Mini Review - 47 Metres Down
47 Metres Down (out Aug 24) is the tale of two young women who go scuba diving in Mexico and find themselves trapped in a cage at the bottom of a sea floor while being circled by threatening sharks. The screenplay is contrived but the filmmakers still create tension by using the claustrophobic setting to great effect. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Maudie
Maudie (out Aug 24) is based on the life of Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis. Rushing between events a little too quickly, it recounts her struggles with rheumatoid arthritis and the fractured relationship with her husband. It's less focused on her art which is also a disappointment. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - The Dark Tower
The Dark Tower (out Aug 17) is based on the Stephen King book series and follows a boy who travels to a parallel universe to help save the planet. I can't speak for the novels but this film was dull. It rushes between events, character development is slight, and Matthew McConaughey is a weak, confusing villain. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Hampstead
Hampstead (out Aug 17) may be based on an actual events but this is a contrived story filled with superficial characters. It's the tale of a widow with financial difficulties (Diane Keaton) who befriends a homeless man (Brendan Gleeson) who lives nearby. Grade: C.
Mini Review - Annabelle: Creation
Annabelle: Creation (out Aug 10) is a tired horror-thriller that relies on familiar tricks and formulas and lacks originality. A group of girls find themselves terrorised by a creepy-looking doll with a mysterious past. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Logan Lucky
Logan Lucky (out Aug 17) marks the return of Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh after 4 year absence. In the same vein as his Ocean's Eleven franchise, this is a fun heist flick about some not-so-smart guys who try to break into the bank vault at a major US speedway. While I wish the characters relied more on skill than luck, this is still entertaining. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (out Aug 10) is a fun, cool, wild ride. The script isn't groundbreaking but the futuristic world created by director Luc Besson elevates it above other action films we've seen this year. It had my attention from start to finish. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Wind River
Wind River (out Aug 10) is a drama about an FBI agent investigating a homicide in Wyoming. The performances are fine and the setting is beautiful. That said, the screenplay is slow in places and the actions of the characters don't always ring true. Grade: B-.
