Mini Reviews
Mini Review - The Gunman
The Gunman (out Apr 16) is about a former security contractor (Sean Penn) working in Congo who is trying to escape his past. The film’s anti-capitalism messages get lost in the gunfire but this is still a satisfying action piece about one man trying to outsmart his many adversaries. Not a bad cast either. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Black Sea
Black Sea (out Apr 9) is a thriller about a group of guys who get their hands on a dodgy submarine and go in search of a long lost treasure. There are a few complex moments but things get a bit silly in the later stages. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - The Longest Ride
The Longest Ride (out Apr 9) is a Nicholas Sparks adaptation that follows two stories - (1) a young rodeo cowboy trying to win the heart of an art history student, and (2) an old man recounting the story of when he first met his wife. It’s too long and the ending doesn’t really stack up… but this will win the hearts of many with its fairy tale romance and sentimentality. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Mommy
Mommy (out Apr 9) has three leading roles - a teenager suffering from ADHD, his single mother struggling to make end's meet, and their next door neighbour who needs a purpose in life. This is a character study that is both absorbing and frustrating. The performances are terrific but I didn't know what to take away from it. Grade: B.
Mini Review - X+Y
X+Y (out Apr 9) follows a teenager battling autism who is trying to win a spot on the British team for the International Mathematical Olympiad. While the script stumbles a few times along the way, the film will be a valuable eye-opener for those new to the world of autism. Asa Butterfield is great in the leading role. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Samba
Samba (out Apr 2) is a French drama that brings together two people in need of each other. One is an immigrant from Senegal trying to avoid deportation. The other is as immigration case worker suffering from burnout. It's a eye-opening story but I struggled at times with the characters' choices. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - The Book Of Life
The Book Of Life (out Apr 2) is a strong animated feature with a Mexican flavour. It follows two young men trying to win the heart of girl and explores themes such a love, death and the afterlife. The animation is colourful & creative and the storyline should appeal to most audiences. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out Of Water
The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out Of Water (out Apr 2) provides a mix of animation and live action. I realise I'm not in the target demographic but it seems to be a very confusing storyline that involves pirates, time travel and hamburgers. To each their own. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Fast & Furious 7
Fast & Furious 7 (out Apr 2) is definitely one of the stronger films in the franchise. Jason Statham makes for a great villain and Kurt Russell is also a welcome addition to the cast. Australian director James Wan has found some great camera angles to use when shooting the action sequences. It all looks very good. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - The DUFF
The DUFF (out Apr 2) isn’t as fresh as other teen-orientated films such as Mean Girls and Easy A but it’s still a fun way of spending two hours. It's the story of an "ugly duckling" (she's not really though) who goes through a transformation to win the heart of a boy she adores. A small shame that it follows so many clichés. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Shaun The Sheep Movie
Shaun The Sheep Movie (out Mar 26) is a spin off from the popular Wallace & Gromit franchise and follows a group of curious sheep who cause a lot of mayhem. What makes this animated feature so cool is that there's no dialogue! The characters rely almost entirely on facial expressions to tell a story that is cute and easy to follow. Grade: A-.