At The Movies

Simon Morris wonders if the star system is over, and audiences are now only interested in the movie itself, not who's in it.

Before Dawn is an ambitious, low-budget World War I film made in Western Australia.

The Fall Guy is a reboot of an old TV series about stunt men which benefits from three suddenly very hot stars - Emily Blunt (Oppenheimer), Hannah Waddingham (TV's Ted Lasso) and particularly Ryan Gosling (Barbie).

Dame Helen Mirren stars as 1970s Israeli prime minister Golda Meir in Golda.

Paolo Rotondo introduces this season of the Italian Film Festival, which includes a biopic of bad-boy painter Caravaggio, the first solo film by tbe legendary Federico Fellini, and last year's box office sensation There's still tomorrow, which trounced both Barbie and Oppenheimer in Italy.

Simon Morris introduces an all-Italian show - from Luca Guadagnino's Challengers, starring Zendaya, to an overview of this year's Italian Film Festival road show with Festival Director and film-maker, Paolo Rotondo. Challengers sees top star Zendaya (Dune) playing a top tennis star, torn between two competing suitors, Mike Faist (West Side Story) and Josh O'Connor (TV's The Crown). Directed by Luca Guadagnino (Call me by your name). And Paolo Rotondo introduces this season of the Italian Film Festival, which includes a biopic of bad-boy painter Caravaggio, the first solo film by tbe legendary Federico Fellini, and last year's box office sensation There's still tomorrow, which trounced both Barbie and Oppenheimer in Italy.

Challengers sees top star Zendaya (Dune) playing a top tennis star, torn between two competing suitors, Mike Faist (West Side Story) and Josh O'Connor (The Crown). Directed by Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name).

Simon Morris looks at Hollywood's endless fascination with the crusading reporter, and the less than noble version, hungry for ratings

Civil War imagines a future America torn apart by another civil war, and the people who have to cover the story. Written and directed by Alex Garland (Ex Machina), it stars Kirsten Dunst (Power of the Dog) and Caelee Spaeny (Priscilla).

In Late Night with The Devil, a 1970s TV host goes for the ultimate shock interview at Halloween. "Absolutely brilliant," says Stephen King. Is he right?

Origin is a semi-fictionalised adaptation of a Pulitzer Prize-winning book about racism. It's a serious film with a strong cast and some fresh and intriguing ideas, says Simon Morris.

Simon Morris buckles up for an all-action show - a drug-fuelled bloodbath, an Indian martial arts revenge thriller and the return of an animated kung-fu favourite.

Dev Patel is best known for playing nice chaps in Slumdog Millionaire, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Lion. Who knew he wanted to write, direct and star in a ferocious revenge movie like Monkey Man?

Love Lies Bleeding sees two women falling in love in the worst possible way. There will be blood…. Starring Kristen Stewart (Twilight), Katy O'Brien (The Mandalorian) and Ed Harris (Apollo 13).

Jack Black tackles Po's final Dragon Warrior adventure with his usual exuberance​, says Simon Morris, but the animation is what carries Kung Fu Panda 4.

Simon Morris looks at three films, all based on journeys - to safety, to a better life, to some sort of happy ending.

The Mountain sees three plucky kids attempt to get to the top of Taranaki to save the life of one them. Debut directing feature of actress Rachel House (Cousins, Boy, Moana).

Io Capitano is an Oscar-nominated Italian film about two boys who run away from their village in Senegal in search of fame and fortune in Europe. Directed by Matteo Garrone (Gomorrah).

Netflix's Damsel sees Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger things) marry a handsome Prince - though he may not be much help when it comes to fighting dragons. With Robin Wright (The Princess Bride), Ray Winstone (Beowulf) and Angela Bassett (Black Panther).

Simon Morris reviews three films all dependent, more or less, on audiences already softened up to like them.