Mini Review - The Children Act
The Children Act (out Nov 22) is the tale of a British High Court justice (Emma Thompson) trying to rule on an important case involving a 17-year-old boy refusing medical treatment. Offering up plenty to think about when it comes to work-life balance and religious freedoms, this is a powerful piece of cinema with three great lead performances. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (out Nov 15) is a slooooow paced film that sets up future plot points in the franchise but doesn't create any immediate tension or meaningful drama. Jude Law is semi-intriguing as Albus Dumbledore and the visual effects are top-notch but I'm struggling to think of other positives. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Shoplifters
Shoplifters (out Nov 15) is a wonderful Japanese film that won the Palm D'or at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. With a few curious twists, it's the tale of poor family who informally "adopt" a young girl who is need of assistance. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Spitfire
Spitfire (out Nov 15) is a British documentary that will appeal to plane enthusiasts. It looks at the role played by the Spitfire designers and pilots during World War II. Grade: B.
Mini Review - The Old Man & The Gun
The Old Man & The Gun (out Nov 15) is an amusing "truth is stranger than fiction" tale about an elderly man who robs a series of banks in the United States and continually gets away because of his charming, polite demeanour. Robert Redford has announced this will be his final on-screen performance and it's a nice way to bow out. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Patrick
Patrick (out Nov 8) is awful. I realise it's supposed to be lightweight family entertainment but every part of the story feels unrealistic and phony. It's the tale of a young, unmarried woman who reluctantly inherits her grandmother's dog and suddenly finds a new lease on life. Grade: C-.
Mini Review - The Girl in the Spider's Web
The Girl in the Spider's Web (out Nov 8) is a sequel to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo with Claire Foy taking over the role previously held by Rooney Mara. There's some beautiful cinematography but the storyline is a mess. Too many twists, too many gaps and some very dull characters (such as Mikael Blomkvist). Grade: C.
Mini Review - Journey's End
Journey's End (out Nov 8) is a World War I drama about a group of British soldiers waiting anxiously in the trenches for an imminent German attack. I feel like we've seen this type of movie a few too many times but it still packs an emotional punch during the later stages. Grade: B-.
