Mini Reviews
Mini Review - Little Women
Little Women (out Jan 1) is an exquisite drama about art, wealth, family, sisterhood and unrequited love. The performances are flawless and I love the openness and affection shown by these characters towards each other. Saoirse Ronan brings a beautiful spirit to the role of Jo, Florence Pugh is outstanding as the envious Amy and Timothée Chalamet (complete with pitch-perfect hair) is adorable as the love struck Laurie. Grade: A.
Mini Review - The Gentlemen
The Gentlemen (out Jan 1) is a Guy Ritchie directed tale involving gangsters, marijuana and a LOT of money. On the whole, it's a complex story that requires too much explaining (Hugh Grant serves as the quasi-narrator) and it's over-written with endless metaphors and analogies. The finale provides entertainment but it's a long time getting there. Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Cats
Cats (out Dec 26) has been trashed by most critics and sadly, they're right. It's a slight, dull musical where the lyrics are hard to discern, the visual effects are obvious, and the story is a mess. Having never seen the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical on stage, it's baffling to think this was one of the longest running shows of all time. Grade: C-.
Mini Review - Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (out Dec 26) is a beautiful French drama about a female artist engaged to paint the portrait of a woman who is soon to be wed. This is a patient drama that builds to a powerful, moving climax. As the artist studies her subject matter, so too do we as the audience. It’s a movie that relies more on eye movement and less on dialogue. Grade: A.
Mini Review - The Truth
The Truth (out Dec 26) is from Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda (Shoplifters) and is the fictional tale of an ageing French actress (Catherine Deneuve) who is concerned about the way she will be remembered, by both family and the public, when she’s gone. It’s a worthy topic but the insight offered wasn’t as fulfilling as I’d hoped. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Jumanji: The Next Level
Jumanji: The Next Level (out Dec 26) is a cool follow-up to the 2017 reboot. It features some creative “crazy dangerous” scenarios (one with ladders and baboons comes to mind) and has fun by mixing up the characters involved (the actors are clearly having a good time). Very entertaining. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Jojo Rabbit
Jojo Rabbit (out Dec 26) is a dark comedy from New Zealand director Taika Waititi about a 10-year-old German boy who, in the waning days of World War II, has a Jewish girl hidden in the attic and Adolf Hitler as an imaginary friend dispensing advice. Yes, I’ll admit to laughing at the inappropriate humour. The novelty wears a little thin in places but it’s still a wild ride with a splash of heart. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Sorry We Missed You
Sorry We Missed You (out Dec 26) is a heavy, powerful drama from British director Ken Loach about a middle aged man from north-east England doing everything he can to hold down a job and provide for his family. Making important observations about contracting and capitalism, its effects will linger as you leave the theatre. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (out Dec 19) is a worthy climax to the series. It's well made (sound, music, visuals) and continues its focus on the most intriguing element - the interplay between Rey and Kylo Ren. Other subplots are rushed (they kind of wash over you given the frenetic pace) but criticisms mean little with a film like this. It's gonna make a LOT of money. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Playing with Fire
Playing with Fire (out Dec 12) is the tale of a smoke jumper crew who reluctantly care for 3 kids rescued in a fire. It's an over-the-top, nonsensical family flick that struggles to find humour from a tricky subject matter (the negligence of children). Home Alone had charm. This is just dumb. Grade: C.
Mini Review - Black Christmas
Black Christmas (out Dec 12) is the story of a group of young women who are being terrorised at their college by masked assailants. It generates a moderate level of interest/suspense but the ending didn't work for me. Grade: B-.