“My god, it’s like The Handmaid’s Tale!” says Rachel (Kathryn Hahn), looking on in horror as her husband Richard (Paul Giamatti) swipes left and right on a site for prospective egg donors. Rachel and Richard are having an incredibly tough few years – failing IVF multiple times, getting stood up by someone offering adoption, losing all their money and generally putting their relationship through the worst kind of emotional wringer. 

In short, it’s a pretty bad time for their 24-year-old step-niece Sadie (newcomer Kayli Carter) to crash in their New York apartment with her own problems – and her own role to play in Rachel and Richard’s stalled life-plans. 

Private Life sounds like plenty of other movies you’ve seen before – with a dozen other comedies labouring over middle-aged angst, infertility and the pains of growing old, but everything about Tamara Jenkins’ sensitive, smart indie gem feels unique. 

This is the same Jenkins that made the cult Slums Of Beverly Hills back in the ’90s and then didn’t return for a decade until she made 2007’s Oscar-winning The Savages. It’s taken more than another 10 years for us to see her next film, but it’s been well worth the wait – a perfect example of how Netflix Originals are slowly starting to save indie cinema.  

Private Life tells an inexplicably painful story, and the beige, florescent bulb reality of all the awkward conversations held in doctor’s offices (and all the heartbroken conversations held on the way home afterwards) will be particularly raw for anyone who’s ever been through anything like Rachel and Richard. Yet Jenkins’ wonderfully smart and funny screenplay cuts through every moment of pain and pathos with a line, a look or a flash of humour that lifts the whole film into something that feels like a welcome giggle at a funeral – with more heart-warming emotional realism than most films even try for. 

Much of the credit belongs to the three main cast members. Paul Giamatti has pretty much made a career out of playing jaded intellectuals, but he brings a sarcastic warmth to Richard that we haven’t seen since 2010’s Barney’s Version. Hahn, who usually gets the background parts in other people’s comedies as the screechy step-mom, ex-wife or best friend, is a revelation in the lead role – taking one of the most emotionally challenging roles of most people’s careers and making it look effortlessly natural. 

Another welcome surprise is Kayli Carter. Getting her first leading role after a few small parts in TV shows like Godless and Z: The Beginning Of Everything, this is the kind of turn that feels like the one to finally get her noticed. 

There’s so much more to admire in Private Life too; John Carroll Lynch as Richard’s put-upon brother-in-law; Molly Shannon as Rachel’s slightly-jealous sister; all the night-time, over-the-covers couples chats; the New York vibe that brings the script into focus with the best of Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig. But the real joy of the film is watching Jenkins tell a deeply personal story with so much genuine heart and humanity. Private Life soaks its story of love and marriage and family in so much pain you can almost taste it – but it’s all told with such a great sense of humour that ends up far more sweet then sour. 

Private Life is streaming now on Netflix.

Director James Wan took to Twitter yesterday to drop the new Aquaman poster and tease the arrival of another trailer – following it up with the film’s new tagline, “A tide is coming”. 

“A Son of the Land… A King of the Seas… He’s the Protector of the Deep” says Wan – building even more excitmement after the first trailer gave us our first glimpse of Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) in action as the baddie, along with some seriously impressive watery action set-pieces. 

Instead of a second trailer, we got an “extended look” in the shape of a five-minute mini-movie that mixes in a few whole scenes with some more glimpses of what to expect in the final cut – including some fairly lenghty fight scenes and a fair few spoilers. Warning, the following video does give away a bit more of the movie than you might like to see, but it’s definitely worth a look if you can’t wait until December 14th when the whole thing comes out.  

If you missed the first trailer (which we dutifully picked apart for you), check it out below, along with the film’s swanky new poster:

Sometimes, things don’t go to plan. A movie has hit big, or a franchise is rumbling on, and you want one of the original stars back for the next in the series. The problem? You either knocked them off in the last film, or the actor concerned isn’t available, or they just didn’t want to return. That, or you didn’t want them, but you’re too polite to say.

The solution? The photo! Have characters looking mournfully at an image of said actor, just to remind you that they were once part of that particular parish, and so everyone else can acknowledge them, and then get on with it. At least, that’s usually how it works.

Here are a few choice examples. As always, help yourself in the comments…

SPOILERS for each of the films concerned lie ahead…

Justice League – Kevin Costner

Why didn’t he appear in person?

The character was dead. And they’d already done a flashback too.

How did he appear in the film?

The mighty Costner, as you may know, made what on the surface was his sole sojourn into comic book movies with 2014’s Man Of Steel. Sure, he was barely in it really, but managed to dish out paternal advice in a suitably gruff voice, with an authoritarian air that was hard to resist.

Sadly, whilst Henry Cavill emerged from that film as Superman, Costner ended it as Deadman. That didn’t stop him filming a cameo as dead daddy from the grave dishing out advice for Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice. But just how could the mighty Costner sneak his way into the Justice League ensemble? Through the power of a photograph of the man, holding a fish. It’s a touching moment, that allows Supes to reflect on his upbringing, whilst also ponder if he fancies plaice or cod from the chip shop for his dinner…

The Bourne Legacy – Matt Damon

Why didn’t he appear in the film?

He wouldn’t do another Bourne film without Paul Greengrass. Which they then did.

How did he appear in the film?

Never let it be said that Universal wasn’t keen to have its proverbial cake and scoff it for The Bourne Legacy. Never mind that Jeremy Renner had been cast as new Treadstone alumnus Aaron Cross: for the first half hour, we’re going to talk about nothing but Jason Bourne!

As such, Jason Bourne is namechecked endlessly as The Bourne Legacy gets going, just to help settle those audience members wondering why there’s a Bourne film without a Bourne in it. We then, just to ice the cake, see a mugshot of Damon, just so that box is ticked, and those asking for a refund can be dissuaded with a flick of ‘he was in it, you just weren’t watching carefully’.

Notably, Aaron Cross’ picture didn’t appear in the subsequent Jason Bourne. Nobody seemed to mind.

Ghostbusters (2016) – Harold Ramis

Why didn’t he appear in it?

🙁

How did he appear in the film?

The makers of the most recent Ghostbusters movie – save your comments, heard ‘em all – wanted to feature the original gang in their story. As such, there were cameos for Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson. But tragically, Harold Ramis had passed away in 2014.

They still wanted to pay tribute to Ramis, though. And that’s why in the Columbia University sequence near the start of the movie, you see a bust of Ramis’ character Egon (Ramis’ son cameos in the movie later on too). That bust would, I believe, eventually be given to Ramis’ family too. A nice touch.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again – Meryl Streep

Why didn’t she appear in the film?

Well, she did in the end. But considering Streep was the headline star of the first movie, her absence – for scheduling reasons – was keenly felt.

How did she appear in the film?

In the early stages, as a photo to be yearningly looked at for maximum (and effective) emotional impact. Then, in a younger guise, as Lily James, playing the young version of the character. Then, basically as a ghost for maximum (and effective) emotional impact. Then, all logic was duly abandoned so she could join in the singalong at the end. Would have been fascinating to see Matt Damon edited into The Bourne Legacy this way, tbh.

Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull – Sean Connery and Denholm Elliott

Why didn’t they appear in the film?

Connery passed on the chance to return, having retired from acting after making The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Elliott, sadly, had passed on.

How did they appear in the film?

Just a small tribute to both, as photos on a desk. No impact on plot, nothing too much more needed. The pair of them get an affectionate nod, before the film moves on to less interesting new characters…

Transformers: The Last Knight – Shia LaBeouf

Why didn’t he appear in the film?

Well, nobody burns bridges like Shia, right? The mighty LaBeouf had made his views known on the Transformers films. Michael Bay, meanwhile, seems just the kind of guy to have a nice warm chat about how underwhelming his modern film output is, and still extend an offer of work. That’s clearly what happening, and surely, ahem, scheduling differences are the only plausible reason as to why Shia LeBeouf didn’t return.

How did he appear in the film?

NoGrudge McBay, as we bet his mates call him, used a photo of Shia LaBeouf to apparently kill his character off, and deny him any chance of a further return. It comes courtesy of an extended, compelling scene of exposition, where it’s determined that Vivian Wembley – played by Laura Haddock – is the final survivor in the Witwicky family line. A picture of Shia cements this, and the character at the heart of the first three films is tossed away in a speech by Sir Anthony Hopkins, who occasionally glances at the fat cheque in his back pocket.

Final Destination 2 – Ali Larter

Why didn’t she appear in it?

A slight cheat, this. She did, but wasn’t in the first draft. As the story goes, the original plan for the Final Destination follow-up was to bring Devon Sawa from the first movie back. For whatever reason, and there were rumours of disputes that were denied, that didn’t come to pass. Ali Larter got an invite for a brief return, though.

In David R. Ellis’ cracking horror sequel, we’re immediately introduced to a whole bunch of new meat for the grinder –  or a fresh group of mainly lovely and blissfully unaware people, depending on your latent cynicism – who are all set to become part of Death’s imaginative domino effect plan. Which certainly leaves us to wonder about the fate of the original film’s last two remaining characters for a spell (we don’t think Jack from Dawson’s Creek made it).

Only in the second act does lingering Flight 180 survivor Clear Rivers (Ali Larter) make an appearance, and by that point any hope that her fast friend from the first film might show up has already been dashed by an abrupt news report flatly stating that Alex Browning (Devon Sawa) ended up kicking the bucket off screen long before the events of this follow-up flick.

Killed by a single ironic brick, after all that dodging and diving – whaddawaytago.

Die Hard 4 – Bonnie Bedelia

Why didn’t she appear in it?

Lord knows. After the second film, the character of Holly was dropped from the franchise.

How did she appear in the film?

Well, in Die Hard With A Vengeance, rather than bringing back one of the core characters of the franchise – and let’s face it, for all its pros, Die Hard 3 was where the franchise became A Bruce Willis Vehicle – we get the sequence where Holly is talked about, but that’s it. We leave John McClane on the phone to her, seemingly trying to patch up his relationship.

By Die Hard 4.0, it’s clear he’s failed. Holly is now a quick image on a driving license, and that’s all you’re getting. As for the fan-made fifth film that bears the Die Hard name, she’s wisely nowhere near it. Holly fans can be assured that the character is likely to reappear in the upcoming prequel, McClane. But Bonnie Bedelia is unlikely, again, to get the call. The way the films have been going, there’s a sporting chance she might just change her number anyway.

Independence Day: Resurgence – Will Smith

Why doesn’t he appear in it?

Big Willy said no to this, and yes to Suicide Squad. Wicky-wicky-what-what?

How did he appear in the film?

After umming and aahing for some time over whether he wanted back for Independence Day 2, Will Smith eventually declined, leaving the filmmakers to go with the version of the film they’d mapped out without him (two versions were apparently plotted). They made sure to show their acknowledgement and respect of Smith’s character, though, by killing him off. He died in a proper movie heroic way, too, courtesy of, er, a military test going wrong. It’s certainly how I want to go.

Director Roland Emmerich was in contact with Smith about his character’s demise, and he allowed us a moment in the final cut of the film where we could all look at a picture of the mighty Willy and imagine what might have been.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom – Sir Richard Attenborough

Why doesn’t he appear in it?

Sir Richard sadly left this planet back in 2014, at the age of 90.

How does he appear?

A tribute to John Hammond, as brought to the screen by Sir Dickie, appears in Fallen Kingdom by way of a bronze bust. It’s a smart, elegant tribute to the great man. The film then quietly double bags it by having James Cromwell play basically a version of the same character, Benjamin Lockwood. If you squint and throw vinegar in your eyes (not advised, don’t sue us), then Benjamin Lockwood is actually an anagram of John Hammond. True-ish story.

Ocean’s 8 – George Clooney

Why doesn’t he appear in it?

Well, there’s no reason he should, really. Short of the fact that he played Danny Ocean, but now there’s another Ocean, they don’t need the original Ocean, otherwise there’d be two Oceans, and then the apostrophe in the title would have to go in a different place. And how could we all cope with that?

How does he appear?

To get over the double Ocean issue, the Ocean’s 8 team basically kill Clooney off. His grave appears at choice moments in the movie, and it gives his sister, played by Sandra Bullock, something to look at mournfully. Just to ice this particular cake, a picture of one of the most photographed men in the world is included as well, just in case we forgot what he looked like.

Sad news today for fans of the Avengers, as Captain America officially leaves the team for good. 

After seven years and 10 films, Chris Evans has completed his final contractual obligations on Avengers 4, and it looks like he’s not coming back again. 

Tweeting the news last night, Evans didn’t actually say he was out, but his tone – and the following outpouring of grief/support/shock/memes that followed from fans and celebrities alike – seems to strongly suggest that he’s hung up his shield for good.

“Officially wrapped on Avengers 4,” he said. “It was an emotional day to say the least. Playing this role over the last 8 years has been an honor. To everyone in front of the camera, behind the camera, and in the audience, thank you for the memories! Eternally grateful. 

Evans has talked about leaving the role before – once telling the New York Times that “you get off the train before they push you off” – and we already know that he’s not the only Avenger who’s contract might be up after Avengers 4. 

What this means for Captain America remains to be seen. Anyone who’s seen Infinity War knows that we didn’t exactly leave him in a good place last time we saw him… If Evans is leaving for good, and if Marvel decides to let him take the character with him when he goes, it could mean that we’re in for some pretty upsetting scenes in Avengers 4. Does Cap sacrifice himself to save the others? Is he the only one who goes? Can the MCU really kill off Captain America? 

Find out for sure when Avengers 4 opens on 26 April, 2019. In the meantime, let’s all cry about this together with Ryan Reynolds and The Rock: