Mini Review - Solo: A Star Wars Story
Solo: A Star Wars Story (out May 24) sits on the Star Wars timeline somewhere between Episode III and Episode IV. We learn how Han Solo got his name, how he met Chewbacca, how he first fell in love, and how he came into possession of his coveted starship, the Millennium Falcon. This is a fun, likeable, entertaining adventure. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is the standout as a sassy, feminist robot. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Cargo
Cargo (out May 17) is an Aussie thriller about a family trying to remain inconspicuous in the outback after the country is overrun by flesh eating zombies. The film tries to freshen up the genre by introducing Indigenous characters and themes but it still feels like a movie we've already seen a few too many times. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Aurore
Aurore (out May 17) is a French film that blends comedy, drama and romance. It's the tale of a 50-year-old woman who has spent the last few decades raising a family but now finds herself alone and unsure what to do next. With a nice leading performance from Agnès Jaoui, this is a worthy character study about someone who deserves a happy ending. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Deadpool 2
Deadpool 2 (out May 16) tries hard but cannot match the sheer fun of its predecessor. The material that generated “laugh out loud” moments two years ago could only get a smile from me this time around. The story is the biggest letdown. Those characters returning from the original have nothing new to offer and Firefist isn’t an interesting “bad guy”. The lone exception is Josh Brolin who is terrific as the time-travelling Cable. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Life of the Party
Life of the Party (out May 10) is a comedy about a middle-aged mum (Melissa McCarthy) who heads back to college after a 20+ year absence to complete her degree. There's one great scene (at a restaurant) but aside from that, the jokes fall flat and the story is muddled. Grade: C.
Mini Review - Tully
Tully (out May 10) marks the third collaboration between director Jason Reitman and writer Diablo Cody (following Juno and Young Adult). It's the story of a tired, overworked, depressed mum (Charlize Theron) who finds her life reinvigorated when her brother helps hire a "night nanny". This is a worthy character study and it’s hard not to feel sympathy towards the mum and her plight. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Chappaquiddick
Chappaquiddick (out May 10) chronicles the true story of U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (Jason Clarke) and a car accident that threatened to derail his political career in 1969. The film leaves a few too many unanswered questions but it's still a compelling true story which gets you thinking about the power of politicians and how even incompetent folk can orchestrate a cover up. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Last Flag Flying
Last Flag Flying (out Apr 25) is a warm hearted drama about three U.S. Marines who reconnect for the first time in decades following a tragic event. With great dialogue between the three leads, Steve Carell, Bryan Cranston, and Laurence Fishburne, this is a film that delves into the ways we deal with grief and the importance of lifelong friends. Grade: B+.
