‘Across the Universe’

Theatrics aplenty as the music and lyrics of The Beatles provide the narrative for this entertaining hybrid ode to the protest-set 1960s of music, choreography, live action and animation.

As Jude (Jim Sturgess) heads east from Liverpool to Boston ostensibly to find his GI wartime dad, so the US erupts with its youth culture and anti-war protest, the struggle for free speech and civil rights. Meeting privileged Max (Joe Anderson) results in an introduction to his sister Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood) and a love story that spans years. Following a move to New York, the violent anti-Vietnam movement, the Detroit riots, Black Panthers along with psychedelia and the rise of rock and roll dominate their lives – particularly when Max receives his call-up papers.

Popular music providing a core part of the narrative worked for Baz Luhrmann and Moulin Rouge! as director Julie Taymor’s enjoyable romp is populated with characters such as Jude, Prudence, Lucy for the perfect song segueway. The film’s strength is the first hour or so, but the unhinged psychedelia section (featuring Bono and Eddie Izzard) and its overuse of animation highlight an over-reliance on the visual whilst missing depth to its tale.

Nominated for best costume design Oscar in 2008

Rating: 69%

Director: Julie Taymor (Frida, The Glorias)

Writer: Dick Clement (The Bank Job, The Commitments), Ian Le Fresnais (The Bank Job, The Commitments)

Main cast: Jim Sturgess (Geostorm, The Best Offer), Evan Rachel Wood (The Ides of March, The Wrestler), Joe Anderson (The Grey, Control)

’Rustin’

Activist Bayard Rustin fought in the American Civil Rights movement for his entire adult life. With his determination and infectious energy, he inspires the organising of a freedom march in Washington in 1963, targetting the attendance of 100,00 black Americans. But the cautious and conservative leaders of the various black organisations are concerned Rustin’s sexuality will deflect from the objectives.

Rustin (a superb Colman Domingo), now recognised as an unsung hero of the movement, faced racism and homophobia throughout. It affected his friendship with Dr. Martin Luther King (Aml Ameen). But they put their differences behind them to come together for the Washington demonstration. As the two fight the negative energies of senators and senior union officials towards Rustin, the man himself mobilises and inspires his team of volunteers.

It’s an urgent, nuanced and moment-in-time narrative of Bayard Rustin and the American Civil Rights Movement. It veers towards the templated and loses energy when Domingo is not on screen but Rustin as directed by George C. Wolfe remains an accessible if glossy telling of its tale.

Rating: 64%

Director: George C. Wolfe (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Nights in Rodanthe)

Writer: Julian Breece (TV’s When They See Us, The First Wives Club), Dustin Lance Black (Milk, J. Edgar)

Main cast: Colman Domingo (Selma, Candyman), Aml Ameen (The Maze Runner, TV’s I May Destroy You), Chris Rock (Amsterdam, Grown Ups)

‘Irresistible’

Wry, occasionally laugh out loud, Irresistible is an enormously entertaining skewering of American politics – and the money-driven political system in particular.

Floundering after the shock loss at the 2016 American elections, the Democrats and their spin doctors are looking for stories. And when a video of former general Jack Hastings (Chris Cooper) lambasting the Mayor of Deerlaken, Wisconsin for his exclusion policies goes viral, Washington strategist Steve Carrell descends double quick. The perfect story of the humane Democrat confronting Republican policies. So much so, Hastings is persuaded to stand for Mayor. And that opens the doors as Republican strategist Rose Byrne is on the next flight down – and the dollars, fundraising events and celebrities descend on the sleepy, midwestern town.

It’s fun but with a barb – and there’s a totally unexpected twist that totally upends the narrative. Condescending city folk do not always get the last word on small-town America. Writer/director Jon Stewart is guilty of labouring his message and going off point on occasions, but there’s no denying this is an engaging and oft funny piece of political satire.

Rating: 74%

Director: Jon Stewart (Rosewater)

Writer: Jon Stewart (Rosewater, TV’s The Daily Show)

Main cast: Steve Carrell (Foxcatcher, Beautiful Boy), Rose Byrne (Spy, Bridesmaids), Chris Cooper (Adaptation, Breach)

‘Ricki & the Flash’

A convincing if somewhat strained mother/daughter relationship (real life Meryl Streep/Mamie Gummer kin) and a very believable Streep as a rock musician (is there nothing she can’t do!) are the highlights of this somewhat mediocre ‘so what?’ dysfunctional family drama.

It’s hard to believe that it’s written by Diablo Cody of Juno fame and directed by Oscar-winning Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia).

Rating: 41%

Director: Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia)

Writer: Diablo Cody (Juno, Young Adult)

Main cast: Meryl Streep (Sophie’s Choice, The Iron Lady), Mamie Gummer (The End of the Tour, Cake), Kevin Kline (A Prairie Home Companion, Sophie’s Choice)