Flag Day (15)
Directed by Sean Penn
★★

WHILE partner Robin Wright was hard at work on her directorial debut Land, it appears hubby Sean Penn parlayed his time with the kids into a fully fledged movie with lacklustre family project Flag Day.

Originally intended as a project for Birdman director Alejandro Inarritu, one imagines star Penn took over directing following the famed Mexican auteur’s reading of the script and subsequent leap from the nearest window. 

Based on a true story, Penn is the criminal dad whose entirely off-screen antics consistently disappoint his daughter, brought to life with monosyllabic empty-vessel status by actual daughter Dylan Penn. 

Son Hopper also turns up, as does Katherine Winnick’s nipple in an errant moment indicative of a film that simply lacks the character, acting talent, or even the obvious scenes required to make Flag Day faintly engaging, enjoyable or memorable.

It feels at times as if Penn wants to make the dramatic Pennian answer to American Made, yet this results in entirely off-screen antics whilst saddling his audience with one thunderingly un-involving father-daughter conversation after another, deadened only further by the younger Penn’s Siri-esque narration.

Mom’s movie wasn’t great, but it was time damn-well better spent than Flag Day.

Van Connor

In cinemas

Black Medusa 
Directed by Youssef Chebbi and Ismael
★★★

THIS deliciously dark thriller, shot in haunting black and white, follows the disturbing exploits of a young Tunisian woman who leads a surprising double life. 

During the day, Nada (Nour Hajri) is a quiet and reserved video editor communicating via a voice app; at night she picks up men in Tunis as she gives in to her violent impulses and lust for vengeance, though the catalyst is only hinted at. 

Written in two weeks and shot in 12 days by co-writer-directors Youssef Chebbi and Ismael, who also produced and edited the film, it is an impressive debut drama and fascinating portrait of a serial killer in the making. 

It is driven by a mesmerising and captivating performance from Hajri, in what could be described as the Tunisian version of Promising Young Woman. 

MD
Available on demand January 28

Sing 2 (U)
Directed by Garth Jennings
★★★★

THE gang’s back for the second verse as animated koala Buster Moon and his band of all-singing misfits head to Vegas in jukebox musical sequel, Sing 2.

Offering up more of the same brand of “X Factor but set in Zootopia” hijinks, this time around the troupe must stage an elaborate sci-fi musical extravaganza or face the wrath of a murderous casino titan, obligatorily voiced by Bobby Canavale.

As if that weren’t enough, desperate promoter Buster seals the group’s fate further when he entangles the show around the return of reclusive long-retired rocker Clay Calloway, voiced by Bono and accompanied by his discography, in a role presumably conceived of for the late and much more fitting David Bowie.

Further milking the gimmick of using pop hits as diegetic on-stage numbers, Sing 2 offers more of the same for legions of child fans who’ve revisited the first movie near constantly for the past half decade, and it’s entertaining enough in merely doing so.

As flashy, fun, and OTT as its predecessor, this second verse may prompt some awkward questions about U2’s automatic iTunes download from 2014, but it’s a pretty solid sequel to the low-key animated hit of 2016.

VC 

In cinemas

Amulet (15)
Directed by Romola Garai
★★

THE first feature film to be directed by actress Romola Garai, homegrown horror tale Amulet arrives waving a not-insignificantly-sized cheque as regards its visual trappings and atmospheric heft, but it leaves the table feeling perhaps too ambitious an effort for its own good.

The story of a homeless veteran who takes refuge in a boarding house, only to (naturally) discover otherworldly goings on, it boasts both direction and scripting by the Suffragette-alum. 

Though its direction — particularly bolstered by some inventive visuals from Laura Bellingham — holds firm, it’s in its thin writing that the scales tip firmly against it; Amulet ultimately serving better as a collection of engaging horror ideas than the coherent culmination of them.

Notwithstanding a game genre-performance from rising star Alec Secareanu and the always welcome return of Imelda Staunton, there’s little to mark it one for the jewellery box outside of its aesthetics, but Amulet nonetheless impresses on a showcase level.

VC

In cinemas

Liborio
Directed by Nino Martinez Sosa 
★★★

THIS intriguing spiritual drama from Dominican-born first time filmmaker Nino Martinez Sosa is an impressionistic portrait of real-life messianic figure Olivorio Mateo, known as Papa Liborio.

Set at the beginning of the last century in the Dominican Republic, the film recounts the story of peasant Liborio (Vicente Santos), who disappears during a hurricane to return days later with the voice of a prophet and the ability to heal the sick (bringing a baby back to life), thus attracting many followers whom he leads deep into the mountains. 

He soon becomes a growing threat to the local authorities as he takes on the US invading forces.

The film is a visual and lyrical interpretation of faith and religious conflict, as well as the rise of a powerful charismatic leader who ends up being persecuted for his influence and for protecting his community.

However, if you are after details and a close examination of Papa Liborio’s life and legacy, then this is not the film for you. 

MD

Available on demand