4 h. ago The Rip review – Ben Affleck and Matt Damon tear through flashy Netflix bro thriller

The longtime friends and colleagues add weight to Joe Carnahan’s enjoyably boisterous Friday night crowdpleaserJanuary has long been a B-movie buffet for those exhausted by prestige awards bait, a month when Gerard Butler and Jason Statham are suddenly commanding wide releases and often No 1 mini-hits. But as the former’s apocalyptic sequel Greenland 2: Migration lingers in the top five and the latter’s action romp Shelter prepares to premiere, we find two more prominent stars – Oscar winners Ben Affleck and Matt Damon – resigned to the small screen instead.In a non-Netflix world, a film like The Rip – flashy, action-heavy, led by two household names – should be available this weekend on the biggest high-format screens across the country. But then in that same world, at this particular time, it’s doubtful that a film like this would even get made, granted a budget that’s reportedly close to $100m, highly unusual for R-rated non-IP. The streamer was, in fact, so keen to get it made t...

Politics

20 h. ago 'Classic' war film with two huge Hollywood legends on BBC tonight

Fans have praised this 'top notch' war film for being ahead of its time with its action sequences and on-screen performances with Hollywood stars Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood

Events

20 h. ago 'Best film of all time' from legendary director on TV tonight

This iconic film has an all star cast and has become a huge hit, with fans praising its action scenes and "raw performances" with a legendary director behind it all.

Culture

20 h. ago Legendary director's 'best ever film' no one has head of on Film4 tonight

The film won its lead actor an Oscar nomination and has been widely praised by fans

Politics

20 h. ago David Lynch's 'best ever film' no one has heard of on Film 4 tonight

The Straight Story is a heartwarming film by legendary director David Lynch that's lesser-known but considered one of his best works, and it's on Film 4 tonight

Politics

3 d. ago ‘Absolute masterpiece’ film fans say you must watch 'at least once' is streaming

The Oscar-winning film featuring Tom Cruise is described by viewers as an 'all-time favourite'.

Sport

4 d. ago 'Greatest war film of all time' inspired by heroic true story is free to watch

A Second World War film has been hailed by fans as the "best war movie ever made" is free to stream - and it's not Saving Private Ryan.

Events

5 d. ago Superhero film with three huge stars 'worst movie of all time' on ITV tonight

With the movie name 'The Avengers'. this might make people think of the famous Marvel superhero franchise, yet it's not the same and instead a very different plot

Culture

5 d. ago ‘The whole world can think whatever they want’ – Naseem Hamed on boxing, racism and his greatest regret

Former champion on his relationship with trainer Brendan Ingle, now portrayed on film, quitting at the right time and the importance of his faithNaseem Hamed carries himself with a stately grandeur these days. Having settled his considerable bulk into a comfortable chair he pauses meaningfully. We look at each other intently and it’s hard to believe the incorrigible little “Naz fella”, the swaggering Prince Naseem who became a world champion 30 years ago and changed British boxing forever with his dazzling aptitude for fighting and showmanship, is 51 now.“This is the one thing you need to understand,” Hamed says as he remembers Brendan Ingle’s famous old gym in Sheffield. “The minute I walked through the doors of that boxing club, that was it. I saw the ring, the bags, the lines on the floor, and I was immediately obsessed. This was going to be my life. I saw boxing as a game of tag. I’m going to hit you and you can’t hit me. It took speed and accuracy and I was really good at it.” ...

Events

1 week ago How far can James Cameron’s Avatar saga go after its billion

Cameron warned that Avatars 4 and 5 might end up as novels if third instalment Fire and Ash bombed. But noise about its slow start is beginning to look like a ritual movies in the series must go through before the money pours inFor a movie saga that is, on paper at least, the world’s most popular fantasy trilogy of all time, Avatar doesn’t half have its sceptics. Maybe it’s James Cameron’s po-faced belief that he’s making the sort of films that could save planet Earth from future environmental apocalypse. Or perhaps it has simply become the kind of cultural behemoth that invites opposition merely by existing. Either way, it’s fair to say not everyone has exactly been sobbing over the idea that Fire and Ash might be the final time we get to see an Avatar film for the foreseeable future.Until recently, this had seemed like a genuine likelihood. The Hollywood trades have been filled with reports that the saga would be done and dusted if the new instalment fell short of expectations at ...

Economics

1 week ago One of the best thrillers from 'master of suspense' is on BBC tonight

Legendary director teamed up with two of the biggest stars from the golden age of Hollywood for a film that still jangles the nerves 70 years after its release

Politics

1 week ago 'Spectacular' war film will 'grab you by the heart' but fans have only days to watch

The film bagged seven Oscars, shattered box-office records, and is widely considered to be a stunning masterpiece by this legendary director — but it's leaving this streaming platform in days.

Events

2 w. ago 'Masterpiece' thriller fans call 'greatest film of all time' is now streaming

The intense drama has been described as a 'modern-day masterpiece' and an 'all-time classic' by film fans.

Sport

2 w. ago No Time for Goodbye review – well intentioned drama about the loneliness of the asylum

Journalist Don Ng’s debut feature raises interesting questions about the asylum experience – but his film is too sentimental and superficial to truly answer themThis is a film made with the best of intentions – and it has some good insights into the loneliness and isolation of seeking asylum in the UK. But there are a few too many sentimental moments to properly work as social-realism, or anything close to convincing drama, which is disappointing given its creator, Don Ng, is a journalist-turned-director making his feature debut. It’s set in London, where Bosco (a sensitive performance by Yiu-Sing Lam) has arrived from Hong Kong fleeing the government’s crackdown on political freedom, though he doesn’t really talk much about the situation back home.Bosco is sent to live with other asylum seekers on a military base while his application is processed. Some of the best scenes turn out to be gentle observations of his sense of dislocation: walking around the local corner shop, for examp...

Events

2 w. ago 'Spectacular' gangster film by legendary director on Channel 4 tonight

The film was made by a legendary director and features a host of Hollywood A-list stars

Events

3 w. ago 'Underrated' Christmas film 'gem' that brings fans 'to tears' is free to stream

A festive film has been hailed as "the classic Christmas film of all time" and it's ready to watch for free.

Sport

3 w. ago Best Christmas films of all time according to The Independent’s film writers

From heartfelt classics to offbeat gems, The Independent’s film writers share their ultimate festive watches.

Politics

3 w. ago The Bondi attack has desecrated our most joyful festival. My anger burns white hot | Jonathan Seidler

On the final night before it returns to the shelf, our hanukiah blazes. Being Jewish in Australia feels increasingly hazardousTen minutes of terror: how the Bondi mass shooting unfolded in real time – videoFollow the latest live updatesOur hanukiah is ridiculous. I love it precisely for its absurdity; a chunky, oversized piece designed by a dear friend and crafted from aircrete. It looks like a forgotten set piece from The Flintstones. In a family home that also contains challah covers, mezuzahs, kippot and Shabbat candles, our menorah is easily the most overtly Jewish thing we own. Its presence badges us immediately. Brash and proud. Up until last week, this never struck me as a problem.In my many overlapping circles of friends and collaborators, I am one of the only Jews they know. I spend a lot of time explaining our traditions to film directors, musicians, editors and producers. Why we fast on Yom Kippur. How often we observe Shabbat. How kashrut works, even though I am partial ...

Events

3 w. ago ‘You have to be ready to see it’: Abel Ferrara and Catherine Breillat on why Pasolini’s Salò is a gift that keeps giving

Pier Paolo Pasolini’s notorious film is now 50 years old, and its cavalcade of shocking cruelty and violence still leaves a stark impact on its viewers. Film-makers explain why Pasolini ‘was a saint to us’Abel Ferrara was there at the beginning. In his new memoir, Scene, the cult director describes his experience at the American premiere of Salò, the hugely controversial final film from Italian director Pier Paolo Pasolini. At the beginning of the film – at which Ferrara and company arrived with wine and cheese, given its length – there were 15 people in the audience. Once the credits rolled, there were eight. “I was standing with like six people,” Ferrara says now. “And you know, two or three of those people I still see.”When it comes to Salò, it seems that you never forget your first time. The film, which has reached its 50th anniversary in 2025, is known for its seemingly endless cavalcade of cruelty and violence, leaves a stark impact on those who come across it. “We had high ex...

Politics

3 w. ago 'A+ family entertainment' film is streaming for free just in time for Christmas

A beloved family comedy film with a dose of Christmas magic is available for free in time for the holidays

Politics