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

Whitney: Can I Be Me (out Jun 15) is a documentary that effectively uses archival footage to pay homage to the late singer Whitney Houston. We see what made her so great but also what helped destroy her career. Grade: B+.

Kedi (out Jun 15) is a film made solely for cat lovers. It follows a group of cats from Istanbul and the part they play in their owner's lives. There's nothing land breaking here but given the popularity of cat videos on social media, this film will have an audience. Grade: B.

The Promise (out Jun 15) is a heavy drama set in Turkey during the early stages of World War I and is centred on an Armenian medical student, an American journalist and the woman who comes between them. The film is trying to affect audiences emotionally but the impact is lost with the overly manufactured screenplay. Grade: C+.

The Mummy (out Jun 8) is the first in a "Dark Monsters" universe that is trying to compete with the likes of Marvel and DC Comics. Tom Cruise plays a not-so-nice guy who stumbles across a hidden tomb and unleashed a powerful evil upon the world. The film's light-hearted nature reminded me of the National Treasure franchise. Story could have been more interesting though. Grade: B-.

Churchill (out Jun 8) looks at Prime Minister Winston Churchill in the days leading up to the D-Day attacks at Normandy in 1944. The film's narrow focus makes it repetitive in places but Brian Cox's strong performance makes you believe in this version of the truth (which some have doubted). Grade: B-.

Wonder Woman (out Jun 1) is one of the better superhero movies. It actually has an interesting story to tell and doesn't rely on action for action's sake. Gal Gadot is incredibly convincing as the film's powerful hero who is naive about how the world works. Chris Pine offers comedic and emotional support and is also very good. Grade: A-.

Baywatch (out Jun 1) tries to pay homage to the original TV series while also mocking it at the same time. It's not a bad approach but the problem here is the lack of laughs. Grade: C+.

20th Century Women (out Jun 1) is an observational drama set in 1979 about a 55-year-old mother (Annette Bening) trying to connect with her 15-year-old son. Drawing from personal experiences, Mike Mills has created a remarkable film that offers tragedy, laughter and reflection. I could listen to these characters talk and watch them interact for hours. Grade: A+.

Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer (out May 25) is a slow drama about a struggling "consultant" whose world unravels due to his own incompetence. I'm a fan of Richard Gere but this is a silly story that needed more realism and complexity. Grade: C+.

Wilson (out May 25) is a confusing film that tries to blend comedy and drama in a manner that doesn't work. It's about a socially awkward man who tries to rekindle his relationship with his ex-wife and track down his adopted daughter. Grade: C.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (out May 25) is an improvement on the last film but this franchise is still looking tired. The story is mildly interesting and makes good use of fresh characters but Johnny Depp delivers the same repetitive performance. The film is far more entertaining when he's off screen. Grade: B-.