Tootsie (1982): ****

Tootsie (1982) follows Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman), an actor with a reputation of being difficult to work with and consequently struggling to find work. When his friend Sandy (Teri Garr) auditions for a role in a hospital soap opera but doesn’t get the part, Michael decides to audition for the role, cross-dressing as Dorothy Michaels. Dorothy is a major success for the programme, but Michael begins to develop feelings for his co-star Julie Nichols (Jessica Lange) and becomes the target for several men’s affections. At face value, it sounds like a broad cross-dressing comedy, full of slap-stick and misinterpreted intentions, which it is. However, it treats its premise with sincerity and makes some serious feminist observations, particularly relating to the entertainment industry.  

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The Ipcress File (1965): ****

Although the James Bond films and The Ipcress File (1965) were both released in the same decade, they are very different spy films, which is clear even in their opening credits. From Russia with Love (1963) has semi-naked women dancing sensually with the credits projected over their bodies. The Ipcress File’s opening credits roll whilst our bleary-eyed protagonist Harry Palmer (Michael Caine) makes himself a morning cup of coffee. Some viewers may be put off by the tone of The Ipcress File, it is not as glitzy or glamourous as the world of Bond world, nor is it as action driven. However, it is a first-rate thriller thanks to Caine’s performance and a tightly written plot. 

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The Theory of Everything (2014): ***

The Theory of Everything is a perplexing film.  A biopic about Stephen Hawking would usually be fairly straightforward: his rise in the field of theoretical physics, overcoming the deterioration of his health. Yet, its source material, the memoirs of Hawking’s ex-wife Jane Wilde, transforms this biographical film into a rather strange beast. The scientific discoveries Hawking makes almost serve as background information, placing much more focus on the relationship between Hawking and Wilde, played by Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones respectively. On the other hand, the psychology behind their relationship doesn’t seem fully explored; we never really discover what makes them tick and make certain decisions. 

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Taken 3 (2015): *

‘I’m just tired of it all’ bemoaned Bryan Mills, played by Liam Neeson, towards the end of Taken 2 (2012), a sentiment shared by the many in the audience and Neeson himself – who stated in an interview with Empire in 2012 that it was highly unlikely there would be a Taken 3. Yet, here it is and it shares many of the problems of its predecessor Taken 2. This time around the plot is not sparked off by a kidnapping, but rather with the murder of Bryan’s ex-wife Lenore (Famke Janssen), left in his apartment to incriminate him. Bryan sets out to prove his innocence to the police, avenge Lenore and keep his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) safe. 

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