Mini Reviews
Blue Valentine (out Dec 26) follows the relationship of a young couple. Through flashbacks, we see how happy they once were. Things aren't the same now however and they have a young child caught in the middle. You're unlikely to leave the cinema with a smile on your face. Blue Valentine is tough going but it's a realistic portrayal of two people stuck at a crossroad. Performances excellent. Grade: A-.
The King's Speech (out Dec 26) is about King George VI and how he overcame a stuttering problem to help unite Great Britain during World War II. This interesting story is brought to the life thanks for the great performances of Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush. Excellent stuff. One of the year's best. Grade: A.
Heartbreaker (out Dec 26) is a ludicrous romantic comedy about a French guy who gets paid to seduce women so that they’ll break up with their dodgy boyfriends. Two friends help him gather info on his poor victims. I hated the leading characters and this doesn’t have a single shred of believability. Grade: C-.
Somewhere (out Dec 26) will divide audiences. It's a voyeuristic look at a big time movie star and the way in which he lives his normal life. The film lets sounds, expressions and visuals do the talking as opposed to dialogue. I thought it was great... except for the final scene. It touches on a theme I was happy to see explored - are celebrities any happier than you or me? Grade: A-.
Sarah's Key (out Dec 23) tells two stories. The first is set in 1942 and is about a young Jewish girl trying to escape the French police during WWII. The second is set in 2009 and is about a journalist who is about to move into a new French apartment with her husband. This is a beautiful film. Both stories are moving and it left me with much to reflect upon. Is the past always worth digging up? Grade: A-.
Love & Other Drugs (out Dec 16) is the story of a womanising pharmaceutical salesman (Gyllenhaal) who falls in love with a spirited girl (Hathaway) suffering from Parkinson's disease. There are too many goofy moments in this film (mostly revolving around the guy's brother) and take seriously. Is it supposed to be a comedy or a drama? Very uneven. Grade: C+.
Tron: Legacy (out Dec 16) is about a guy who gets sucked into an alternate universe (reminiscent of something from a video game) and finds his father who has been missing for 20 years. Can they escape? This film must be experienced in 3D on the big screen. The visuals, sound effects and score (from Daft Punk) are all amazing. The story and emotion needed a little work however. Grade: B+.
Megamind (out Dec 9) is about a villain who defeats the hero and takes over the city. Unfortunately, he starts to feel discontent with the lack of an adversary. This premise sounds fun but the film is not sadly. It's not even close to matching the wit and charm of The Incredibles (an awesome "behind the scenes" hero film). Megamind is simply a vehicle for Will Ferrell to use funny voices and shout a lot. Grade: C+.
Devil (out now) centres on 5 people trapped in an elevator in a high rise building. They're not all going to make it out alive. It's only 80 minutes long but this is a nicely-paced thriller. An interesting concept with a satisfying ending. Grade: B+.
I'm Still Here (out now) is a fake documentary about Joaquin Phoenix's attempt to give up acting and start a music career. It's taken too long to reach Brisbane cinemas sadly. It's like sitting through a 2 hour joke when you already known the punchline. I don't know what to take away from it. Grade: C.
Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader (out Dec 2) is the third film in the Narnia franchise. It's slow to begin and there's nothing really special about it but the movie finishes with a strong action climax (which may be unsuitable for young kids). I was surprised by the heavy religious undertones but I believe these also come through in C.S. Lewis's novel. Grade: B.
