Welcome to the Film Pie! Brisbane based film critic Matt Toomey has reviewed thousands of movies since 1996. See what's out now, or browse the review archive.

Mini Reviews

Mini Review - Fighting

Fighting (out now) is about a young man (Channing Tatum) with next-to-nothing who becomes involved in the world of underground street fighting and starts raking in the cash. I liked Terrence Howard, who plays Tatum's manager, but the story is tedious. Grade: C+.

Mini Review - Taking Woodstock

Taking Woodstock (out now) focuses on an ordinary guy who played a small part in creating the infamous music festival in 1969. It's not a history lesson. It's more a journey of self-discovery. The characters were a little dull and some supporting characters are underdeveloped but I liked the overall feel. I even felt a little trippy. I'm going to lie down now. Grade: B.

Mini Review - The Soloist

The Soloist (out Sep 3) is about a New York City journalist (Robert Downey Jr) who tries to help a schziophrenic homeless guy who plays beautiful violin music (Jamie Foxx). I didn't hate this movie but I struggled to "get" the message. I don't know if I liked Jamie Foxx in the lead role either. Hmmmmm, yeah, not good enough. Grade: B-.

Mini Review - Charlie & Boots

Charlie & Boots (out Sep 3) is a surprising decent flick about a father and son who go on a road trip from Melbourne to Cape York to sort out their differences. It stars Paul Hogan and Shane Jacobson and is being released, coincidentally enough, the week before Father's Day. You get to see some small Aussie towns and have a few laughs. Grade: B+.

Mini Review - Ponyo

Ponyo (out Aug 27) is an animated flick from acclaimed Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away). It's about a 5-year-old boy and a talking goldfish who wants to be a human, but his evil wizard of a father has other ideas. I don't know what Miyazaki smokes but it's strong stuff. I love his creativity however this one didn't achieve the heights of his previous work. Grade: B.

Mini Review - Storage

Storage (out now) is a locally made thriller about a young guy and his uncle who manage a large storage warehouse. You'd be surprised what secrets lie within. With two strong performances from the leads and a few nice twists, it's definitely worth seeing. Grade: B+.

Mini Review - Spread

Spread (out now) is a stupid romantic drama about a model/hustler (Ashton Kutcher) who shacks up with a rich, older woman (Anne Heche). Just terrible. Grade: C.

Mini Review - The Age Of Stupid

The Age Of Stupid (out now) is a wishy-washy documentary about global warming which doesn't get the message across. It focuses on some uninteresting people too. Why tell the story of the airline owner? I believe in global warming but this film isn't doing much to get others on board. Grade: B-.

Mini Review - Inglourious Basterds

Inglourious Basterds (out now) is the latest from Quentin Tarantino - a ficitious film set in WWII Paris about a cinema owner and a group of American soldiers looking to defeat the Nazis.  It's typical Tarantino with awesome dialogue.  The first scene is a beauty.  Christoph Waltz is brilliant as a German colonel.  Unfortunately, the ending was a let down, a little silly if you ask me.  Grade: B+.

Mini Review - Adam

Adam (out now) is about a young man (Hugh Dancy) with Asperger Syndrome who must confront a new life after the death of his father. He finds comfort in his new next door neighbour (Rose Byrne) but she is struggling to come to grips with his condition. This is the second film on this disorder we've seen this year (after Mary & Max) and I liked it, particularly the ending. Grade: B+.

Mini Review - The Taking Of Pelham 123

The Taking Of Pelham 123 (out Aug 27) may star Denzel Washington and John Travolta but just a predictable, clichéd thriller about a guy who hijacks a subway train and demands a $10m ransom. Too far fetched for me. Grade: C+.
  1. Mini Review - The Cove
  2. Mini Review - District 9
  3. Mini Review - Orphan
  4. Mini Review - Dance Flick