Mini Reviews
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (out Dec 15) is the best action film I've seen all year. The script won’t take home any awards but you won’t care once you’ve seen the unrelenting action sequences. My eyes were glued to the screen and my heart rate definitely increased! The film’s signature moment sees Tom Cruise scaling the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Grade: A-.
The Women On The 6th Floor (out Dec 15) is a light French drama about a wealthy guy who befriends a tight-nit group of maids who live on the floor above. I wasn't convinced by the ending but it's a nice, charming story. Grade: B+.
New Years Eve (out now) has been made in the Valentine's Day mould - a plethora of overlapping stories centred around a single day in New York City. Perhaps it was because I was recently in New York but I didn't mind this film (despite a trashing from most critics). It starts nicely and has some sweet moments. Unfortunately, the ending is a let down. Grade: B-.
Attack The Block (out now) is a cool film with a great sense of humour. A group of rebellious British teenagers (with a penchant for thieving and drug dealing) suddenly find themselves battling an alien invasion. Grade: B+.
We Have A Pope (out now) is an odd comedy/drama (don't know which) about a newly elected Pope who has suddenly developed self-esteem issues and doesn't think he's up to the job. I expected a lot more from this story and don't know what I was supposed to take away from it as the credits started to roll. Grade: C+.
Puss In Boots (out Dec 8) is good enough. It doesn't have the charm or depth of the early Shrek films but there are few solid laughs (the best of which appear in trailer). The story centres on our beloved feline's quest to find some magic beans and capture the Golden Goose. Grade: B.
Jack & Jill (out now) is terrible. I tried not judge the film before seeing it but it's as bad as the trailer looks. What was Al Pacino thinking? Why did Johnny Depp agree to make a cameo? We may never know the answers to these puzzling questions. Grade: C.
Restless is more greatness from Gus Van Sant. It's the story of two teenagers and their interest in death. It's a simple, heartfelt tale that Van Sant tells in a non-Hollywood manner. There are no unnecessary subplots or characters. It simply focuses on these two and their growing friendship. Grade: A-.
Bill Cunningham New York (out now) is an interesting documentary about one of the world's most amazing obsessive-compulsives - fashion photographer Bill Cunningham. Now in his 80s, Cunningham follows the same routine day-after-day - walking the streets of New York and taking photos for The New York Times. His dedication to his craft is scary. Grade: B+.
Immortals (out now) is a half-decent action film based on Greek mythology. Put simply, it's about a good guy (because he is always shirtless and has great abs) who battles a bad guy (because he doesn't wash his hair and has an ugly beard). The action is good but the story needed a little more. I'd also question why some of the special effects (e.g. fake blood) were so cartoonish. Grade: B-.
Arthur Christmas (out Nov 24) shares a few similarities with Santa's Apprentice (released two weeks ago). It's about a control freak Santa who must soon hand over his important responsibilities to one of his two sons. Kids seemed very distracted at my preview screening and I think this story misses the mark. Grade: C+.
