Mini Reviews
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+.
The Proposal (out Jun 18) is the death of cinema. It stars Sandra Bullock as an overbearing boss who forces her assistant (Ryan Reynolds) to marry her to avoid being deported. Every scene felt fake and the end result is yet another superficial, unrealistic romantic comedy. Kill me. Grade: C-.
Shall We Kiss? (out now) is a slow paced French romantic comedy about a friendship which transforms into a relationship after sharing an innocent kiss. I walked out after 50 minutes due to boredom. My time is more valuable than this. Grade: C.
Land Of The Lost (out now) is exactly where this film belongs. It's a silly mix of science fiction and dirty comedy. Is it meant for kids or adults? I'm not sure. It stars Will Ferrell as a scientist who travels back in time to an alternate universe and must find a way home. Avoid. Grade: C.
The Hangover (out Jun 11) is the story of four guys to go to Vegas for a buck's night. They wake up in the morning with no memory of the last 10 or so hours and have to try to piece it together. Where's the groom? Why is there a tiger in the bathroom? You never know what's going to happen next and it's a madcap ride. Grade: A-.
I Really Hate My Job (out now) is awful, awful, awful. It's getting a 2 week cinema release here in Brisbane and is out on DVD later this month. Don't see it at the cinema. Don't see it on video. It's about 5 women and their one night trying to run a small restaurant. Have I seen worse acting in a film this year? Grade: C-.
Sunshine Cleaning (out Jun 11) is the tale of two troubled sisters who, in an effort to make some cash, start their own crime scene clean up business. Apparently there's money in cleaning up after dead people. A few too many tears are shed (by the characters, not me) but it's got some nice quirks and a heartwarming tone. Grade: B+.
Terminator: Salvation (out Jun 4) is a mixed bag. The action sequences have been well shot and whilst overloaded with special effects, they still look cool on the big screen. In contrast, the storyline is weak and confusing. There are worse ways to spend two hours but this film won't be remembered as fondly as previous Terminator flicks. Grade: B-.
Is Anybody There? (out Jun 4) is an English drama about a young boy stuck living in an old folks home (because his parents run the place). He befriends an ageing magician (Michael Caine) and learns some valuable life lessons. It's a crowd pleaser but a few tears may be shed. Not enough character development for me. Grade: B-.
Katyn (out now) is a Polish film which recounts the horrific events that led to the assassination of 22,000 Polish prisoners of war during World War II. Who was responsible - the Germans or the Russians? I think I'm jaded from all the WII flicks released so far this year. Katyn is well made but didn't leave a huge emotional impact. Grade: B.
Adventureland (out now) is a coming-of-age comedy/drama from the director of Superbad. It’s about a college grad who takes a summer job at a dodgy amusement to earn much needed cash. It’s not “laugh out loud” funny. It’s more a chance to reminisce about the 1980s and the self-discoveries we make when moving beyond our teenage years. A nice film. Grade: B+.
