Mini Review - Rams
Rams (out Oct 29) is an Australian remake of a 2015 Icelandic film and is the tale of two estranged brothers and the goings-on at their farms in Western Australia. I think the Icelandic version did a better job fleshing out the themes and characters but I still like this story. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Never Rarely Sometimes Always
Never Rarely Sometimes Always (out Oct 29) is the story of a 17-year-old girl who, accompanied by her cousin, travels from Pennsylvania to New York to have an abortion. This is a powerful, complex, emotional drama that takes us inside the world of a scared, anxious individual. One of the year's best. Sensational performances. Grade: A.
Mini Review - The Mystery of Henri Pick
The Mystery of Henri Pick (out Oct 29) is a fun French mystery about a book critic looking into the origins of an acclaimed novel published posthumously by an unknown author. An intriguing tale. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Never Too Late
Never Too Late (out Oct 22) is a weak Australian comedy about a group of elderly men who escape from an aged care facility for the purpose of uniting one with an old love. You'd be hard pressed to find a more fake, contrived film this year. Grade: C-.
Mini Review - Honest Thief
Honest Thief (out Oct 22) is a nonsensical thriller about a bank robber who has stolen roughly $9 million across his lifetime... and then decides to turn himself in because he's fallen in love. Unfortunately, he must deal with some corrupt cops first. It's mildly entertaining (switch your brain off at the door) but I'd prefer to see star Liam Neeson in a role with more complexity. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Rebecca
Rebecca (out Oct 15) is based on Daphne du Maurier's novel and is a drama set in the late 1930s about a young married woman and the secrets her husband keeps. The 1940 adaptation won the Oscar for best picture. This one won't achieve the same level of acclaim. It feels tired, stiff and dated. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Baby Done
Baby Done (out Oct 22) is a New Zealand comedy about a woman who falls pregnant but is not yet ready for the change of lifestyle that comes with it. It's a fun idea but the story loses coherence in the second act and can't be saved by its predictable finale. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Kajillionaire
Kajillionaire (out Oct 22) is the story of a 26-year-old (Evan Rachel Wood) who has had a repressed upbringing (thanks to her dodgy parents) and is now finally starting to learn more about the world. With lots of distinctive characters and imagery, this is both strange and entertaining. Grade: B+.