Mini Reviews
Chinese Take-Away (out now) centres on a quiet, introverted hardware store owner who, by chance, bumps into a young Chinese man who has come to Argentina in search of his long-lost uncle. There are a few head-scratching moments but I liked these characters and the film's simple, heart-warming feel. Grade: B+.
The Expendables 2 (out Aug 30) is more of a spoof than an action film. The start is messy but I laughed a few times towards the end. A cameo from Chuck Norris steals the show. Don't get too excited though. It's a far cry from the classic action films that I remember growing up. Grade: B-.
Moonrise Kingdom (out Aug 30) is the latest from Wes Anderson (Rushmore, The Life Aquatic). It’s set on a small island and revolves around two 12-year-olds who run away from home and cause much mayhem. The finale is a little silly but for the most part, this is funny, off-beat and loveable. So many scenes will leave you with raised eyebrows and a wry smile. Grade: A-.
Hope Springs (out Aug 23) stars Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones as a married couple who seek out a counsellor to help save their struggling marriage. This is an awkward, heartfelt drama with a splash of comedy. Needed a little more depth but I still enjoyed it. Streep and Jones are terrific! Grade: B+.
Total Recall (out Aug 23) is messy. I like the film's broad concept (a world where you're not sure what is real) but Len Wiseman's direction does work. What's with all the lens flare? It gave me a headache! The same applies for the over-edited action sequences that generate no suspense. Grade: C+.
Holy Motors (out Aug 23) isn't a film. Well, not in the traditional sense. It's more of an "experience". The story takes place over a 24 hour period and follows a guy who is being driven around Paris in a limousine and has 9 tasks to complete. Whilst I’m not completely sold on the movie, I have to admire its audacity. It takes chances and isn’t afraid to step outside the boundaries of traditional cinema. Grade: B.
Bully (out Aug 23) rubbed me up the wrong way. I realise it’s an important issue but I found director Lee Hirsch’s approach too one-sided for my liking. I wanted to see the perspective from the bullies themselves and also from a school (or two) that has done something to address the problem. Grade: C+.
Bernie (out Aug 16) is an intriguing true story told by writer-director Richard Linklater as a mix between a documentary and a dark comedy. Set in a small town, everyone is talking about why a young, friendly funeral director (Jack Black) has become so close with a wealthy, elderly woman (Shirley MacLaine) who no one likes. Very interesting indeed. Grade: B+.
The Bourne Legacy (out Aug 16) has a familiarity that’s difficult to shake. We’ve got the same cover-ups and conspiracies that we saw in the earlier movies. That’s not to say the film isn’t entertaining. You can't go past the exciting, fast-paced action sequences interwoven with a credible, suspenseful plot. Grade: B+.
The Campaign (out now) is a political comedy about a hopeless congressman who keeps being re-elected unopposed. Not this time though. He's got a battle on his hands against a very unusual candidate. Sadly, I found this dumb and simplistic. I chuckled a few times at its sheer stupidity but it's a far cry from the brilliant Bulworth. Grade: C+.
Cosmopolis (out now) was pointless. I'm not sure what director David Cronenberg was trying to achieve. It stars Robert Pattinson has a billionaire who spends his day in a limousine being driven across New York City so he can get a hair cut. He interacts with many people in his journey but yeah, what was the point??? Grade: C.
