Two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East) become ensnared in a deadly game of cat and mouse when they knock on the door of the diabolical Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant). Trapped in his home, they must turn to their faith if they want to make it out alive.

The horror genre has always been a place for experimentation and has increasingly become a vehicle by which directors can experiment with far grander themes than audiences are normally used to. This is exactly what filmmaker Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, the writer of the critically acclaimed blockbuster franchise A Quiet Place, have done here with Heretic, and the result is a tense, claustrophobic and unique take on the haunted house horror piece. Smashing religion and terror together in a taut 111 minutes, Heretic finds Mormon missionaries, confident Sister Barnes and timid Sister Paxton, arriving at the house of the mysterious Mr Reed (Hugh Grant) in an attempt to convert him to their faith. Invited inside by his genial personality, the narrative soon takes a turn into harrowing dread as Reed’s true intentions are revealed, and this watch will have you on the edge of your seat.

The idea of the unexpected is a key part of Heretic’s success as a horror experience, and it doesn’t get more unexpected than the casting of Hugh Grant as the murderous Mr Reed. Once the king of the ‘rom-com’, in recent years, Grant has worked to shift his performances in an entirely new direction, and he continues this with Heretic, his first-ever horror appearance. Appearing completely out of left field as Mr Reed, Grant presents an incredibly two-faced performance. There’s the inquisitive, eccentric, loud and slightly academic quality as his ‘public-facing’ persona as the character, which hides a sinister and dark soul who’ll do whatever it is to get what he wants and who finds an immense and sick joy in the games and puzzles he puts the Sisters through. In my mind, Mr Reed is almost like a psychopathic Mr Rogers, and Grant excels in his creepier moments. He revels in this unsettling feeling that he brings to the narrative, and audiences will definitely be put off guard.

For audiences, Heretic is a horror experience that will keep you on your toes, thanks to both its visceral horror and its intellectual curiosity. Its thematic examination of religion is a driving part of this, and there are parts in it where you’ll buy into Reed’s argument and where you’ll admit that ‘he’s got a point’. Beck and Woods have an innate understanding of the horror genre, and they use this to their advantage in shaping the film’s narrative and taking it in a direction that audiences may not expect. Audience members who are regular viewers of horror films will appreciate this, as this narrative shift in both plot and perspective keeps things interesting and tied with the thematic exploration of religion, and Grant’s sinister presence as Mr. Reed makes Heretic a very memorable watch, not to mention that it’s unbelievably funny, in the most inappropriate moments.

Heretic is a horror movie that brings a completely left-field approach to the genre and the experience of the audience, and you’ll be creeped out in the best way possible for those genre fans who want something different. This one definitely delivers.

Image: Roadshow Films

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This irresistibly vivid and inventive big screen spectacle will introduce audiences to a young Willy Wonka, chock-full of ideas and determined to change the world one delectable bite at a time—proving that the best things in life begin with a dream, and if you’re lucky enough to meet Willy Wonka, anything is possible.

For many of us, the classic tale of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory holds a very special place in our hearts. Gene Wilder’s incredibly magical performance continues to inspire audiences, both young and old, the world over, while the magic of Roald Dahl still mesmerizes each new generation. Now celebrated filmmaker Paul King, who wowed audiences with his Paddington adaptations, charts a new course for the character of Willy Wonka and takes audiences on a galivanting gourmet getaway with Wonka, which charts how famed chocolatier Willy Wonka became the sensation we all know and love.

King makes this film for both young and old, bringing to life a vividly bright and storybook-styled world to life as he realizes the world of Wonka. With its array of pastel colours composed against its old-world gothic setting, Wonka is a film brimming with nostalgia and the beat and texture of classic Hollywood musicals. Both song and dance collide with a creative script, charming dialogue and cracking comedy, resulting in a film that will transport audiences into another world. King has a charming talent for direction, and he utilizes the style and tempo of Roald Dahl to maximum effect as he brings this incredible journey to life. Both the nostalgic delight and modern production mix together for a very special watch, and audiences, young and old, will find something to fall in love with this picture.

Rising Hollywood A-lister Timothée Chalamet has repeatedly proved himself to be a natural performer. He’s an actor who has complete control of the cinematic stage, and his performance as Willy Wonka is no exception. In the role of Wonka, Chalamet beams with joy as he prances about the street, and you feel the imagination and enthusiasm that lies at the heart of Willy. Chalamet’s performance is that of the eternal optimist, and he makes Willy always see the best in every situation, and his zany mannerisms and inventive quick-thinking always help him out of any jam. Chalamet has an immense amount of fun with the role, and audiences will be spellbound by his audience.

But Wonka is not Chalamet’s film alone, and a collected cast of some of Britain’s best talent makes their mark on the picture. Academy Award winner Olivia Coleman and comedian Tom Davis are unscrupulously wicked as Mrs. Scrubbit and her dim-witted assistant Bleacher, and Chalamet also finds himself tackling the twisted and fiendish Chocolate Cartel made up of the nefarious Arthur Slugworth (Paterson Joseph) and his loathsome compatriots Prodnose (Matt Lucas) and Fickelgruber (Mathew Baynton). But Willy doesn’t have to face these dasdastardly villains alone, and he’s joined by his friends in the Wash Gang, including Jim Carter as Abacus Crunch, Natasha Rothwell as Piper Benz, Rich Fulcher as Larry Chucklesworth and Rakhee Thakrar as Lottie Bell. And finally, Hugh Grant makes his presence known as the snarky and opinionated Oompa-Loompa Lofty. All of the cast hit their mark in Wonka, and they each add to the fun and liveliness of the picture.

From start to finish, Wonka is a delectable cinema delight and a perfect treat for this holiday. Everything about this movie comes together, and it is filled to the brim with a wild wizardry of wondrous whimsy that makes for a picture of pure imagination.

Image: Warner Brothers Pictures

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Elite spy Orson Fortune (Jason Statham) must track down and stop the sale of a deadly new weapons technology wielded by billionaire arms broker Greg Simmonds (Hugh Grant). Reluctantly teamed up with some of the world’s best operatives, Fortune and his crew recruit Hollywood’s biggest movie star, Danny Francesco (Josh Hartnett), to help them on their globe-trotting mission to save the world.

Regarded as the king of machismo action cinema, celebrated filmmaker Guy Ritchie makes his long-awaited return to cinemas with Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, a wickedly fun spy-adventure-thriller that injects a dose of new energy into the genre and will leave audiences grooving in their seats. This is a film that is pure Ritchie, as a crack team of ace spies combats black market dealings, double-crossing mercenaries, vicious gangsters and one very slimy arms dealer in order to save the world. And it’s a rush. Joining forces again with long-time collaborator Jason Statham, hot off their work together on the intense and dark Wrath of Man, Operation Fortune offers Ritchie and Statham a new road to speed down and its cracking pace, bold action and pitch-perfect comedy is what cinema fun is made of.

As one of the best directors working today, Ritchie brings his own brand of creativity to the screen once more and again he mixes things up with Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre. This global-spanning spy adventure is packed full of classic flair mixed with some cutting-edge drama, and Ritchie goes to town with this picture. With an equal mix of crackling gunfire, heavy punches, and terrific banter between a whole host of very unique espionage characters, Operation Fortune is the director’s take on the classic spy team-up film, and he keeps his audience’s heart racing the whole way through.

Once again front and centre is Ritchie’s long-time collaborator and good friend Jason Statham, and this time he mixes it up as the intrepid super-spy Orson Fortune, who has some very interesting quirks. This modern-day spy is a dashing man of action who has a real fondness for the good life and who is all too happy to max out his agency’s expense account to enjoy it. But in addition to the tailored suits, private jets and vintage wines, he’s also an exceedingly capable and exceptionally dangerous individual who knows his way around a gun, and Statham brings his usual can-do attitude to the film’s action scenes. Along with kicking ass he also gets to crack plenty of jokes, and it’s very apparent that he had a blast with this one-of-a-kind spy.

Paired with Statham’s Fortune and mixing it up is Aubrey Plaza as the sultry and quick-witted Sarah Fidel, the team’s computer expert and hacker. And this is Plaza in a performance unlike you’ve ever seen her before. Plaza is exceptionally glamorous and alluring as Fidel, but also dangerously astute and she likes nothing better than to push Statham’s button. And the result is comedic brilliance. Plaza also isn’t content to just sit behind a desk either, and she jumps head-first into the fray, and goes all out with the film’s exceptional action scenes.

Continuing in his return to form is Hollywood hunk Josh Hartnett who has been making quite a big comeback as of late and again he turns in another stellar performance here in Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre. Cast as Hollywood’s biggest star Danny Francesco, Hartnett portrays an outlandish, childish buffoon who is forced into joining Fortune’s team, after his penchant for debauchery gets him into trouble and soon has to take on the biggest role of his career. Hartnett leans heavily into this over-sexed, drugged-up poser of a movie star and he’s an absolute riot in the role. He also gets some serious time behind the wheel in the film’s stunning car chase and lives out a Steve McQueen fantasy as he slams on the accelerator in a wild chase scene that will flaw audiences.

Finally bringing Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre together is the one and only Hugh Grant and he gives one very naughty performance as the playful, but dangerous billionaire arms dealer Greg Simmons. Brash, uncouth, loud and crass, Grant gives a transformative performance as one of the world’s most dangerous villains who like his money, his cars and his women, and who poses quite a threat in Operation Fortune. From the moment he appears on screen Grant steals every scene that he’s in and his presence is undoubtedly the best part of the film. This is Grant unlike you’ve ever seen him before, and Ritchie knows how to help him take it to the next level, and this is one devious and menacing villain you won’t soon forget.

For those who like their spy films with exotic locations, explosive action and decadent glamour, well, you’ll be very happy with Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre. This is a fast-paced kinetic piece of cinema, and its pure pop energy will absolutely speak to audiences who are looking for a rush. Thanks to his innovative and rapid style of filmmaking, Ritchie invests a real sense of creativity and energy into this picture and the results show on the screen. This is the spy genre done the way we like it, and the end product demands to be seen on the big screen.

From beginning to end, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre is pure class and proves why Guy Ritchie is one of the most exciting and dynamic filmmakers working today. Narrative, action, character and comedy all come together for an exhilarating time at the movies with Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre.

Image: Roadshow Films

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After the intense rush of action that they delivered in 2021’s Wrath of Man, Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham are heading back to cinemas for a good ol’fashioned jaunt into the espionage genre with Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre…and this is a spy film that is guaranteed to be a very slick ride.

Watch the brand new trailer below:

Here’s the official synopsis for Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre:

In the film, super-spy Orson Fortune (Jason Statham) must track down and stop the sale of a deadly new weapons technology wielded by billionaire arms broker Greg Simmonds (Hugh Grant). Reluctantly teamed with some of the world’s best operatives (Aubrey Plaza, Cary Elwes, Bugzy Malone), Fortune and his crew recruit Hollywood’s biggest movie star Danny Francesco (Josh Hartnett) to help them on their globe-trotting undercover mission to save the world.

Presented as a globe-trotting action-adventure, Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre follows ace super spy Orson Fortune (Jason Statham) and his hand-picked team (Aubrey Plaza, Bugzy Malone) who work for spymaster Nathan Jasmine (Cary Elwes) who have to stop the sale of a deadly new weapon to the lavish and loud billionaire arms dealer Greg Simmonds (Hugh Grant), and the only way they can get Simmonds attention is to blackmail Hollywood’s biggest star Danny Francesco (Josh Hartnett) to help them do it.

From there it’s a rush of double-crosses, gunfights, fistfights, car chases, explosions, scintillating seductions and all-around crazy moments as Fortune and his team race against time to stop Simmonds from getting his hands on this diabolical weapon.

For anyone wondering what a Jason Statham James Bond would look like, well, Orson Fortune is pretty much that character and he cuts a dapper figure as this very rough and ready character who fits out a tuxedo perfectly, but who can also go to work with his fists when needed.

Changing gears this time around is Aubrey Plaza and she cuts a stylish, sexy, glamourous figure as a member of Fortune’s team. Known for her dry wit, Plaza changes gears here as this alluring and capable secret agent and she completely hold her own in the trailer and in my opinion her performance here is going to be a real revelation.

This isn’t the first time Guy Ritchie has ventured into the spy genre as he brought a sense of retro cool back to the big screen with 2015’s The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and his work here on Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre continues in that vein. Slick, sexy and action-packed, Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre also has a terrific comedic buzz about it and is Guy Ritchie just the way we like it.

Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre looks like a solid action spy film and will make for a very time at the movies when it arrives IN CINEMAS next year on January 12, 2023.

Images: Roadshow Films

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A British drug (McConaughey) lord tries to sell off his highly profitable marijuana empire to a dynasty of Oklahoma billionaires.

It’s been some time since virtuoso filmmaker Guy Ritchie has been in proper gangster territory, but now the good filmmaker has returned to the genre that he has helped shaped through the decades and he injects new blood, heavy drama and a whole heap of new villains back into The Gentlemen. And the result is a very fun watch. Telling the intersecting story of marijuana kingpin Mickey Pearson (McConaughey), an American expat who is the Julius Caesar of the marijuana business and has conquered all of Britain, with both sensational cunning and a brutal hand when needed. This very proper gangster is now trying to find a way to ride off into the sunset and it’s from here that things get very interesting.

This posh tale is in keeping with all of Ritchie’s favourite toys as a filmmaker and he gets to have a lot of fun as he once again traverses the entirety of the English establishment, from its polished aristocracy to the squalor of the slums, as he spins this original tale of gangsters, money and a whole heap of skunk. The Gentlemen is a film that screams to be seen on the big screen, in bold, crisp 35mm film, and with its colourful cast of characters and twisting narrative, you won’t see whats coming next. Ritchie’s style here is both his own, but there’s also a Hitchcockian touch here and it almost feels like this film is somewhat like Charade…but with more gangsters, pocket squares and c-bombs. You’re engaged from start to finish and Ritchie has you hook, line and sinker with a narrative that you won’t want to look away from until the very end.

Standing front and centre in The Gentlemen is Matthew McConaughey as the flat cap wearing, herringbone suited gang lord Michael ‘Mickey’ Pearson. An American expat and former Rhodes Scholar who turned his talents from academics to drug dealing and in the process formed a fearsome reputation for getting things done, along with accumulating great wealth, who now finds himself at a crossroads. But when things take a turn, and chaos erupts in this criminal jungle the lion lashes out and McConaughey goes to work. The pairing of Ritchie and McConaughey is an absolute dream come true and his resulting performance shows off his abilities. McConaughey makes for one hell of an impressive gangster and just like Al Pacino established the standard for gangster cool in the 1980s, so too does McConaughey refines it for a brand new decade in The Gentlemen.

Assisting McConaughey’s Pearson is Charlie Hunnam as Raymond, Pearson’s bespectacled number two man and all-around caretaker and consigliere. While his first appearance marks him out as a somewhat over-the-top accountant and logistics man, it soon becomes apparent that Raymond has far more violent talents that Pearson puts to good use and when you need someone to operate the bonesaw, Raymond’s the man for the job. Hunnam revels in the role, and he’s a great fit for this completely orderly individual who starts to crack at having to deal with the multiple of problems that are laid at his feet. You completely buy into his performance and he gets to show his stuff off, which results in some fearsomely violent actions, along with laugh out loud hysterics caused by some hilarious impromptu black comedy moments.

Coming up against McConaughey’s Pearson is Henry Golding who throws away his nice guy charm and instead adopts the hungry jackal feralness of upstart gangster Dry Eye who wants in on Pearson’s business and ain’t about to take no for an answer. Cast as the chief bad guy, Golding does a complete 360 here and it’s fun to watch him revel in his darker side. Dry Eye is a particularly nasty piece of work, and Golding gets to cut loose here as this thoroughly uninhibited ‘millennial firecracker’ whose got his own gangster flash style going on, and which is very reminiscent of the classic Steve McQueen look, as he looks to make his bones. Dry Eye is a worthy adversary for McConaughey in this gangster game of cat and mouse and he delivers the goods.

They say behind every great man there’s an even greater woman and for McConaughey’s Mickey Pearson that couldn’t be truer. Michelle Dockery takes on the role of his tough-as-nails and extremely classy wife Rosalind, and this Cockney Cleopatra, alongside her American Caesar, has conquered the British Isles totally and completely with both style and smarts. Dockery drops her gentrified stance that we’ve come to expect from her thanks to her work in Downton Abbey and instead adopts the all-business demeanour of Ros. She talks fast, walks fast and does not suffer fools and you invest in the shared chemistry that she and McConaughey have together as husband and wife on-screen. In a film that is filled to the brim with a whole pack of lads, Dockery is able to carve out her own space and her appearance is one of the most memorable parts of the entire film.

Popping up in The Gentlemen and completely turning heads is Colin Farrell as Coach. Like his name implies he’s a boxing/MMA coach who handles a group of trouble makers who call themselves The Toddlers, and who spend most of their time causing scraps and making fight videos that they upload to YouTube. But when his charges’ actions pull him into Pearson’s world he’s not impressed and his mean side quickly jumps out with terrifying results. Farrell’s turn in The Gentlemen is a performance that is unlike anything he’s ever done before and he’s quick on his feet and even quicker with the jab. It’s clear that he had a ball working with Ritchie and his appearance in The Gentleman is a bit of stand-out fun.

Finally, in a scene-stealing performance, Hugh Grant arrives on the scene as Fletcher, a sleazy private eye who’s always looking for an angle and who is far and away the most crooked character in all of London. This is Hugh Grant like you’ve never seen him before as he drops his usual classy persona and adopts this bottom feeder character and the result is a clear riot. Trust me when I say that you’ve never seen anything like this before in Grant’s career and Fletcher is equal parts scene-stealer and meta-character, and is the lens by whom Ritchie critiques and commentates on the current state of British society, and its changing of the guard. I can’t remember seeing a character this original since Dickin’s Fagin, and Grant’s turn as this cooky villain is sensationally fun to watch.

The Gentlemen is a terrific return to the old school for Guy Ritchie who once again proves that he’s the undoubted headmaster when it comes to the crime genre. Original, outlandish, wild and completely bonkers, this one is a crazy fun watch and you’ll walk out of it wanting to invest in a flat cap and pocket square while you brush up on your cockney rhyme.

Image: Roadshow Films

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