The Tameside Radio presenter and movie fanatic reviews Vengeance and The Woman King, which are currently out in the cinemas.

A couple of enjoyable films to mention this week. Vengeance is not sticking around for the weekend, but is worth catching nonetheless, as a radio presenter from New York turns into a true crime podcaster, as he delves into the death of one of his many hook-ups. He's care free, lives life to the full, and clearly gets a surprise when in bed with another conquest to learn of Abbi's passing.

Her brother cajoles him into attending the funeral, as the family believe the couple were far more serious than the reality. It doesn't prove difficult on this basis towin their trust, and record them as they go about their lives. As well as investigating this case, which the family is convinced has more to it than meets the eye, the film also has a lot to say about modern day America in general, particularly the effects of social media, conspiracy theories around the 'deep state' and anti-vaxx nonsense, along with gun culture.

I really liked the stark cinematography, the richly drawn characters, and the humour peppered through the script ("how do you take your coffee?" "In the mouth" was a highlight). Ashton Kutcher was a highlight as a philosophical, yet enigmatic record producer, and there were enough twists in the tale to keep things interesting.. It certainly provided an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours.

The Woman King is a cinematic masterpiece in terms of its screenplay, and well worth seeing on the big screen. It had a budget of a whopping 50 million dollars, and is a tale of powerful black female warriors in the 19th century, led by the mighty Viola Davis. They take on men who underestimate them, battle against white slavers, and urge the king (John Boyega) to sell more of his resources rather than his people. 

It was nice to see a movie of this scale and ambition that wasn't part of a superhero series. Viola Davis, who was exceptional in 2016's Fences, has spoken of her hope that she can be part of changing the way in which black women are seen, remarking: "What is in my power to change is to show people that we are more than the stamp that people have put on dark-skinned women". She certainly succeeds in this film, with bells on. It's a tale of empowerment, social change, and overcoming the seemingly impossible. I loved it. My only quibble was the rather superfluous romantic sub-plot, which perhaps could have been left on the cutting room floor.

I've got a busy film week coming up, with the Lost King, Don't Worry Darling, Amsterdam, Halloween and Decision To Leave all booked between now and next week. I may even find time to watch Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, which my nephew is very keen to watch during the half term holidays! Happy film watching, and let me know if you see something good - it's alex.cann@questmedianetwork.co.uk to drop me an e-mail.

You can listen to Alex every weekday from 7am to 11am and on the 'Super Scoreboard' show on Saturdays from 3pm to 7pm, on Tameside Radio 103.6FM. 

Read more from the Tameside Reporter

Click here for more of the latest news

Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online

Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper