Reel Deal: What to see in cinemas this month

There seems to be a common thread uniting some of the films playing in cinemas this month: many of them are adaptations of a book, comic book or TV series. If the original source material is still compelling years later, why not retell the story on the silver screen?

Here are our recommendations for what to see in June:

Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman is a film adaptation of the popular 1970s TV series about a lasso-throwing, boot-wearing heroine. Diana, an Amazonian princess (the subject of Greek legend), was trained in the ways of the warrior. When an American pilot crashes on their island and shares stories of crisis and conflict, Diana sets foot into the wider world to save humanity and realise her destiny. While the jury is still out, some viewers who attended early screenings called it the best DC film yet.

In cinemas 30 May

Neruda

The latest biopic about Pablo Neruda – the famous Chilean poet – delves into his earlier days as a politician. The film opens in 1948 in Chile, where Neruda is a senator who has just been impeached and forced into exile to avoid arrest. The film largely centres on the laughable cat-and-mouse chase involving a young policeman who attempts to trail Neruda, who seems to enjoy being pursued. However, die-hard Neruda fans shouldn’t expect a perfect retelling. Director Pablo Larraín (who also directed Jackie, about Jackie Kennedy) takes some liberties with the biographical details.

In cinemas now

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Henry Turner, the son of Will (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth (Keira Knightley), must help rescue his father from a dark curse at sea. The fifth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean saga also sees the return of Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), who helps the crew search for the Trident of Poseidon – the only way to save them all. It’s an entertaining adventure film, so long as you aren’t expecting anything stellar. As one NPR writer put it: “It is the very best fourth sequel ever made to a movie based on a 50-year-old theme park ride.”

In cinemas now

The Sense of an Ending

This British-American adaptation of Julian Barnes’ novel of the same name is a meditation on memory, regret and the circle of life. Jim Broadbent, who played Professor Slughorn in the Harry Potter movies, plays the lead role of Tony Webster, a reclusive man who receives a letter one day that forces him to confront decisions he made decades ago involving a former friend and lover.

In cinemas 1 June

Text: Emily Petsko