Mini Review - Wild Horse Nine
Wild Horse Nine (out Nov 5) is the year's best film. It's a DARK comedy which follows two CIA agents who have travelled to Easter Island in 1973. Stars John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell have perfect comedic chemistry. Writer-director Martin McDonagh fills the film with one-liners (so many great insults) and slower-build jokes (the reveals are perfect), but he also gives these characters heart. Grade: A+.
Mini Review - Wicker
Wicker (out Nov 5) is original and funny. Set in an unspecified era, it's about a middle-aged spinster who turns the small town on its head by marrying a kind-hearted man... made from wicker. You can laugh at its insanity (the lovemaking scenes are a highlight) but also appreciate its messages. We only get one life and so we’re better to surround ourselves with good, caring people instead of those driven by ego and negativity. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Crawlers
Crawlers (out Oct 29) is a trashy, B-grade thriller about an apartment building overrun by deadly spiders. It'll be off putting to arachnophobes... and also those looking for a decent script. Grade: C.
Mini Review - Pressure
Pressure (out Oct 29) is a movie about weather forecasters. It may not sound interesting... but it actually is! It's centred on meteorologist James Stagg (Andrew Scott) who was tasked with predicting the weather prior to the Allies invasion of Normandy in June 1944. The film's execution is clunky (lots of cliches and overdramatised moments) but it's still an eye-opening story. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Primetime
Primetime (out Oct 29) is an excellent "truth is stranger than fiction" tale. Set in the mid-2000s, it recounts and/or fictionalises the story of investigative journalist Chris Hansen who created an American TV segment in which paedophiles were lured into traps and then arrested. The character arcs are terrific (we see perspectives from so many behind-the-scenes folk) and it's a great, non-preachy look at the blurry lines when it comes to justice and entertainment. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Sundays
Sundays (out Oct 29) is a Spanish drama about a 17-year-old girl who, against her family's wishes, looks to become a Catholic nun. The film does a great job exploring this decision through the eyes of several key characters (all with different opinions). Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Wildwood
Wildwood (out Oct 22) is a superb animated feature with a plot and complexity that brings back memories of The Lord of the Rings. A young girl travels to an enchanted forest and must save her younger sibling. This film isn't afraid to get heavy and I love that. Great story. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Possible Love
Possible Love (out Oct 22) is from acclaimed Korean director Lee Chang-dong (Burning) and comes fresh from the Venice Film Festival. Centred on two couples whose lives become intertwined, its messages revolve around differences in societal classes. I don't think I took enough away from themes... but I wasn't bored either. Grade: B.