By Adam Ray Palmer
 
Day one of Venezia73 is upon us and that means it is the turn of Damien Chazelle’s La La Land as the opening night gala this evening.
 
I had the chance, with every other critic on the Lido island, to see it earlier today. The film stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone in the titular roles.
 
La La Land is definitely one to look out for going forward into award season…

By Adam Ray Palmer
 
Today’s review is of the hard-hitting documentary The Hard Stop from George Amponsah whose film follows two peoples’ lives as they grieve after their best friend’s death.
 
The Hard Stop offers a dark but revealing look at the problem of racial prejudice and policing from a British perspective.
 
I caught this independent movie at my local cinema, the Phoenix, this week and it really haunted me…

By Adam Ray Palmer
 
Today’s review is of the big screen outing for the Brentmiester. Ricky Gervais has once again graced the cinema as his tragically, loveable character David Brent.
 
It’s been three years since we last saw the ex-Wernham Hogg boss (friend second, and probably entertainer third) spitting some lyrics on his track equality street.
 
Now he’s back with a point to prove and I sat impatiently excited in the Phoenix cinema for the joy that awaited me…

By Adam Ray Palmer
 
Today’s review is the latest offering from Danish director/writer Nicolas Winding Refn whose last shot-calling was for 2013’s Only God Forgives with Ryan Gosling.
 
This time around, Refn is taking on the fashion industry with head-strong women at the core. The delightful and youthful Elle Fanning is on hand to play Jesse, the central protagonist.
 
I caught this film at the Phoenix Cinema last week which strengthens my article on the importance of independent cinemas… without Phoenix; I would have missed this compelling thriller…

By Adam Ray Palmer
 
Today’s review is of another summer blockbuster that has been nine years in the making (we are skipping The Bourne Legacy).
 
Yes, Jason Bourne is back in the film, erm, Jason Bourne. This is the fifth instalment in the franchise and Matt Damon’s fourth as he takes back the reigns from Jeremy Renner.
 
After the shambolic 2012 outing, audiences have been quietly poised for the latest offering. With much bigger films out this year, will this cut it with big guys or fall by the wayside? I took my seat in the packed-out Phoenix cinema to find out…

By Lorna Baker
 
Today’s review is from another huge franchise set in outer space. No, it’s not Star Wars’ turn just yet but instead its rival Star Trek. This is the third instalment from the rebooted saga.
 
Star Trek Beyond takes us two years into the Enterprise’s voyage of discovery. After receiving a distress call, the Enterprise heads off; only to be faced with a strange new enemy with devastating consequences. Abandoned and alone on an unknown planet, the crew must work together to find each other and find a way off the world and save the Federation. 

By Adam Ray Palmer
 
Today’s review is yet another superhero movie. We have had the awesome Deadpool, the thrilling X-Men Apocalypse, the dull Batman vs. Superman and the tame Captain America: Civil War.
 
Now it’s the turn of the anti-heroes from DC Comics, the Suicide Squad. Cinema-goers have been excited for this gang of misfits and now the wait is over.
 
One key question though, is it worth the wait?