Disclaimer: In this list, I have only included films that are classed as 2016 releases according to IMDB (for example, I loved Joy but IMDB counts that as a 2015 release even though the UK didn't get it till January 2016).
Caring is a Funny Thing
We Had Twenty Years to Prepare. So Did They.
This review Contains Spoilers
Independence Day: Resurgence is directed by Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, 2012) and stars Liam Hemsworth (The Hunger Games, The Dressmaker), Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park, The Grand Budapest Hotel), Jessie T. Usher and Maika Monroe (It Follows, The Guest). "Two decades after the first Independence Day invasion, Earth is faced with a new extra-Solar threat. But will mankind's new space defenses be enough?". 20 years on and Independence Day gets a sequel - is it necessary or is it just a big cash grab?
Celebrate the one day that connects us all.
Mother's Day is directed by Garry Marshall (Valentine's Day, New Year's Eve) and stars Jennifer Aniston (Friends, We're the Millers), Kate Hudson (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Bride Wars), Julia Roberts (Notting Hill, Closer), Jason Sudeikis (We're the Millers, Horrible Bosses) and Britt Robertson (Tomorrowland, The Longest Ride). "Three generations come together in the week leading up to Mother's Day". Valentine's Day was a huge hit, New Year's Eve was a solid performer - where does Mother's Day rank?
Ever wonder what your pets do when you're not home?
The Secret Life of Pets is directed by Chris Renaud (Despicable Me, The Lorax) and Yarrow Cheney (feature length directorial debut). The film features the voices of Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family, Almost Family), Jenny Slate (Zootopia, Obvious Child), Lake Bell (Man Up, No Escape) and Kevin Hart (Ride Along, Get Hard). "Taking place in a Manhattan apartment building, Max's life as a favorite pet is turned upside down, when his owner brings home a sloppy mongrel named Duke. They have to put their quarrels behind when they find out that an adorable white bunny named Snowball is building an army of lost pets determined to take revenge". Illumination Entertainment have hits such as Despicable Me and The Lorax - can The Secret Life of Pets join their strong lineup?
The Next True Story from the Case Files of Ed and Lorraine Warren.
This review contains minor spoilers
The Conjuring 2 is directed by James Wan (Insidious, Furious 7) and stars Vera Farmiga (The Departed, Up in the Air), Patrick Wilson (Insidious, Watchmen), Frances O'Connor (The Missing, Mr. Selfridge) and Madison Wolfe. "Lorraine and Ed Warren travel to north London to help a single mother raising four children alone in a house plagued by malicious spirits". The first Conjuring was a breakout hit - in terms of quality and financially, it was then followed by the not-so-great but still successful Annabelle - which film will The Conjuring 2 follow the lead of?
This review contains minor spoilers
Watch Your Assets
The Boss is directed by Ben Falcone (Tammy) and stars Melissa McCarthy (Spy, Bridesmaids), Kristen Bell (Frozen, Veronica Mars) and Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones, Pixels). "A titan of industry is sent to prison after she's caught insider trading. When she emerges ready to rebrand herself as America's latest sweetheart, not everyone she screwed over is so quick to forgive and forget". McCarthy returns to the big screen without Paul Feig - it didn't really work last time (Tammy was one of my least favourite films of 2015) - can McCarthy ever make quality films without Feig by her side?
Let Your Heart Decide
This Review Contains Spoilers.
The Choice is directed by Ross Katz (Adult Beginners) and stars Benjamin Walker (In the Heart of the Sea, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter), Teresa Palmer (Warm Bodies, I Am Number Four) and Alexandra Daddario (San Andreas, Percy Jackson). "Travis and Gabby first meet as neighbors in a small coastal town and wind up in a relationship that is tested by life's most defining events". The Choice is the 11th Sparks adaption - have his films lost their spark or is the decision to watch The Choice very worthwhile?
Nicholas Sparks? John Green? There's a new writer on the scene.
This Review Contains Spoilers
Two Worlds. One Destiny.
This review contains Spoilers.
Warcraft: The Beginning is directed by Duncan Jones (Source Code, Moon) and stars Travis Fimmel (Vikings, The Baytown Outlaws), Ben Foster (Lone Survivor, 3:10 to Yuma), Toby Kebbell (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time), Paula Patton (Mission:Impossible - Ghost Protocol, Precious) and Dominic Cooper (Need for Speed, Mamma Mia!). "The peaceful realm of Azeroth stands on the brink of war as its civilization faces a fearsome race of invaders: orc warriors fleeing their dying home to colonize another. As a portal opens to connect the two worlds, one army faces destruction and the other faces extinction. From opposing sides, two heroes are set on a collision course that will decide the fate of their family, their people, and their home". Warcraft aims to be the first film that gives films based on video games a good name....can it break the reputation of the genre?
