Mini Reviews
Sucker Punch (Apr 7) is what you'd get if you mixed Mulholland Drive, Showgirls and Tomb Raider and then turned it into a music video. It's an audacious film from director Zack Snyder but it doesn't work. It's quite boring actually. Grade: C.
Just Go With It (out now) is a romantic comedy that left me with mixed feelings. Jennifer Aniston is great. Nicole Kidman is great. The kids are great. Adam Sandler is awful. The brother is awful. The story is awful. Grade: B-.
The Mechanic (out now) stars Jason Statham. This therefore makes it an action film. Not a particularly interesting one at that. Grade: C+.
The Lincoln Lawyer (out Mar 31) is about a slick lawyer (McConaughey) who finds himself defending a wealthy guy (Phillippe) accused of rape and assault. The pieces fall into place a little too neatly but there are still some decent twists. It's the cast that stands out most - what a great line up! Grade: B+.
In A Better World (out Mar 31) recently picked up the Oscar for best foreign language film. I'm not sure why. It revolves around two families, each with problems. I was on the edge of my seat during the first hour but it fizzles with a "what am I supposed to take away from that?" ending. Grade: B.
Never Let Me Go (out Mar 31) left me disturbed, puzzled, conflicted. Maybe it was the bizarre "twist" that threw me but I just didn't feel the romance between these three characters nor did I understand their actions. I've a hunch that the book (written by Kazuo Ishiguro) would a hauntingly beautiful read. A shame it doesn't come through on screen. Grade: B-.
Biutiful (out Mar 24) is the heart-breaking story of a man (Javier Bardem) who discovers he only has a few months to live. He wants to put all his affairs in order before he goes (including the future of his children) but he faces some unwanted hurdles. Nominated for best foreign language film at the Oscars, this is an emotional piece of cinema. Grade: A-.
Red Riding Hood (out Mar 24) has been trashed by most. I'm therefore classifying it as a "guilty pleasure". I realise it's not an award winning screenplay but I had fun with the premise and its characters. It's been nicely shot too. Grade: B.
Barney's Version (out Mar 24) is a simply told tale which chronicles the adventurous life of Barney Panofsky (played by Paul Giamatti). He got married three times, he produced a successful television show and he was accused of murder. It takes a while to warm up but I was moved by the final moments of this touching film. Grade: B+.
Griff The Invisible (out now) is about a shy guy who works in a call centre during the day and masquerades as a superhero by night. The film ventures into interesting territory but I hated the way it was put together. I couldn't "buy into" this fantasy and found the dialogue (particularly from the supporting cast) dreary and superficial. Grade: C.
Waiting For Superman (out Mar 24) is a documentary from Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) which shines the spotlight on the many flaws within the U.S. education system. I wished it had of focused more on superintendent Michelle Rhee and her fight against the unions (as opposed to the lottery stuff) but this is still persuasive and will generate debate. Grade: B+.
