Mini Review - How to Make a Killing
How to Make a Killing (out Mar 5) is a sub-par comedy where star Glen Powell plays a New Yorker trying to kill off a bunch of relatives so that he'll be the sole heir to a family fortune. Relying heavily on narration, his actions are too silly. The ending is underwhelming. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - The Bride!
The Bride! (out Mar 5) is wild and messy. Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Lost Daughter), it follows a Frankenstein's monster as he helps create a new monster to serve as his love interest. I like many of the ingredients (supporting performances, make-up, dark comedy) but there’s something lacking in the screenplay which holds the movie back. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - The Voice of Hind Rajab
The Voice of Hind Rajab (out Mar 5) is a stunningly told true story about a 5-year-old Palestinian girl trapped in a car in Gaza which has come under heavy fire from an Israeli tank. Told entirely from the perspective of a Red Crescent call centre and using actual recordings from the real-life event, it's a reminder of how powerful cinema can be. Nominated at the Oscars for best international feature film. Grade: A.
Mini Review - Plainclothes
Plainclothes (out Mar 5) is a strong drama set in the 1990s about undercover police officers who would pretend to be gay to arrest those conducting "indecent" acts. Shines the spotlight on an interesting piece of history with a great central performance from Tom Blyth. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - The Moment
The Moment (out Mar 5) is a Curb Your Enthusiasm-style spoof about the singer Charli XCX, playing a warped version of herself, facing pressure by her financiers to record a concert movie. The novelty wears out in the final act but it's an entertaining look at the chaos within the music industry. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie (out Feb 26) is a fun, nutty comedy about two wannabe musicians who accidentally time travel from 2025 to 2008 and see it as a chance to change their lives for the better. Lots of great gags. Cool visual effects. Strong performances! Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Scream 7
Scream 7 (out Feb 26) has a few decent jump-scares and gruesome murders. A shame the narrative and characters aren't more interesting. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - The Testament of Ann Lee
The Testament of Ann Lee (out Feb 26) is not to be missed. The film is centred on Ann Lee, the woman who founded the Shakers movement, but it’s more than a simple history lesson. Instead of explaining everything through narration and dialogue, it provides a hypnotic, rhythmic experience where music, song and dance is used to capture the spirit of these characters and pull you into its world. Grade: A.