Mini Reviews
The Orator (out now) is set in Samoa and centres on a farmer trying to find respect within the community for himself and his family. Winner of the audience vote at the Brisbane International Film Festival, this is a nice film with a strong heart. Grade: B+.
The First Grader (out now) is based on a true story - an 84 year old from Kenya went to school for the first time and learned how to read. It's a nice, crowd pleaser but I couldn't help but feel it's been "sugar coated" for audiences. The conclusion (where everything wraps up far too neatly) is proof of that. Grade: B-.
The Tall Man (out now) is an Australian documentary that neatly brings together the facts surrounding one of Queensland's most talked about investigations - the death in custody of Cameron Doomadgee in 2004. It will certainly shock those unfamiliar with these events. Grade: B+.
The Ides Of March (out Nov 24) belongs in a genre I really love - political dramas. The pieces fit together a little too neatly at times but the cast is superb (especially Ryan Gosling) and the storyline will hold your attention all the way through. Grade: A-.
We Need To Talk About Kevin (out now) is about a woman (Tilda Swinton) fighting hard to keep her sanity while her son makes life as tough as possible. This is unsettling, depressing, amazing. The film's fragmented style suits the material and it's been beautifully put together by director Lynn Ramsay. Grade: A-.
Tabloid (out now) is a documentary about a former beauty queen who kidnapped her ex-boyfriend and used him as a sex slave for 3 days in 1977. The topic is interesting but I was hoping to hear events from a few more perspectives (e.g. such as the authorities). We only get a limited view and I’m none the wiser as to what really happened. Grade: B-.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (out Nov 17) is a complete snoozefest. This weekend, millions of people around the globe will be conned into handing over their hard earned cash to see a film with no plot, no action and no climax. Please alert your local authorities before it's too late. This is a crime in progress. Grade: C.
The Debt (out now) is a decent spy thriller that spans several decades. It begins in 1966 with three agents try to track down and arrest a Nazi war criminal. I enjoyed it for the most part but was disappointed by the far fetched ending. Grade: B.
This Is Not A Film (out Nov 17) is rather odd in that the backstory is more interesting than the film itself. It’s a very sad tale but listening to Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi talk about his life and his previous works couldn’t hold my attention all the way through. Grade: B.
Burning Man (out Nov 17) is about a young chef who sees his life spiralling out of control following the death of his wife. The film's most obvious trait is an extremely fragmented narrative. This will frustrate some filmgoers but the remainder should see this as a powerful piece of cinema. Star Matthew Goode delivers a terrific performance. Grade: B+.
Shark Night (out now) is, as expected, a trashy thriller. A group of college students find themselves stranded on an island an under attack from a group of nasty sharks. The special effects are poor and the story is likely to generate more laughs than thrills. Grade: C.
