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

A Hologram For The King (out Jul 28) is a strange, unfulfilling drama about a struggling IT salesman (Tom Hanks) to travels to Saudi Arabia to complete a career-saving business deal. We're given brief glimpses into his past to help build a necessary backstory but they don't offer much. Grade: C.

Jason Bourne (out Jul 28) is the 5th film in the long-running franchise. Director Paul Greengrass uses exciting, elaborate chase sequences to compensate for the weak, not-so-interesting narrative. Many sequences will provide adrenalin to action junkies but the cyborg-like Bourne, void of any weaknesses, is becoming a tired character. Grade: B-.

Embrace of the Serpent (out Jul 28) is the first film from Colombia to be nominated at the Academy Awards for best foreign language film. It's a beautifully shot drama inspired by the travels of two explorers who befriended a group of Amazonian tribes during the early 20th Century. Providing a voice to a group of people seldom seen on the big screen, this is a must-see. Grade: A-.

Lights Out (out Jul 21) is a creative, effective horror film about a paranormal being terrorising a family. It is scared of light and so it will do whatever is necessary to make sure the lights are indeed out. Grade: B+.

Star Trek Beyond (out Jul 21) is a mixed bag. You know the characters are going to survive but the bleak scenario will still leave you asking the question - “how the hell are they going to get out this?" Unfortunately, the film weakens in the second half with a standard action finale and little character progression. Grade: B-.

Love & Friendship (out Jul 21) is based on one of Jane Austen's lesser known works. This is a delightful, entertaining comedy filled with wonderful dialogue. Some characters are manipulating, some characters are being manipulated, and some characters are powerlessly watching the manipulation unfold. Kate Beckinsale & Tom Bennett are the pick of the cast. Grade: B+.

Swiss Army Man (out Jul 14) is a peculiar drama about a man on a deserted island (Paul Dano) who befriends a flatulent corpse (Daniel Radcliffe) that washes up on the beach. It wins points for being different but it's a story that I didn't find particularly fulfilling. Grade: B-.

Sing Street (out Jul 14) is set in 1985 and follows a high school student from a poor neighbourhood in Dublin who forms a band to win the affection of a girl. This is a simple, funny, sweet, beautiful film. Directed by John Carney (Once), it's filled with great 1980s music and a bunch of new songs that I'm still humming. A movie for anyone and everyone. Grade: A.

Ghostbusters (out Jul 14) is no masterpiece but it's a still an enjoyable comedy that pays homage to the original while also creating a bunch of new characters. The biggest surprise is that the lesser known Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones outshine both Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy. Grade: B.

Our Kind of Traitor (out Jul 14) is an action thriller based on the novel by John le Carré. A British lecturer holidaying in Morocco is befriended by a Russian money launderer seeking help. Like previous le Carré adaptations, the characters act surprisingly sensibly and there’s a worthy ending that fits neatly with the lead up. Grade: B+.

Maggie's Plan (out Jul 7) is a romantic comedy starring Greta Gerwig, Ethan Hawke and Julianne Moore. It wins points for being slightly unorthodox but there's not a lot of substance to these characters and I grew tired of their quirky sensibilities. Grade: B-.