Mini Review - Primetime
Primetime (out Oct 29) is an excellent "truth is stranger than fiction" tale. Set in the mid-2000s, it recounts and/or fictionalises the story of investigative journalist Chris Hansen who created an American TV segment in which paedophiles were lured into traps and then arrested. The character arcs are terrific (we see perspectives from so many behind-the-scenes folk) and it's a great, non-preachy look at the blurry lines when it comes to justice and entertainment. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Sundays
Sundays (out Oct 29) is a Spanish drama about a 17-year-old girl who, against her family's wishes, looks to become a Catholic nun. The film does a great job exploring this decision through the eyes of several key characters (all with different opinions). Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Wildwood
Wildwood (out Oct 22) is a superb animated feature with a plot and complexity that brings back memories of The Lord of the Rings. A young girl travels to an enchanted forest and must save her younger sibling. This film isn't afraid to get heavy and I love that. Great story. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Possible Love
Possible Love (out Oct 22) is from acclaimed Korean director Lee Chang-dong (Burning) and comes fresh from the Venice Film Festival. Centred on two couples whose lives become intertwined, its messages revolve around differences in societal classes. I don't think I took enough away from themes... but I wasn't bored either. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Klara and the Sun
Klara and the Sun (out Oct 22) is based on a novel from Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro and is centred on a teenage girl who acquires an "artificial friend". Something has been lost in translation here. The robot's goofy antics become tiring, and I wish the film spent more time exploring the trouble psyche of both the human girl and her mother. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Clayface
Clayface (out Oct 22) comes to us from DC Studios but rather than be another save-the-world superhero movie, I’d describe it more as a forgettable anecdote. It’s about a high-profile actor who, after having his face disfigured by a crime lord, undergoes an experimental medical procedure with curious side effects. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Holy Cannoli
Holy Cannoli (out Oct 22) is an Italian romantic comedy about a dessert-loving real estate agent who falls in love. I'm torn on this one. I enjoyed it's amusing spin on religion and its many contradictions... but I grew tired of the one-dimensional characters and the dessert stuff. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Whalefall
Whalefall (out Oct 15) is the tale of a young scuba diver who is swallowed by a whale and has 40 minutes to find a way out before his oxygen expires. This makes no sense, but I liked it regardless. Star Austin Abrams deserves an award for the most grunting in a movie this year. The practical effects will make audiences squeamish, and I didn't mind the interwoven back story. Grade: B+.