Sully
This is Clint Eastwood’s retelling of the so-called “miracle on the Hudson” in January 2009 when a veteran US Airways pilot opted to crash land into the Hudson river rather than return to La Guardia airport after his plane had been incapacitated by a flock of Canada geese. Captain Chesney Sullenberger’s decision to “ditch” on a flight to North Carolina saved the lives of the 155 passengers and crew on board his plane but it also led to an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, which threatened to destroy his near-perfect reputation.
Sully stars Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart, Laura Linney and Jamey Sheridan.
Bleed For This
One of the greatest comeback stories in the history of sport, with Miles Teller as boxer Vinny Pazienza, a world champion from Cranston, Rhode Island, who broke his back in two places in a car accident and was warned by his doctor that he would never walk again, never mind box. But within months of his accident he started turning up at the gym with a crude, halo-like device on his head and prepared, within the space of a year, for another title challenge.
Aaron Eckhart- from Sully - co-stars as world-renowned trainer Kevin Rooney, with Katey Sagal, from TV’s Married with Children and Sons of Anarchy, Irish actor Ciaran Hinds and Ted Levine (Silence of the Lambs) in support.
Moana
The first computer animated feature from Disney veterans Ron Clements and John Musker, this is a richly colourful account of a young Polynesian girl’s search for the elements that will restore ecological balance to her island home. She is assisted in her quest by a brash demi-god and adventurer who questions her ability to live up to the demands of their journey. The rousing score was co-written by Lin Manuel-Miranda, who is famous for the award-winning Broadway musical Hamilton. Vocal talent includes Dwayne Johnson, Temuera Morrison, Jermaine Clement and Nicole Scherzinger.
Moana had a huge Thanksgiving opening in the United States last weekend.
The Edge of Seventeen
Described as a modern-day tribute to Pretty in Pink and The Breakfast Club director John Hughes, this stars Hailee Steinfeld and Haley Lu Richardson as two high school friends who find their relationship coming under strain when one discovers that the other is secretly dating her brother. Written on spec – as a first time feature – by Kelly Freemon and produced by James L. Brooks (Terms of Endearment, As Good As It Gets), Edge of Seventeen is a well-praised coming-of-age comedy with Blake Jenner (Everybody Wants Some), Woody Harrelson and Kyra Sedgwick in support.
Chi Raq
All-star film version of the classic Greek play Lysistrata from Spike Lee in which a group of women organise against the street violence on Chicago’s southside after a child is killed. With Angela Bassett, Samuel L Jackson, Wesley Snipes, John Cusack, Jennifer Hudson, Steve Harris, Harry Lennix and Dave Chapelle. Pronounced “she-rack”, the title comes from the words “Iraq” and Chicago” and is used to suggest a war zone. The first film that Bassett and Lee have made together since Malcolm X in 1992.
Office Christmas Party
When an uptight corporate CEO (Jennifer Aniston) attempts to close down the business of her party-loving brother, he realises there is only one way to save the day – he must organise an epically boozy Christmas party to impress an important client and secure his company’s future. With Jason Bateman, Kate McKinnon, T.J. Miller and Jillian Bell.
(From Monday 5th Dec.)
Crash & Burn
Tommy Byrne is one of those maverick sportsmen, like George Best and Alex Higgins, who for a relatively brief period in the 1980s went from stock car racing to Formula One, ranking him alongside some of the greatest drivers in the world. Drogheda racer Byrne was the most gifted driver of his generation but he lacked the background and social position – and most of all the money – to support his advancement in the world of Formula One. Director Sean O Cualain’s story ranges from Byrne’s rivalry with Ayrton Senna at Formula Ford and Formula Three level to his final years as a driver for gangsters on the Mexican racing circuit.
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