Mini Reviews
Avatar (out Dec 17) isn't perfect but it's not far from it. The bar has been raised. This is the most spectacularly visual film ever seen on a big screen. It made me feel like a kid again. The "critic" side of my brain was switched off - I just sat back and immersed myself in this epic adventure. James Cameron, the wait has been worth it. You know how to make an action film. Grade: A.
Religulous (out now) sees comedian Bill Maher poke holes in the world's major religions. It's fun to watch such a witty guy insult so many people without them realising. He takes sarcasm to a new level. Some may not think it's fair but I side with Maher on his opinions. Grade: A-.
Broken Embraces (out Dec 17) is the latest from Spanish director Pedro Almodovar (All About My Mother, Talk To Her). A blind man must confront his past following the death of an old acquaintance. Everyone has secrets and they're about to come out into the open. I was able to predict a few too many of the plot developments but this is still a well told story. Grade: B+.
Planet 51 (out Dec 10) is a likeable kids film about an astronaut who finds himself as the "alien" after landing on a far-away planet inhabited by another race. Can he find a way home? Plenty of holes in the story but kids won't mind - it's just fun entertainment. Justin Long the pick of the voices. Grade: B.
Zombieland (out now) is a funny zom-com about two girls and two guys who travel across the States trying to outrun and outsmart a hoard of zombies. I loved the opening (especially the credits) but the film starts to lose its way through the middle stages. Thankfully, it's rescued by an awesome Bill Murray cameo and finishes on a high. Grade: B+.
The Strength Of Water (out now) is a New Zealand movie which centres on a young boy struggling to cope with the death of his twin sister. There's little-to-no tension and the supporting characters are woefully underdeveloped. Grade: C+.
Where The Wild Things Are (out Dec 3) is about a young boy named Max who runs away from home and finds himself in a fantasy world filled with emotional monsters. Max is anointed their king but it turns out being a leader isn't as easy as he thought. Director Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich) describes it not as a kid's film but rather a "movie about childhood". An apt description and we can all relate. Grade: A-.
The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls (out now) looks at the lives of Jools and Lynda Topp, a yodeling, folk singing comedy duo to come out New Zealand. This is pure, joyous entertainment. I had a smile on my face the whole time. Their songs are terrific but we also see some of the great work they've done in their roles as political activists. This is the year's best documentary. Grade: A.
Cold Souls (out now) is reminiscent of Being John Malkovich. Paul Giamatti plays himself and undergoes a revolutionary medical procedure where his "soul" is replaced with that of a Russian poet. It's all for a stage role. Unfortunately, his original soul goes missing and he ends up going to Russia to find it. It's fairly original and has my recommendation. Grade: B+.
The Informant (out Dec 3) is all wrong. Based on actual events, it tells the story of a highly paid executive who becomes an informant for the FBI - exposing his company's fraudulent activity. Matt Damon (who I usually like) was not a good choice for the leading role. It needed someone more subdued, less likeable. The final 10 mins are ok but that's it. Grade: C+.
Paranormal Activity (out Dec 3) is a legitimately scary horror flick (a rarity I know). Shot for just $150k, it centres on a couple who hear strange noises in their house at night. They buy a video camera and leave it on while they sleep to see if there's anything peculiar. Whilst I'm pretty desensitized to such things, a shiver went down my spine on more than one occasion. You must see this. Grade: A-.
