Captain Phillips

Last Thursday I went to see Captain Phillips.

Tom Hanks stars in the incredible true story of the first US ship to be seized by pirates in 200 years. In 2009, the unarmed US container ship Maersk Alabama is charting a course off the coast of Somalia. On his radar, Captain Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks) observes speedboats heading in their direction. He then launches a well-planned emergency procedure that puts the ship into lockdown while its crew hide. The heavily armed pirates led by Muse (Barkhad Abdi) board the vessel, take Phillips hostage, and flee in a lifeboat. So begins a tense, high stakes stand-off that quickly makes international headlines. This true-life thriller is adapted from Captain Phillips' own book about his experiences by 'The Hunger Games' screenwriter Billy Ray. 'The Bourne Ultimatum' director Paul Greengrass delivers a typically complex, nuanced, politically charged action film that focuses on the two contrasting men at the centre of the unfolding drama.

Sunshine On Leith

Peter Mullan and Jane Horrocks star in a feelgood musical woven from the Proclaimers' uplifting hits. Ally (Kevin Guthrie) and Davy (George MacKay) are two young soldiers who return home to Leith after serving in Afghanistan. Ally goes out with Davy's sister, Liz (Freya Mavor), who introduces her brother to Yvonne (Antonia Thomas). Meanwhile, Liz and Davy's parents, Jean (Jane Horrocks) and Rab (Peter Mullan), are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary. Stephen Greenhorn's acclaimed jukebox stage musical took its title from the second album by Scottish musical heroes The Proclaimers. Their hits drive this moving story about the difficulties of adapting to Civvy Street. Actor-turned-director Dexter Fletcher's big-screen adaptation was shot on location in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Among its stunning set-piece numbers is huge performance of 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)' featuring 500 dancers outside the National Gallery of Scotland! This is also producer Andrew Macdonald's first film in Scotland since the legendary 'Trainspotting'.

Rush

Chris Hemsworth puts pedal to the metal in the high-octane story of rival Formula 1 legends James Hunt and Niki Lauda. It's 1976 and Formula 1 motor racing is dominated by two contrasting larger-than-life personalities. Austrian-born Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl) is a technically brilliant driver who worked his way methodically through the ranks to claim the number one spot at Ferrari. His rival at McLaren is handsome, charismatic, blond Englishman James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth). Hunt's skill behind the wheel belies a louche playboy image. But this is a sport where vehicles and drivers are pushed to the absolute limit. Death can be just a heartbeat away! Written by Oscar nominated 'The Queen' screenwriter Peter Morgan, 'Rush' is another nail-biting true story of triumph and tragedy from 'Apollo 13' director Ron Howard. The thrilling golden age of Formula 1 is meticulously re-created, while the sporting rivalry is brought brilliantly to life by Daniel Bruhl and 'Thor' star Chris Hemsworth.

Man Of Steel

As a young boy, Clark Kent realised he was different from all the kids around him, blessed - or perhaps cursed - with superhuman strength and abilities. Years later, the adult Clark (Henry Cavill) sets out on a journey to discover who he is and where he came from. In the process, he learns to embrace his destiny and become the world's greatest saviour - Superman. Watchmen director Snyder teams up with producer Christopher Nolan and screenwriter David S. Goyer for this spectacular take on the Superman myth. It's a journey from humble roots to heroic icon in which rising Brit actor Cavill dons the famous cape. He's surrounded by a host of acclaimed talent including Amy Adams, Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane and Michael Shannon.

About Time

A man discovers he can time-travel - which is very handy when Richard Curtis influencing the course of his love life! For many young people, their 21st birthday is an important rite-of-passage. For Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) though, it's a bit different from the norm... When he turns 21, he's informed by his Dad (Bill Nighy) that he has the ability to time-travel! Tim is told that he cannot change history but he can change what happens in his own life - which leads to head-spinning complications when it comes to the world of romance! He soon meets and falls head-over-heels for Mary (Rachel McAdams), eventually winning her heart by rewriting history through time-travel trickery. But Tim soon discovers that the wonder of his 'gift' has unexpected and drastic consequences for himself and his loved ones. About Time sees British comedy titan Richard Curtis blend his signature gentle wit with an irresistible time-travel twist!

Only God Forgives

This Afternoon in Llandudno I have been to see Only God Forgives.

A stylish, visceral gangland vengeance thriller from the director and star of 'Drive'. American fugitive Julian (Ryan Gosling) is hiding out in Bangkok, where he runs a boxing club as a cover for the family drug smuggling business. But his past returns to haunt him after his psychopathic big brother Billy (Tom Burke) murders an under-age prostitute. When Billy is himself killed, the brothers' fearsome mother Crystal (Kristin Scott Thomas) dispatches reluctant, conflicted Julian on a revenge mission. This leads him to deadly, samurai sword-wielding retired cop Chang (Vithaya Pansringarm), who's known as the Angel of Vengeance. Acclaimed 'Drive' director Nicolas Winding Refn gets another memorably brooding performance from Ryan Gosling in this brutal, stylised meditation on vengeance. Kristin Scott Thomas is also on scene-stealing form as the venomous ice queen matriarch. Equally terrifying is Thai star Vithaya Pansringarm, whose messianic Chang dispenses instant ultra-violent justice!

Riddick

Vin Diesel reprises his iconic role as the outlaw trapped on a hostile planet, burning for retribution! After his adventures in 'Pitch Black' and 'The Chronicles of Riddick', escaped convict Richard B. Riddick (Vin Diesel) finds himself back where he started. He's betrayed and left for dead on a desolate planet teeming with terrifying predatory aliens. But this stealthy warrior is nothing if not resourceful, not least because of his ability to see in the dark. All his finely honed survival skills are needed when a group of bounty hunters led by Dahl (Katee Sackoff) arrive, determined to take him dead or alive. Nearly ten years after Riddick's last screen appearance, Vin Diesel's furious Furyan explodes back on to the screen in this eagerly anticipated threequel. Also returning is 'Dredd' star Karl Urban as the necromonger Vaako. Joining the cast as bounty hunter Dahl is Katee Sackoff, of 'Battlestar Galactica' fame.