THE WEEKEND IS coming up, and that means new movies for you to see.

But which is a must-watch, and are there any you should avoid?

We take a look.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

What we know

It’s episode seven in the Star Wars franchise, and loads of us have our tickets booked already. You could say people are looking forward to this one… Set 30 years after The Return of the Jedi, it even stars Han, Leia and Luke, with some newbies.” 

What the critics say

• “The Force Awakens is ridiculous and melodramatic and sentimental of course, but exciting and brimming with energy and its own kind of generosity. What a Christmas present.” - The Guardian
• “ It has the usual toy-store-ready gizmos and critters, but it also has appealingly imperfect men and women whose blunders and victories, decency and goofiness remind you that a pop mythology like Star Wars needs more than old gods to sustain it.” – New York Times

What’s it rated?

• RottenTomatoes: 8.2/10
• IMDB: 9.0/10

The Forbidden Room

What we know

This fairly bewildering film by Guy Maddin is described as “a cinematic Russian doll of tales within tales”. So if you want to watch something really weird, watch this.

What the critics say

• “The result is riotous, ridiculous and a little frustrating, but there’s more than enough Maddin magic to dazzle and befuddle those happy to make this fearsome journey without a compass.” - The Guardian
• ““The Forbidden Room” may be too much of a good thing, but there is no question that Maddin’s bag of tricks — so essentially little-changed since his feature debut with “Tales from the Gimli Hospital” nearly 30 years ago — is, indeed, something good.” - Variety 

What’s it rated?

• RottenTomatoes: 8.3/10
• IMDB: 7.0/10

Snoopy and Charlie Brown: A Peanuts Movie 

What we know

It’s the big-screen debut of the Peanuts gang, and sees Charlie Brown crush on the Little Red-Haired Girl and Snoopy embark on a big adventure.

What the critics say

• “Unlike other ‘family films’, Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie is aimed firmly toward young children; promoting ‘compassion, honesty, and bravery’ rather than necessarily including hidden layers to keep adults engaged.” - No More Workhorse
• “‘Peanuts’ on the page had an adult sensibility that children could also enjoy, but the animated versions have always been aimed at kids, with enough subtlety and intelligence that grown-ups could also be entertained.” - The Wrap

What’s it rated?

RottenTomatoes: 7.1/10

IMDB: 7.8/10

Which film will you go see first?

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