Mini Review - Silenced
Silenced (out Sep 3) is an eye-opening Australian documentary that looks at defamation laws around the world and the way they are used to prevent women from speaking out about sexual assaults. Nicely cut together with much insight. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - De Gaulle: Résistance
De Gaulle: Résistance (out Sep 3) is the first in a two-part series that looks at the rise to power of Frenchman Charles de Gaulle during World War II. The dialogue is hammy with the characters over-explaining things to make sure ALL audience members understand what's going on. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Maigret and the Dead Lover
Maigret and the Dead Lover (out Sep 3) is a blasé French film about a detective investigating the murder of a well-known diplomat. The stakes feel small, the characters are dull, and when all is revealed in the final act, you'll realise you've wasted your time. Grade: C.
Mini Review - & Sons
& Sons (out Aug 27) is a weird but intriguing drama. It follows an ageing, reclusive writer (Bill Nighy) who calls up his two eldest children to spill a family secret. The acting is terrific, the plot is a winner (loved the secret), and it had me engaged from start to finish. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - The Dog Stars
The Dog Stars (out Aug 27) is set in the year 2035 where most of humanity has been wiped out by a contagious virus. We follow Hig (Jacob Elordi) who, after living for years in the mountains of Colorado, battles loneliness and seeks adventure. The "action" scenes don't quite work but I was swept up by the film’s themes, music and cinematography. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Dreams
Dreams (out Aug 27) is a Norwegian film about a 17-year-old girl who has developed a same-sex crush on her French teacher at high school. This is an unorthodox coming-of-age tale which never tries to oversimplify its premise. It deftly captures the mental fragility of being a teenager and the limitations by which parents can help. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - The Party's Over!
The Party's Over! (out Aug 27) is a zany French comedy about an inept rich family who engage in a tit-for-tat power struggle with their longtime servants. Fun characters and a fun farce. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - I Want Your Sex
I Want Your Sex (out Aug 27) is about a young man (Cooper Hoffman) who enters a wild love affair with his artistic boss (Olivia Wilde). This wants to be an edgy, erotic comedy but when you break it down, it's rather ho-hum. The ending is dumb and the characters rely too much on their zany personalities in trying to win laughs. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Super Troopers 3
Super Troopers 3 (out Aug 6) is a disappointing instalment to the film series which began in 2001. If you like repetitive, low-brow toilet humour, maybe you’ll get some laughs from it. Grade: C.