Mini Reviews
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-.
Paranormal Activity 4 (out now) is simply not good enough. You can't keep making the same movie over and over. There are even fewer thrills this time. It's more drawn out than an episode of The Bold & The Beautiful. I'm happy for the series to continue... but can something at least happen next time! Grade: C.
Argo (out Oct 25) and is based on the true story of how the CIA helped rescue 6 American diplomats trapped in Iran during the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The use of dramatic licence in the finale is too obvious but aside, Argo is a solid dramatic thriller that is informative, entertaining and gripping. Bryan Cranston and Alan Arkin the pick of the performances. Grade: A-.
Savages (out Oct 18) is a tale about two guys who run a successful marijuana business in LA but find themselves up against a Mexican cartel who want a piece of their turf. It's slow to start, features a strong middle section but is ruined by a dumb ending. Grade: B-.
To Rome With Love (out Oct 18) made me feel sad. Woody Allen is one of my favourite filmmakers (especially given last year's Midnight In Paris) but this mix of romantic stories set in Rome is a complete mess. The characters aren't funny and the blend of fantasy and reality does not work. Grade: C+.
Safety Not Guaranteed (out Oct 18) follows a group of journalists who go in search of the person who wrote an advertisement in a newspaper promising time travel. The film doesn't quite have enough material to go the full 90 minutes but for the most part, this is an entertaining, off-beat comedy. It will keep you smiling and keep you guessing. Grade: B+.
Killing Them Softly (out now) is the story of a hit man chasing three guys who orchestrated the heist of a mob-run poker game. I admire the style and craftsmanship of director Andrew Dominik (Chopper) but I have to admit that I didn't find the characters all that interesting. Grade: B.
Lawless (out Oct 11) has as an over-the-top villain and a few unexplored subplots but for the most part, this is a good film. It's the interesting story of three brothers who ran an illegal moonshine business in the U.S. back in the early 1930s. The production values are terrific and the graphic violence gives it a heavy dose of realism. Grade: B+.
The Words (out Oct 11) is a curious film in that it's about a writer who has written a book about a writer who has stolen a book. Jeremy Irons is great and it's nice to see Bradley Cooper in a non-comedic role but the preachy, hard-to-believe screenplay stops this film from becoming something more memorable. Grade: B-.
