Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever star in the comedy Booksmart.
Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever star in the comedy Booksmart. Annapurna Pictures

What's on the big screen this week

TWO new oddball comedies will deliver belly laughs as they hit cinema screens today.

Olivia Wilde (House, Tron) makes her directorial debut with the high school comedy Booksmart,.

Rising talents Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever prove to be a winning combination in the coming-of-age story, which follows two studious mates who decide to cram all of their teenage misadventures into just one night.

RELATED: Stunning trailer for live-action Mulan

Also out this week is the cop comedy Stuber, starring Guardians of the Galaxy's Dave Bautista as a detective who must rely on his Uber driver (Kumail Nanjiani) to pursue a suspect. 

Rounding out this week's major releases is Crawl, a storm thriller set in Florida where a young woman and her father must fight for survival in alligator-infested waters.

Here are this week's highlights of the big screen and why you should see them:


Booksmart (MA 15+)

On the eve of their high school graduation, two academic superstars and best friends suddenly realize that they should have worked less and played more. Determined never to fall short of their peers, the girls set out on a mission to cram four years of fun into one night.

Why you should see it: Olivia Wilde makes an impressive directorial debut in this coming of age comedy that turns high school graduation clichés on their head. Read the review.


Stuber (MA 15+)


Why you should see it: Kumail Nanjiani continues his great comedic run on the big screen, driving this odd-couple comedy both literally and figuratively. Read the review.


Crawl (MA 15+)

A young woman, while attempting to save her father during a hurricane, finds herself trapped in a flooding house and must fight for her life against alligators.

Why you should see it: Early reviews are promising for this alligator thriller produced by Sam Raimi.



Spider-Man: Far From Home (M)

Peter Parker decides to join his best friends on a European vacation. However, Peter's plan to leave super heroics behind for a few weeks are quickly scrapped when he begrudgingly agrees to help Nick Fury.

Why you should see it: After the large-scale action of Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man seems a little lost without Tony Stark. Read the review.


Mystify: Michael Hutchence (M)

This documentary feature paints an intimate portrait of Michael Hutchence, lead singer and songwriter of INXS, using Michael's private home movies and those of his lovers, friends, and family.

Why you should see it: A measured, personal, densely woven account of the man behind the myth. Read the review.


After (M)

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Why you should see it: This thinly-written, cliché-ridden teen romance will have you wishing for the days of the Twilight saga. Read the review.


Yesterday (M)


Why you should see it: Yes this Beatles rom com may be a little cheesy at times but it hits all the right notes thanks to its charming lead actors and a nostalgic soundtrack. Read the review.


Annabelle Comes Home (M)

Determined to keep Annabelle from wreaking more havoc, demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren bring the possessed doll to the locked artefacts room.

Why you should see it: This film may not be as scary as earlier films in the franchise, but horror fans will still enjoy it. Read the interview with Australian producer James Wan.


Toy Story 4 (G)

Woody and Buzz embark on a quest to find Woody's romantic interest, Bo Peep, and welcome a new toy, Forky, into the fold.

Why you should see it: Woody, Buzz and the gang are still going strong in their fourth film with more important messages for young movie-goers. Read the review.


The Secret Life of Pets 2 (PG)


Why you should see it: With three separate story lines converging near the end of the film, this sequel feels a little disjointed but it's still a heap of fun. Read the interview with stars Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish.


Child's Play (MA 15+)


Why you should see it: This Chucky reboot hits cinemas 21 years after the original horror film scared a generation off dolls. The modern update is that the doll is connected to the cloud.


Men in Black: International (M)


Why you should see it: Building on their undeniable chemistry first established in Thor: Ragnarok, Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson lead the charge in the new chapter of this beloved franchise. Read the review.


Rocketman (M)

A musical fantasy about how a small-town boy and shy piano prodigy became Elton John, one of the most iconic figures in pop music and culture.

Why you should see it: Hollywood seems to be on a bit of a musical biopic roll after the success of Bohemian Rhapsody, but with his vocal chops and blessing from Elton John himself, Taron Egerton is a worthy leading man. Read the review.


Aladdin (PG)


Why you should see it: Despite worries over Will Smith's half-human, half CGI Genie, feedback has been overwhelmingly positive for Disney's latest live-action remake. Read the review.

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