Mini Reviews
Tabloid (out now) is a documentary about a former beauty queen who kidnapped her ex-boyfriend and used him as a sex slave for 3 days in 1977. The topic is interesting but I was hoping to hear events from a few more perspectives (e.g. such as the authorities). We only get a limited view and I’m none the wiser as to what really happened. Grade: B-.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (out Nov 17) is a complete snoozefest. This weekend, millions of people around the globe will be conned into handing over their hard earned cash to see a film with no plot, no action and no climax. Please alert your local authorities before it's too late. This is a crime in progress. Grade: C.
The Debt (out now) is a decent spy thriller that spans several decades. It begins in 1966 with three agents try to track down and arrest a Nazi war criminal. I enjoyed it for the most part but was disappointed by the far fetched ending. Grade: B.
This Is Not A Film (out Nov 17) is rather odd in that the backstory is more interesting than the film itself. It’s a very sad tale but listening to Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi talk about his life and his previous works couldn’t hold my attention all the way through. Grade: B.
Burning Man (out Nov 17) is about a young chef who sees his life spiralling out of control following the death of his wife. The film's most obvious trait is an extremely fragmented narrative. This will frustrate some filmgoers but the remainder should see this as a powerful piece of cinema. Star Matthew Goode delivers a terrific performance. Grade: B+.
Shark Night (out now) is, as expected, a trashy thriller. A group of college students find themselves stranded on an island an under attack from a group of nasty sharks. The special effects are poor and the story is likely to generate more laughs than thrills. Grade: C.
Santa's Apprentice (out Nov 10) is an odd Christmas film about a work-a-holic Santa who is having trouble handing over the reigns to the new recruit. The "old style" animation is nice but I worry about the story having much appeal for kids. The upcoming Arthur Christmas (out in 2 weeks) looks flashier and more entertaining. Grade: B-.
I Don't Know How She Does It (out now) is a write off. A film with seemingly no purpose that centres on a woman (Sarah Jessica Parker) who is trying to juggle her business life with her family life. It takes roughly 45 minutes before anything interesting to happen and the film then limps home with a rushed, pointless finale. Grade: C-.
Moneyball (out Nov 10) once again proves the value of Brad Pitt as an actor. He's not just a pretty face and he continues to pick good roles. He plays the GM of a baseball team and tries to turn their fortunes around through unconventional means. Directed by Bennett Miller (Capote), this film reeled me in very quickly with its interesting story and a surprising number of laughs. Grade: A-.
Jucy (out Nov 3) is the tale of two twenty-something women living in Brisbane who are at a crossroads in their life. I saw this at BIFF a year ago and it's nice to see it getting a cinematic release. It has a great sense of humour (some jokes left me laughing out loud) and explores a number of issues which Gen Y folk will be able to relate. Grade: A-.
Anonymous (out Nov 3) puts forward a theory that Shakespeare was never a playwright. Rather, it was another man who penned the famous works in an attempt to undermine the Queen. I didn't like this. The story jumps back and forth in time and I struggled to keep up with each character and their motives. Grade: B-.
