Joe (16) ****

We’ve already had the McConnaissance – could Joe mark the beginning of the McCageaissance?

After all, Nicolas Cage and Matthew McConaughey have certain characteristics in common -  an iffy resume, ability to make poor choices and doubtless talent.

McConaughey has turned a dodgy career around with some terrific performances over the past three years and hopefully Joe could signal a similar turnaround for Cage.

It’s a gritty, slowburning drama, not unlike last year’s Mud, that features arguably Cage’s finest ever two hours in front of a camera. There’s none of the wide-eyed gurning we’ve seen in some of his more shambolic films in recent years.

He plays the title character in this adaptation of Larry Brown’s novel set in America’s contemporary South.
Cage shines as Joe, a hot-headed but hard-working man who makes a living killing trees yet is repected by the workers he has on his payroll.

In fact, Joe is respected and loved by many of his peers, not least because of his loyalty towards his friends and his tendency to resort to violence because of that loyalty.

It’s landed him in trouble in the past and he’s keen to stay out of bother. But when he befriends a teenage boy (the brilliant young Tye Sheridan) who’s being mistreated by his sadistic father, his protective instincts are reawakened.

The movie marks a welcome return to drama for David Gordon Green, who uses to dabble in dramas like this before turning to comedy with the fun Pineapple Express and the woeful Your Highness. And Cage has never been better.

Earth to Echo (PG) ***

Kids and aliens make a charming mixture in this family movie reminiscent of classic films like ET.

Unfortunately Earth to Echo suffers from comparisons to that movie but it should still entertain younger viewers.
The movie tells the story of three close friends who are undergoing enormous change in their lives. A road building project means their families must move away and their close friendship is threatened.

But stranger things are going on  -  the boys start receiving strange signals on their phones, and after investigating, discover that a small alien has become stranded on earth.

Can the friends come together and get him home without the authorities finding out? It doesn’t stand up to other classics of this genre but Earth to Echo will keep the kids happy.