Mini Reviews
Mini Review - A Bigger Splash
A Bigger Splash (out Mar 24) is about four people (Ralph Fiennes, Tilda Swinton, Dakota Johnson, Matthias Schoenaerts) caught up in a messy love quadrangle on a small Italian island. Flashbacks hinder the narrative but the performances are terrific. You’re never quite sure which characters have the upper hand. Grade: B.
Mini Review - The Witch
The Witch (out Mar 17) is a creepy supernatural thriller set in the 17th Century. It's a touch slow to start but it avoids cheap scares, it's strong on character development, and it builds to an intriguing finale. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - London Has Fallen
London Has Fallen (out Mar 17) is the follow up to Olympus Has Fallen and again follows a Secret Service agent (Gerard Butler) trying to save the President of the United States. There are too many characters and the premise is farcical. A few decent action pieces are the only positive. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Zootopia
Zootopia (out Mar 17) is the latest from Walt Disney Animation Studios and is cute, entertaining and important. Set in a world full of talking animals, a rabbit named Judy yearns to become a police officer. Emphasising that a book shouldn't be judged by its cover, it's a film with something to say about discrimination, prejudices and stereotypes. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - The Daughter
The Daughter (out Mar 17) is set in a small, struggling Australian town and features a group of characters who are about to pull major skeletons from the cupboard. These characters have to suffer a heavy emotional toll and thanks to some outstanding performances, those same feelings will resonate with audiences. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - 10 Cloverfield Lane
10 Cloverfield Lane (out Mar 10) has been shrouded in secrecy with almost no details released about the plot. I think that’s part of the reason I liked the film so much. There are unexpected twists, surprising turns, and you'll have no idea what is going to happen from scene-to-scene. Will frustrate some but it held my attention throughout. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Grimsby
Grimsby (out Mar 10) is the latest from Sacha Baron Cohen. He shocks with references to paedophiles, rapists and sex offenders. He repulses with references to excrement and other bodily fluids. The jokes are distasteful and the story is weak but many will find it hard to maintain a straight face. There are laughs on offer here. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - The Lady In The Van
The Lady In The Van (out Mar 3) is a curious true story about a mysterious old woman and a writer looking for inspiration. The trailer suggests its largely comedic but there's a more serious undertone that will move audiences. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Triple 9
Triple 9 (out Mar 3) is a complex story with simplistic characters. The two don’t go together. The wife of an imprisoned mobster enlists a group of criminals to help obtain evidence that could clear his name. The film is sketchy when it comes to their backgrounds and motivations. It's lacking in tension when it needs it most. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - The Finest Hours
The Finest Hours (out Feb 25) is set in 1952 and recounts the true tale of a large oil tanker that struck trouble in a severe storm off the coast of Massachusetts. This may be a powerful true story but for some odd reason, the three-man screenwriting team have packed it with distracting, unnecessary clichés. It’s oversimplified and lacking in tension. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Pride & Prejudice & Zombies
Pride & Prejudice & Zombies (out Feb 25) sounds fun on paper but this spoof has only has a few jokes that hit the mark. Knowledge of Jane Austen's classic novel will help you get some of the more obscure references. Grade: C+.