Mini Review - Nightmare Alley
Nightmare Alley (out Jan 20) is a solid drama-thriller from director Guillermo del Toro about a carny-turned-successful-clairvoyant chasing a "big score" from a gullible new customer. You're never quite sure where the film is heading and the exchanges between the two leads, played by Bradley Cooper and Cate Blanchett, are fun to watch as they sneakily try to get the upper hand on the other. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Belle
Belle (out Jan 20) is a Japanese animated feature about a shy, introverted teenager who becomes a word famous singer on a popular social media platform that allows her to retain her anonymity through the use of an avatar. It's a slow first half (feels repetitive with the character hardly changing) but builds into something decent. Grade: B.
Mini Review - One Second
One Second (out Jan 20) is a Chinese film set in 1975 about a fugitive, an orphan, a cinema projectionist, and a valuable roll of film. The performances are overcooked (lots of exaggerated emotions) but it's an interesting story that becomes more poignant as the characters open up about their past. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Spencer
Spencer (out Jan 20) provides a fictionalised look at three days in the life of Princess Diana in December 1991. We see her as a woman not afraid to give the big "middle finger" to tradition and the British Royal Family. We also see her as a vulnerable mother with mental health issues. I liked the "sit back and observe" approach from Chilean director Pablo Larrain. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Scream
Scream (out Jan 13) strays a little too far towards an over-the-top Scary Movie style spoof, but it's good enough. It straddles the line between having characters smart enough to understand horror movie cliches... while making them dumb enough to fall into horror movie cliches. Works better as a comedy than a horror-thriller (the plot is thin). Quality cast. Grade: B.
Mini Review - King Richard
King Richard (out Jan 13) delves into the upbringing of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams with a strong focus on their coach-father, Richard. Too melodramatic in places but I like the narrow timeline, the great performances, and the discussion it will generate when it comes to parents, kids and sport. Most should enjoy this. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Limbo
Limbo (out Jan 13) is the story of Syrian refugee seeking a new home on a cold Scottish island. With odd music choices and a noticeable lack of dialogue, this is a dark comedy which shows us the typical day-to-day grievances of refugees. They overcome the depressing uncertainty of their future by banding together and looking at life through a humorous lens. It also captures the turmoil of a person looking for a fresh start but who cannot escape his past. Also, no urinating in the freeze aisle. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Red Rocket
Red Rocket (out Jan 6) is the story of a washed-up, self-absorbed male porn star struggling to come to grips with life outside of the industry. He’s an irritating but interesting character to follow. As director Sean Baker has shown in previous films (eg The Florida Project), the world can be a bleak place for some. Grade: A-.