FILM: Sully - Miracle On the Hudson (dir: Clint Eastwood, 2016)

"I think it might be a good idea to keep your seatbelts on."

Adapted from the book by pilot Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger, this is a worthy re-staging of the events of January 2009.  By positing the event and the eponymous 'hero' as ordinary people doing the extraordinary in exceptional circumstances, and by presenting it in a very non-sensational manner, the film comes across as surprisingly unimpactful.  Disaster movie tropes are mostly avoided - occasional gentle music cues are used, a couple of passengers are given pre-flight 'background', the post-landing passengers are remarkably calm - but a commitment to consistent naturalism might have paid more dividends.  Any film that top-lines Hanks, Eckhart and Linney already has a lot going for it, and all three are terrific here, but in dramatic terms the film has oddly little to say.

FILM: Passengers (dir: Morten Tyldum, 2016)

 "I know people."
"Really?"

Passengers never quite catches fire yet is still a decent movie with a number of strengths.  The obvious marquee appeal of pairing Lawrence and Pratt in this long-gestating project is fulfilled on screen, as the charismatic pair manage to wring interest out of some often thin writing and bland dialogue.  There is plenty of impressive CG sci-fi eye candy on offer, Michael Sheen is spot-on as the android bartender and Thomas Newman's soft-synth score is pleasant.  The last-ditch attempt to generate a bit of real threat does not really amount to much in what is essentially a soft and slightly dull sci-fi love story.

FILM: Rogue One - A Star Wars Story IMAX 3D (dir: Gareth Edwards, 2016)

"Rogue One?  There is no Rogue One!"
"Well, there is now!"

Rogue One is a fantastic addition to the Star Wars saga.  Effectively Episode 3.5, this is almost the grown-up Star Wars film that adults crave, pitching itself as a full-on war/heist movie with a very dry streak of humour (mostly provided by the sardonic robot K-2SO).  The terrific set of new characters is delivered by a uniformly strong cast, the movie is very well-written, Giacchino's score is consistently excellent and the VFX are breathtakingly beautiful.  The film balances Star Wars tropes and the story's inevitable destination with creating interesting new situations and especially new variations on established visuals (such as the Death Star and a Star Destroyer).  The action/battle sequences are superbly directed and edited, and the extended third act (the land/space final assault) is simply brilliant.  Rogue One is very impressive and will hold up to further viewings easily.

FILM: Office Christmas Party (dirs: Josh Gordon and Will Speck, 2016)

"What about...THE 3D PRINTER?!!!"

As the functional title suggests, Office Christmas Party is a routine and predictable trudge that basically said it all in the trailer, admittedly with a few smiles raised along the way (mostly in well-delivered throwaway lines).   Writing and plotting are simple, but the performances range from reliable (Jason Bateman, TJ Miller, Olivia Munn) to some nicely-used playing against type (Kate McKinnon as the uptight HR lady, Jennifer Aniston as the unforgiving executive, Courtney B Vance letting it all go).  There is nothing particularly memorable here, but it does have a feel-good ending and some enjoyable out-takes over the end credits.

VOD: A Christmas Horror Story (dirs: Grant Harvey, Steven Hoban and Brett Sullivan, 2015)

"That was very unwise...."

A Christmas Horror Story is a surprisingly fun ride.  The film follows a few very different Christmas tales, which miraculously mostly manage to increasingly intertwine as the movie progresses (and occasionally quite smartly) with nice pay-offs.  It is pleasingly and crisply shot and edited for a movie at this level, made with a clear love of both Christmas and the horror genre (a droll and on-form Shatner provides a linking central DJ figure like Adrienne Barbeau in The Fog), and a game cast is mostly effective.  It is a completely bonkers but entertaining movie, and this is the place to go if you want to see a kick-ass Santa face off against undead elves!

FILM: Moana (dirs: Ron Clements and Don Hall, 2016)

"If you start singing, I am going to throw up!"

Disney Animation makes another successful bid to reclaim the animation crown with a superb slice of entertainment. Moana has bucketloads of energy, relentlessly vibrant visuals, another immensely strong score and powerful storytelling.  It is very funny, from the self-aware banter to silly visual gags (mostly courtesy of a cute pig and a very unintelligent chicken) and even the occasional cheeky referencing (such as The Life Of Pi and The Return Of the King), yet it also succeeds in servicing the story's emotional core effectively.  As a 'princess', it is notable that Moana herself is more recognisably proportioned and uses both her physical and mental skills to grow and to succeed.  Dwayne Johnson is of course irresistibly infectious in his delivery of demigod Maui, but he is equally matched by the strong performance of Auli'i Cravalho as Moana.  Moana is a genuinely impressive and enjoyable full-length animated feature, and the accompanying excellent short is an added treat.