Mini Review - Two is a Family
Two is a Family (out Jun 28) is a French film about a womanizing man forced to change his ways after he loses his job and learns that he's a father. Parts are likeable (the young girl is great) but most of it feels silly and phony (starting with the film stunt stuff right up to the odd forced ending). Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Adrift
Adrift (out Jun 28) follows a young woman and her new boyfriend who become stranded at sea after their yacht is damaged by a vicious storm. It’s hard to be too critical given this is based on actual people and events but there’s a contrived nature to certain plot points which makes the story difficult to fully invest in. Kudos to Shailene Woodley for a strong leading performance. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Ideal Home
Ideal Home (out Jun 21) is the story of two gay men, one a cooking show host and the other his producer, who are asked to care for a young boy after his father is incarcerated. The ending doesn't fit but the rest is outstanding. There are one-liners aplenty from the two fantastic leads - Steve Coogan and Paul Rudd. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (out Jun 21) has some cool escape sequences (particularly the stuff involving lava) but for the most part, this is a tired looking movie with a lacklustre plot. They one-note villains have ideas so dumb and clichéd that they belong in a Scooby Doo cartoon. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Brother's Nest
Brother's Nest (out Jun 21) is the latest collaboration between Shane and Clayton Jacobson (Kenny) and is the tale of two brothers who, motivated by money, plan an unthinkable crime. This is a dark, warped comedy. The first half is a little sluggish but the change of tone and arrival of new characters in the second half create an intense conclusion. Grade: B.
Mini Review - The Leisure Seeker
The Leisure Seeker (out Jun 14) follows a long-married couple who go on one final road trip in their rundown camper van. It begins as a warmhearted comedy but the erratic, over-the-top actions by Helen Mirren in the later stages lessen the film's impact. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Upgrade
Upgrade (out Jun 14) is a surprising and interesting thriller about a man who uses cutting-edge technology to enhance his physical abilities and go in search of his wife's killer. The acting is a little sub-par in places but star Logan Marshall-Green makes for a compelling hero. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Disobedience
Disobedience (out Jun 14) is the tale of woman who travels from the US to the UK for her father's funeral and must deal with a group of argumentative people she has long despised. The film has something to say about organised religion but it's sluggish in places and slow to get to the point. Grade: B-.
