TWO more Oscar nominated films premiere in Australia this week.
Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba star in Aaron Sorkin's directorial debut, Molly's Game.
Based on Molly Bloom's memoir, it tells the story of a young Olympic-class skier who ran the world's most exclusive high-stakes poker game for a decade before being arrested.
Also out this week is the period romance Phantom Thread. Up for six Academy Awards next month, it stars Daniel Day-Lewis as renowned London dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock.
Also out this week is the documentary Jane, featuring never-before-seen footage of Dr Jane Goodall, and Gerard Butler's latest action film Den of Thieves.
Here are this week's highlights of the big screen and why you should see them:
Phantom Thread (M)
Set in 1950s London, Reynolds Woodcock is a renowned dressmaker whose fastidious life is disrupted by a young, strong-willed woman, Alma, who becomes his muse and lover.
Why you should see it: Daniel Day-Lewis gives another committed performance but it's his co-star Vicky Krieps who will sweep you off your feet.
Molly's Game (M)
Molly Bloom, a young skier and former Olympic hopeful becomes a successful entrepreneur (and a target of an FBI investigation) when she establishes a high-stakes, international poker game.
Why you should see it: This is a solid directorial debut by acclaimed screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, featuring an intriguing story and great performances by Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba. Read the review.
Den of Thieves (M)
While planning a bank heist, a thief gets trapped between two sets of criminals.
Why you should see it: This Gerard Butler-helmed action flick has plenty of energy, but it's unlikely to be remembered as one of the better heist films.
Jane (E)
Oscar-nominated director Brett Morgan uses a trove of never-before-seen footage to tell the story of Dr Jane Goodall's early explorations and research in Tanzania, focusing on her ground-breaking field work, her relationship with her cameraman and husband Hugo van Lawick, and the chimpanzees that were the subject of her study.
Why you should see it: If you were not already aware of her invaluable work, and even if you are, this documentary shines a new light on Dr Jane Goodall thanks to more than 100 hours of never-before-seen footage from the National Geographic archives.
Continuing
I, Tonya (MA 15+)
Competitive ice skater Tonya Harding rises among the ranks at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, but her future in the sport is thrown into doubt when her ex-husband intervenes.
Why you should see it: Margot Robbie brings grace and strength to figure skating's biggest villain in her Oscar-worthy turn. Allison Janney nearly steals the show, though, as Tonya's mother LaVona. Read the review.
Sweet Country (MA 15+)
Inspired by real events, Sweet Country is a period western set in 1929 in the outback of the Northern Territory, Australia. When Aboriginal stockman Sam kills white station owner Harry March in self defence, Sam and his wife Lizzie go on the run. They are pursued across the outback, through glorious but harsh desert country.
Why you should see it: This is a harrowing film but an important one highlighting the injustices that took place on the outback frontier. The performances by the indigenous cast members, nearly all acting for the first time, are captivating. Read the review.
The Jungle Bunch (G)
Maurice may look like a penguin - but he's a real tiger inside! Raised by a tigress, he's the clumsiest Kung-Fu master ever. Along with his friends, The Jungle Bunch, he intends to maintain order and justice in the jungle, as his mother did before him.
Why you should see it: This big-screen adaptation of the animated French TV series will entertain the little ones, but it's pretty tame despite its animal cast and offers little in the way of entertainment for parents. Read the review.
The Shape of Water (MA 15+)
An other-worldly fairy tale, set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1963. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa is trapped in a life of silence and isolation. Elisa's life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda discover a secret classified experiment.
Why you should see it: There's a surprisingly tender love story at the core of this monster movie, which is deservedly getting plenty of awards attention in Hollywood. Read the review.
Swinging Safari (M)
A teenager comes of age in a small Australian town during the 1970s when a 200-ton blue whale gets washed up on a local beach.
Why you should see it: While it may not have the pathos of Priscilla, director Stephan Elliott's '70s beach romp is good fun and boasts a great cast. If you're old enough to remember the decade, then Swinging Safari will give you a serious case of nostalgia. Read the review.
The Commuter (M)
A businessman is caught up in a criminal conspiracy during his daily commute home.
Why you should see it: Despite saying he's done making action films, Liam Neeson is back in this B-grade thriller - his fourth film with director Jaume Collet-Serra. Read the review.
Maze Runner: The Death Cure (M)
Thomas leads his group of escaped Gladers on their final and most dangerous mission yet. To save their friends, they must break into the legendary Last City, a WCKD-controlled labyrinth that may turn out to be the deadliest maze of all. Anyone who makes it out alive will get answers to the questions the Gladers have been asking since they first arrived in the maze.
Why you should see it: Fans of this dystopian teen drama will be keen to find out some answers themselves in this finale to the Maze Runner saga, which has made an action star out of Dylan O'Brien. Read the review.
Darkest Hour (PG)
During the early days of World War II, Britain faces its darkest hour as the threat of invasion looms. As the seemingly unstoppable Nazi forces advance, and with the Allied army cornered on the beaches of Dunkirk, the newly-appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill must confront the ultimate choice: negotiate with Hitler and save the British people at a terrible cost or rally the nation and fight on against incredible odds.
Why you should see it: Golden Globe winner and Oscar nominee Gary Oldman is electrifying as Churchill. He may not be the first actor to portray the larger-than-life figure (following Brian Cox in last year's Churchill) but he's certainly one of the best. Read the review.
