Mini Review - Onward
Onward (out Mar 26) is bizarre. It's the story of two elves who botch a magic spell designed to bring their late father back to life. Instead, only the “bottom half” of their dad regenerates and they’re forced to interact with a confused pair of legs that cannot see or hear them. A few tears may be shed during the climax but it's an odd narrative that doesn't flow from scene-to-scene. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Romantic Road
Romantic Road (out Mar 26) is a documentary that follows a long married couple who use a 1930s Rolls Royce to go on a 6 month road trip across India. They're nice people but the film is light when it comes to significant, interesting content. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - The Current War
The Current War (out Mar 19) recounts the rivalry between Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse and Nikola Tesla as they battled to bring electric power to U.S. consumers. The film rushes through the interesting detail and goes off on some bizarre tangents (e.g. the first guy sentenced to death by electric chair). Disappointing. Grade: C.
Mini Review - Honey Boy
Honey Boy (out Mar 12) is written by actor Shia LaBeouf and is loosely based on his childhood and the fractured relationship he shared with his father. The scenes shared between LaBeouf (who plays the dad) and youngster Noah Jupe are excellent. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Bloodshot
Bloodshot (out Mar 12) stars Vin Diesel as a man given ability to regenerate when injury (hence, he cannot be killed). In a genre where Marvel and DC have shown us what's possible in terms of creativity, this comes across as a tired, uninspired superhero flick. Attempts at humour are also weak. Grade: C.
Mini Review - Military Wives
Military Wives (out Mar 12) is loosely based on a true story and is about two British women who start a small choir for women looking to keep occupied while their military spouses/boyfriends were away on overseas deployment. The film relies far too heavily on predictable clichés but there's a more dramatic layer in the second half that leaves an emotional mark. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - In Fabric
In Fabric (out Mar 12) is a bizarre horror film about a woman who buys a red dress from a weird department store and then finds it trying to kill her (yes, you heard that right). From the unusual opening credits... to the distinctive music score... to the masturbating sales guy, this is strange stuff. Part of me wishes it was even stranger. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Happy New Year, Colin Burstead
Happy New Year, Colin Burstead (out Mar 12) follows a dysfunctional family that reluctantly come together for a New Years Eve celebration. There are too many characters and it lacks a big climax but there's still amusement in watching these characters air their many grievances. Grade: B-.