Mini Reviews
Mini Review - Mistress America
Mistress America (out Oct 29) is a lightweight comedy about two New York women who become best friends. There's a charm to the film but their misadventures get repetitive (one wants to open a restaurant, the other wants to be a published author). Grade: B-.
Mini Review - Sleeping With Other People
Sleeping with Other People (out Oct 29) is a romantic comedy/drama about two people trying hard to keep their successful friendship from turning into a messy relationship. There's some real, honest dialogue during the first two-thirds but the film can't quite stick the landing. Grade: B.
Mini Review - The Last Witch Hunter
The Last Witch Hunter (out Oct 29) is about a man given the gift of immortality (Diesel) who has spent the last 800 years maintaining the truce between humans and witches. The film struggles to explore its fantasy world and it culminates with a weak, poorly directed action climax. Grade: C.
Mini Review - The Dressmaker
The Dressmaker (out Oct 29) is a viciously dark comedy that will catch many by surprise. Some moments are light and silly whilst other moments are tragic and confronting. It stars Kate Winslet as a thirty-something year old fashion designer who returns to her birth town to ask questions about her upbringing that she needs answered. Winslet is terrific but it’s Judy Davis who makes the more lasting impression as her cantankerous mother. Grade: B.
Mini Review - Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension
Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension (out Oct 22) is the sixth and final instalment in this successful horror franchise. What began with such hype and excitement in 2009 has finished with a whimper in 2015. The plot is thin and there's not much in the way of new frights and scares. Grade: C.
Mini Review - The Lobster
The Lobster (out Oct 22) is a wonderfully messed up comedy about a guy who has to fall in love within 45 days or else he'll be turned into the animal of his choosing. Set in a dystopian future, the film features ferociously dark humour but runs out of ideas in the later stages. Actors must have worked hard to keep a straight face. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Burnt
Burnt (out Oct 22) is a frustrating, pointless drama about a self-absorbed chef (Bradley Cooper) trying to put his demons (drugs, alcohol, women) in the past and earn a third Michelin star for his London restaurant. The supporting cast are underutilised, the script lack coherence, and the film is evasive about the chef's past. Hard to feel sympathy for such a troubled character. Grade: C.
Mini Review - Alex & Eve
Alex & Eve (out Oct 22) is a silly Australian comedy about a Greek Orthodox schoolteacher who falls in love with a Lebanese Muslim lawyer. Their friends and family aren't happy and it develops into a "Romeo & Juliet" type scenario. The dialogue is stiff and this doesn't have as much as charm as last week's UnIndian. Grade: C.
Mini Review - Bridge Of Spies
Bridge Of Spies (out Oct 22) is based on a true story and follows an American lawyer who takes on the unwanted task of defending a Russian spy. The film skirts around certain parts (e.g. what was the evidence against the spy?). Thankfully, the film changes tact at the half way mark and becomes more complex, more interesting. Great performances from Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Crimson Peak
Crimson Peak (out Oct 15) starts out as a mysterious fantasy involving ghosts and then slowly morphs into something a little different. It's not for everyone but director Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth) has created a well-paced thriller with cool visuals and an unorthodox story. Grade: B+.
Mini Review - Legend
Legend (out Oct 15) tells the tale of Reggie and Ronald Kray - two English gangsters involved in organised crime during the 1950s and 60s. Tom Hardy takes on both leading roles and gives an incredible performance. He has created two very distinct characters. An interesting true story too. Grade: A-.