Mini Reviews
Mini Review - Funny People
Funny People (out Sep 10) is the new film from Judd Apatow, director of Knocked Up and The Forty-Year-Old Virgin. It's about a famous comedic movie star (Adam Sandler) who finds out that he's dying and decides to return to stand up comedy. Apatow is trying something darker here but at 146 minutes, a lot of scenes felt unnecessary. Mildly funny with good performances. Grade: B.
Mini Review - The Girlfriend Experience
Mini Review - Up
Up (out now) is the new Disney Pixar animated film. It's the story of a elderly, widowed man who rediscovers his passion for life by going on an epic adventure with an 8-year-old boy scout. It's beautifully made, looks great in 3-D, and has some touching moments (such as the opening montage). Accessible to people of any age. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Aliens In The Attic
Mini Review - Blessed
Blessed (out Sep 10) is a film which explores the different relationships that children have with their mothers. The first half focuses on the siblings and the second half focuses on the adults. I didn't know where it was going in the early stages but the ending is quite emotional and features a great performance from Aussie actress Frances O'Connor. A memorable film score also. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Three Blind Mice
Three Blind Mice (out now) is written and directed by Matthew Newton and tells the story of three Australian naval officers who are having one big night before they're sent off to the Persian Gulf. The ending is a bit of let down but there are some great conversations and some nice cameos from a few notable Aussie stars. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - The Young Victoria
The Young Victoria (out now) is disappointing. I usually like period piece movies but this tale of Queen Victoria and the early part of her reign in the mid-19th Century is dead boring. The characters are stereotypes and I've seen this type of story too many times before. Nothing new. Give it a miss. Emily Blunt is no good either. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Fighting
Mini Review - Taking Woodstock
Taking Woodstock (out now) focuses on an ordinary guy who played a small part in creating the infamous music festival in 1969. It's not a history lesson. It's more a journey of self-discovery. The characters were a little dull and some supporting characters are underdeveloped but I liked the overall feel. I even felt a little trippy. I'm going to lie down now. Grade: B.
Mini Review - The Soloist
The Soloist (out Sep 3) is about a New York City journalist (Robert Downey Jr) who tries to help a schziophrenic homeless guy who plays beautiful violin music (Jamie Foxx). I didn't hate this movie but I struggled to "get" the message. I don't know if I liked Jamie Foxx in the lead role either. Hmmmmm, yeah, not good enough. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Charlie & Boots
Charlie & Boots (out Sep 3) is a surprising decent flick about a father and son who go on a road trip from Melbourne to Cape York to sort out their differences. It stars Paul Hogan and Shane Jacobson and is being released, coincidentally enough, the week before Father's Day. You get to see some small Aussie towns and have a few laughs. Grade: B+.