Wonderland.

SCREEN WONDERS

Heartbreaking true stories, money heists in Harrods and achingly romantic dramas dominate this week’s movie round-up.

Tom Holland in Cherry
Tom Holland in Cherry

Cherry

It’s fair to say Tom Holland is coming for all the gongs this award season, from his standout role in The Devil All The Time to science fiction thriller Chaos Walking, the 24-year-old is claiming it all and is not slowing down with his next role in the Russo Brother’s adaption of Nico Walker’s Cherry. Scheduled for release February 26th in cinemas, the film follows Cherry, an army medic with PTSD who becomes addicted to opioids and starts robbing banks to pay for his ever-growing addiction. The film illustrates the six stages of the youngster’s life, from student to a lover, soldier, junkie and lastly, a thief. Cherry marks the Russo Brothers and Tom Holland’s first partnership away from the Marvel Universe, allowing them to venture to more societal films.

Malcolm & Marie

It feels like it’s been decades since the first announcement of Sam Levinson’s upcoming romantic drama Malcolm & Marie, but Netflix heard our cries and finally dropped the official trailer last week, and we’re already counting down the days till February 5th. Billed as a “story of love” not a love story, the monochromatic trailer sees the highs and lows of filmmaker Malcolm (John David Washington) and girlfriend Marie’s (Zendaya) relationship, resulting in revelations that put a strain on their love. The film held its first special screening last week for critics, and reviews are already pinning Zendaya as a contender for Best Actress at the Oscars.

Army of the Dead

Zack Synder's Army of The Dead
Zack Synder's Army of The Dead

We’ve all had that conversation with family or friends. What would you do in the event of a Zombie attack? Panic buy? Run to the countryside? Hide out out in an underground bunker? Either way, your number one option isn’t to plot a heist on a Las Vegas casino – unless you’re a group of money-fiending mercenaries. Described as a balls-to-the-wall zombie movie by directer Zack Synder, the film boasts an eclectic cast starring Hiroyuki Sanada, Dave Bautista, Omari Hardwick and Ella Purnell. Inspired by 2004 remake of classic Dawn of the Dead, the excitement behind the film has already garnered an animated prequel series funded by Netflix.

Bling Empire

So you’ve binged watched The Real Housewives all lockdown and with no KUWTK or Love and Hip Hop reality TV just isn’t hitting anymore. Enter Bling Empire. Having caused quite a stir on social media over the past few months, we’re are finally getting thrown in the wild world of various rich Asians and Asian Americans as they go all out with parties, glamour and drama in Los Angeles. The trailer is teasing all kinds of classic reality TV, with dramatic breakdowns, on-screen bust-ups and surreal rich people moments, and frankly, we’re in 100% involved.

Locked Down

Is it too soon for a lockdown movie? Director Doug Liman begs to differ with his latest romantic comedy heist movie starring Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Focusing on a quarrelling couple forced to deal with each other during the pandemic and with co-habitation proving to be a challenge, the two attempt to cure their boredom and relationship by pulling off a jewellery heist at Harrods in hope of bringing them closer together. All we’re saying is, don’t get any ideas…