Mini Reviews
Killing Them Softly (out now) is the story of a hit man chasing three guys who orchestrated the heist of a mob-run poker game. I admire the style and craftsmanship of director Andrew Dominik (Chopper) but I have to admit that I didn't find the characters all that interesting. Grade: B.
Lawless (out Oct 11) has as an over-the-top villain and a few unexplored subplots but for the most part, this is a good film. It's the interesting story of three brothers who ran an illegal moonshine business in the U.S. back in the early 1930s. The production values are terrific and the graphic violence gives it a heavy dose of realism. Grade: B+.
The Words (out Oct 11) is a curious film in that it's about a writer who has written a book about a writer who has stolen a book. Jeremy Irons is great and it's nice to see Bradley Cooper in a non-comedic role but the preachy, hard-to-believe screenplay stops this film from becoming something more memorable. Grade: B-.
Shadow Dancer (out Oct 11) is set in the 1990s and tells the story of an IRA member who has been captured by MI5 and is threatened with imprisonment unless she acts as an information collecting "mole" within the IRA. It's a gritty drama that takes a while to get going but comes together for a gripping finale. Grade: B+.
Dangerous Liaisons (out now) is a Chinese adaptation of the novel by Frenchman Pierre Choderlos de Laclos (which was also made into a famous American movie in 1988). I enjoyed this juicy tale of seduction and betrayal but the ending did feel rushed. Grade: B+.
Mental (out Oct 4) sees star Toni Collette and director PJ Hogan reunite for the first time since Muriel's Wedding. It's not for everyone but I enjoyed this dark, hilarious look at a family struggling with mental illness issues. Its strongest attribute is its array of great female performances. Grade: B+.
Searching For Sugar Man (out Oct 4) is a wonderful documentary that looks at the way in which a unknown American musician became a huge star in South Africa in the 1970s. This is superbly told with a strong narrative. It teases you with mystery and then when all is revealed, you'll feel amazed, inspired. Grade: A.
Taken 2 (out Oct 4) is yeah, um, not good. It should be classed as science-fiction given that Liam Neeson is some kind of clairvoyant. The way in which he reads every situation and eliminates the bad guys (who come complete with foreign accents) is laughable. The Austin Powers movies were more believable. Don't get me started on the dialogue. Grade: C-.
Arbitrage (out Sep 27) has a bit of everything - cover-ups, police investigations, family conflicts, cheating husbands, interfering lawyers and dodgy investments. It feels a little staged but the interesting narrative will hold your attention and I like the casting of Richard Gere in the leading role. Grade: B.
On The Road (out Sep 27) was a complete snoozefest. It’s a decent looking cast on paper but this new film from Walter Salles (The Motorcycle Diaries) never got going. Set in the late 1940s, we follow a budding writer’s travels back and forth across the U.S. but for what purpose? Stuff happens. More stuff happens. The end. I couldn’t have cared less what happened to these characters. Grade: C.
Looper (out Sep 27) would rank highly on my list of “believable” time travel movies. It’s energizing to watch a fast-paced action film that challenges the audience. Writer-director Rian Johnson has created an intricate, intelligent storyline that demands you pay attention at all times. Looper is a film to be seen at least once… but more likely… twice. Grade: A-.
