See it, stream it or skip it? New movies for Canada Day long weekend

From a zany bromance to the latest movie adaptation of a John le Carré novel, the Canada Day long weekend will see a fleet of new movies turning up at the cinema.

Here's a selection of new releases along with my rating of what's a must-see while in theatres, something you can wait to stream online or one to skip entirely.

BFG

Who's it for? Fans of Roald Dahl stories and people who wish Mark Rylance had a "bigger" role.

What is it? Sophie is a headstrong, oh-so British orphan who finds herself whisked away by a three-storey tall giant, played by Bridge of Spies actor Mark Rylance (via motion-capture technology.) While it's great to see director Steven Spielberg returning to flights of fancy, the entire endeavour feels strangely artificial. Beyond the film's Uncanny Valley issues, the entire narrative (sad girl and her giant loner buddy) never quite gels. That said, Rylance's squiggly giant speak is great fun, while a royal appearance gives the story a second wind. 

See it, stream it or skip it? See it. It's mainly for the kids, but those expecting Spielberg's next great adventure will have to keep waiting. 

Swiss Army Man

Who's it for?  Fans of filmmaker Michel Gondry and Spike Jonze or the movie Amélie.

What is it? From directing duo The Daniels, Swiss Army Man is a zany bromance between a suicidal shipwreck survivor stranded on an island and a farting corpse with amazing abilities. What maintains the concept is a combination of the directing pair's hand-crafted aesthetic, a rock-solid tone and the endearing innocence of Daniel Radcliffe as Manny, the undead dude seeing life with fresh eyes.

See it, stream it or skip it? See it. The film may fall to pieces at the end, but Swiss Army Man's searing originality is a tonic for the sameness of summer cinema.

Weiner

Who's it for? Poli-sci geeks looking for a mix of War Room and Bullworth.

​What is it? Weiner is a documentary packed with things we're not supposed to see: a mayoral candidate inventing excuses for media on the fly, arguing with his wife about appearing in an ad, rehearsing apologies for press conferences. At the centre of the story is Anthony Weiner, the congressman brought down by a sexting scandal and who attempted a comeback in 2013. 

See it, stream it or skip it?  See it for the unprecedented view of inside the media firestorm as well as Weiner's own addictive personality.

Our Kind of Traitor

Who's it for? Cloak and dagger fans looking for less James Bond and more tradecraft

What is it? There is really only one reason to watch Our Kind of Traitor: Stellan Skarsgard. He plays Dima, a charismatic Russian money launderer and the Chekhov of cursing, as he scatters F-bombs across Europe. In the process, he ropes a British poetry professor (Ewan McGregor) and his wife (Naomie Harris) into a defection scheme. Director Susanna White turns the screws slowly, but ultimately Traitor lacks the murky moral grey zone that made the John le Carré novel so enticing.  

See it, stream it or skip it?  Stream it. There is some good cat-and-mouse action, but it's not worth a night out.

The Daughter

Who's it for? Indie film fans who appreciate a story with a slow-rolling boil.

What is it? Geoffrey Rush, Miranda Otto, Sam Neill and an effervescent Odessa Young star in this Aussie drama about a knotted family tree, adapted from Henrik Ibsen's The Wild Duck. A sense of dread gathers like storm clouds, but The Daughter dives deep beneath the surface with its craning camera movements and impressionistic editing style. Rush may be the big draw, but Young and Ewen Leslie (as her father) steal the show. Also, has Neill always been this good?

See, stream or skip? See it. The slow pace isn't for everyone, but The Daughter is fine dining amid a season of cinematic junk food.