Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022), directed by David Yates

There is to be an election for the leader of the magical world and a fantastic beast is required to judge which candidate is pure of heart and worthy of the role. Naturally Newt Scamander has been sent to find the beast and keep it safe, but dark wizard Grindelwald has other ideas. Far from the simple pleasures of the Harry Potter series of books and films, the Fantastic Beasts franchise went dark and complicated very quickly. A populist leader subverting the election process – what possible historical or contemporary correlations could there be? Mads Mikkelson makes a more than satisfactory replacement for Mr Depp as Grindelwald, while Richard Coyle and Callum Scott are welcome additions as the previously undisclosed brothers of Dumbledore and Scamander. But overall this third film is too long, too slow, and too dark; with not enough magical moments to lighten the load. It’s better than the second film, but not as entertaining as the first; it’s a little hard to credit that two more have been planned.

Shadow in the Cloud (2020), directed by Roseanne Liang

Set in 1943, during the war in the Pacific, Flight Officer Maude Garrett is tough, competent and smart, but that cuts little ice with a misogynistic crew that disdains and denigrates her at every turn. She is transporting a top secret and confidential package from Auckland, New Zealand, but it is never quite clear to where or with what aim – something about Samoa. A blessedly short 79 minutes, the film swings wildly between action, horror and cartoon, its absurd plot bolstered by a credible tension. Chloe Grace Moretz pants her way through the action, kicking ass as only she knows how - daintily. The film contends that the female of the species is deadlier than the male, especially when she is protecting something precious. This trite trope undermines Maude’s position as heroine in her own right, but it is notable that the only male survivors are those with some vestige of decency and compassion. It was filmed in New Zealand, which provides some lovely scenery although it makes little sense to the plot.