PLANNING ON HEADING out to the cinema this weekend?

There are a few new movies out, but which is a must-watch, and are there any you should avoid?

We take a look.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2

What we know

The sequel to the hugely successful Guardians of the Galaxy movie is out – and this time sees the gang try to figure out if they’ve really found Peter Quill’s real father.

What the critics say

• “Be careful what you wish for. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 can’t match the sneak-attack surprise of its predecessor. You can only do that once. The good news, however, is that the followup, while taking on some CGI bloat and sequel slickness, hasn’t lost its love for inspired lunacy.” – Rolling Stone
• “ If you liked 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy, you’ll probably like this one, since it is, with the exception of its plot and the freedom afforded by not having to introduce a main cast, essentially the same film.” – Polygon

What’s it rated?

• RottenTomatoes: 7.1/10
• IMDB: 8.6/10

Lady Macbeth

What we know

No, it’s not based on the Shakespearean play. Instead, this is based on a novella by Nikolai Leskov, Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District. It’s about a young woman sold into marriage who turns to adultery and murder.

What the critics say

• “ Fully realizing the promise of earlier, smaller parts, the British actress [Florence Pugh] impresses with precocious poise, sensuality and venom in a still-waters role just about worthy of the film’s eponymous inspiration. Though the film’s austere outlook compromises its commercial appeal to the Masterpiece Theater crowd, it has the makings of a more rarefied arthouse conversation piece.” – Variety
• “Much of the power of this punishingly austere picture comes from then 19-year-old Florence Pugh’s arresting performance. Her transition from reluctant bride to cunning psychotic may owe as much to penny dreadfuldom as Anna’s overly convenient mutism, but Katherine’s self-possessed defiance towards Alexander and saturnine father-in-law Boris (Christopher Fairbank) is as natural as her delight in the moors and her emancipatory lust for Sebastian.” – Empire

What’s it rated?

• RottenTomatoes: 7.4/10
• IMDB: 7.1

The Promise

What we know

Directed by Terry George, this looks at the Armenian genocide through the eyes of a medical student and a journalist. Stars Christian Bale, Oscar Isaac and Angela Sarafyan.

What the critics say

• “Weighed down by the worthiness of its intentions, “The Promise” is a big, barren wartime romance that approaches the Armenian genocide with too much calculation and not nearly enough heat.” – New York Times
• “ Aiming to do for the 1915 Armenian Genocide what “Doctor Zhivago” did for the Russian Revolution, this sweeping romantic epic dramatizes a dark chapter in history so often denied and so seldom depicted onscreen — and yet, the events being considered deserve better than a sloggy melodrama in which the tragedy of a people is forced to take a back seat to a not especially compelling love triangle.” – Variety

What’s it rated?

• RottenTomatoes: 5.7/10
• IMDB: 5.8/10

Which one would you go see first?

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