Mini Review - 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (out Jan 15) continues this excellent franchise by taking chances and spinning in new, interesting directions. Screenwriter Alex Garland weaves together violent gore, heart, laughs, and political themes. I was never bored and the performances, headlined by Jack O'Connell, are superb. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Hamnet
Hamnet (out Jan 15) is a work of fiction but imagines what life was like for William Shakespeare and his wife, Anne, following the death of their young son. I was a little underwhelmed by the opening two acts but the stirring climax leaves an impact. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - No Other Choice
No Other Choice (out Jan 15) is a Korean dark comedy about an unemployed man who considers killing fellow applicants (more experienced than him) to help land a new job. A wild idea but I struggled to get my head around the lead character. I grew tired of his continually goofiness/clumsiness. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Grow
Grow (out Jan 15) is a family flick about a young girl trying to win a pumpkin growing competition to save her auntie's farm. It's simple, perhaps too much so at times, but kids are likely to follow and have fun. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Christy
Christy (out Jan 8) is a biopic, directed by Australian David Michôd (Animal Kingdom), about female boxer Christy Salters who rose to fame in the 1990s. It's a positive story about boxing and a negative story about domestic violence but in trying to balance both narratives, it comes across as shallow. Still an interesting true story. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Orwell: 2+2=5
Orwell: 2+2=5 (out Jan 8) is an excellent film that blends the words of acclaimed writer George Orwell, author of 1984, with footage from documentaries, movies, news shows, and other interviews. It's covering a lot of topics and offers just as much to think about. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Six: The Musical Live!
Six: The Musical Live! (out Jan 8) is a filmed version of the stage show which took place on London's West End in June 2022. As a newbie to the material, I found it to be a simple, entertaining romp with a charismatic cast. Providing a history lesson while also reflecting on Henry VIII’s legacy, it's like Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton except with a lighter tone and a less complex premise. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Nouvelle Vague
Nouvelle Vague (out Jan 8) sees Richard Linklater (Boyhood) create a behind-the-scenes dramatization of the making of Breathless, a 1960 French film which marked the directorial debut of 29-year-old Jean-Luc Godard. It's not intended to be a history lesson. This film is a relaxed, fun, playful piece that neatly captures the “vibe” of the time. Grade: B+.