STACK #160 Feb 2018

CINEMA

REVIEWS

MOLLY'S GAME

ALSO SCREENING IN FEBRUARY

RELEASED: Feb 1 DIRECTOR: Aaron Sorkin CAST: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera RATING: M

Aaron Sorkin's directorial debut speaks for itself.

Aaron Sorkin's dialogue-driven screenplays are the highlight of films like A Few Good Men , The Social Network and Steve Jobs (and of course TV's The West Wing ). His characters are loquacious, but not in the same way Tarantino's are – they have something to say. And when Sorkin's are talkin', audiences are listening. The wordsmith makes his directorial debut with Molly's Game , adapting the memoir of 'Poker Princess' Molly Bloom (played by the always radiant Jessica Chastain). It's an assured first stint behind the camera, and not surprisingly, relentlessly verbose.

A freestyle skier and Olympic hopeful, Molly Bloom's promising sporting career was ended by a back injury, leading her to work as a PA for an obnoxious boss who organises illegal high stakes poker games for Hollywood celebs. Poaching his contact list and striking out on her own, Molly becomes the consummate poker hostess, building a multi-million dollar underground empire without ever being dealt a hand. That is until the Russian mob join the game, putting her on the FBI's radar. Appealing to attorney Charlie Jaffey (Idris Elba), whom she cannot pay, Molly discovers her only chance of avoiding a prison term is to name and shame her clients. But will she? Chastain is always good and has had a great run playing strong women in films like Zero Dark Thirty and Miss Sloane . Here she holds all the cards – as the real power player in a game dominated by powerful men, and the ace in Sorkin's deck. Sorkin's rapid-fire dialogue and fluid direction keep things flowing, but the film loses an extra star for its choppy structure, bloated running time, and some awful mansplaining from Kevin Costner, as Molly's father. Scott Hocking the clutches of WCKD. Aided by fellow Gladers Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) and Frypan (Dexter Darden), and rebellion members Jorge (Giancarlo Esposito) and Brenda (Rosa Salazar), they attempt to catch WCKD in the act and derail their plans. Meanwhile, Teresa (Kaya Scodelario) – a fellow Glader who betrayed the group's location to WCKD, leading to Minho's capture – is still working with the enemy and attempting to craft an antidote using the DNA of other immunes. But where does her true allegiance lie? Maze Runner: The Death Cure is the final book in the series (not including the prequels), and the film closes out the trilogy quite nicely. It's a bit long, but there are enough hard-hitting action set-pieces to sustain interest. You're kept guessing where everyone's allegiances lie, which prevents things from becoming too predictable. from  Love, Actually , he's predictably wonderful here, and O'Brien and Scodelario maintain the resolute performances from prior chapters. It's no Mockingjay , but still a fitting finale for this young adult series. Alesha Kolbe While it's still hard not to see Thomas Brodie-Sangster as the little dreamboat

WINCHESTER

Horror flicks and Helen Mirren aren’t your usual movie match, which makes the new film from the Spierig Brothers all the more appealing. Dame Helen plays the eccentric Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester firearms fortune, who is convinced she's being haunted by those killed by the repeating rifle. Is she mad, or living in a house that ghosts built? Find out if you dare on Feb 22.

Running the final Gauntlet. RELEASED: Jan 18 DIRECTOR: Wes Ball CAST: Dylan O'Brien, Aidan Gillen, Rosa Salazar RATING: M MAZE RUNNER: THE DEATH CURE

In the final chapter of the steamy trilogy, newlyweds Ana and Christian are enjoying a life of luxury, until ghosts from the past pop up to threaten their idyllic existence. Whip into a cinema near you on Feb 8 , or save it for Valentine's Day. FIFTY SHADES FREED

James Dashner's Maze Runner novels introduce the idea that humanity is subject to a plague known as the Flare, and only a few born are 'immune' to the disease; those who remain will die and become a Crank – aka a zombie. A company known as WCKD are attempting to use the immune children to create a serum that will serve as a vaccine to protect against the Flare. The second film,  The Scorch Trials,  ended with hero Thomas (Dylan O'Brien) teaming up with resistance group The Right Arm to take down WCKD once and for all. However, Minho (Ki Hong Lee) was captured in the process. The Death Cure reunites us with Thomas in the middle of his quest to retrieve Minho from

Jake Gyllenhaal once again gives his all as Jeff Bauman, a survivor of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing who became a symbol of hope. This inspiring true story will lift your spirits on Feb 15. STRONGER

Natalie Portman plays a biologist who signs up for “a dangerous, secret expedition where the laws of nature don’t apply.” This intriguing sci-fi thriller from Alex Garland ( Ex Machina ) opens Feb 22 . ANNIHILATION

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