Mini Reviews
Shrek Forever After (out Jun 17) will be liked by most kids but it lacks the originality and adult humour I remember fondly from the first film. This time around, Shrek goes head-to-head with Rumpelstiltskin who threatens to destroy his life. Eddie Murphy again gets all the best lines as Donkey but with only one new character, this series is starting to tire. Grade: B.
Rocket Science (out Jun 17) is from the director of Spellbound (my all time fav doco) and I first looked at the trailer in Aug 2007. It's FINALLY being released in Australia and the wait is worth it. A nice tale about a stuttering teenager who gets involved in the high school debating team to impress a girl. The lead performance is superb and so is the script - I particularly liked how the story ends. Grade: A-.
New York I Love You (out Jun 10) has been made in a similar vein to Paris I Love You. It's a group of short stories from famous directors packaged up as a single movie. There are some nice tales in this film but an equal number left me snoozing. The Brett Ratner directed short (involving the wheelchair-bound girl) was my favourite. Grade: B-.
Sex & The City 2 (out now) is the worst film of the year so far. Was there a plot? I couldn't have cared less for these superficial women and their petty problems. It's such a burden having to fly economy instead of first class. Don't forget about the troubles that come with owning two beautiful apartments in New York City. Boo hoo! Grade: C-.
The Losers (out now) is about a group of CIA operatives left for dead. They then go on a quest to find the person who responsible for putting them in that position. Turns out he's some super villain. They blow up a bunch of stuff in the process. Yay. Grade: C.
Animal Kingdom (out Jun 3) is a very interesting Australian film about a family of criminals caught up in war with the Melbourne police force. This film's got it all. A strong story, complex characters and super performances. The only weak point for me was the ending - I had trouble reconciling the actions of a certain individiual. Still, you must see this. Grade: A-.
Prince Of Persia (out May 27) is an action film I've seen a million times before. There are plenty of well choreographed action sequences (thumbs up to director Mike Newell) but the story is weak and the dialogue is even weaker. I'm sure it'll make money but will anyone remember it in 5 years time? I doubt it. Grade: B-.
City Island (out May 27) is a decent comedy about a very messed up family. Everyone's keeping big secrets and they'll be revealed thanks to a series of well-timed events. If you're looking for something light but also with good performances, this is just for you. Grade: A-.
The Stoning Of Soraya M (out May 27) is the powerful true story of an Iranian woman who was stoned to death in 1986 after being falsely accused of adultery. It brutally highlights the oppression of women in Iran. Shohreh Aghdashloo gives an incredible performance. The film finished 3rd in the audience vote at the 2008 Toronto Film Festival (behind Slumdog Millionaire). Glad to see it being released. Grade: A.
The Secret In Their Eyes (out May 27) is an Argentinean film which won the Oscar for best foreign language movie. I don't know if it's worthy of that honour but it's still great. The story of a justice agent trying to solve a long-running case about a murdered woman. With believable twists and some fantastic dialogue, this is a must-see for anyone who enjoys a good crime thriller. Grade: A-.
Blind Company (out now) is an Australian film about a 56 y/o who knows he is dying. He wants to live out his final weeks in isolation at his beachside home but is pestered by his inquisitive nephew. It's intriguing in places but I felt let down by the ending. With little dialogue, it's hard to see this film having much appeal. Grade: B-.
