The Two Popes, Playing with Fire review: Richard Wilkins' breaks down this week's releases

December 12, 2019 - 1.48am

It is Thursday, which means it's movie day. There are four fresh films in cinemas today; there are more than a couple offerings for the littles ones and a strong contender for the adults. Let's get into it.

The Two Popes

First up, this is one of the best films of the year and stars two of the finest actors around; Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce. Hopkins plays Pope Benedict the 16^th, a pope who is planning to do something no Pope has done in hundreds of years, retire. He wants to call it quits as the head of the Catholic Church.

Pryce plays his heir apparent, an Argentinean Cardinal who would go on a year later to become Pope Francis. The plot revolves around actual events that occurred in 2012 and whilst the relationship between the two is etched in reality, the conversation is anything but.

The film hits cinemas today and will be available to stream next Friday on Netflix.

The Two Popes – 4 stars

It's one of the best films of the year! Supplied

Playmobil: The Movie

This movie is based on the German clicky-figurines and aspires to the heights of The Lego Movies…sadly, it falls perilously short.

Adam Lambert and Daniel Radcliffe prop up in the voice cast. The really little ones may like it, but don't expect any laughs on any kind of adult level, like Toy Story. It's not nearly as good.

Playmobil: The Movie – 2 stars

The Queen's Corgi

Again, this one has a terrific voice cast headed by Julie Walters. The plot revolves around the relationship between Her Majesty and her precious pooches.

Her favourite, Rex falls foul of Mittsy, who arrives at Buckingham Palace along with President Trump and the First Lady.

I really can't say anything nice about this. It is corny in the extreme and has little to crow about, it's a bit of a dog.

The Queen's Corgi - 1 star

The movie is a bit of a dog's breakfast. Supplied

Playing With Fire

And finally, the latest from John Cena, that hunk with the bulging biceps.

He rescues three kids from a burning house and lets them stay with him and his rapidly-reducing team at the fire station.

There are toys everywhere, bouncy houses everywhere. It's cornball, slapstick, schmaltz…all of the qualities that make it a contender for a fun family film.