THE DROPOUT (MA15+)The one where the truth doesn’t get in the way of a great story★★★★DISNEY+If you need an eight-part limited series to sink your teeth into, be sure to shuffle this excellent production to the front of the pack. This is the true story of serial shonkster Elizabeth Holmes, who almost became the next Steve Jobs until it was revealed her vision for a home healthcare revolution was a total crock. A cautionary tale of how the technology sector can be just as fake-it-til-you-make-it as any other in the business world, the series gets a turbo boost from a terrific performance by Amanda Seyfried as the enigmatic Holmes. A story that defies all belief (particularly if you have not heard one of the many podcasts available on Holmes and her ill-fated company Theranos).THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD (M)The one that catching fire for Angelina★★★½BINGE, FOXTEL, NETFLIXYes, it certainly has been a while since she put her full array of talents to work. Nevertheless, Angelina Jolie means business here. She plays Hannah, a daredevil smokejumper from the mountains of Montana who has been demoted to the rank of fire-spotter after a tragic incident. A month of total boredom is interrupted by a young boy staggering through the woods in a state of distress. His name is Connor (an impressive display from Brisbane-born rising star Finn Little) and just hours earlier, he saw his father die at the hands of two trained assassins. Now the same hardline hitmen are hunting Connor down before he can hand over damning evidence of the vast conspiracy that ended his dad’s life. Although this thriller is obviously treading a well-worn path, it does so with real poise, purpose and surprisingly menacing intent. Not only thanks to the quality work of Jolie and her talented young co-star, but also the punchy writing and direction of ultra-consistent filmmaker Taylor Sheridan (who penned the great Sicario).DEATH ON THE NILE (M)The one that demands further investigation★★★½DISNEY+ or PREMIUM RENTALJust like Kenneth Branagh’s 2017 box-office smash Murder on the Orient Express, the maze-like murder mystery around which the movie is framed is an enjoyably escapist way to let your mind wander for a few hours. Once more, this is a case for the great Hercule Poirot (Branagh again), and it’s going to take some time for the famous Belgian investigator to fully plug in to his famous powers of deduction. This is not to say Poirot won’t be bringing his A-game. It is just that he is a little more distracted than usual. (An opening flashback to Poirot’s early days as a famer-turned-soldier in World War 1 hold the key to this fascinating subplot, which also will reveal the reasoning behind the man’s massive moustache.) Of course, an inexplicable murder will soon snap Poirot to attention. It so happens that the plush paddle-steamer on which Hercule has been holidaying has just lost one of its prized guests due to a bullet to the head while sleeping. And of course, everybody aboard the five-star boat has the backstory to be considered a prime suspect at some juncture in the investigation. Lavish production values, the all-star cast, and the time-honoured treachery of Agatha Christie’s crafty writing ensures boredom is not an option. Co-stars Gal Gadot, Russell Brand, Letitia Wright.SCREAM (MA15+)The one that keeps turning the other shriek★★★RENT ONLYWelcome back to Woodsboro. Population? Getting smaller with each passing day now that yet another Ghostface killer is up and running. (And stabbing. Quite often just above the shoulders. A literal pain in the neck, that Ghostface.) Anyway, while the mysterious masked psychopath teases, torments and terminates a new generation of victims (all of whom have links to casualties from past Screams), this gleefully reckless reboot finds a few justifiable reasons to bring franchise foundation players such as Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette. Like the 1996 original, this “re-quel” (a promo label coined by the filmmakers) has a field day listing, mirroring and mocking a truckload of tropes specific to the horror genre. While you don’t need to have seen any of the earlier instalments to be both suitably enthralled and appalled, a little Screamology 101 will definitely up the fun factor. Of all the recent revivals to hit the market – especially those Matrix and Ghostbusters flicks – this is the best by far. Co-stars Melissa Barerra, Jack Quaid.DEEP WATER (R18+)The one that makes a trashy splash★★★AMAZONAn eminently watchable pile of trash, in which Ben Affleck returns to Gone Girl territory, where the going will get steamy, seedy and sorta icky. Benny Boy stars as Vic, a bazillionaire businessman who prefers to let the missus (Ana de Armas from Knives Out) have a stack of affairs rather than have her file for divorce. So, umm, guess who the cops would like to have a talk with when a few of Mrs Vic’s toyboys start showing up dead? With a few drinks under your belt on a Friday or Saturday night, this wonky flick from the director of Fatal Atrraction will do the trick just nicely/nastily.SLEEPLESS (MA15+)The one worth staying up for★★★NETFLIX, STAN; or RENTA fair Hollywood remake of the excellent 2011 French action thriller Sleepless Night. Jamie Foxx stars as Vincent Downs, a Las Vegas detective chasing (and often being chased by) a cut-throat drug syndicate. Once the bad dudes get hold of his teenage son, Vincent must reluctantly seek help from an internal affairs cop (Michelle Monaghan) who is not his biggest fan. Things liven up no end whenever Scoot McNairy emerges from the murk as the villain of the piece, the deranged heir to an ill-gotten family fortune.
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