Mini Review - These Final Hours

These Final Hours (out Jul 31) is the story of a young Perth guy who must decide what to do with his final 12 hours on earth (an apocalypse is nigh). There are a few credibility issues but it's nice to see an action film that asks questions (what would you do in the same situation?) Nathan Phillips a good fit in the leading role. Grade: B.

Mini Review - Mrs Brown's Boys D'movie

Mrs Brown's Boys D'movie (out Jul 24) is a film spin-off from the popular TV series and follows a cigarette-loving, foul-mouthed grandmother trying to save her small business from a money hungry property developer. Making some odd style choices (the film is bizarrely self aware of itself), this is a comedy absent of laughs. Grade: C-.

Mini Review - Hercules

Hercules (out Jul 24) is a functional action flick. The story is bland, boring but there are some engaging action pieces (that aren't overdone with special effects) and some light comic relief from Ian McShane (who needed more screen time). Grade: B-.

Mini Review - Once My Mother

Once My Mother (out Jul 24) is an Australian documentary that follows director Sophia Turkiewicz and her attempts to piece together her elderly mother's upbringing in Poland before she passes away. The narration is a bit heavy at times but it exposes an interesting piece of history and highlights the value of passing on stories from generation to generation. Grade: B.

Mini Review - Deliver Us From Evil

Deliver Us From Evil (out Jul 24) is a standard, no frills exorcism film that doesn’t offer much in the way of scares or surprises. It may sound hard to believe but this is based on a real person and actual events. I've got my doubts though and director Scott Derrickson struggled to win me over. Grade: C+.

Mini Review - Still Life

Still Life (out Jul 24) follows a middle-aged council employee charged with the responsibility of organising funerals when a person has died with no friends or family. This is an immensely warm-hearted drama that is dripping with poignant moments. Eddie Marsan is fantastic is the leading role. There aren’t many films that have reduced me to tears but Still Life can now be added to that short list. Grade: A.

Mini Review - Reaching For The Moon

Reaching For The Moon (out now) stars Aussie Miranda Otto and tells the story of a lengthy love affair between an American poet and a Brazilian architect. There's a curious family dynamic that's worth exploring (involving a child and another woman) but I struggled to believe the romantic connection between the two leads. Grade: B.

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