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 Night Before (out Dec 3) is a comedy about three middle aged guys who get together on Christmas Eve and go in pursuit of an amazing party. It takes a while to warm up but as the situations become more and more outlandish (such as a moment in a church), the laughs start to flow. Grade: B.

Truth (out Dec 3) has been criticised for its factual inaccuracies (ironic given the title) but it's still a thought provoking drama about loyalty, office politics and the role of the media. It based on a 60 Minutes story that aired in the United States in 2004 which questioned President George Bush's military history. Grade: B+.

In The Heart Of The Sea (out Dec 3) recounts the true story that helped inspire American author Herman Melville to write Moby Dick. There’s an odd pacing to the film that’s difficult to shrug off and the action sequences feel over edited with confusing camera angles. It wants to be a gripping adventure but it just couldn’t pull me in. Grade: C+.

Love The Coopers (out Nov 26) is a disappointing, unnecessarily complex Christmas drama-comedy structured around an extended family that is difficult to like. They talk a lot but rarely say anything of significance. The odd visual triggers to the past are of little value. Grade: C.

Creed (out Nov 26) is an enjoyable boxing drama that sees Sylvester Stallone reprise his iconic role of Rocky Balboa. This time around, he's serving as the coach and mentor of a young boxer (Michael B. Jordan) trying to find his place in the sport. Both leading performances are great and it culminates with a worthy bout. Grade: B+.

By The Sea (out Nov 26) is a long, tedious drama about a couple (played by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie) who are trying to get their marriage back on track with a trip to a seaside town in Malta. The lack of detail offers intrigue early but there's very little pay off as their repetitive quarrels unfold. Grade: C.

Hotel Transylvania 2 (out Nov 26) is an unadventurous, moderately likable sequel to the 2012 original. Dracula works hard to prove that his half vampire / half human son has the ability to fly. Grade: B-.

The Crow's Egg (out Nov 26) is an Indian comedy about two brothers from a poor family who are looking to taste pizza for the first time. It paints an interesting picture of India but it's a battle to drag this idea out to the film's 90 minute running time. Grade: B-.

99 Homes (out Nov 19) is an American drama about two men who evict people from their homes, on behalf of banks, in pursuit of profit. It's repetitive in places but the messages are important and the performances from Andrew Garfield and Michael Shannon are impressive. Grade: B+.

The Program (out Nov 26) is a drama that chronicles how Lance Armstrong created the "most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen." Told also from the perspective of an Irish sports journalist (who is the more interesting character), the film highlights that money and power in sport often leads to corruption. Don't ignore it. Grade: B+.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (out Nov 19) isn’t offering much in terms of new storylines. It asks a few interesting questions (e.g. is it worth sacrificing civilian casualties in pursuit of a greater good?) but is unwilling to provide meaningful answers. Suzanne Collins's final novel didn't have the same sense of urgency and excitement as its predecessors. My thoughts on this final movie are essentially the same. Grade: B-.