Welcome to the Film Pie! Brisbane based film critic Matt Toomey has reviewed thousands of movies since 1996. See what's out now, or browse the review archive.

Mini Reviews

Baywatch (out Jun 1) tries to pay homage to the original TV series while also mocking it at the same time. It's not a bad approach but the problem here is the lack of laughs. Grade: C+.

20th Century Women (out Jun 1) is an observational drama set in 1979 about a 55-year-old mother (Annette Bening) trying to connect with her 15-year-old son. Drawing from personal experiences, Mike Mills has created a remarkable film that offers tragedy, laughter and reflection. I could listen to these characters talk and watch them interact for hours. Grade: A+.

Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer (out May 25) is a slow drama about a struggling "consultant" whose world unravels due to his own incompetence. I'm a fan of Richard Gere but this is a silly story that needed more realism and complexity. Grade: C+.

Wilson (out May 25) is a confusing film that tries to blend comedy and drama in a manner that doesn't work. It's about a socially awkward man who tries to rekindle his relationship with his ex-wife and track down his adopted daughter. Grade: C.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (out May 25) is an improvement on the last film but this franchise is still looking tired. The story is mildly interesting and makes good use of fresh characters but Johnny Depp delivers the same repetitive performance. The film is far more entertaining when he's off screen. Grade: B-.

Neruda (out May 25) is set in the late 1940s and takes us inside the world of acclaimed poet/politician Pablo Neruda. The movie is part biography, part fantasy - a tribute to Neruda's own poems. Those unfamiliar with his work may be confused but others will admire it as an original biopic. Grade: B.

The Sense of an Ending (out May 25) is about a cranky old man (Jim Broadbent) who receives a strange letter which revives memories of his college years. There's early intrigue but the ending doesn't offer the "pay off" you might expect. Grade: B-.

Don't Tell (out May 18) is an Australian drama that looks at a court case that took place in 2001 and the cover-up of the sexual abuse of children in a Toowoomba school. The dialogue is a little clunky (particularly showing the side of the defence) but the performances are superb and this is a Spotlight-style story that needs to be told. Grade: B+.

John Wick: Chapter 2 (out May 18) is as good as the original... if not more so. The action scenes are stylish and well-choreographed. The laughs also provide a nice contrast with the gory violence. It's hard to imagine anyone that's a better fit for such material than Keanu Reeves. Grade: A-.

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (out May 18) is an awful supernatural drama that reminds me of rubbish such as Clash of the Titans. Arthur endlessly whines for an hour about not wanting to be a hero (despite everyone around him being slaughtered) and then magically decides to "man up" in the closing scenes. A bizarre film. Grade: C.

Viceroy's House (out May 18) is an historical drama that looks at the debate that took place behind closed doors in 1947 that led to the separation of India and Pakistan. It's a balanced film that examines numerous points of view. A romantic subplot weakens the film. Grade: B.