How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World Movie Review
Most would be familiar by now with the main storyline behind the series, that of the young boy Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) who befriends a dragon and forever changes the way his Viking tribe sees these majestic beasts. The movies have been consistently satisfying from a story telling aspect and each new edition adds that little bit more to their ethos.
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In this, the last addition, we get to see Hiccup become a man and take over his duties as leader of the tribe (after ...
The Kid Who Would Be King Movie Review
The story has been brought up to date and set in modern times but cleverly succeeds in keeping the old mythology alive. This even includes a very comic take on Merlin the wizard played by two actors, the regal Patrick Stewart playing against type and Angus Imrie, playing him as the school geek extraordinaire. Both versions are very funny.
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The believe in yourself message is delivered with little subtlety but it is satisfying nonetheless seeing the school nerd Alex ...
Skate Kitchen Movie Review
Set in New York City and its outlying boroughs, it follows Camille (Rachelle Vinberg) an eighteen year old who is just starting to find her way in life. Coming from a fractured family unit and not fitting easily into any one category, she finally starts to find her way when she hooks up with a group of fellow female skateboarders.
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The skateboarder lifestyle become a comfort to her and starts to inform her life’s decisions. The film also illustrates how gangs of ...
Storm Boy Movie Review
The novel by Colin Thiele was first published in 1966. That was followed by the first filmed version in 1976. Fast forward to 2019 and director Shawn Seet (The Code and Underbelly) presents a new take starring Geoffrey Rush, Jai Courtney, Trevor Jamieson and the amazing newcomer, Finn Little as the young boy who helps save the lives of three orphaned pelicans.
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It’s a universal story of growing up without the aid of a full family unit and believing in something ...
Mary Queen of Scots Movie Review
There is a lack of opulence and bright colours that were probably closer to the reality of the times. This is a dark tale, set in dark surrounds, during a dark time. The sets and costumes also do an effective job of staying in this mindset.
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The main women, Saoirse Ronan at her best as the luminous Mary Stuart and Margot Robbie as the severely portrayed Queen Elizabeth the First are the heroes here, while the men behind them play war mongering, cheats, liars and ...
Glass Movie Review
Although this new work is far from perfect, it succeeds quite well in tying up a lot of the loose ends from the earlier films while creating a few new strands to savour. This time out the storyline features Sarah Paulson as the doctor who trying to make sense out of the main protagonist’s powers. This approach unfolds slowly and features a sting in the tail end.
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Shyamalan proves adept as setting a scene with just the right amount of creepy overtones and slowly ...
Vice Movie Review
The film is both wildly inventive and unafraid to take its audience members into some very dark places. It follows Chaney from his blue collar beginnings to his place on the highest rungs of power. With stops along the way for three heart attacks, an accidental shooting of a 78 year old Texas attorney while quail hunting and the reciting of Shakespeare before shagging his wife Lynne played with a power hungry intensity by Amy Adams.
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Those moments and many more are ...
Instant Family Movie Review
Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) are a married couple that are unable to conceive and decide to go down the adoption road. During this journey they come in contact with the oddest of odd couple adoption agents Karen (Octavia Spencer) and Sharon (Tig Notaro). The two agent’s yin and yang together is hilarious.
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They end up adopting three children (from the same dysfunctional family) that range in age from very young to the teen years. This age gap ...
Bumblebee Movie Review
There are a number of other elements that help transform the film as well, the most important being the non-objectification of the female characters. The Megan Fox syndrome is completely avoided and new girl, Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit) gets the balance between awkward teenager and emerging woman just right. The script also helps with this as it avoids a number of predictable cliches.
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Setting the film in the late eighties provides the opportunity to dial back ...
Mary Poppins Returns Movie Review
Despite the over fifty-year gap between the first Poppins film released back in 1964 and the new sequel, Disney has brought the story up to date. Even correcting quite a few of the wonky elements from the first edition and resisting the temptation to go all CGI crazy. The film still has that old school charm visually and this includes what appears to be hand drawn animation.
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After the fact, Emily Blunt seems the perfect choice to pick up the reins from Julie ...
