Mini Reviews
Step Up 3D (out Aug 5) has worse dialogue than an episode of Home & Away. Whatever you do, please don't see this film for its plot. You'll have too much trouble finding it. However, you DO need to see this film if you love street dance. There are some terrific dance scenes features great choreography and excellent use of the 3D format. This was better than I was expecting. Grade: B.
Centurion (out now) is set in 117AD and is about a group of Roman soldiers fighting the Picts in Northern Britain. It's a fairly "random" film. I didn't know which side I was supposed to be cheering for. The violence is also overdone. Yes, it may be realistic but what purpose does it serve showing us so many brutally graphic killings? Needed more story. Grade: C+.
The Special Relationship (out Aug 5) explores interesting territory. It's the story of the bond that developed between President Bill Clinton and Prime Minister Tony Blair. The film was released in the U.S. as a telemovie and you get that feeling watching it. There are lots of press conferences and television spots explaining factual details but it doesn't dig deep enough into the characters themselves. Grade: B-.
Me & Orson Welles (out now) has taken a while to reach Australia but the wait has been worth it. It's the story of how Welles wrote, directed and starred in a stage play of Julius Caesar in 1937. Christian McKay's performance is tremendous. He portrays Welles as both arrogant and brilliant. It's a tasty combination made more appetising by great dialogue. Zac Efron and Claire Danes also good. Grade: A-.
Killers (out Jul 29) is an action comedy about a woman who finds out that her husband of three years is an ex assassin. There's a bounty on his head and everyone in the neighbourhood is out to kill him. This wasn't as funny as it should have been. Too serious in places. Action scenes also lacking in excitement. Catherine O'Hara the only positive as the humorous mother with a propensity to drink. Grade: C+.
Leaving (out now) is a French drama about a married woman who leaves her wealthy husband for another man. The husband threatens to leave her without a cent unless she ends the affair and comes back to him. Which option will see choose? Kristen Scott Thomas has the lead role but I didn't like her character. This was disappointing. Poor ending. Grade: C+.
South Solitary (out Jul 29) may well be the most boring Australian film ever made. Set in the 1920s, it's about a middle aged woman who goes with her uncle to a small island to help run the lighthouse. Sound appealing? Nothing happens in this movie and I suspect no one is going to see it. Grade: C-.
Inception (out Jul 22) is the most intelligent action film you will ever see. How can I describe the complex storyline? I won't even try. Words do it no justice. This is a film which can only be experienced... multiple times! Writer-director Christopher Nolan has created a remarkable fantasy world. Incredible story, incredible visuals, incredible score. Grade: A+.
Greenberg (out Jul 22) stars Ben Stiller but it's more a drama than a comedy. About a neurotic guy from New York who is house sitting for his brother in Los Angeles. He befriends his brother's personal assistant and an unusual relationship then develops. These are interesting characters and they have many strange habits. Unfortunately, I didn't find the ending I was hoping for. Grade: B+.
The Runaways (out now) is average at best. It's the story of the all-girl rock band who found fame in the 1970s. I think I was supposed to feel empathy for these exploited teenagers but that wasn't the reality. I saw it as just another rock band movie with the usual highs and lows. Kristen Stewart was my pick of the cast. Good to see her in something other than Twilight. Grade: B-.
Creation (out Jul 15) looks at the difficulties that Charles Darwin faced before publishing "On The Origin Of Species" in 1859. Paul Bettany does a great job illustrating his character's demons that drove him to the point of insanity. I'm not convinced there's enough material here for a full movie but it's an interesting character study nevertheless. Grade: B.
