Welcome to the Film Pie! Brisbane based film critic Matt Toomey has reviewed thousands of movies since 1996. See what's out now, or browse the review archive.

Mini Reviews

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (out Mar 21) will be must-see viewing for fans of the 2014 release but it's thinner in terms of originality and storyline. Grade: B-.

Swimming with Men (out Mar 21) is an unnecessarily goofy comedy about a group of British guys who form a synchronised swimming team and enter a major competition. It's based on actual events but very little about the screenplay rings true. Attempts at humour (e.g. the guy with a criminal past) are just strange. Grade: C-.

Fighting with My Family (out Mar 21) is based on the true story of a teenager from Norwich, England who tried to become a professional wrestler in the WWE. Writer-director Stephen Merchant was drawn to the story's many genres (comedy, drama, suspense) and it's easy to see why given the terrific finished product. This is a fun movie with a big heart and something to say. Grade: A-.

Sometimes Always Never (out Mar 14) focuses on a semi-retired tailor (Bill Nighy) who has never fully come to grips with the disappearance of his son roughly two decades ago. The interaction between the characters should serve as the film’s heart but given some of the scenarios are so odd and hard-to-believe (such as the finale itself), the emotional impact is lessened. Grade: B-.

Hotel Mumbai (out Mar 14) is spread across roughly 3 days and follows a group of people caught up in terrorist attack at a luxurious Indian hotel in 2008. Delving into the ways people react when faced with a life-threatening situation, this movie is both unsettling and inspiring. Grade: B+.

The House That Jack Built (out Mar 7) is an almost unwatchable film from Danish director Lars von Trier. It's a 2.5 hour drama about an art-loving serial killer (played by Matt Dillon). It's graphically violent, tiring and pointless. Grade: C-.

Captain Marvel (out Mar 7) is a standard, kind-of-seen-it-before origin tale. We’ve got a hero learning about their abilities and we’ve got some one-dimensional villains who just want to be powerful and controlling. The most memorable scene is a 30-second end credits glimpse of how Captain Marvel will play a major role in the upcoming Avengers: Endgame. Grade: B-.

Everybody Knows (out Mar 7) is set in the latest from Iranian director Asghar Farhadi (A Separation). A crime is committed during a wedding in Buenos Aires and the fractured family members must come to grips with the messy aftermath. The final act doesn't offer a knockout punch but this is still a quality, slow-burn thriller. Grade: B+.

A Dog's Way Home (out Feb 28) is likely to win over dog lovers but it still has a flimsy story and unconvincing special effects. More for kids than adults. Grade: C+.

Greta (out Feb 28) falls into the trap of creating smart characters but then having them make really dumb decision to help prolong the narrative. It's the tale of a young woman who is befriended by an elderly woman with sinister intentions. Grade: B-.

King of Thieves (out Feb 28) is based on actual events and follows a group of elderly guys who robbed a safe deposit facility in London in 2015. The momentum built during the opening two acts fizzles during a disappointing, unnecessarily long finale which focuses on the aftermath. Grade: C+.