Mini Reviews
Alex Cross (out Nov 8) is rubbish. A group of cops try to stop a psycho killer guy and nothing really makes any sense. It contains more holes than a donut shop. Grade: C-.
Skyfall (out Nov 22) has a better first half than second but it's still a very good Bond film with well-timed humour and amazing action sequences (particularly the opening). The striking cinematography is what I loved most. The plot is a little thin but I liked the running theme of old versus new. Grade: A-.
The Sessions (out Nov 8) is a well-paced drama about a 38 y/o man who has been paralysed from the neck down since he was a child. He is introduced to a sex therapist who tries to provide him with his first real sexual experience. It skirts around a few issues but for the most part, it was an eye-opening drama with two nice performances from John Hawkes and Helen Hunt. Grade: B+.
Bachelorette (out now) is the female equivalent of The Hangover. The plot isn't as crazy but I enjoyed following these nutty, self-absorbed characters (particularly Lizzy Caplan) in the 24 hours in the lead up to a wedding. Grade: B+.
The Master (out Nov 8) is set in the 1950s and is an absorbing character study about an aimless WWII veteran (Joaquin Phoenix) and the leader of a growing cult (Philip Seymour Hoffman). The performances are sensational and combined with the beautiful cinematography and uneasy film score, this is another feather in the cap of writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson. Grade: A-.
Last Dance (out now) is set in Melbourne and is about a young Muslim man who takes refuge in the home of an elderly woman after being part of a terrorist attack. The film has been made with good intentions but unfortunately, the plot is too implausible to take seriously. Grade: C+.
End Of Watch (out Nov 1) centres on two police officers and follows their escapades. At times, the cameras are held by characters or attached to cars. At other times, the cameras are held by external parties. I'm not sold on this visual technique and the story is nothing new... but the film is still worth a look. It's a honest look at what can be a challenging profession. Grade: B.
Housos Vs Authority (out Nov 1) is a movie spin off of the SBS TV show. I can't remember seeing a film with more F-bombs. Fans of the TV series (whoever you are) can check it out but everyone else can steer clear. Watching the two-minute trailer is bad enough. Grade: C-.
Dredd (out now) has style and some nicely choreographed action sequences that are heavy on violence. Not a huge fan of the characters though and I think The Raid (a similar Indonesian film released earlier this year) offered more in terms of fun and entertainment. Grade: B-.
Frankenweenie (out Oct 25) is unique in the sense that it's a black & white, stop-motion, children's horror film. It's a kind of a good idea but only feels like a half a movie. The story is strange and unfulfilling. The jokes are few and far between. Grade: B-.
The Intouchables (out Oct 25) is a little goofy to start but develops into something that is both joyous and affecting. It's the story of a wealthy paraplegic who employs a poor, self-centred guy to be his new live-in carer. This French film has been hugely popular with audiences around the globe and it's not hard to see why. A great crowd pleaser. Grade: A-.
