Welcome to the Film Pie! Brisbane based film critic Matt Toomey has reviewed thousands of movies since 1996. See what's out now, or browse the review archive.

Mini Reviews

The Cave (out Aug 19) is a weak, poorly acted drama that tries to provide insight into the rescue of 13 young footballers from a flooded Thai cave in 2018. Grade: C+.

Free Guy (out Aug 12) is Pleasantville meets The Truman Show meets Wreck-It-Ralph. Ryan Reynolds is playing the same goofy klutz that he does in every other movie... but the script has a great sense of humour and, when you throw in Taika Waititi, there are plenty of laugh out loud moments. Grade: B+.

The Suicide Squad (out Aug 5) is as good as the 2016 original was bad. It's got creative violence, insane surprises, and a great sense of humour. It's taking a lot of chances for a $185m blockbuster (studios often play it safer) and credit belongs to writer-director James Gunn for bringing it all together. Grade: A-.

The Ice Road (out Aug 12) is an action-thriller about a struggling an American truck driver (Liam Neeson) who takes a lucrative but dangerous job of transporting mining equipment on frozen Canadian rivers. The first half is strong and realistic but the film then loses its way and degenerates into a non-sensical, cliché-laden mess filled cheesy villains and dumb motives. Grade: B-.

The Rose Maker (out Aug 5) is a French comedy about a struggling rose grower (Catherine Frot) who, with the help of some new employees, finds an unorthodox way to reinvigorate her business. It’s corny... it’s contrived... but if you’re looking for a simple feel-good tale to brighten up your mood, perhaps you’re the target audience for this. Grade: C+.

Jungle Cruise (out Jul 29) is an unadventurous family adventure about a scientist (Emily Blunt) who teams up with a steamboat captain (Dwayne Johnson) to travel along the Amazon and locate a magical tree. The characters love a chat but they come across as one-note, empty and uninteresting. Tension lacking also. Grade: C+.

The Misfits (out Jul 29) is a terrible action comedy about an experienced thief (Pierce Brosnan) who teams up with an eclectic group of youngsters to bring down a terrorist organisation in the Middle East. Everything is far too easy and convenient for these characters. Grade: C.

Shiva Baby (out Jul 29) is a low-budget American film about a college student from New York who gets stuck an increasingly awkward family event to celebrate the death of someone she doesn’t even know.  Writer-director Emma Seligman does a really good job building tension and Rachel Sennott is terrific in the lead role. Grade: B+.

Snake Eyes (out Jul 22) is the latest entry in the G.I. Joe franchise. The action scenes are well choreographed (for the most part) but it's a dull, empty story... and the characters could be described the same way. Grade: C+.

Old (out Jul 22) is an M. Night Shyamalan thriller about several folk on a beach who finds themselves aging super rapidly. There's a decent punchline but the lead-up is frustrating and tedious - partly because it's hard to give this idea credibility and partly because the script isn't sharp enough. Grade: C+.

Rosa's Wedding (out Jul 22) is a Spanish comedy about a 45-year-old single mother who, feeling underappreciated by her family (rightly so), curiously decides to marry herself and set her life on a new path. It's an offbeat idea that works thanks to the lead performance of Candela Peña who brings the right mix of confidence and insecurity to the character. Nominated for 8 Goya Awards. Grade: B+.