Mini Review - How to Train Your Dragon (2025)
How to Train Your Dragon (out Jun 12) is a live action remake of the 2010 animated feature. While I adored the original, I wasn't as passionate here. Live action works against the film given heavy CGI is still required (for the dragons), the action scenes are too choppy/chaotic, and the dialogue delivery from the human characters is stiff. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Materialists
Materialists (out Jun 12) is a romantic comedy for those who are a little sceptical of romantic comedies. It's about a not-always-likeable New York matchmaker (Dakota Johnson) who finds herself pursued by two worthy suitors (Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans). A few subplots don't work but the dialogue is well crafted, the cinematography impresses, and the use of continuous takes adds weight to key conversations. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Dangerous Animals
Dangerous Animals (out Jun 12) is an Aussie horror flick about a psychopath boat operator who kidnaps young tourists to feed to sharks. There are a few too many corny/contrived moments but when the film is good, it's very good. Writer Nick Lepard has crafted a workable script filled with tense moments while Jai Courtney enhances the material with his unsettling performance. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Ballerina
Ballerina (out Jun 5) is a decent action movie which serves as a spin-off from the successful John Wick franchise. It stars Ana de Armas as a ruthless assassin seeking revenge against those who murdered her father many years ago. Strong fight scenes and a nasty villain (played by Gabriel Byrne) make it worthwhile. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - The Great Lillian Hall
The Great Lillian Hall (out Jun 5) is a fictional drama about an accomplished Broadway actress who finds decades of hard work unravelling when diagnosed with a form of dementia. A few plot performances are superfluous but the performances, headlined by Jessica Lange, are terrific. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Karate Kid: Legends
Karate Kid: Legends (out Jun 5) has a script as clichéd and cheesy as anything we've seen all year. It's garbage but the film is (kind of) redeemed by a fun lead performance from newcomer Ben Wang who creates a likeable character easy to applaud. Saving the best scene for last (on the rooftop) also works in the movie's favour. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Beating Hearts
Beating Hearts (out May 29) is a 160-minute French drama which covers 20 years in the life of two lovers who meet as teenagers. Liked the first half but, in keeping the characters apart for the film's second half, my attention waned. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - The Phoenician Scheme
The Phoenician Scheme (out May 29) is the latest from Wes Anderson and stars Oscar winner Benecio del Toro as a despised, uber-wealthy entrepreneur trying to get his latest investment back on track. It's shallower than other Anderson works when it comes to emotion but I still had fun with the fast-moving, joke-filled narrative. Grade: B+.