Mini Review - Suburbicon
Suburbicon (out Oct 26) tries to tell two stories - one about racism in the 1950s and the other a murder-mystery in an ordinarily quiet neighbourhood. The problem is that neither story is particularly well told. This wants to be a dark comedy but the jokes are few and far between. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Ingrid Goes West
Ingrid Goes West (out Oct 26) is about a "socially challenged" woman who moves to Los Angeles so she can befriend a person she's seen on Instagram. Delving into society's addition with social media and our obsession with being noticed, this is a blistering dark comedy with an incredible leading performance from Aubrey Plaza. She is chillingly good. Grade: A.
Mini Review - Brigsby Bear
Brigsby Bear (out Oct 26) is an interesting tale about a 20-something-year-old guy who has spent his entire life in an underground bunker and must adjust to life in the "outside world" when he is released. A few parts stretch the fabric of reality but this is a cool, different, heartfelt story about a person trying to find his true calling. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - The Midwife
The Midwife (out Oct 26) is a French drama about a middle aged woman who is visited by a person from her long-forgotten past. While there are a few subplots, the interaction between these two, played by Catherine Frot and Catherine Deneuve, serves as the film's core. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Geostorm
Geostorm (out Oct 19) has some Roland Emmerich-style disaster porn mixed with a "seen it all before" action storyline that includes illogical super villains, government corruption and nice guys who save the world. Grade: C.
Mini Review - The Snowman
The Snowman (out Oct 19) follows a flawed Norwegian police detective investigating the disappearance of several women in Oslo. This screenplay has problems. Some subplots add zero value (e.g. one involving J.K. Simmons) and the lead character (played by Michael Fassbender) seems to change his mindset every 2 minutes. Disappointing. Grade: C.
Mini Review - Home Again
Home Again (out Oct 19) is a slightly unorthodox rom-com about a 40-year-old single mum who lets three young guys move into her guest house while they finish a screenplay for their film. The film struggles when it tries to create tension between the characters but aside, it's a likeable debut feature from the daughter of acclaimed filmmaker Nancy Meyers. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - The Limehouse Golem
The Limehouse Golem (out Oct 19) follows a 19th Century detective (Bill Nighy) who is investigating a number of gruesome deaths. It's not as interesting as it sounds. There are several flashbacks that add very little in terms of value. Grade: C+.
