film and we follow hotel co-managers Sonny and Mrs Donnelly (of which Dame Maggie Smith provides a stellar performance, with undoubtedly a little of herself showing through) trying to obtain funding to buy another hotel and expand their franchise, while Sonny's wedding is being planned alongside this. There's a real feel-good air for the full two hours and the cast really do well in keeping up the humour and charm that we have come to expect from the Blighty seniors.

Trust a film teeming with feel good actors to teach us some feel good morals, like not putting work over life and that love can never come too late - with Bill Nighy and Judi Dench evidencing the latter with numerous 'will they, won't they' exchanges all the way - and with a film that rarely gives us a teary moment, there's still an excess of emotion building up to the final act and a sweet, reflective sign off to end.

Will there be a Third Best Hotel in Sonny's chain? It certainly doesn't cliffhang for another, but neither did the first, so let's wait a couple years. Third time, as they say, is a charm.

There have been many con artist pictures to fill the silver screen over the years, and while this never quite reaches that bar set by the likes of Ocean's Eleven and American Hustle, there's still a sense of uniqueness about this decent attempt by writing-directing duo Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, whose backgrounds include Crazy, Stupid Love and I Love You Philip Morris.

We start in New Orleans where Will Smith's master conman Nicky Spurgeon - props to the naming department for that one - meets the stunning Margot Robbie's rookie con Jess, in her failed attempt at playing him. After sympathising for her, he begins to coach her in the art he does best.

Both actors have a good turn playing here and are very convincing, and it's a delight to see Smith back in the game, playing a less serious role after a couple of underwhelming films as of late, that's not to say it isn't a delight also to see Robbie up there too and getting more into the mainstream after Wolf of Wall Street.

It takes a steady narrative that is, thankfully, interrupted by a suspenseful 10 minute segment that takes place at a football stadium which, save for the closing scenes, makes for some of the most 'I don't trust her, oooh now I don't trust him' second-guessing in a film for some time. Numerous twists and turns in the plot keep the pace going, most of which is never even seen coming.

Ultimately, the on screen chemistry between Smith and Robbie, twists and turns and a few cheap thrills thrown in for good measure, leave you with an enjoyable and entertaining experience, but not one deep enough to linger for long.

Christopher Nolan, director of the Dark Knight series, takes a break from the usual drenched-in-black movies he has brought us in the last decade or so and tries his luck with space. The result? A little confusing and a bit too loud, but nice to look at.

Be sure to bring your earplugs.

There's no denying it, the film is visually spectacular. From the expanse of planet-side surfaces to the impressive spacecrafts and zero-G interiors, arguably up there with the likes of Gravity - minus Sandra Bullock's huffing and puffing, fortunately. You cannot fault the work done here. Everything is perfectly polished and will look breathtaking for those seeing it in IMAX.

You'd like to think that great looks and great sound go hand in hand. Well, not this time. Nolan's idea to 'create an idea of how loud it can be in space', really, is not a good one. At times, the sound is so loud that characters voice can't be heard. The score, even when provided by renowned film composer Hans Zimmer, can drown out everything. A good score is meant to aid great filmmaking, not hinder it.

The story, likewise, can make or break it for some. It's ambitious and is, while a bit disjointed, very well thought out. That' the 'make it' part. The 'break it', for some, comes towards the end where the narrative takes a very '2001: A Space Odyssey' turn. And as with that film, some very thought-provoking ideas are brought up that, similarly, can turn a few people off.

Interstellar has so much potential, but is also full of it's up and downs. An interesting, well thought out story that can get a little confusing near the end, and well worth going to see just for the visuals and, for those who like it, a little Matthew McConaughey Southern drawl.