Three great movies to look forward to this week, reviewed by Declan Burke

The legend even jumped up on the chair to get into character.

The start of the Premier League season has Gary Lineker returning on Match of the Day on BBC One at 10.30pm tonight. 

Peacekeepers — The Irish in South Lebanon is on RTÉ One at 9.35pm on Tuesday.

There are impressive casts galore in this week's releases, which are sure to entertain. Most intriguing is the latest imagining of the classic tale of The Jungle Book ahead Andy Serkis' take on it in 2018.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (12A) opens 30 years on from the events of Return of the Jedi (1983), with the rebels, led by General Leia (Carrie Fisher), hard-pressed by the evil First Order, led by Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis), Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson). 

The first trailer for the new version of The Jungle Book is here, and it's coming from the director of Iron Man. Which is a bit weird.

If you were to go back and think of Thomas Was Alone and imagine what the developer would make next, it probably wouldn't be Volume.

Summer may be the big time for blockbuster movies but its the latter part of the year which sees the major gaming releases, gearing up for the big rush of Christmas.

A quiet Saturday in. Perfect.

Insurer Aviva has announced price hikes to its policies ranging from 5.5% to 10%, It is being reported that Paul O’Connell will sign a two-year deal with Toulon, and Irish WWE wrestler Sheamus is set to star as one of the main villains in the next Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movie.  Just some of the latest and most read stories on irishexaminer.com.

British actor Andy Serkis is in Star Wars The Force Awakens - we've heard his voice and seen the cast list and now we have a little more information.

British actor Andy Serkis is in Star Wars The Force Awakens - we've heard his voice and seen the cast list and now we have a little more information.

British actor Andy Serkis is in Star Wars The Force Awakens - we've heard his voice and seen the cast list and now we have a little more information.

Brendan O’Carroll delves into the killing of his grandfather by British forces in Who Do You Think You Are?, tomorrow on RTÉ One.

Locals are left devastaed after popular Cork pub is destroyed by fire over the weekend, Munster Rugby’s latest signing is a bit of a gas character, burn off the easter eggs with these helpful videos, man crashes car and runs through a toy shop naked, and more. These are some of the latest and most read news on irishexaminer.com this lunchtime.

Cork City is set for €500m in developments to rejuvenate the city, overcrowded classrooms are a priority for primary school teachers at the INTO union conference, Brendan Rodgers insists there was no ’crisis meeting’ between Liverpool’s players and Colman Garrihy asks, why can’t we speak our native language? These are some of the latest and most read news on irishexaminer.com this lunchtime.

Check out our spoiler-free guide to what to watch tonight.

Andy Serkis is so glad he didn't have to wear a latex mask to portray Caesar in the 'Planet of the Apes' franchise.

Hobbit stars past and present were reunited on the green carpet for the world premiere of the final film, The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies.

Thursday: The Fall BBC Two, 9pm

Benedict Cumberbatch is to voice the role of Shere Khan in 'Jungle Book: Origins'.

Benedict Cumberbatch will get to flash his fangs when he voices villainous tiger Shere Khan in Andy Serkis’ Jungle Book: Origins movie.

Kate Winslet, Andy Serkis and Chris Pratt are just some of the stars who have taken part in a video chain letter where they grill each other with burning questions.

Bill Murray will voice Baloo the bear in 'The Jungle Book'.

Check out our spoiler-free guide to what’s good to watch on the box today.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes ****

Andy Serkis brings his Gollum experience to Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes, writes Susan Griffin.

The cast of 'Star Wars: Episode VII' are reportedly "livid" with film makers over Harrison Ford's injuries.

'12 Years a Slave' star Lupita Nyong'o and 'Game of Thrones' warrior Gwendoline Christie have been announced as the latest additions to the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII.

Domhnall Gleeson is still "coming to terms" with being cast in 'Star Wars Episode VII'.

In what must be a childhood dream come true, Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson has been announced as one of the stars that will join with the original Star Wars cast for the latest movie in the blockbuster franchise.

Months of speculation concerning 'Star Wars', one of the most successful film franchises of all time, has ended as the cast for the latest instalment was announced.

James Franco is set to appear in 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes'.

Andy Serkis says his adaptation of 'The Jungle Book' doesn't "shy away from darkness".

An extra long trailer for 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' (smorg) has been released.

This week's reviews in brief