Cinema new releases for Friday 8th December including Stronger

Stronger Cinema new releases Friday 8th December

(Image credit: Scott Garfield)

Cinema new releases for Friday 8th December - our film expert Jason Best reviews the best movies coming out including Stronger

Stronger (Cinema new releases for Friday 8th December)

An Oscar-deserving Jake Gyllenhaal is sensational in this stirring true-story drama about Jeff Bauman, who lost both his legs in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and featured in an iconic photo of the attack’s aftermath that was seen around the world. It’s a heart-wrenching tale of survival but one that isn’t afraid to look messy reality in the face. ****

The Dinner

Squabbling siblings Richard Gere and Steve Coogan and their wives (Rebecca Hall, Laura Linney) meet for dinner at an absurdly swanky restaurant. Their 16-year-old sons have committed a terrible crime. What should they do? The filmmaking here is almost as fussy as the food, but the rosette-worthy cast ensures this remains a thought-provoking ethical drama. ***

Better Watch Out

A teenage babysitter (Olivia DeJonge) strives to protect her 12-year-old charge (Levi Miller) from intruders. Imagine a Home Alone where the violence gets really bloody and you’ll have an idea of what lies in store from this darkly funny festive horror-comedy. Prepare to laugh and scream. ***

Main pic: Scott Garfield

A film critic for over 25 years, Jason admits the job can occasionally be glamorous – sitting on a film festival jury in Portugal; hanging out with Baz Luhrmann at the Chateau Marmont; chatting with Sigourney Weaver about The Archers – but he mostly spends his time in darkened rooms watching films. He’s also written theatre and opera reviews, two guide books on Rome, and competed in a race for Yachting World, whose great wheeze it was to send a seasick film critic to write about his time on the ocean waves. But Jason is happiest on dry land with a classic screwball comedy or Hitchcock thriller.