The top films to see this June

There’s never been any shortage of Sherlock Holmes adaptations, with 75 actors donning the famous deerstalker at the last count. This time it’s the turn of Ian McKellen, playing a long-retired Holmes coming to terms with the deterioration of his mind and remembering, in flashback, the events of a past case. Those used to the visual pyrotechnics of the Benedict Cumberbatch adaptations may be surprised (or even alienated) by the deliberate pace of this effort, which was adapted from A Slight Trick of the Mind by Mitch Cullin. But the gradually unfolding plot and the variety of performances (including Laura Linney, Roger Allam and debutant Milo Parker) is well worth the price of admission.

It’s 22 years since Jurassic Park made its dino-shaped mark on the world, accompanied by John Williams’ much-loved score. Several sequels and a lot of technological advancement later, we revisit Isla Nublar, where the scientists have created a whole new breed of dinosaur that’s much bigger and more unpredictable than any before it. What could possibly go wrong?

Subtitled “The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films”, this follows the fortunes of Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus, two maverick Israelis who shook up the movie industry and launched the careers of Jean-Claude Van Damme and Chuck Norris in the process. Although it makes no claims for the quality of Cannon’s output—which was mostly awful—this hilarious documentary is one of the funniest you’ll see all year.

Armed with a host of British stars, Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) plays a CIA analyst who lives in the shadow of her showy spy partner (Jude Law). When his mission is compromised, McCarthy’s unassuming desk-worker must step up to become a secret agent and head out into the field. Aided by her M-style helper—played by Miranda Hart—she shakes off her office shackles to defeat a frosty villain.

Even if you’ve never watched 2010’s animated hit Despicable Me, there’s been no escaping these cute little yellow fellows—and now they have their own movie. Minions Stuart, Kevin and Bob are in pursuit of a new evil overlord to serve, and when they meet the world’s first female supervillain (Sandra Bullock), they’re recruited in a bid to take over the world.