Mini Review - Marty Supreme
Marty Supreme (out Jan 22) could finally be the film which wins Timothée Chalamet his first Academy Award. Set in the 1950s, he plays an arrogant American ping pong player who will "screw" anyone over (family, friends, colleagues) to get ahead. He's intensely unlikeable... but you still respect his hustle. Love the music score and it's got one of the best acting ensembles of the year. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - The Secret Agent
The Secret Agent (out Jan 22) won the Golden Globe for best foreign language film. The title may have you thinking it's a slick spy film, but it's more of a slow-burn drama that’s about people instead of Hollywood-style action and thrills. I wasn't sold on every plot point (maybe need to see it a second time) but it pulls you into its world and makes you care about the fate of its interesting characters. So many distinctive performances! Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Somebody to Love
Somebody to Love (out Jan 22) is best described as an adult-themed, live-action version of Inside Out. Two people go on a first date and as the night progresses, we follow their thoughts through people who live inside their head. The novelty wore off quickly for me. I didn't find the two leads interesting at all. Grade: C.
Mini Review - Primate
Primate (out Jan 22) is a dreadfully written thriller about a pet chimpanzee which gets infected with rabies and terrorises its owners. So many of the characters' actions lack logic and common sense. Grade: C.
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-.