Mini Reviews
Mini Review - The Boxtrolls
The Boxtrolls (out Sep 18) is a stop-motion animated feature from the company who also made Coraline and ParaNorman. It may be too complex for very young children but it feels "fresher" and more original than other animated features we've seen of late. A young boy is taken in by a small community of trolls who then work together to stop a nasty villain. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Sin City: A Dame To Kill For
Sin City: A Dame To Kill For (out Sep 18) is similar to the original in that it is based on a comic book, weaves three short stories together, is shot in black and white, features a big cast, and is dominated by special effects. I loved the original but this time around, the narration is overdone and the stories aren’t as captivating. Powers Boothe my pick of the cast. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - The Maze Runner
The Maze Runner (out Sep 18) can be enjoyed for two reasons. Firstly, it's a cool, intriguing mystery about some teenagers trapped in a giant maze. Who built it? Why are they there? Secondly, there's an interesting dynamic between the characters. Not all get along and it's very Lord Of The Flies-esque. Shot for just $30m, this film held my attention all the way through. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Wish I Was Here
Wish I Was Here (out Sep 18) is the latest from writer-director Zach Braff (Garden State). He plays a struggling actor trying to balance his own priorities with those of his wife, kids, brother and dying father. There are some nice father & son moments late in the film but aside, I struggled to grasp onto Braff's central character. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Planes: Fire & Rescue
Planes: Fire & Rescue (out Sep 18) sees our beloved plane Dusty (voiced by Dane Cook) take on a new career path as a firefighter. Young kids will probably be satisfied but this is a formulaic, by-the-book animated feature that won't be regarded as a Disney classic. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - We Are The Best
We Are The Best (out Sep 18) is a cool Swedish comedy/drama about three teenage girls who start a punk rock band... despite having no idea. Took me a little while to warm to the characters but once I did, I found it to be both fun and heart warming. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Step Up All In
Step Up All In (out Sep 11) brings together characters from the previous Step Up flicks for more elaborate dance sequences. Fans will probably enjoy but there's no appeal for anyone else. It's the same old stuff. Grade: C.
Mini Review - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (out Sep 11) is a no frills reboot with a predictable, seen-it-all-before storyline and a surprising lack of humour. I can't see this film reinvigorating the franchise. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - The Giver
The Giver (out Sep 11) follows in the footsteps of The Hunger Games and Divergent in that it is told from the perspective of rebellious teenagers and set in some kind of dystopian future with a super-controlling government. It explores interesting concepts (e.g. sameness) but sadly, it rushes to the finish and offers few surprises. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Into The Storm
Into The Storm (out Sep 4) is following in the footsteps of 1996's Twister. Using the hand-held footage concept, a group of tornado chasers go in search of something big. There's some tension in the later stages but the film fails to generate a single interesting character. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - What We Do In The Shadows
What We Do In The Shadows (out Sep 4) is a fake (obviously) documentary that centres on a group of vampires living in a New Zealand share house. It's a cool concept and the film features plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Grade: A-.