Mini Reviews
Lesbian Vampire Killers (out May 21) is a UK comedy that isn't as juicy and exciting as the title suggests. It reminded me of Shaun Of The Dead - the major difference being that this spoofs vampire movies instead of zombie movies. Shaun Of The Dead is a much better film but this still has some laughs. Grade: B-.
Angels & Demons (out now) is a thriller lacking in suspense. Perhaps I felt this way because I've read the book and had highish expectations. I've no issue with the casting and Ron Howard's direction but for large pieces of this flick, I felt like it was "going through the motions". Grade: B-.
Night At The Museum 2 (out May 21) has an above-average premise for a sequel. It provides an opportunity to expand the locale and the characters. I loved the Oscar The Grouch cameo. It gets too wordy at times (kids may become bored) but there was enough action to satisfy. Amy Adams the pick of the cast. Grade: B+.
Gomorrah (out May 14) is an Italian mobster film which exposes the real-life activities of the Camorrah - a long running crime organisation based in Naples. It's gritty and it's confronting. There's also a substantial body count. Grade: A-.
Observe & Report (out May 14) is a much darker comedy than you might expect. It stars Seth Rogen as a mall security guard who is trying to prove himself to a girl (Anna Faris) by apprehending a serial "flasher". Seth's character is one messed up guy and he makes you feel uncomfortable in some scenes. Bold, but not for everyone. Grade: B+.
Prey (out now) is the worst film of the year so far and one of the worst Australian films I have ever seen. It's a horror film starring Natalie Bassingthwaighte. I saw it Saturday night at 9pm at the Palace Barracks. I was the only poor soul in the cinema. How the hell did this ever get a cinema release? It doesn't even deserve to be seen on DVD. Grade: C-.
Samson & Delilah (out now) has been hailed by many critics as the best Australian film in years. I can now agree. It's a subtle, beautifully told love story about two troubled Aboriginal teenagers living in remote Australia. Let's hope it is well received at the Cannes Film Festival in a few weeks. Grade: A.
Synecdoche, New York (out now) is about a depressed theatre director (Philip Seymour Hoffman) trying to create a life defining play. Charlie Kaufman is my favourite screenwriter (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Eternal Sunshine) but this is a little too "out there" and confusing for my liking. Grade: B.
State Of Play (out May 28) is a twisting thriller about a journalist (Russell Crowe) trying to dig up dirt on a possible corporate conspiracy. The dialogue is sharp and it explores some topical issues regarding journalistic integrity. Where’s the line between being a journalist and being a cop? This is my kind of movie. Grade: A-.
Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past (out May 7) is a manipulative romantic comedy about a womanising guy who is visited by the ghost of his late uncle and is told to change his ways. Jennifer Garner is nice but that's about it. Can I ask - why is Matthew McConaughey's character portrayed so badly when the bridesmaids are just as slutty? Grade: C+.
My Year Without Sex (out May 28) is a new Australian film from Sarah Watt, the director of Look Both Ways (one of my top 10 films of 2005). It's about a family's ups and downs over the course of an eventful year. I think it's a great film filled with real characters and storylines. Grade: A-.
