Featured image from One Life
Browse Vera and you’ll discover the latest must-see Hollywood films along with recent chart toppers, a selection of underrated gems, quirky short films, and festival favourites. Want to know more about the actors, directors, and comedians behind them? Watch What’s on Vera, where film critic and broadcaster Jason Solomons presents the latest highlights onboard. We never edit the movies we show either, so you see them just as the director intended.
If you still can’t choose, look out for the ’Vera Loves’ label – that means we think it’s the best of the best. Travelling with kids? Don’t worry – parental locking is available on all aircraft.
A poignant story about love, family and the ghosts of our past. When Adam connects with a mysterious neighbour,
it stirs up things he had long blocked out. Soon, he’s pulled back to his childhood home, where his parents appear to be living, 30 years after they died.
Featuring a standout turn from Ben-Adir in the title role, the latest big-screen biopic tells of the man who went from
the humblest beginnings to global domination and never forgot his roots: Bob Marley.
Normally a bolted-on duo with brother Joel, Ethan Coen flies solo for this uproarious adventure which still feels like a
Coen Brothers’ movie. The plot involves two women who embark on a road trip – and cross paths with crims.
If Dune: Part One felt like a foundation-laying exercise, it was time well spent, because any scene-setting
(in short: future war over possession of a precious substance called Spice) pays off handsomely in this thrilling, immersive and visually stunning sequel.
This slow-burning, critically overlooked thriller stars McKenzie as a woman whose life working at a prison is transformed
by the arrival of a glamourous psychologist. Playing the latter (and playing against type) is Hathaway in one of her best performances in years.
In this psychological horror prequel to the classic Omen films, a young American woman is sent to Rome
to begin a life of service to the church. Soon, she encounters a darkness that causes her to question her faith, and that reveals a terrifying conspiracy to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.
The Spengler family returns to the iconic New York City firehouse. But when the discovery of an ancient artefact
unleashes an evil force, Ghostbusters new and old must join forces to save the world from a second Ice Age.
The fifth film in the Monsterverse franchise (yes, there’s a Monsterverse franchise) is the sequel to Godzilla vs Kong,
except that this time Zilla and Kong are bezzie mates and working together to stop the powerful, frost-breathing Titan.
Horror movie in which Sweeney – very much having a moment right now – is cast against type as a nun. We won’t spoil what happens
next, safe to say that she’s plunged into a nightmare when she joins a new convent, and that what follows is as creepy as it is gnarly.
Violent thriller set in an isolated Irish village, where Finbar’s life of violence catches up with him. Neeson’s on top badass form,
but Game of Thrones fans will be more excited to know that it features a rare acting appearance from Jack ‘Joffrey’ Gleeson.
One of the few foreigners ever to break into Russia’s famed Bolshoi Ballet, Joy Womack is an inspiration to millions.
As well as being a superb showcase for the talent of Ryder in the central role, this biopic is a portrait of her determination and dedication.
Death is coming. Worse than death, oblivion. Not just for our Earth, but for everyone, everywhere in every universe!
Against this ultimate destruction, the mysterious Monitor has gathered the greatest team of heroes ever assembled. But what can even the combined might of Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, the Flash, Green Lantern and hundreds of heroes from multiple Earths do to save all reality from an unstoppable antimatter Armageddon?!
Fourth instalment of the reliable animated series in which Po must find and train a new Dragon Warrior.
At the same time, a wicked sorceress plans to summon all the master villains that Po has vanquished in the past.
Impressing awards judges everywhere it’s shown, adventure-romance La Chimera is a truly global co-production –
and a real treat to boot. The story revolves around a young Brit (O’Connor) who while in Italy becomes
It’s quite some twofer when you get Luke and Liam Hemsworth in the same action movie. Add Crowe as a drone pilot,
who must help special forces operator Kinney (Liam) to safety when a job goes wrong, and you’re talking action-movie nirvana, in a can.
One of two films telling the same, rather wonderful story (the other is Michael Caine’s The Great Escaper) this has
Brosnan as Artie, a WWII vet who breaks out of his care home to attend the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Heart-warming, and then some.
This buzzy horror is based around a 1970’s TV broadcast, brilliantly realised by directors Cameron and Colin Cairns.
When things go wrong on set, a terrible evil is unleashed into the nation’s living rooms.
If you can imagine Field of Dreams except golf, you’ve got The Long Game. Based on a true story, it tells of five Mexican-American
caddies who created their own golf course in order to learn the game. And that was just the beginning of their story…
Stewart headlines this steamy thriller playing Lou, who falls in love with bodybuilder Jackie.
Their love story takes a darker turn when Jackie finds herself drawn into the criminal web of Lou’s family.
A paramedic with clairvoyant abilities is forced to confront revelations about her past. She forges a relationship
with three young women destined for powerful futures...if they can all survive a deadly present.
Two brilliant performances from Hathaway and Chastain anchor this psychological thriller about pals whose lives are shattered
by an accident. In the wake of the tragedy, guilt, suspicion and paranoia combine to unravel.
Just before WWII, Londoner Nicholas Winton helped rescue over 600 Jewish children at risk of being sent to Nazi camps.
Cutting between past and present, and featuring standout performances from Hopkins and Flynn, this is Winton’s incredible, inspiring story.
Sharon (Swank) moves mountains to help a total stranger (Ritchson) and his ill daughter. The result is superb,
affecting drama, with Swank as good as ever.
Wim Wenders’ latest takes us to Tokyo for a portrait of Hirayama, who cleans public toilets and leads a life of simplicity
and tranquility. It’s a movie with a slow, profound beauty that will creep upon you – maybe even days later.
MacDowell is great as the villainous and sadistic Big Cat in this hard-hitting crime thriller. Cash (Bloom) just wants a quiet life,
but when Big Cat comes calling, he’s forced to protect his family using any means necessary.
Comedy in the vein of The Hangover and Tag about a group of kids who invent an imaginary mate,
Ricky Stanicky, to take the blame for their mischievous misdeeds. Years later, they’re still doing it as adults...
Three kids sent to deliver a blueberry pie go on an adventure, do battle with a witch and befriend a fairy.
This was a huge hit at Cannes, and you know why? It’s quirky, funny, refreshingly original and altogether brilliant.
This remake of the Patrick Swayze classic features a pumped-up Gyllenhaal as bouncer Dalton, who gets a job cracking heads
at a lively Florida bar. Pretty soon he’s coming up against some very bad guys indeed.
Cuoco is her usual sparkling self in this comedy in which a couple, Emma and Dave, decide to spice up their marriage
with a bit of role play. However, things take a turn when Dave discovers that Emma is in fact a secret assassin for hire.
Cassel and co are back, still swashbuckling and sword-playing in a second instalment of the tale which finds them joining forces
with Milady (Green) in order to try to save Constance. En garde! (again).
The kind of rom-com you watch on Sunday afternoon when you’ve had too much vino the night before.
Upgraded finds Ana boosted to first class and meeting Will – who mistakes her for her boss. Romantic funniness ensues.
If you don’t like profanity, move along, because this true-life comedy starring Colman and Buckley as Edith and Rose,
is very sweary indeed. Both residents of a sleepy seaside town, when Edith begins to receive poison pen-letters, suspicion falls on Rose…
The last movie made by actor Cloud before his untimely death last year, Your Lucky Day revolves around
a tense hostage situation triggered by a winning lottery ticket. With $156m up for grabs, the stakes rise and so does the body count.
Jenny and Paul meet at a pub. Quickly, they fall in love. The beginnings of their relationship blossom against a world
that's falling apart - Jenny becomes radicalised; Europe moves further to the Right; martial law is in place.
Determined to not have any more kids, a dim witted dad reluctantly goes for a vasectomy.
following the reunion of estranged brothers Turlough and Lorcan following the untimely death of their mother.
Fast and frantic, this comedy follows Brian the morning after meeting Amy during a night out on the town. When he wakes up
and things seem oddly more serious between them, he realizes that life is moving much faster than he anticipated.
Mourning the death of his young daughter, a grieving father goes to extreme measures, using A.I technology
to relive their fondest memories. A story with an ominous warning to society.
This collection of dementia-friendly short films has been put together by the Women Over 50 Film Festival exclusively for Vera. The films have been reviewed by Carers UK, a UK charity making life better for carers.
Filmmaker Adeyemi Michael pays homage to his mother, Abosede Ajao, who travelled from Nigeria to England more than 30 years ago.
In this fantasy documentary he re-imagines her first immigrant experience. Wearing traditional Yoruba ceremonial attire, she rides majestically on horseback through the streets of Peckham in South London. Entitled is vibrant, joyful and colourful.
People living with dementia may find this beautifully-crafted, slow-motion film calming to watch and listen to.
The Honeys and Bears is a synchronised swimming team for people 55 and older. In this feel-good documentary, we witness the freedom
that comes from being in the water. These performers can do all kinds of things that they can’t do on land. As one member puts it, swimming with the team keeps her “92 years young.” The women move in formation to “The Nutcracker Suite” by Tchaikovsky.
If you’re living with dementia, you may recognise and enjoy this music.
In this charming animation, an older woman longs to learn how to swim but when she dips her toe in the water, she awakens creatures
deep in the ocean. Is she brave enough to take the plunge, or will she retreat to the safety of dry land? An enchanting film with no words is accompanied by “Music with No Words” by Mendelssohn.
This jaunty classical soundtrack may be familiar to people living with dementia and might get some feet tapping.
A dandelion struggles to grow from a seed but doesn't hesitate to shelter and feed a caterpillar. The new butterfly doesn't forget this love
and offers an act of support in return. The cycle of life is marked by small gestures until the circle is complete.
This animation is filled with muted natural colours and a soothing soundtrack. If you live with dementia, you may find the sights and sounds of this gentle film comforting and soothing.
Lay Me Low brings people together in music and movement. Individual voices are woven together to make one song; steps are taken in rhythm
to make one dance. This beautiful traditional Shaker lament is performed by dancers and singers. Each person expresses something different and together they create a sense of unity and belonging.
If you’re living with dementia, the gentle, rhythmic music and sounds of Lay Me Low may appeal to you.
80-year-old Sanna lives alone with her memories and houseplants. One day she looks out her window and sees something that reminds
her of her friends. Reality and memories become intertwined as a playground game of “Statues” - or “Grandma's Footsteps” - leads Sanna on a journey from childhood to old age.
People living with dementia may enjoy the “Statues” game in this film and it may spark childhood memories for some viewers.
Two dancers unite across the generations. A connection is shared between younger and older selves in this dance film from Scottish Ballet.
The dance is inspired by a specially-commissioned poem by one of Scotland's Makars (National Poets), Jackie Kay, and the poem is recited by Jackie in Scots-English.
The dreamy atmosphere surrounding the dancers and the tender music of the score create a film that people living with dementia may find relaxing and restful.
A blackbird and her family came to live in the garden of jazz singer and filmmaker Sophie Bancroft. The mother blackbird worked tirelessly to feed
and protect her babies until they were ready to fly away. This love inspired Sophie to create Old Mother Blackbird, a film about a woman who watches over the comings and goings of a blackbird through the seasons.
People living with dementia may be soothed by the gentle jazz vocals in this playful stop-motion animation.
Don't forget...
These are our recently added titles this month, you'll find plenty more movies to choose from once you're settled in onboard.
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Vera Loves
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