Mini Reviews
Mini Review - Back to Burgundy
Back to Burgundy (out Jul 5) is a wonderful drama from French director Cédric Klapisch. It's the tale of three siblings who inherent their father's vineyard and must decide whether to sell or carry on the family legacy. It's a nicely balanced film that takes into account multiple perspectives while also exploring the wine making process. Grade: A.
Mini Review - Ant-Man and the Wasp
Ant-Man and the Wasp (out Jul 5) is too chaotic in terms of sub-plots (and there's a dud villain) but the action scenes still deliver. We’ve got two heroes who can change their size, a villain who can walk through anything, and a remote control that can shrink cars. It’s a recipe for some cool, fun, creative action pieces. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Hotel Transylvania 3: A Monster Vacation
Hotel Transylvania 3: A Monster Vacation (out Jun 28) is slight in terms of story but they're a still a fun bunch of characters and kids should lap this up. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Show Dogs
Show Dogs (out Jul 5) is a kids flick about a talking police dog who goes undercover at a prestigious dog show to expose a criminal syndicate. This is about as bad as cinema gets. Grade: C-.
Mini Review - Mary Shelley
Mary Shelley (out Jul 4) is an interesting biopic set in the early 19th Century. It follows the acclaimed author as she falls in love for the first time and draws from her experiences to create Frankenstein. The pace is a little sluggish in places but the interaction between key characters is the film’s strongest element. Elle Fanning is terrific in the lead role. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Sicario: Day of the Soldado
Sicario: Day of the Soldado (out Jun 28) is a follow up to the 2015 original and is about a secret U.S. Government department who fuels a war between Mexican cartels in pursuit of a higher goal. It’s not as strong as its predecessor but still features some great pieces that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Belle & Sebastian: Friends for Life
Belle & Sebastian: Friends for Life (out Jun 28) is too simplistic for adults but as kids film, is easy to understand and follow. It's the tale of a boy from Switzerland who must fight a villainous man for the custody of his beloved dog. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Two is a Family
Two is a Family (out Jun 28) is a French film about a womanizing man forced to change his ways after he loses his job and learns that he's a father. Parts are likeable (the young girl is great) but most of it feels silly and phony (starting with the film stunt stuff right up to the odd forced ending). Grade: C+.
Mini Review - Adrift
Adrift (out Jun 28) follows a young woman and her new boyfriend who become stranded at sea after their yacht is damaged by a vicious storm. It’s hard to be too critical given this is based on actual people and events but there’s a contrived nature to certain plot points which makes the story difficult to fully invest in. Kudos to Shailene Woodley for a strong leading performance. Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Ideal Home
Ideal Home (out Jun 21) is the story of two gay men, one a cooking show host and the other his producer, who are asked to care for a young boy after his father is incarcerated. The ending doesn't fit but the rest is outstanding. There are one-liners aplenty from the two fantastic leads - Steve Coogan and Paul Rudd. Grade: A-.
Mini Review - Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (out Jun 21) has some cool escape sequences (particularly the stuff involving lava) but for the most part, this is a tired looking movie with a lacklustre plot. They one-note villains have ideas so dumb and clichéd that they belong in a Scooby Doo cartoon. Grade: C+.