What’s Opening In Cinemas This Week: Crime 101 Takes On The GOAT With A Whistle At Wuthering Heights!

With an epic lineup of movies led by Crime 101, GOAT and Wuthering Heights, there’s plenty of film entertainment in cinemas this weekend!

There’s a terrific selection of movies opening in cinemas this weekend. Depending on what takes your fancy, there’s something for everyone. Crime drama fans can get their fix with the new Chris Hemsworth-led Crime 101. Audiences wanting to indulge themselves over the Valentine’s Day weekend can sit back with Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights. On the other hand, horror fans will need to cover their ears with the new horror movie, Whistle. Meanwhile, family audiences will have a tough time picking between GOAT. They also might choose between Stitch Head or The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie. Each one is perfect entertainment, whatever your mood is.

CRIME 101

Sony Pictures- Released Friday 13th February

Synopsis: A Los Angeles detective pursues an elusive thief who teams up with an insurance broker for one last heist.

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry and Mark Ruffalo

Director: Bart Layton

Cert: 15

In his three-star review, our editor, Phil Roberts, praised the film but said:

“Yes, it’s fun, gritty, and well worth the time invested, but it never feels anything more than a pretender. It lacks any real depth and fails to conjure the edge it needs to be anything more than the sum of its parts. This is never more obvious than in the finale, and the payoff will leave some members of the audience feeling a little shortchanged. Yes, the film addresses classism and how financial security affects the modern climate, but it never feels like enough, and that is the biggest letdown.”

You can read his full review of the film here.

GOAT

Sony Pictures- Released Friday 13th February

Synopsis: A small goat named Will gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot to join the pros and play roarball – a high-intensity, full-contact sport that’s dominated by the fastest, fiercest animals in the world. Ridiculed by his teammates, Will becomes determined to revolutionise the sport and prove that “small can ball!”

Cast: Caleb McLaughlin, Gabrielle Union, Nick Kroll, Nicola Coughlan

Director: Tyree Dillihay

Cert: PG

In a four-star review, Phil said:

“Overall, Goat is an absolute blast. The film transcends its formulaic structure to deliver a fresh, energetic underdog story that will have kids roaring with delight as it reaches its inevitable conclusion. With its fresh energy, fantastic voice cast, vibrant palette, stunning animation, and wholly fresh design, the film is a rare gem that will score a slam dunk with families everywhere. The screenplay is sharp and witty, the emotional beats hit home, and the animal-themed comedy is utterly hilarious.”

Read his full review here.

STITCH HEAD

Kazoo Films- Released Friday 13th February

Synopsis: Fulbert Freakfinder convinces a mad professor’s monstrous creation to star in his travelling circus.

Cast: Asa Butterfield, Joel Fry, Rasmus Hardiker, Alison Steadman

Director: Steve Hudson

Cert: U

WHISTLE

Black Bear- Released Friday 13th February

Synopsis: Terror strikes when a group of misfit high-school students discovers an ancient death whistle.

Cast: Dafne Keen, Sophie Nélisse, Sky Yang, Jhaleil Swaby

Director: Corin Hardy

Cert: 15

In my three-star review, I had this to say about the film:

“While not original, Corin Hardy’s Whistle is still an enjoyable, chilling and scary horror movie that will appeal to its targeted audience. Hardy directs with his usual flair and aplomb, making the best he can out of Owen Egerton’s screenplay. Hardy actually makes more out of the film than it deserves. After his brilliance with The Hallow and The Nun, you can detect his fingerprints all over the directing. His build-ups are on point, his handling of the scares and the gore is deft, and the whole film feels, at times, more of a mid-budget Hollywood horror flick. He certainly makes the film shine throughout.”

Read my full review here.

WUTHERING HEIGHTS

Warner Bros.- Released Friday 13th February

Synopsis: Tragedy strikes when Heathcliff falls in love with Catherine Earnshaw, a woman from a wealthy family in 18th-century England.

Cast: Margot Robbie & Jacob Elordi

Director: Emerald Fennell

Cert: 15

In her review of the film, our fashion editor, Darcie Gray, had this to say about the film:

“Wuthering Heights is a spectacle, a harrowing tragedy that rips the hearts and souls from its characters. Fennell almost creates greatness but chooses provocative moments rather than leaning into style, which is disappointing.”

You can read her thoughts on the film at her blog here.

ALSO RELEASED THIS WEEK

LOONEY TUNES: THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP

Vertigo Releasing- Release date: Friday 13th February 

Synopsis: Porky and Daffy, the classic animated odd couple, turn into unlikely heroes when their antics at the local bubble gum factory uncover a secret alien mind control plot. Against all odds, the two are determined to save their town (and the world!)…that is if they don’t drive each other crazy in the process. To save the world, they’ll have to stick together.

Cert: PG

In my three-star review, I said this about the film:

“While not in the same class as the classic Looney Tunes cartoons, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie is still a delightful animated comedy. It is miles better than it has any right to be. It is certainly much better than some of those modern reinterpretations of classic cartoons that appear on TV or streaming services. Instead of being a cash grab or selling the audience short, it gives everyone a great time. The heart of the film is genuine, showing that the filmmakers wanted to recreate and somewhat recapture the magic of those classic days. While they can’t recapture the magic, they have done a brilliant job recreating it. It feels like a film made by fans for the fans. And in this respect, they have accomplished it.”

You can read my full review here.

THE PRESIDENT’S CAKE

Curzon Artificial Eye- Release date: Friday 13th February

Synopsis: In 1990s Iraq, it’s ‘draw day’, when schools select students for the honour of bringing items to their mandatory local celebrations of President Saddam Hussein’s birthday. Nine-year-old Lamia lives in the historic marshes with her spirited grandmother, Bibi. Before school, Bibi teaches Lamia clever tricks to avoid being chosen for the baking duties. However, when Musa, the authoritative teacher, calls Lamia’s name for the most challenging task–the birthday cake–she has no choice but to accept. Refusing could mean imprisonment or even death.

Cert: 12A

Any of these films will make for a great time at the cinema this weekend. Or even over the half-term holidays. So, the question is, what will YOU be seeing?

 

 

 

 

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