The Smashing Machine chronicles the life and career of mixed-martial arts and UFC champion Mark Kerr (Dwayne Johnson).

This is not your typical fight movie. Directed by Benny Safdie, The Smashing Machine carves into the story of MMA pioneer Mark Kerr with raw precision, stripped of spectacle and swagger. It’s muscle without the flex, pain without the crowd’s roar. And for the first time, Dwayne Johnson isn’t just playing a hero — he’s plummeting into a world of bruises, addiction, regret, and a chaotic, self-destructive love.

Let it be said: Johnson abandons all pretence of his larger-than-life Hollywood persona to deliver a performance of startling vulnerability. He disappears into Kerr — mind, body, and soul. Gone is “The Rock.” Through transformative prosthetic work, physical immersion, and a near-method commitment to character, Johnson becomes unrecognisable. Every scar, every tremor, every desperate breath feels real. His Kerr is not just a champion; he’s a man behind The Smashing Machine — obsessive, broken, and consumed by the grind. Johnson lays himself bare, stripped of armour, and the result is a performance unlike anything he’s done before; raw, fearless, and utterly captivating.

Opposite him, Emily Blunt gives an equally ferocious turn as Kerr’s long-time partner Dawn Staples. Blunt dives headfirst into the chaos, embodying a woman torn between love, loyalty, and destruction. She’s wild, magnetic, and heartbreakingly human — both enabler and victim to Kerr’s spiralling insecurities. The chemistry between Blunt and Johnson burns with volatility; together, they create a love story that feels like Sid & Nancy reimagined for the MMA world — a world where violence, money, and drugs collide in a relentless storm of emotion. Blunt is nothing short of astonishing here — a live wire performance that could (and should) make her an early Oscar frontrunner.

In bringing The Smashing Machine to life, Benny Safdie channels the grit of the original HBO documentary and then fills in the blanks with cinematic fury. He captures the humble, brutal, and often savage origins of early mixed martial arts and the birth of the UFC with an unflinching eye. Fights are often seen from outside the cage, through ropes or glass, fractured and claustrophobic. Safdie isn’t interested in victory laps; he’s dissecting the psychology of obsession.

The film’s soundscape is equally haunting, Nala Sinephro’s minimalist score murmurs more than it shouts, drawing you into the quiet aftermath of violence. Cinematographer Maceo Bishop gives the film its sweat-soaked soul, shooting across a patchwork of formats, from 16mm to 70mm to rough-edged VHS, evoking the grain and texture of the late ’90s and early 2000s. Every frame breathes tension and history, with Safdie and Bishop using their lens to explore themes of addiction, loneliness, and the toxic intimacy of love and ambition.

As a visual and emotional experience, The Smashing Machine hits hard. It’s not a story of clean wins or cinematic triumphs — it’s about survival, pain, and identity. It’s ugly, beautiful, heavy, and strangely compassionate.

Dwayne Johnson shatters his Hollywood image, exposing the heart beneath the muscle, while Emily Blunt delivers one of the most blistering, emotionally volatile performances of her career. Together, they create something unforgettable.

With The Smashing Machine, Benny Safdie doesn’t just reinvent the sports biopic; he weaponises it. The result is intimate, restrained, and brutally honest. A24 once again proves its mastery of character-driven storytelling, and this one’s a knockout.

Image: VVSFilms

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Krypto the Super-Dog (Dwayne Johnson) and Superman (John Krasinski) are inseparable best friends, sharing the same superpowers and fighting crime side by side in Metropolis. However, when the Man of Steel and the rest of the Justice League are kidnapped, Krypto must convince a ragtag group of animals to master their own newfound powers for a rescue mission.

Audiences both young and old are continually enchanted by the actions and world-saving narratives of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Justice League. But this group of heroes are about to take a step back as their four-legged friends including Krypto the Superdog, Ace the Bathound, PB, Chip and Merton McSnurtle are called upon to save the world in DC League of Super-Pets. When Lex Luthor, Superman and Krypto’s arch-enemy plots a new way to conquer the world with a new form of orange kryptonite the stakes could not be higher. But his mission doesn’t go quite accordingly to plan, and instead of Luthor gaining otherworldly powers, the animals of Metropolis do instead. Then rogue guinea pig Lulu (Kate McKinnon) steps in with her own plans to conquer the world, and it’s up to Krypto and his new friends to save the day.

From start to finish, DC League of Super-Pets is complete and absolute fun. With its original narrative and unique framing of the story from the pet’s perspective, DC League of Super-Pets gives audiences an entirely fresh look at the DCEU and the heroes and villains who make it up. Director Jared Stern brings an incredible level of creativity and freshness to this story, its four-colour visuals pop with classic comic book flair, and the artistry and animation are just brilliant to look upon. The storytelling is very original and delves directly into man’s connection, need and love for the relationship with his pets and this emotion and meaning are explored throughout the picture. Then there’s the comedy and this is of course top-notch, and these jokes and gags will have you giggling in your seat.

DC League of Super-Pets gets an absolute all-star cast with the likes of Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, John Krasinski, Keanu Reeves, Olivia Wilde, Jameela Jamil, Vanessa Bayer, Diego Luna, Natasha Lyonne, Marc Maron and Kate McKinnon. Johnson and Hart again continue their game of one-upmanship with each of their respective roles, but while the hi-jinks are hilarious and the superpowers fun, there’s a considerable level of drama to each of their performances, and themes of love, loss, abandonment and hope come into play in relationship to the presence of Krypto and Ace. However, if DC League of Super-Pets does have a scene-stealer then it’s most definitely Kate McKinnon as the megalomaniacal guinea pig Lulu, who is bent on conquering the entire world and she has a blast with this very evil guinea pig!

As a cinematic experience, DC League of Super-Pets just has everything that both parents and kids could want to see on screen. There’s some high-flying action, some flat-out laugh-out-loud moments, plenty of big drama and world-saving moments, and a good serving of love that is certain to touch the audience in that very special way. Whether young or old, this is a movie that the whole family can watch and whether they’re new to the world of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman or are long-time stalwarts of the DCEU, they’re certain to get a kick out of this film.

DC League of Super-Pets is a truly special film that every member of the family will love. You won’t just like this movie, you’ll be guaranteed to love it, and it’s delivered with the perfect amount of heart that audiences will leave the theatre feeling energized and with a very big smile on their faces making it a perfect watch for the school holidays.

Image: Warner Brothers Pictures

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Set during the early 20th century, riverboat captain Frank Wolff (Dwayne Johnson) transports British scientist Dr. Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt), and her brother MacGregor (Jack Whitehall), on a mission into a jungle to find the Tears of the Moon, which is believed to possess healing powers that could be of great benefit to modern medicine. All the while, the trio must fight against dangerous wild animals, a hot and deadly environment, and a competing Imperial German expedition that is determined to find the tree first.

Set deep into the mystical corners of the Amazon jungle, Jungle Cruise is a film that was made for the big screen and this is blockbuster entertainment at its finest. Everything you love about Walt Disney Pictures unique frame of storytelling can be found in this movie and director Jaume Collet-Serra makes this one big, bold and epically cool to behold. Telling an engaging story that draws on mythical forces, undead conquistadors, and a race to find a potent power that could either save the world or damn it, Collet-Serra is in his element with Jungle Cruise as he handles a heartfelt story of adventure and pure escapism and pairs it with blockbuster visuals that will make you watch on in awe.

Jungle Cruise is a classic swashbuckling tale in every regard and audiences seeking adventure will be very pleased with what’s presented on screen here. In terms of its tone and style, I very much likened this film to classic adventure tales such as Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Goonies and Hook, and it’s a picture that has a quintessential feel-good vibe to it. The visuals are marvellous to look upon, and Collet-Serra draws upon the tropical colours of the Amazon to give this film a unique look and feel, and you can also be certain that danger awaits at every turn. It’s been some time since we’ve had a film of such high adventure fun, and audiences will feel a great feeling of nostalgic joy with this feature. And there’s some very clever narrative reveals that will completely take you by surprise.

Leading the journey in Jungle Cruise is Hollywood superstar Dwayne Johnson as intrepid skipper and somewhat smooth conman Frank Wolff. On his last legs and with few opportunities he takes a part in Dr. Lily Houghton’s quest to discover the mystical Tears of the Moon. As always Frank is a quintessential Johnson character, but he also takes a nod from the legendary Humphrey Bogart with this performance as a can-do man of action and sly charmer. Johnson also makes Frank a bit of a joker and his ‘dad jokes’ in this one are utterly legendary! But there’s more to Frank than meets the eye, and Johnson levels some serious dramatic revelations as his story unfolds before us. Johnson also has terrific chemistry with co-star Emily Blunt and these two are a very cool pair up on screen together.

Taking on the gauntlet to find the Tears of the Moon, and bring a new understanding of medicine to the world, which in the process could save countless lives is Emily Blunt as Dr. Lily Houghton. And her’s is a pitch-perfect performance. Lily is a can-do adventurer, a woman who defies the standards of her era, such as adopting pants instead of a petticoat and skirt and charging headfirst into the Amazon and the adventure that awaits. As always her performance is spot on here, and her talent for stunt work is made present very early on and she roughs it up good alongside Johnson as they take on German mercenaries, undead conquistadors and the dangers of the jungle itself. She’s perfectly matched beside Johnson and their chemistry together is a major part of how much fun and entertaining this movie is.

Providing a key level of backup in this film is comedian Jack Whitehall, who as a longtime Disney fan has his dream made true in this project and he’s utterly hilarious as Lily’s leisurely dandy brother McGregor. Acting as his sister’s assistant, confidant and somewhat ‘advisor’, McGregor is pulled into her quest to find the Tears of the Moon…and he really doesn’t suit the jungle at all. Whitehall’s own unique offbeat style of comedy is well suited to the part of McGregor and he offers up plenty of humorous quips that audiences will find themselves going giddy over. Whitehall is very much the heart of this film, and his performance as McGregor marks him out as an absolute scene-stealer.

From its opening scene to its closing credits, Jungle Cruise is a straight-up fun rollercoaster of a blockbuster film. It’s big, boisterous and utterly transportational and audiences who are seeking adventure and escapism will be well pleased with what they get to watch here. It all comes together on this film. Direction, casting, cinematography, costuming, stunts, visuals effects and score, and the result is a grand old time at the movies. I myself found it to be a very nostalgic watch as it brought back memories of the grand escapism of the movies of my youth. From the start, we’ve known that Johnson, Blunt and Whitehall had an incredibly fun time making this movie, and you can feel this enjoyment and enthusiasm within the finished film. Jungle Cruise is a film that makes you feel good and I’m certain that it will spark a whole new generation to seek the call of adventure as well.

For those seeking an adventure, I highly recommend you hop onto Jungle Cruise because this is a film filled to the brim with action, romance and adventure and it makes for a rollicking good time at the movies.

Jungle Cruise arrives in cinemas on July 29 and will stream on Disney+ with Premiere Access from July 30.

Image: Walt Disney Pictures

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Ever since hulking lawman Hobbs (Johnson), a loyal agent of America’s Diplomatic Security Service, and lawless outcast Shaw (Statham), a former British military elite operative, first faced off in 2015’s Furious 7, the duo have swapped smack talk and body blows as they’ve tried to take each other down. But when cyber-genetically enhanced anarchist Brixton (Idris Elba) gains control of an insidious bio-threat that could alter humanity forever — and bests a brilliant and fearless rogue MI6 agent (The Crown’s Vanessa Kirby), who just happens to be Shaw’s sister — these two sworn enemies will have to partner up to bring down the only guy who might be abadder than themselves. Hobbs & Shaw blasts open a new door in the Fast universe as it hurtles action across the globe, from Los Angeles to London and from the toxic wasteland of Chernobyl to the lush beauty of Samoa.

One director who is leading the charge when it comes to reshaping what the action genre is capable of in Hollywood is the sensational David Leitch. And he goes for it here with Hobbs & Shaw. It’s a full-on action rush and Leitch applies considerable detail and concentration to realising every aspect of it. Narrative, character and action all weave a seamless dance between one another and the result is a richly imaginative story that pulls the audience into the massive spectacle on screen.

While it’s a given that a film of this calibre would be packed out with epic action set pieces, and these are extraordinary, Leitch has captured the family drama and comedic riffing that makes this film so compelling. His noted visual style is also on display here, and Hobbs & Shaw is one very sleek production that shines with glossy detail and slick production design that makes it pop.

Hollywood megastar Dwayne Johnson again takes centre stage here and as always he’s a treat to watch. As former DSS Agent Luke Hobbs, he’s the total package of an action man at work and when it comes to applying a beatdown on the bad guys, well, he knows how to open a can of whup ass! Johnson’s considerable charisma is on full display and he has a blast up on the screen. There’s comedy galore, and his ultimate nice guy persona creates plenty of humourous moments for audiences to indulge in.

There’s also considerable character development for the character of Hobbs and it’s extremely interesting to see Johnson stretch out in his performance. While Hobbs has always been a full-on tank of a character who can wreck anything, in Hobbs & Shaw audiences get to see his strategic mind at work and this combo of brains and brawn keeps things interesting. Johnson builds a portrait of the ultimate action hero in Hobbs & Shaw and he entertains in every way possible.

Standing next to Johnson’s Hobbs is Jason Statham’s rogue spy Deckard Shaw, and this all-around tough guy Brit goes to work. Suited up and rocking all kinds of suave charisma, Statham makes for one very debonair hero in Hobbs & Shaw! Then there are his considerable action talents, which are amongst the best in the business, and they are on display in full force with very entertaining results.

Like Johnson, audiences get to see a different side of Statham’s Shaw and while he’s been vilified as a particularly nasty bad guy in the past you learn that he might not be as bad as we think and when it counts this tough guy will have your back. Like his co-star, Statham has the time of his life here as Shaw and his talents for creating jaw-dropping action moments and jumping headfirst into the fray create plenty of fun.

Joining this mismatched pair is the sensational Vanessa Kirby and this British thespian brings plenty of sass as Deckard’s younger sister and MI6 operative Hattie Shaw who gets mixed up in Hobbs and her brothers plan to save the world. As Hobbs & Shaw’s primary female lead Kirby holds her own and she gives Johnson and Statham a run for their money when it comes to Hobbs & Shaw’s key action scenes. This girl knows how to fight and she’s got a cat-like agility to her and a talent for aerobatics that makes her utterly fearless.

Another fun part of Hattie’s character is that she doesn’t put up with the petty bickering of her brother and Hobbs and she certainly checks these boys when they need to be put in their place. With a performance that is packed out with elegance, adrenaline and a style that’s all her own, Kirby is a great new addition to the Fast & Furious franchise and I certainly hope to see more of her in this burgeoning Hobbs & Shaw franchise.

A pair like Hobbs & Shaw demands a bad guy who’s going to test them to their limits and Iris Elba’s Brixton certainly takes these two for a ride. This cybernetically enhanced superman assassin is one very dangerous opponent and he’s one villain who is always five steps ahead of the plucky Hobbs & Shaw. Elba happens to be one of the coolest performers on the planet and he radiates an effortless style in whatever he does and that’s certainly on display in Hobbs & Shaw.

Then there’s the fact that Brixton hits harder than a Black Hawk attack helicopter. Elba comes in with full force for Johnson and Statham and the resulting confrontation makes the screen shake with energy. He’s a true test for our heroes in Hobbs & Shaw and Elba makes this bad guy one very cool uber-villain.

If you’re seeking action overload, well, you can be very happy because Hobbs & Shaw delivers on it. Leitch’s history as one of the leading stunt performers of his generation, with the full resources of his 87Eleven action team, leads to one hell of an entertaining watch. Set piece after set piece, Hobbs & Shaw vibrates with energy.

This story is led by its action sequences and through the actions of our characters we learn more about who they are as characters. There are plenty of glorious moments, and some seriously beautiful hardware to light up your eyes. One such thing is Statham’s turn behind the wheel of a supped up McLaren 720S which leads to one epic joyride of a chase through the streets of London. Hobbs, on the other hand, turns his native Samoa into a full-on playground of BOOM as he takes on Brixton’s private army with plenty of old-school mana force.

But while Hobbs & Shaw is a full-on action ride, there are also plenty of light-hearted moments on display here and this is comedy that will get you giddy. Hobbs & Shaw could best be described as the high-tech version of a buddy-cop action-comedy dialed way up and Johnson and Statham have a hell of a lot of fun here. There’s plenty of macho competition going on and this gets expressed through a continual battle of one-upmanship to see who can rib the other guy with the better, more creative insult. And the laughs do follow.

Oh, and one more thing keep your eyes open because there are a few surprise appearances that will really bring a smile to your face.

One of the biggest keys to the success of Hobbs & Shaw is the concept of family and this forms a big part of the narrative of the film for both Johnson and Statham. For Deckard, it’s all about the relationship that he shares with Hattie and these siblings once again have each other’s backs as they come to terms with the consequences of the past.

The past also weighs heavy for Johnson’s Luke Hobbs and this native son heads back to his homeland of Samoa where the concept of Aiga is incredibly important for the film and when it counts Hobbs can call on his Aiga for help. And he’s got plenty of heavy hitters in his family including New Zealand sensation Cliff Curtis, WWE star Roman Reigns, football talent Josh Mauga and comedic kiwi John Tui, and the Hobbs brothers prove that family always wins out in the end.

If you’re seeking that ultimate blockbuster rush this year then make sure you check out Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw.  This film delivers everything you could want out of the action genre, with a good serving of heart and family love, and it makes for a very entertaining watch.

Image: Universal Pictures

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Watch the action packed new trailer below:

Here’s the official synopsis:

Ever since hulking lawman Hobbs (Johnson), a loyal agent of America’s Diplomatic Security Service, and lawless outcast Shaw (Statham), a former British military elite operative, first faced off in 2015’s Furious 7, the duo have swapped smack talk and body blows as they’ve tried to take each other down. But when cyber-genetically enhanced anarchist Brixton (Idris Elba) gains control of an insidious bio-threat that could alter humanity forever — and bests a brilliant and fearless rogue MI6 agent (The Crown’s Vanessa Kirby), who just happens to be Shaw’s sister — these two sworn enemies will have to partner up to bring down the only guy who might be badder than themselves. Hobbs & Shaw blasts open a new door in the Fast universe as it hurtles action across the globe, from Los Angeles to London and from the toxic wasteland of Chernobyl to the lush beauty of Samoa.

With each new installment the Fast & Furious franchise gets bigger and bolder, and this brand-new spinoff installment is really going to bring the boom. Director David Lietch (Deadpool 2, Atomic Blonde) really stacks the action up here and the result is something truly wild. Not only do we have ultimate law man Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and badass outlaw spy Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) working together this time, but this is a film that is truly going international with it’s cast and setting.

First off there’s fearless MI6 operative Hattie Shaw (Vanessa Kirby), who pulls brother Deckard and Hobbs into the fight against their most dangerous adversary yet, the genetically enhanced super criminal Brixton played by a jacked Idris Elba. And damn do things get explosive here thanks to this bad guys plan for world domination!

With their backs up against the wall, these heroes have only one place to go and that’s home. For Hobbs this means a return trip to Samoa where he join forces with his brothers (Cliff Curtis, Roman Reigns, Josh Mauga, John Tui) and together the Hobbs family and the Shaw family brace for one hell of a last stand that will decide the fate of the world.

Hobbs & Shaw is definitely big on action and it’s getting crazy here with plenty of ultra-macho car chases, along with Hobbs deciding to play tug of war with semi-trucks and an Apache attack helicopter! That’s right the action is gonna be big and this footage absolutely gets your adrenaline up.

Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw is gonna be one hell of a fun time at the movies when it arrives in theatres on August 1.

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Based on a true story, Fighting With My Family follows reformed gangster Ricky (Nick Frost), wife Julia (Lena Headey), daughter Paige (Florence Pugh) and son Zak (Jack Lowden) as they make a living wrestling together in tiny venues. When Paige and Zak get the opportunity to try out for WWE, the family grabs a once-in-a-lifetime chance to turn their wildest dreams into a dazzling future. However, brother and sister quickly discover that to become superstars, both their talent and their relationship will be put to the test.

Stephen Merchant steps behind the camera here with Fighting With My Family and his all-around comedic genius brings an incredible amount of passion to this astounding true-life story. As a filmmaker, Merchant constructs two unique worlds: the bruising working class of Norwich, England where the Knight family call home and the bright lights and glam of the WWE. And merging these two worlds together is the central character of Florence Pugh’s Paige who finds herself on the way to becoming a championship wrestler through a whole lot of grit and desire.

As a director, Merchant has a full handle over his story and really works hard to get at the drama and emotions that drive this family in their pursuit of a seemingly unobtainable dream. Whether it’s the film’s crackling comedic timing or it’s high-flying wrestling footage, Fighting With My Family delivers everything with a hundred percent and not a moment is wasted up on screen.

Taking to the mat in Fighting With My Family is rising star Florence Pugh and with her role as Saraya Knight, Pugh proves why she is regarded as one of the most in demand talents working today. This young actress invests herself heavily into the role of Saraya and her journey to become Paige is truly transformative.

If I were to use a word that would best describe Pugh’s performance as Paige then it is definitely authentic. Watching her onscreen you just buy into the believeability of her performance and this crazy carny-like life that she has lived, which has shaped her into the woman that she is. If there is anything that drives Paige in her quest to the top then it’s definitely her love for her family, and this helps drive her inner resolve to make it to the top.

Along with Pugh’s broad emotional range that she brings to the project, the actress also dives head first into the physicality of the part and that means a whole lot of pain and gain. Pugh really goes for it with the film’s demanding physical needs and whether it’s the grueling training that she has to endure under the heat of the Florida sun or learning the art of the sell, Fighting With My Family gives audiences an insight into the willpower and tenacity that professional wrestlers have to call upon.

Joining Pugh’s Paige in her quest for the top is Jack Lowden who stars as her brother and all-around wrestling freak Zak Knight, known ringside as Zak Zodiac. But Zak has a serious wake-up call when his life takes a different turn and this is where Lowden’s performance really steps up.

When he comes face-to-face with the idea that he’ll never be anything more than a journey man wrestler, Zak takes a really dark turn and it’s here that Fighting With My Family finds a lot of its resonance with it’s audience. Zak’s pain, loss and envy is a stand-in for all those who have seen their own dreams pulled forth from them in a situation that is completely out of their own hands, and Lowden’s honest and pained performance really drives home the loss that he feels. But it’s not all doom and gloom for Zak, and with the help of his sister he’s able to open his eyes to all the good things in his life and is able to champion his sister to her own success.

Completing the Knight Family are Lena Headey and Nick Frost as Julia “Sweet Saraya” Knight and Patrick “Rowdy Ricky” Knight, and these talented performers really fill in the spot of Mum and Dad on-screen. Loud, uncouth and completely off script, both Julie and Ricky share in the ringmaster identity of their carny-like wrestling business, the WAW, and both have a non-stop enthusiasm that they give to their children, and this results in plenty of hilarious moments.

You couldn’t find a better on-screen couple than Headey and Frost and their performances are down right perfect as their inner comedic talent come out. Chief amongst this is Frost’s gruff working man demeanor and complete inappropriateness which will have you in stitches, and Headey’s motherly advice, which is particularly rough around the edges. These two definitely put the ‘family’ in Fighting With My Family and the film is a far richer experience because of it.

Providing the film with plenty of tension is Vince Vaughn who arrives onto the mat as no-nonsense WWE trainer and selector Hutch Morgan and he gives Paige a considerable challenge in the film. But while Hutch might appear to be one way on the surface, he’s got his own story to tell, and this is where the film’s story and Merchant’s direction really shines through. There are no clear antagonists in Fighting With My Family and it’s more about everyone’s own unique story and the thematic idea of ‘not judging a book by it’s cover’ that shines through here with both Hutch’s character, and Paige’s fellow female trainees.

Finally Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson brings his real world likeness to the film as this 260 pound Jiminy Cricket-like figure who offers Paige plenty of sage like advice on her quest to compete in the WWE and the mega star is having a ball here. Bounding with his whup-ass personality, Johnson is the spiritual godfather to Paige and Zak and it’s fun to see him in this mentor-like position as he encourages Paige to go for it in the ring and present her truest self to WWE fans.

Fighting With My Family is a real example of the underdog spirit, and it’s a narrative that the audience will really get caught up in. The highs are big and the lows are raw, and all of this results in a film that illustrates how the idea of strength in numbers is always more important than the lone achiever. While Paige is the central focus of the film’s success, you see that her rise to the top comes from those around her and that all of her success has been led by the love of her family, and it’s this crazy love, and I do mean crazy, which leads her to the lights of Wrestlemania.

And while there is plenty of drama going on in Fighting With My Family, and things do get heavy on occasion, this drama is definitely trumped by the tremendous comedy Merchant puts on screen. With the Knight family’s odd-ball, carny lifestyle and the spot on timing from Lena Headey and Nick Frost, you’ll find yourself in stitches. Seriously you can’t make this kind of comedy up and Merchant has selectively taken pieces from the film’s documentary basis and incorporated it into the film and the result is a crazy amount of fun for a family for whom wrestling is an undeniable passion.

If you’re seeking a film that will get you pumped up and amped for plenty of fun, then Fighting With My Family is the perfect watch. Championing the underdog spirit and celebrating the power of being yourself, Fighting With My Family is cinema done right and you’ll feel unstoppable after you come out of the cinema after watching this triumphant success.

Image: Universal Pictures

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After FBI Hostage Rescue leader Will Sawyer (Dwayne Johnson) suffers a terrible tragedy in the line of duty he is left a changed man and has to comes to terms with civilian life. Now a structural security expert, Will and his family have relocated to Hong Kong in order for Will to complete an analysis on The Pearl, a super structure of heavenly heights. But on the eve of the buildings completion a hostile takeover is implemented and Will sees his family taken prisoner. Breaking loose of his limits Will must now do everything in his power to save his family before its too late.

When you think of the words movie star hero Dwayne Johnson invariably always comes to mind and over the last decade he has carved out a name for himself for delivering bigger than life heroics in films such Hercules and The Fast and the Furious franchise. And in Skyscraper the mighty Rock is once again called upon to save the day. But this time The Rock’s courage is tested in a whole other way.

While he starts off as a Special Forces badass a traumatic and tragic accident robs him of his badass level and instead he’s left as an ordinary man who has to fight more everyday battles as an amputee while also struggling to reconcile what he’s lost. It’s a real step into vulnerability for Johnson and provides him his most dramatic role since 2013’s Snitch (which I still believe is one of his best ever films). While there are plenty of heroics in Skyscraper they come as the result of an ordinary man stepping up to the fight and going against all odds to achieve the impossible and in doing so Johnson honours the everyday first responders and veterans who have given so much for their country, but who continue to get after it every single day.

As Will Sawyer Johnson shows off his flaws, but also the mighty courage that every man possesses and how that when the chips are down you’ve just gotta dig deep to get through it…and that’s exactly what he does here. When his family is threatened by Roland Moller’s nasty criminal Botha, in what is a great part for the Danish thespian and all around terrific rising talent, Johnson’s Sawyer is willing to accomplish the impossible and breaks free of his confines in order to do it. And in this instance his disabilities become a strength and actually help him in some very cool and unexpected ways. While it’s cool to just think of The Rock as the hard charging Hobbs, in my mind Will Sawyer is the character who directly showcases his distinct life philosophy using ‘will to find a way’ and it’s a really great performance.

They also say that behind every great man is an even greater woman and here she comes in the form of Neve Campbell’s Sarah Sawyer, a former Navy combat surgeon who has now found love with Will and is helping him in his journey back to life. While Campbell is undoubtedly our generation’s scream queen here she’s a fierce alpha mama who will do whatever she has to protect her children and just like her husband pushes deep to conquer the impossible. Campbell and Johnson have a great everyday chemistry together and you completely buy the life that their characters have made together. I’ve got my fingers crossed that we see them in further films together because they make a really great pair.

If you’re looking for action…we’ll you’ve found it. And this time it’s at 3,500 feet! Johnson knows how to go big and it doesn’t get much bigger than this. While I can’t dive into too many specifics without jumping into spoiler territory I will say that the action here is extreme! There are some seriously freaky vertigo moments here and I readily found myself bracing the edges of my seat as Johnson dived head first into the stratosphere. There are some particularly gnarly moments and director Rawson Marshall Thurber amps them up to the edge with a ticking clock and the rising fire. This is exactly how I like my action cinema, where every moment, every action and every second counts and Skyscraper utterly delivers on it.

I’ve also gotta say that if nominations are open then Dwayne Johnson is definitely up for Father of the Year here as Will Sawyer. The theme of family and its importance really drives his performance and it’s a testament of what a family will do for each other in the most difficult of situations. Every kid likes to see their dad as a superhero and that’s definitely what Will Sawyer transitions to in this.

Again I must stress that you need to be ready to be on the edge of your seat with Skyscraper because this is action cinema that really takes things to the extreme. It’s a portrait of heroism and courage in the most difficult of situations and reminds you that you should never give up on yourself when things get hard. And it also happens to be a whole lot of fun at the same time so make sure get after it and catch Skyscraper now!

Image: Universal Pictures

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After four teenagers, Spencer (Alex Wolff), Bethany (Madison Iseman), Fridge (Ser’Darius Blain) and Martha (Morgan Turner), are sent to detention they discover a long-forgotten video game called Jumanji. Suddenly sucked into the game they assume the games four lead avatars; Dr Smoulder Bravestone (Dwayne Johnson), Franklin “Mouse” Finbar (Kevin Hart), Professor Sheldon “Shelly” Oberon (Jack Black), and Ruby Roundhouse (Karen Gillan) and must learn to trust each other and work together if they are to finish the game and return to the real world.

While many questioned the need for a sequel, especially with the late passing of Robin Williams, I can firmly say that Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is one very well-crafted film. Director Jake Kasdan does something special with Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and uses the new film’s setting of an over-the-top video game to his advantage. This setting and its ‘in-game rules’ make for a fresh approach to the Jumanji franchise and leads to many unexpected surprises.

When talking about Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle one can’t look past its impressive cast and how they work within the film. While major leading Hollywood stars Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillen lead the film, it’s actually their ‘real-life’ players Spencer, Fridge, Bethany and Martha that control their performances. This leads to some absolutely hilarious comedic moments such as Johnson’s paralyzing fear and aversion to danger on Spencer’s behalf, Hart’s heightened weaknesses which include both speed and strength, even though Fridge is a football player, Jack Black’s valley girl, air-headedness that result from Bethany’s penchant for status updates and selfies and Karen Gillan’s basket case Martha who becomes one hell of butt-kicker with her penchant for dance fighting, although her flirting skills still need a little bit of work. As an audience member, it’s great to see all of these actors play against type and to really dive into their ‘real world’ characters.

If I had to select a favourite character it’d fall between Smoulder Bravestone/Spencer and ‘Mouse’ Finbar/Fridge for me. I loved seeing Dwayne Johnson poking fun at himself and playing off his Jock stereotype as a full-on nerd and Kevin Hart just goes for it with plenty of outlandish humour and his new found zoology knowledge definitely cracks you up.

Trust me when I say that you won’t stop laughing while watching Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. The humour is quick and fast here and all of the major stars get their chance to throw their personalities into the film. If there is a standout in terms of comedic performance though then it most definitely has to be Jack Black as Professor Sheldon “Shelly” Oberon/Bethany, a cartographer who takes on the persona of a spoilt, bratty, self-involved social media princess and Black completely owns it! With his hips shaking from side-to-side and his high pitched voice Black is hysterical and his performance as Bethany is sure to leave a smile on your face.

But while Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is filled with laughs and action it’s also a profoundly deep film that analyses themes such as friendship, loyalty and courage. One of its sticking points is that you have to accept courage and do everything you can to actually live your life, cause you’re only going to have one of them. This message is particularly inspiring and as the main characters learn to accept themselves for who they are they find their strength in one another to help finish the game. I wasn’t expecting for Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle to be so deep, but I’m glad that it was because the message that it gives its audience is a very reassuring and triumphant one.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is a whole lotta fun, and if you’re looking for some big-level blockbuster entertainment this Christmas then I highly recommend you get along and see it. Packed out with laughs, action and some adorable characters, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle has everything you want out of blockbuster entertainment…and it sure is wild!

Image: Sony Pictures

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Having completed his legendary 12 Labours, and earned his place in mythology, Hercules (Johnson), the demi god son of Zeus wanders the land with his loyal group of companions (Rufus Sewell, Ingrid Bolso Berdal, Aksel Hennie, Reece Ritchie & Ian McShane) selling his sword and legend to the highest bidder as a mercenary. Called upon by King Cotys of Thrace (John Hurt) to train his army and save their lands from a tyrannical warlord, Hercules soon begins to suspect that things are not as they seem, and sets out to make them right, embracing his lineage as the son of a god, and his destiny to become the greatest hero the world has ever seen.

Dwayne Johnson is Hercules, there can be no doubt about that. Every frame of this film is filled with his strength, passion and ferocity as the world’s first hero. Johnson dedicated himself to portraying the character completely, hitting the gym harder than ever to craft a body worthy of a god, and infusing Hercules with his own passion and enthusiasm for the hero and his mighty deeds. Although he is a legend Johnson portrays Hercules simply as a man, a man possessed of superhuman strength and otherworldly powers, but a man who can still fall prey to folly, grief, tragedy and pain, and who is searching for redemption. Johnson, who looks like a mountain on screen, is also smart enough not to flex or pose as the great hero, knowing that there is no need to, it was also cool to see him clad in armour and his lion skin, which added a dose of reality to the character. He’s also pretty adapt when it comes to dispatching bad guys with his monumental club, and he gets in on the action, never letting up. But the greatest part comes for Johnson when Hercules finally accepts his status as god, breaking loose his chains and the limitations that they caused. It is a truly epic moment!

Hercules companions also distinguish themselves alongside the almighty legend. Rufus Sewell’s Autolycus is a crafty blade master, possessed of a mercenary spirit and a quick wit, and who’s always looking out for the next gig. Ingrid Bolso Berdal is one tough chick as Amazonian archer Atalanta, and can handle herself at all times. Aksel Hennie is an absolute feral madman as the axe swinging Tydeus. Reece Ritchie gets the coveted role of Iolaus, Hercules’s nephew, and the teller of his grand tales, who uses his uncle’s mighty legend for his own advantage whenever he can pull it off, and finally Ian McShane is a ball of energy as Amphiaraus, a warrior soothsayer and Hercules spiritual counsel who steals every scene that he’s in. Joseph Fiennes has a guest appearance as the arrogant, and vile Athenian King Eurystheus, Irina Shayk is an absolute stunner as Hercules wife, Megara and John Hurt doesn’t disappoint as King Cotys.

Hercules is bold, dynamic and packed to the brim with action. Director Bret Ratner infuses the film with a barbarian grit and gore, which makes the action believable and a lot more fun to watch. The stakes are high in this one, when people get taken down they don’t get up, and you understand the need for Hercules to fight and survive. The fight scenes are breathtaking, particularly when Hercules rides out in his beast of a chariot. But it’s not just the film’s action scenes that have scope and scale, the set building and production design is enormous, recalling the scale that previous strongmen actors such as Steve Reeves and Reg Park would be accustomed to, and it looks incredible up on an IMAX screen.

This Hercules film places its depth and thematic core on the man behind the legend, and parallels can be seen in relation to our current day celebrity culture. When the legends fade, and only the man is left can he step up to what is required, and save those who cannot save themselves. Sometimes it takes a man to embrace his destiny, and forge a new legend for himself, and Dwayne Johnson does this with the force of the gods as Hercules.

The gods will tremble at the power and the passion of the world’s first hero, a hero named Hercules.

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