This week, in cinemas: We raise a final three-fingered salute to Katniss and co., Liam Hemsworth finds himself in two messy affairs of the heart, and Gaspar Noé shows us the love.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2
★★★★
What it’s about: Starting where Mockingjay the first left off, Mockingjay the second sees Katniss gather a band of merry men and women to take down Donald Sutherland’s President Snow. Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth return for the mega-franchise’s final chapter which also contains the late, incomparable Philip Seymour Hoffman’s final scenes.
What we thought: “its epic sweep, grand designs and unyielding central performance make this a compelling finale”.
The Dressmaker
★★★
What it’s about: Returning from a Parisian fashion house, Tilly Dunnage (Kate Winslet) gives her hometown something to talk about: both her impressive sewing skills and love affair with local man Teddy (Liam Hemsworth).
What we thought: “muddled adaptation of Rosalie Ham’s bestselling novel, in which melodramatic episodes sit oddly with the dark comedy”.
Love
★★★
What it’s about: American student Murphy (Karl Glusman) invites trouble into his bedroom when asking a neighbour to join his and girlfriend Electra's (Aomi Muyock) night-time escapades. Gaspar Noé’s Paris-set sexfest is delivered in, yes, that’s right, 3D – but it’s not an all-out Parisian porno.
What we thought: “The acting is wooden, but fans of the director’s more shocking work might enjoy its gentle self-referential comedy”.
Momentum
★
What it’s about: Morgan Freeman, James Purefoy and Olga Kurylenko get mixed up in murders and bank robberies in Stephen S. Campanelli’s directorial debut.
What we thought: “one of the worst films you won’t see in 2015”.
Mr Calzaghe
★★★
What it’s about: This bio-doc puts us in the ring with Joe Calzaghe, tracking his career and exploring the relationship with his father.
What we thought: “the fight footage is belting, but it’s the unique, deep father-son connection that really makes the heart pound”.
What Our Fathers Did: A Nazi Legacy
★★★★
What it’s about: A human rights lawyer meets two men whose fathers ranked highly in the Nazi regime. Opinions differ, friendships suffer and psychological barriers are tested.
What we thought: “vital… horribly gripping”.
Star*Men
★★★★
What it’s about: A profile of four British astronomers who embark on an American roadtrip.
What we thought: “resembling a real-life The Big Bang Theory reunion… charming”.
Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans
★★
What it’s about: Concentrating on the motors behind the man, this is a jumble of interviews and behind-the-scenes footage that isn’t short on theories about the legendary actor’s death.
What we thought: “the chronicle of professional betrayals and ugly personal behaviour leaves a sour taste”.
Hand Gestures
★★★★
What it’s about: A journey through the art of bronze sculpting. Seriously.
What we thought: “mesmerizing and wondrously atmospheric”. (Seriously.)