AMANDA SILVER

IN THE HEART OF THE SEA (2015)
Starring Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, George Pollard, Cillian Murphy, Ben Whishaw, Tom Holland, Brendan Gleeson and Jordi MoliÀ. Directed by Ron Howard.

In the winter of 1820, the New England whaling ship Essex was assaulted by something no one could believe: a whale of mammoth size and will, and an almost human sense of vengeance. The real-life maritime disaster would inspire Melville’s Moby-Dick. But that told only half the story. 'Heart of the Sea' reveals the encounter’s harrowing aftermath, as the ship’s surviving crew is pushed to their limits and forced to do the unthinkable to stay alive. Braving storms, starvation, panic and despair, the men will call into question their deepest beliefs, from the value of their lives to the morality of their trade, as their captain searches for direction on the open sea and his first mate still seeks to bring the great whale down.

REVIEWS In the Heart of the Sea - No whale of a tale
In The Heart Of The Sea - Uninspiring

DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES 3D (2014)
Starring Kodi Smit-McPhee, Gary Oldman, Jason Clarke, Judy Greer, Andy Serkis, Kevin Rankin, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell and Enrique Murciano. Directed by Matt Reeves.

A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth’s dominant species.

REVIEWS Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes

MULAN
Starring Liu Yifei, Donnie Yen, Gong Li, Jet Li, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Ron Yuan, Susana Tang, Jason Scott Lee, Chum Ehelepola and Jimmy Wong. Directed by Niki Caro.

The epic adventure of a fearless young woman who masquerades as a man in order to fight Northern Invaders attacking China. The eldest daughter of an honoured warrior, Hua Mulan is spirited, determined and quick on her feet. When the Emperor issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army, she steps in to take the place of her ailing father as Hua Jun, becoming one of China’s greatest warriors ever.

REVIEWS Mulan - The Disney classic in 2020 - will it finally bring honour to us all?