Film Review: This week’s other releases

The Wind Rises (PG)***The latest animation from Japan’s Hayao Miyazaki is a curiously poetic biopic of Jiro Horikoshi, the aviation engineer who designed many Second World War fighters, including the kamikaze plane. Gorgeously evocative visuals, lots about Horikoshi’s devoted wife, but a marked reluctance to engage too deeply with the deadly purpose of his beautiful aircraft.On general release from Friday

The Wind Rises is the newest release from Japan's Hayao Miyazaki. Picture: Contributed

Bad Neighbours (15)

***

New parents Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne have their peace shattered when a fraternity house, led by Zac Efron, moves next door. As you might expect, the neighbourhood wars spiral preposterously, but the result is often funnier than it needs to be.

On general release from Friday

Next Goal Wins (15)

***

Once drubbed 31-0 by Australia in a World Cup qualifier, American Samoa rested at the bottom of Fifa’s league for two decades until Dutchman Thomas Rongen arrived to shape a team from fitness-challenged part-timers and a kindly “fa’afafine” – a man who lives as a woman. There’s possibly more terrible football on display than even Scottish audiences can stomach, but like the team, it’s a documentary with heart.

On general release on Wednesday, and at Cineworlds Renfrew and Braehead on Friday

Before The Winter Chill (15)

***

Daniel Auteuil is distracted from his marriage to Kristin Scott Thomas by an alluring mystery girl (Leila Bekhti). Slow to ignite, but watchable if you are intrigued by elegant French living, menopausal men or arguing about denouements all the way home.

Selected release: Glasgow Film Theatre and Edinburgh Filmhouse, Friday until 22 May

A Thousand Times Good Night (15)

**

A war photographer (Juliette Binoche) finds herself torn between her dangerous job and a family fed up with waiting for her to come home. A hyperbolic melodrama which oversimplifies its issues, and features too many scenes of Binoche weeping against picturesque Irish landscapes.

Selected release: Glasgow Film Theatre until Thursday; Edinburgh Filmhouse, Friday until 15 May