Mini Reviews
Chéri (out Jul 23) is an unorthodox love story set in 1920s Paris about an ageing courtesan (Michelle Pfeiffer) who has a fulfilling relationship with the much younger son (Rupert Friend) of a close friend. Given their age difference, can it last? UK Director Stephen Frears does a great job keeping it light, fun to watch... which makes the final scene shockingly brilliant. Best ending of the year. Grade: A-.
Last Ride (out Jul 2) is a well-paced Australian drama. A rough looking guy (Hugo Weaving) and his 10-year-old son are on the run from the authorities in the remote outback. How did they end up here? The answers are slowly revealed. What "makes the film" is the exploration of the relationship between father and son. The film's website phrases it perfectly - it's both "beautiful and harsh." Grade: A-.
Bruno (out Jul 9) is what it is. Love it or hate it, the film will generate an emotional response from you. That's all that Sacha Baron Cohen wants. Some scenes left me crying with laughter. Other scenes left me shocked, offended and questioning Cohen's motives. Is there more to this film than pure shock value? I'm not sure. And I don't care what anyone says - the whole thing is staged. Grade: B+.
Coco Avant Chanel (out now) is a biopic which looks at the early life of the acclaimed fashion designer. It was slow to start but I liked how it explored Coco’s insecurities and the odd relationship that she shared with two men. The costumes are brilliant. Grade: A-.
Hannah Montana: The Movie (out now) makes no sense whatsoever. If I had a friend who lived a secret life as one of the world's most high profile entertainers, I think I'd know. If you can get past this plot hole (and I did a few times) then it's an ok film to watch with some well-directed musical numbers. Grade: B-.
Bastardy (out now) is an Aussie documentary about Jack Charles. Charles is an actor who has appeared in many plays, television shows and movies. He has also spent many years in jail for burglary and drug use. It didn't blow me away but I found it curiously interesting. Grade: B+.
Ice Age 3: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs (out Jul 1) sees Manny, Ellie, Diego go on a journey into a lost underworld to rescue Sid from a giant dinosaur. They befriend a weasel named Buck (well voiced by Simon Pegg) who helps out along the way. It's a fun adventure that the kids should lap up. Grade: B.
Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen (out now) is a flat, tiring experience. It just goes on forever. The characters are dull and about all I can remember is watching 20,000 explosions, 500 helicopter fly-overs and 80 slow motion running sequences. Did they even write a script? Grade: C+.
Disgrace (out now) is an Australian film set in South Africa. It’s about a 53-year-old college professor who must confront himself and the reality of life is South Africa after his daughter his raped by 3 men. It’s a good film but heavy going at times. Grade: B+.
Noodle (out now) is a suspensful, feel-good flick from Israel about a flight attendant who is left to care for a small Chinese boy after his mother is deported by immigration. Can she find a way to reunite him with his mother? Nice. Grade: B+.
Year One (out Jun 18) might have been funny in the year 10,000 B.C. but not today. It's a feeble comedy starring Jack Black and Michael Cera that has 10 flat jokes for every good one. They just try too hard. Grade: C+.
