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Films of the Fortnight: Churchill, Baby Driver, Spider-Man and more

Here’s the latest instalment of our regular feature, where we hand-pick a selection of films showing at our only cinema, Vue Altrincham.

Here’s the latest instalment of our regular feature, where we hand-pick a selection of films showing at our only cinema, Vue Altrincham.

Film fan Mark Rocks takes you through them…

For full showing times and to secure your tickets, visit: https://www.myvue.com/cinema/altrincham

Out This Week

Churchill (PG)

Winston Churchill is a historical figure we’ve seen in countless movies, plays, television dramas, and even adverts for car insurance. It’s not really surprising, given the context of his time as Prime Minister, but it does mean that there are countless iterations of the man looming over any new projects that are announced.

Despite this pressure, Jonathan Teplitzky has created Churchill, and made it a worthy admission to the great pantheon of historical British dramas. With a tour-de-force performance from Brian Cox in the titular role, Churchill cleverly avoids the familiar notes hit by other directors, choosing to focus on Churchill’s battle with depression as he manoeuvres his role in the days leading up to the Allied D-Day Landings.

Master-class acting in supporting roles from Miranda Richardson and John Slattery are here to elevate the movie any time it veers close to repetition, making this an illuminating and, most importantly entertaining, political time-capsule that’s well worth your time.

Out next week

Baby Driver (15)

Ansel Elgort made a name for himself in the tragedy-porn mega hit Fault In Our Stars, and while his charm in that flick hinted at something a little deeper, he’s played it relatively safe with his career since with roles in the ill-fated YA ‘Divergent’ series and a pop career. However that looks set to change with Baby Driver.

Baby is a talented getaway driver, who utilises a killer soundtrack to help battle his tinnitus and manoeuvre his way through the city streets fleeing a variety of different crime scenes. Not long after we meet him though, Baby falls for waitress Debora (in a surprising turn from Lily James) and decides to give his life a theft-free overhaul. And this wouldn’t be a problem, were he not involved with the criminal kingpin Doc, who isn’t as keen to let him slip off into a life of romantic bliss as Baby has hoped.

This has been a passion project of Edgar Wright’s since the idea came to him in 1994, and judging by the frantic pace of the trailer, he seems to have lost none of his pride in the concept in the last 23 years. Complete with star-turns from Jamie Foxx and Kevin Spacey, Baby Driver looks set to be the perfect date movie for the summer – and make sure you check out the killer soundtrack when it’s released as well.

Last Chance to See

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 (12A)

With what seems to be an endless loop of additions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe pantheon, ahead of Spider-Man, Thor and Black Panther returning to the big screen, it’s your last chance to catch-up with everyone’s favourite gang of interstellar Marvel misfits, the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Peter ‘Star-Lord’ Quill, Gamora, Drax, Rocket and an adorably more infant Groot are back to, well, guard the galaxy once again. Now known for their heroics across the cosmos despite not exactly being the best “good” guys, the crew must find a way to avoid several groups mercilessly hunting them down, including Star-Lord’s old buds the Ravagers and Gamora’s twin sister Nebula. Whilst on the run, they encounter a mysterious figure linked to Star-Lord’s past claiming to be his dad, just in time for Father’s Day as well.

The Guardians gamble has paid off for Marvel, taking a relatively unknown group and throwing to the mainstream, resulting in two huge blockbuster successes. Make sure you get chance to see their latest adventure before next year’s Avengers, which is rumoured to bring things a little more down to Earth for Groot & company.

Family Favourite

Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge (12A)

Earlier this year, to promote this film, several lucky Disneyland visitors had a pretty great surprise when sailing through popular ride Pirates of the Caribbean as Hollywood actor Johnny Depp greeted riders as the now-iconic Cap’n Jack Sparrow. As well as being a pretty fun promotional idea, it also pointed out that of the vast mixture of characters Depp has played, he’s never felt more comfortable than he does as the rum-soaked prancing pirate.

The fifth movie in the Pirates franchise once again cannonballs us back in the tropical world of Cap’n Jack, who has once again angered yet another vengeful sea-faring spirit, this time in the guise of Salazar (Javier Bardem). This franchise, whilst having certainly it’s darker share of moments, is at its most fun when it’s at its silliest, with daft slapstick humour a-plenty pleasing family members of any age.

Packed with swashbuckling set-pieces and nautical nonsense that the Pirates of the Caribbean films are well loved for, fans of Jack don’t need to look any further for the perfect family favourite to watch this week.

Coming Soon

Spider-Man: Homecoming (TBC)

It may seem like just yesterday that Andrew Garfield was web-slinging through New York and battling Electro, but ol’ Spidey is back and more rebooted than ever. Following the excellent cameo sequence in last year’s Captain America: Civil War, Tom Holland is bringing his new version of Spider-Man to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with his very own outing in Spider-Man: Homecoming, admittedly with a little help from his friend, Iron Man.

A more-teenage Peter Parker must face his greatest problem yet, juggling crime fighting with high school. However, equipped with a new hi-tech suit packed with all sorts of gadgets & gizmos, he wants to prove himself as a real Avenger to genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist turned mentor Tony Stark. However, when a serious threat arises in the form of the Vulture (Michael Keaton), Spidey must find out what it means to become a real hero.

Spider-Man is one of the most hotly-anticipated films heading to the big screen this summer so make sure you swing on by to your friendly-neighbourhood Vue cinema in order to get your tickets.

For full showing times and to secure your tickets, visit: https://www.myvue.com/cinema/altrincham

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