Mini Reviews
Trishna (out May 10) is loosely based on Thomas Hardy’s famous novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles and focuses on a young Indian woman from a poor family who is courted by a wealthy man with unclear intentions. There are some beautiful images of India but it’s the muddled storyline that lets the film down. Some of the character's actions are strange indeed. Grade: B-.
Delicacy (out May 3) is a peculiar French romantic comedy/drama about a relationship that develops between two work colleagues. I found the whole film monotonous and I had trouble understanding the growing connection between these characters. Grade: C+.
The Lady (out Apr 19) looks at the life of Aung San Suu Kyi and her long, passionate quest to bring democracy to Burma. A few elements feel Hollywood-ised but this is still an interesting story that opened my eyes to a woman I knew very little about. Grade: B+.
Act Of Valor (out May 3) is about a group of U.S. Navy SEALS who try to rescue a kidnapped CIA agent and foil a terrorist attack. Their acting is far from perfect but I like the use of actual Navy SEALS in the cast - it makes the situation feel more believable. Grade: B.
The Five Year Engagement (out May 3) is a tedious look at two people (played by Jason Segel and Emily Blunt) and their efforts to stay together despite work pulling them in different directions. It's trying to be both a comedy and a drama... but in the end, it doesn't deliver on either count. Grade: C.
The Way (out Apr 26) is the story of a father (Martin Sheen) who takes a pilgrimage across Spain in honour his son who was killed in freak accident. It takes a while to get going but it leads up to a nice, emotional climax that may inspire you to take an adventure of your own. Grade: B+.
Cafe De Flore (out Apr 26) is a French drama that will require your full attention. Two seemingly unrelated tales are told concurrently and you'll be called upon to find the link. I wasn't that impressed by the finale but the stories themselves are interesting. Grade: B.
Wish You Were Here (out Apr 25) is an Australian film about 4 friends holidaying in Cambodia who have their world thrown upside down when one of them goes missing. The story's fragmented narrative (crossing back and forth between the current and the past) didn't work for me. It made it hard to connect with the story and these characters. Grade: B-.
The Avengers (out Apr 25) was great. No, scratch that. It was f#$%ing awesome! I don’t know how writer-director Joss Whedon squeezed so much material into the two and a half hour running time. Put simply, it’s one of the best superhero movies ever and excels in terms of three key genres – action, comedy and suspense. Grade: A.
StreetDance 2 (out now) was abominable. I've had dental appointments that were more entertaining. The acting was poor, the story was non-existent and the dance sequences do nothing to get the blood pumping. Grade: C-.
The Lucky One (out Apr 19) is a dreadful movie. You should know what to expect from a Nicholas Sparks adaptation (The Notebook, Dear John, The Last Song) but this gives new meaning to the words "contrived" and "manipulative". I'm sorry but I didn't buy it for a second. Zac Efron has talent but someone needs to help him land better roles. Grade: C-.
