Vue Cinema Opening Report

Vue Eltham opened on April 25 and I attended the opening event along with John Webb, Clive Efford and Greenwich Council Leader, Danny Thorpe along with pupils from various local schools.

I have to say the cinema looks great, including comfortable standard and VIP seats and I particularly like their value for money, all standard seats priced at £6.99 and only an extra £1 for the VIP seats which recline slightly. That means that two people can go the cinema for the price of 1 ticket at other local cinemas.

My review of last month’s picks/out now

Avengers Endgame – 5/5 stars

I have to be honest, I really loved this movie it was everything I wanted it to be and so much more, the film lived up to its hype, a rare thing these days. At three hours I did worry it would be too much repetitive action but it had the right amount of action vs plot and dialogue. I am giving 5 stars which I am surprised by because i normally reserve 5 star ratings for Oscar worthy movies however as action movies it was a flawless delivery. A great way to kick off the Summer Movie Season.

Long Shot – 4/5 stars

Opening the week after Avengers Endgame would be a challenge for its box office and critical reactions. Long Shot is however a hilarious romantic comedy with plenty of laugh out loud moments and a good storyline. Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron had great on screen chemistry and the supporting cast worked really well. A sure winner for a date night movie.

Tolkien – 2/5 stars

I finally saw this movie on a second attempt (technical issues at the Vue) maybe fate was telling me something the first time! I love the JRR Tolkien novels and movies, whilst I knew it was going to be biographical and quite high brow, I have to be honest, I found it quite dull. The directors attempt to jump forwards and backwards in the timeline didn’t quite work and the result was a disappointing delivery of a story that had so much potential. Maybe catch this movie on the small screen.

Pokemon Detective Pikachu – 3/5 stars

Not the strongest plot line in film history, but I have to admit I kind of enjoyed it. If like me you grew up with Pokemon cartoons, playing cards and video games, you might be expecting a film aimed at 10 year olds, however, the director Rob Letterman draws upon PIXAR’s successful tactic of mixing adult humour with slapstick comedy for the younger audience. Again, I don’t think that this will win any awards, but is a very watchable, with or without your kids.

John Wick Chapter 3

I picked this film last month the release date was moved to May 17th for all the fans of “gun-fu movies” I will review this next month.

Reviews by Matthew Farrelly

This month’s picks

Aladdin: PG

Disney’s Live action remake of it’s 1992 animated classic. Will Smith stars as the Genie, Mena Massoud as Aladdin and Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine. With the original movie’s Oscar winning Score, expect to be familiar with the songs “A Whole New World” and “Friend Like Me.” Disney has had mixed success of live action remakes of its classics recently, as long as they stick to the original’s storyline it should be better than its last attempt (Dumbo)

Release Date: May 22nd

Rocketman: 15

Sticking with the musical theme, Rocketman stars Taron Egerton as Elton John and is a musical fantasy based on the life and songs of Elton John. The film concentrates on his early life, at the Royal Academy of music and his rise to stardom. Taron Egerton looks convincing, can actually sing (releasing a single with Elton John this month) and the film has a host of classic songs to call upon. Sure to be dark in places but I think this film could appeal to a wide audience familiar with the songs and the singer.

Release Date May 22nd

Godzilla: King Of The Monsters: 12A

If you are a fan of Japanese Kaiju (monster) films, then you’re already looking forward to another Godzilla Movie. This film is a sequel to 2014’s Godzilla and should contain some references to 2017’s Kong Skull Island, look out for references to Godzilla Vs Kong coming in 2020. King Of The Monsters will unite classic Godzilla adversaries such as Rodan, Mothra and King Ghidorah to the screen. Humanity is threatened by these Titans awoken from hibernation and Godzilla becomes humanity’s hope. The film stars Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga and Millie Bobby Brown (11 from Stranger Things.) Definitely not a musical.

Release date May 29th

Ma: 15

Oscar Winning actress Octavia Spencer stars in a horror thriller, a group of high school students are befriended by an older woman who gives them a chance to hang out in a place with no rules but things are not quite what it seems and events take a dark turn.

Release Date May 31st

Dark Phoenix: 12A

The final X Men that wasn’t supposed to be made as Disney had bought Fox after filming had began and intends to reboot the entire series. An adaptation of the Dark Phoenix Sage by Chris Claremont, the movie stars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Sophie Turner. This is the second adaptation of the Dark Phoenix Saga after it was butchered in X-Men The Last Stand. The movie follows Jean Grey as she turns to the dark side after a solar accident and becomes the Dark Phoenix. Once again the X Men have to unite to battle the former X Men turned enemy.

Release Date June 5th

Reviews by Matthew Farrelly