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

Cafe Society (out Oct 18) lacks the sharp, witty dialogue synonymous with other Woody Allen films. Set in the 1930s, it's Kristen Stewart who shines brightest as a secretary caught between her powerful boss (Steve Carell) and his naive nephew (Jesse Eisenberg). Too much name dropping and not enough story. Grade: C+.

Inferno (out Oct 13) is the latest adaptation of a Dan Brown novel. While his works have captivated readers, I'm not sure this film will do the same. Our hero, Robert Langdon (Hanks), has a couple of puzzles to solve but the more prevalent scenes involve him repetitively running from the authorities Jason Bourne style. To its credit, at least the villain has some thought provoking motives. Grade: C+.

Joe Cinque's Consolation (out Oct 13) brings to the screen one of Australia's most baffling crimes. Set in the 1990s, it's centered on a law student with mental health issues and suicidal tendencies. It's a story worth telling but the film doesn't offer as much insight into these characters as you might expect. Grade: B-.

Julieta (out Oct 13) is for admirers of iconic Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar and for those who enjoy a mystery fuelled by the darker elements of human nature. It's about a middle-aged mother living in Madrid who reflects on her past and why her daughter has been missing for more than a decade. Grade: A-.

The Girl on the Train (out Oct 6) is the tale of a troubled woman caught up in a murder mystery. The film offers intrigue and a few red herrings but doesn’t provide a knockout punch. Emily Blunt is the film’s strongest asset. She uses an array of tears, bloodshot eyes, and quizzical looks to illustrate her character's instability. Grade: B-.

Deepwater Horizon (out Oct 6) chronicles the worst oil rig disaster in U.S. history. It spends too much time on the introduction but once the trouble begins, it's an intense action thriller where characters face many life or death situations. With more explosions than a New Year's Eve fireworks show, this is a sound technicians dream. Grade: B+.

Wednesday, May 9 (out Sep 29) has an unusual title but it's a moving Iranian film about a man who wants to donate a substantial sum of money but can't decide on the most worthy recipient. It's hard not to feel sympathy for these desperate characters. Great performances. Grade: A-.

Life, Animated (out Sep 29) is an uplifting documentary about a young boy who endured several learning difficulties but found a way to overcome them by creatively using Disney movies. Grade: B+.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (out Sep 29) has a great cast and some cool ingredients but it just doesn't come together. The storyline is rushed with unexplained gaps in between certain events. Asa Butterfield is also unconvincing in the lead role. The dialogue is just so wooden. Grade: C+.

The Magnificent Seven (out Sep 29) is far from perfect but in a time when westerns are few and far between, it provides a nice throwback to a forgotten genre. Peter Sarsgaard plays the horrid villain and is the pick of the cast. A shame the heroes aren't more interesting and charismatic. Grade: B.

Storks (out Sep 22) is the tale of a bird looking to become boss of a leading shipping company but finds this efforts thwarted by a clumsy human. The film is overly complex in places (not sure how much kids will understand) but there are a few keynote scenes (a silent fight for example) that earn big points. Grade: B.