Mini Review - Flow
Flow (out Mar 20) is a Latvian animated feature, with zero dialogue, made using open-source 3D computer graphics available to the public. That not selling it? Should I mention that it won the Academy Award for best animated film?!?! It’s the tale of a black cat trying to find their way to higher ground when a devastating flood sweeps through its forested home. With stunning visuals and a surprisingly moving story, this is memorable cinema. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - The Return
The Return (out Mar 20) stars Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche and is a retelling of The Odyssey, a famous work attributed to the ancient Greek poet Homer. The three-person screenwriting team struggle to adapt the material to the screen. It's not convincing. The stiff dialogue, which comes across like a bad Shakespearean stage show, doesn't help either. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Bonhoeffer
Bonhoeffer (out Mar 20) is a biopic based on the life of German Dietrich Bonhoeffer who stood up to the Nazis during World War II. His story is worthy of a movie, but the dialogue here comes across as stiff and simple. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - One of Them Days
One of Them Days (out Mar 6) is a comedy starring Keke Palmer and Sza about two close friends going on a series of misadventures to pull in overdue rent money. Can't sustain the momentum all the way through but liked the film’s fun energy. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Mickey 17
Mickey 17 (out Mar 6) is the latest from Oscar winning director Bong Joon-ho (Parasite) and is the story of a space-travelling volunteer who is killed again and again… but can be brought back to life through “reprinting”. Star Robert Pattinson gives it his best shot and the middle act has interesting elements. Sadly, the supporting cast are dull, the laughs fail, and the finale is bland. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Hard Truths
Hard Truths (out Mar 6) is more gold from director Mike Leigh. It's tale of a middle-aged woman who is one of the most miserable, negative people you could imagine. Star Marianne Jean-Baptiste is exceptional in creating an individual who is inherently unlikeable but also someone you want to know more about. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Every Little Thing
Every Little Thing (out Mar 6) is a simple documentary about a Los Angeles woman who cares for sick/injured hummingbirds at her home. Her work is noble but I'm not convinced there's enough interesting material for a 90-minute length feature. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Spit
Spit (out Mar 6) is an underwhelming sequel to the 2003 original. Johnny Spitieri (David Wenham) is funny in small doses but when he’s front and centre for the whole movie, his silliness becomes tiring. The script doesn’t give him enough interesting things to do. A few new characters (e.g. a kind-hearted immigrant, a clueless lawyer) help save the movie. Grade: B-.