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

These Final Hours (out Jul 31) is the story of a young Perth guy who must decide what to do with his final 12 hours on earth (an apocalypse is nigh). There are a few credibility issues but it's nice to see an action film that asks questions (what would you do in the same situation?) Nathan Phillips a good fit in the leading role. Grade: B.

Mrs Brown's Boys D'movie (out Jul 24) is a film spin-off from the popular TV series and follows a cigarette-loving, foul-mouthed grandmother trying to save her small business from a money hungry property developer. Making some odd style choices (the film is bizarrely self aware of itself), this is a comedy absent of laughs. Grade: C-.

Hercules (out Jul 24) is a functional action flick. The story is bland, boring but there are some engaging action pieces (that aren't overdone with special effects) and some light comic relief from Ian McShane (who needed more screen time). Grade: B-.

Once My Mother (out Jul 24) is an Australian documentary that follows director Sophia Turkiewicz and her attempts to piece together her elderly mother's upbringing in Poland before she passes away. The narration is a bit heavy at times but it exposes an interesting piece of history and highlights the value of passing on stories from generation to generation. Grade: B.

Deliver Us From Evil (out Jul 24) is a standard, no frills exorcism film that doesn’t offer much in the way of scares or surprises. It may sound hard to believe but this is based on a real person and actual events. I've got my doubts though and director Scott Derrickson struggled to win me over. Grade: C+.

Still Life (out Jul 24) follows a middle-aged council employee charged with the responsibility of organising funerals when a person has died with no friends or family. This is an immensely warm-hearted drama that is dripping with poignant moments. Eddie Marsan is fantastic is the leading role. There aren’t many films that have reduced me to tears but Still Life can now be added to that short list. Grade: A.

Reaching For The Moon (out now) stars Aussie Miranda Otto and tells the story of a lengthy love affair between an American poet and a Brazilian architect. There's a curious family dynamic that's worth exploring (involving a child and another woman) but I struggled to believe the romantic connection between the two leads. Grade: B.

Venus In Fur (out Jul 17) featuring just two actors – Mathieu Amalric as a theatre director and Emmauelle Seigner as an actress trying to convince him that she’s perfect for an upcoming role. It's a curious film where you're never quite sure what's around the corner. Scenario a little tough to buy. Grade: B.

Sex Tape (out Jul 17) is a heavily padded comedy about a couple who accidentally upload a THREE hour sex tape onto the iPads of family, friends and work colleagues. Perhaps it’s just a poorly written script. Perhaps it’s just too hard to make a full length feature out of such a narrow premise. There just aren't enough good laughs. Grade: C+.

Charlie's Country (out Jul 17) follows an elderly Indigenous Australian from a far-north community who is struggling to come to grips with the interference of the "white man". It gets you thinking... but I grappled with what to take away from it. A touch slow also. Grade: B.

Words & Pictures (out Jul 17) is trying to elevate itself beyond the simple romantic drama formula and provides a rigorous debate about the value of words as opposed to pictures in society. Despite its best intentions, the dialogue is clunky and the situations feel too phoney, too manufactured. Grade: C+.