Mini Reviews
Mini Review - Elemental
Elemental (out Jun 15) is a heavy-handed Pixar animated feature about family, independence, and difference. It's centred on a fire element who falls in love with a seemingly incompatible water element. The themes are noble but everything is far too simplistic. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - You Hurt My Feelings
You Hurt My Feelings (out Jun 15) is the winner you get when combining great actors with a great script. It's about the tension between a long-married couple (Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Tobias Menzies) when one of them learns about a "white lie" told to the other. Director Nicole Holofcener has created a wonderful group of characters who illustrate both positive and negative traits. Lots to think about and laugh about. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - One Fine Morning
One Fine Morning (out Jun 8) is another winner on Mia Hansen-Løve’s resume. It's centred on a widowed mother coming to grips with two major events in her life - her father's declining health and the need to put in an affordable nursing home worthy of his final years, and her romantic connection with a married man. This is a nicely told yarn filled with reflective moments. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (out Jun 8 ) doesn't make a lot of sense but it's a big-hearted drama about an elderly man who goes on a 500km walk across the UK to visit a dying friend. A simple but effective feel-good yarn! Jim Broadbent and Penelope Wilton are both great. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Happy 50
Happy 50 (out Jun 8) is an underwhelming comedy about a group of friends who get together in a rainy French town to celebrate a 50th birthday. Jokes are limited and when they do arrive, they're dragged out longer than they need to be. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - The Endangered Generation?
The Endangered Generation? (out Jun 8) is another big-screen Aussie doco about the environment (that's 5 of them now in the past year). Again, it's a very worthy subject but this doesn't have much new material to add. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - The Boogeyman
The Boogeyman (out Jun 1) is an unadventurous horror flick about a troubled family and a nasty, paranormal being they find in the closet. Tough to get enthused. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (out Jun 1) lacks the “wow” factor of the original and is a bit too hectic at times but it’s still a fun, twisting, entertaining, above-average adventure that has something to offer from start to finish. The line between hero and villain remains blurry (that’s good) and Gwen Stacy’s character takes centre stage (that’s also good). Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Sweet As
Sweet As (out Jun 1) is a short, simple Aussie drama about four troubled teenagers who learn about photography on a week-long outback excursion. The film's heart is in the right place but we don't get to know the characters in enough depth. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Bank of Dave
Bank of Dave (out Jun 1) is a comedic tale loooooosely based on the true story of a British millionaire who tried to start a small, not-for-profit bank to service small investors and borrowers in Lancashire. It goes overboard in creating its feel-good narrative but Rory Kinnear does a nice job in the lead role. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid (out May 25) is good enough. I don’t think it’s any better than the 1989 animated original but in trying to judge on its own merits, this live-action version provides light entertainment for younger crowds. Daveed Diggs is MVP with his scene-stealing voice performance as Sebastian the sarcastic, frustrated crab. Songs are beautifully sung too. Grade: B.