Mini Reviews
The Bourne Legacy (out Aug 16) has a familiarity that’s difficult to shake. We’ve got the same cover-ups and conspiracies that we saw in the earlier movies. That’s not to say the film isn’t entertaining. You can't go past the exciting, fast-paced action sequences interwoven with a credible, suspenseful plot. Grade: B+.
The Campaign (out now) is a political comedy about a hopeless congressman who keeps being re-elected unopposed. Not this time though. He's got a battle on his hands against a very unusual candidate. Sadly, I found this dumb and simplistic. I chuckled a few times at its sheer stupidity but it's a far cry from the brilliant Bulworth. Grade: C+.
Cosmopolis (out now) was pointless. I'm not sure what director David Cronenberg was trying to achieve. It stars Robert Pattinson has a billionaire who spends his day in a limousine being driven across New York City so he can get a hair cut. He interacts with many people in his journey but yeah, what was the point??? Grade: C.
The Sapphires (out Aug 9) is based on a true story and follows a group of 4 young Aboriginal singers who accept a job entertaining the troops during the Vietnam War. It works as a music (some great musical numbers) and a comedy (Chris O'Dowd is fantastic) but not so much as a drama (war scenes not good). Grade: B.
Step Up 4: Miami Heat (out Aug 2) makes no sense. I mean NO SENSE. It's clear message is - if you're unhappy with the government or big nasty corporations, change their opinions through the power of protest dancing. Thankfully, 80% of the movie consists of dance numbers which I thought were really cool. Grade: B.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (out Aug 2) is so stupid that I actually went along with it. Based on the novel, I like the overlap of historical characters with this vampire fantasy. A shame the action scenes are so repetitive and cartoonish. I got tired of the continual slow-mo, fast-mo stuff. Grade: B-.
And If We All Lived Together (out Jul 26) has an awful title but don't be perturbed. This is a nice French film (leans towards comedy as opposed to drama) about a group of elderly residents who move in together to avoid being placed in an aged care facility. It's the endearing characters that make this so likeable. Grade: B+.
I Am Eleven (out now) is a simple documentary where Australian director Genevieve Bailey has travelling the world and interviewed a group of 11-year-olds about almost everything. It's an interesting idea but you wouldn't say there are any mind blowing revelations. Grade: B.
Magic Mike (out Jul 26) centres on a star male stripper who is trying to make something more meaningful with his life. Sadly, the film doesn't work. The first hour is drawn out with stripping, stripping and more stripping. A story tries to develop in the final hour but it's rushed and I didn't care for the characters. Grade: C+.
The Dark Knight Rises (out Jul 19) has a convoluted plot and struggles to justify its key themes but it’s still worth a look as an epic action flick. I’d be careful not to set your expectations too high. Great to see the addition of Anne Hathaway and Joseph Gordon-Levitt to the cast. Grade: B.
The Door (out Jul 19) was awful. It stars Helen Mirren as a grumpy maid who lives a secretive, reclusive life. This is a boring story with horrendous supporting performances and bizarre flashback sequences. One of the year's worst. Grade: C-.
