Alex Cann Film Column - 25/06/26 - Six Months, Six Films

It's difficult to believe that we're almost halfway through the year, but as time hurtles by, I thought we'd have a look back at the last six months, so I can recommend you six films to watch if you missed them.

Rental Family (Disney+) is a poignant look at human connection and loneliness, told from the perspective of an actor (Brendan Fraser), who takes up a role with an agency that provides people to stand in at important life occasions. Back in January, I thought its portrayal of a man just trying to put something meaningful back into the universe worked really well, It has lovely cinematography and the Tokyo blossom tree shots are stunning.

My February pick is Send Help (Disney+). A couple of outstanding jump scares, oodles of gore, and tons of laughs. Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien are marooned together on a remote island somewhere off the Thai coast, after a plane crash claims the lives of their colleagues. McAdams is Linda Liddle, who turns out to be extremely resourceful in this situation. Her awful boss, not so much.

March's choice, EPiC : Elvis Presley in Concert is a mesmerising piece of filmmaking by Baz Lurhmann, even if you're not a Presley super fan. You can rent it on Prime Video or Apple TV. It pops with colour, and you can tell the project was put together with painstaking love and respect for its subject.

The Drama was an April delight starring Robert Pattinson and Zendaya. Best watched with little knowledge of the plot, it's available on various streaming services on demand, and contains an interesting ethical question that would rock any relationship. A dinner party revelation shakes the foundations of an engaged couple's partnership, and you find yourself asking what you'd do in the situation.

A score draw in May between Obsession and The Sheep Detectives. A stylish low budget horror that wowed audiences, Obsession sees a 'one wish willow' work rather more effectively than expected, as a hopeless romantic finds himself getting an undiluted version of what he wished for, with his crush becoming entirely devoted to him alone. Chilling and stylish. The Sheep Detectives sees Hugh Jackman as a shepherd who's murdered, and his sheep turn into woolly sleuths, based on the pulpy Whodunnit novels that George read to them every night. Charming, funny, and well put together.

And I'm awarding this month's prize to Tuner (reviewed last week) and Toy Story 5. I was lucky enough to see a solo screening in IMAX, and what a marvellous addition to the franchise it is. I really liked the story, which felt relevant to the current debate swirling around kids and social media, and the multitude of Buzz Lightyear toys were also a highlight. Jessie gets a starring role, and a great new song from Taylor Swift. Some touching moments, a few laughs, and reliably great animation.

And with that, it's time for an intermission. Thank you for reading. So long, partner. To infinity, and beyond!