Mini Review - Abigail
Abigail (out Apr 18) is worth a look (particularly for fans of the horror genre) but lacks a distinctiveness to make it stand out from the growing vampire pack. Characters are dumb when it suits the film’s needs, and they’re smart when the opposite applies. The humour works better than the drama (laughed at some of the explosive deaths). Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Challengers
Challengers (out Apr 18) dumbs down the tennis elements to make it more cinematic, but it's still a terrific movie about three players (played by Zendaya, Josh O'Connor, and Mike Faist) and the power games between them. It’s great to see Hollywood getting behind a romantic drama with meaty ideas. The movie entertains (lots of great individual scenes) while offering plenty to chat about afterwards. Cool music score too! Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Evil Does Not Exist
Evil Does Not Exist (out Apr 18) is a slow-burn drama from Oscar nominated director Ryusuke Hamaguchi (Drive My Car) and is about a small Japanese community who rebel against a major company looking to turn their town into a tourist hot spot. Holds your attention but wanted more to think about. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Jeanne du Barry
Jeanne du Barry (out Apr 18) provides an intriguing look at the royal customs of 18th Century France and the scandalous relationship between the King and his favoured mistress. Repetitive at times but still found myself enchanted by this world. Also enjoyed the music score of Stephen Warbeck. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Freud’s Last Session
Freud’s Last Session (out Apr 18) is based on a stage play and shows a series of fictitious 1939 meetings between acclaimed neurologist Sigmund Freud and upcoming writer C.S. Lewis. A lot of chatter about religion and relationships but is it offering anything insightful? I’m not convinced. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Back to Black
Back to Black (out Apr 11) is a rudimentary biopic about singer Amy Winehouse with a heavy focus on key relationships - her nan, her father, and her husband. It's a shallow screenplay that, unlike the Asif Kapadia documentary of 2015, isn't telling us anything new and isn't deeply scrutinising the mindset of Winehouse and those around her. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Civil War
Civil War (out Apr 11) is directed by Alex Garland (Ex Machina) and follows a team of journalists travelling from New York City to Washington DC in the midst of a violent war between states. Great use of visuals and sound. Engaging characters. Let down by a garbage finale. Grade: B.