Mini Review - Linoleum
Linoleum (out Mar 30) brings back memories of Donnie Darko in terms of both style and story. A satellite crash lands in the backyard of a science teacher and he starts the process of putting it back together. I really enjoyed the way it all comes together. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Broker
Broker (out Mar 30) is a South Korean film from director Hirokazu Kore-eda. It’s a difficult film to summarise quickly and that’s part of its allure. It succeeds in being an interesting, not-sure-where-it’s-going thriller, and as a big-hearted family drama. The performances are sublime. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Argonuts
Argonuts (out Mar 30) is an overly busy animated feature blending Greek mythology with talking animals. Hard to see kids engaging with this story. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Amongst Thieves
Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Amongst Thieves (out Mar 30) is a surprisingly entertaining action-adventure which confirms this franchise has a pulse. It works because (1) the tone is extremely light and it doesn’t take itself too seriously, and (2) the quality cast is fully aware of this. Hugh Grant the perfect fit as the humorous, cunning villain. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - John Wick: Chapter 4
John Wick: Chapter 4 (out Mar 23) is more of the great stuff we saw in the first three movies. The story makes no sense... but who cares when you've got action scenes as good as this? The locations this time around include a boutique hotel, a pumping nightclub, a long set of stairs, and the famous Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Bill Skarsgård is a fun new villain, and 58-year-old hero Keanu Reeves continues to defy Father Time. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Of an Age
Of an Age (out Mar 23) feels like an Australian version of Barry Jenkins' Oscar-winning Moonlight. Mostly set in 1999, it's centred on a 17-year-old who meets his friend's gay brother and opens up about his own sexuality. Offering humour, romance and sorrow, this is one of the best Aussie movies we’ll get the chance to see this year. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Shazam! Fury of the Gods
Shazam! Fury of the Gods (out Mar 16) is a sequel to the 2019 original and sees Zachary Levi reprise his role as the caped hero. I like the cast but it's a very safe, generic storyline. The laughs are a mixed bag (for every joke that works, there's two jokes that don't). Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Pearl
Pearl (out Mar 16) is a sequel to last year's above-average horror-thriller X. This is a different style of movie (fewer characters, unusual "scares") and while I don't think the script is as interesting as the original, it's to be seen for Mia Goth's lead performance and the use of facial close-ups and long takes. Grade: B.