Mini Review - The Great Lillian Hall
The Great Lillian Hall (out Jun 5) is a fictional drama about an accomplished Broadway actress who finds decades of hard work unravelling when diagnosed with a form of dementia. A few plot performances are superfluous but the performances, headlined by Jessica Lange, are terrific. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Karate Kid: Legends
Karate Kid: Legends (out Jun 5) has a script as clichéd and cheesy as anything we've seen all year. It's garbage but the film is (kind of) redeemed by a fun lead performance from newcomer Ben Wang who creates a likeable character easy to applaud. Saving the best scene for last (on the rooftop) also works in the movie's favour. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Beating Hearts
Beating Hearts (out May 29) is a 160-minute French drama which covers 20 years in the life of two lovers who meet as teenagers. Liked the first half but, in keeping the characters apart for the film's second half, my attention waned. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - The Phoenician Scheme
The Phoenician Scheme (out May 29) is the latest from Wes Anderson and stars Oscar winner Benecio del Toro as a despised, uber-wealthy entrepreneur trying to get his latest investment back on track. It's shallower than other Anderson works when it comes to emotion but I still had fun with the fast-moving, joke-filled narrative. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Bring Her Back
Bring Her Back (out May 29) is not a movie you’ll soon forget – because of both its disturbing content and its directorial brilliance. It’s centred on two siblings placed in a foster home after a tragic event. Australian brothers Danny and Michael Philippou (Talk to Me) have created a movie which induces anxiety from start to finish. The performances are fantastic and I cared deeply for the two kids. Grade: A.
Mini Review - Lilo & Stitch
Lilo & Stitch (out May 22) is a live action remake of the popular Disney animated feature from 2002 and while it won’t win awards for originality, it succeeds because of its great casting. Children should enjoy. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Universal Language
Universal Language (out May 22) contains some of the driest humour you'll see all year. It's hard to describe but I'll go with... a nutty Canadian comedy focused on unusual people and their interlocking stories. I had fun! Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning
Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (out May 17) is the 8th... and likely final movie in the franchise. The action pieces are terrific with director Christopher McQuarrie shooting them in a way which makes the stakes clear (not over-edited). I was less enamoured by the storyline - particularly the illogical villains and boringly one-sided government officials. Grade: B.