Mini Review - Practical Magic 2
Practical Magic 2 (out Sep 10) surprised me (in a good way) and is better than the 1998 original. Stars Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock make it work as they humorously bicker and talk over one another. Further, director Susanne Bier (In a Better World) deftly blends comedy and drama. It's heavy material in places but there are many great one-liners (especially from Kidman) to generate laughs. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Runner
Runner (out Sep 10) is set in South East Queensland and follows two men trying to outrun drug cartel goons and deliver a life-saving liver to the Gold Coast Hospital. This is trashy action... but not in a fun kind of way. Far too many clichés and I wasn't sold on the "buddy cop" banter between stars Owen Wilson and Alan Ritchson. Grade: C.
Mini Review - Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie
Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie (out Sep 10) is intended for young kids and is a fun, easy-to-follow animated adventure that sees a group of people-saving dogs stranded on an island that is home to dinosaurs. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - It Ends
It Ends (out Sep 3) is a thriller about 4 youngsters who become trapped on a highway that never ends. Another film that's a half-decent idea but doesn't have the material to sustain viewers' interest levels for 90 minutes. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Fall 2: Deadpoint
Fall 2: Deadpoint (out Sep 3) is an unnecessary sequel to the 2022 release (which wasn’t too bad) and is centred on two young climbers who become trapped on a Thai mountain face. The script is one of the worst you’ll see all year. Characters don’t stay true to themselves, and the scenarios are laughably bad (e.g. one involving a video camera and a laser pointer). Grade: C.
Mini Review - By Any Means
By Any Means (out Sep 3) satisfies in its capacity as an action-thriller… but is messy in terms of its historical accuracy. Loosely based on a true story, it’s the 1966 tale of a Mafia hitman (Wahlberg) recruited by the FBI for “off the books” interrogations involving Ku Klux Klan members. Grade: B-.
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 - 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.