Mini Review - Joker: Folie à Deux
Joker: Folie à Deux (out Oct 3) is set two years after the events of 2019’s Joker and follows Arthur Fleck’s (Joaquin Phoenix) court room trial and his romantic relationship with an obsessed fan (Lady Gaga). Has some interesting ideas with a splash of creativity (musical numbers) but the narrative is light. Court room scenes drag, and lawyer scenes become repetitive. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - The Critic
The Critic (out Oct 3) is a 1930s tale about an elderly theatre critic, famous for his barbs and insults, whose job is at risk following a change in newspaper management. Liked the first half but when it develops into a contrived thriller in the later stages, I was less convinced. 85-year-old Ian McKellen has fun in the title role. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Megalopolis
Megalopolis (out Sep 26) is from 85-year-old director Francis Ford Coppola and is a Shakespearean-style dark comedy about a man's vision for a futuristic New York City. The narration is frustrating, the storyline is disjointed, the CGI is average, and the dialogue is laughably stiff. Grade: C-.
Mini Review - A Difficult Year
A Difficult Year (out Sep 26) is a disappointing French comedy about two debt-laden friends who infiltrate an environmental activist group in pursuit of free food, drinks... and romance. It's an absurd storyline with weird subplots. I didn't like any of the characters. Grade: C.
Mini Review - My Old Ass
My Old Ass (out Sep 26) is an excellent comedy about an 18-year-old Elliott who ingests psychedelic drugs and is visited by the 39-year-old version of herself from the future. I loved the lead performance of 20-year-old Maisy Stella (it's her first feature) and the film provides a timely reminder about appreciating life’s little things. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Transformers One
Transformers One (out Sep 19) represents a shift for the long-running franchise. Instead of another live-action flick with charismatic humans trying to save the world, this is a fully animated origin story with no humans at all. It works when trying to be funny but when the drama dial is turned up, I wasn't as convinced. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - The Wild Robot
The Wild Robot (out Sep 19) is a sweet animated film from writer-director Chris Sanders (How to Train Your Dragon). A cute robot washes up on a deserted island and befriends its animal inhabitants. Younger crowds will find it easier to follow. Adults can chuckle at darker jokes. All can be caught up in the dramatic final act. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - The Substance
The Substance (out Sep 19) is too long (we get the message loud and clear in the first half) but it's still an unforgettable horror-drama about a waning Hollywood star who takes an experimental injection to look young again. Striking cinematography, great performances, jarring scenes. Grade: B+.