Movie Review 853 results

The Grinch Movie Review

The bright holiday colours absolutely jump off the screen and the wild Rube Goldberg inventions in Grinch’s cave and the set design show a heightened level of detail. Benedict Cumberbatch is the voice behind the unfriendly one and modulates his voice to good effect. A serious rendition this is not.   //   The story while being a familiar one, is still worthy of retelling as this time of year brings as much loneliness to some as it does happiness. Making people aware of ...

The King And I: from the Palladium Review

Rendered in high definition and featuring the best seats in the house, the presentation is almost faultless. Kelli O’Hara as Anna is strong of voice and her expressive stage craft is outstanding. Seeing Ruthie Ann Miles return to stage as Lady Thiang is very inspiring after the tragedies she’s had to endure and Ken Watanabe puts in a workman like take on the King of Siam. The songs are as memorable as ever and the young cast are uniformly cute.   //   The multi-award ...

The Children Act Movie Review

When an emotional case is added to her docket, she breaks protocol and becomes involved. This has the effect of changing her and husband Jack’s (Stanley Tucci) life. Things unfold in an unhurried fashion and the lack of cliche predicaments announce a work squarely aimed at audience members that enjoy character driven stories.   //   It’s examination of a wide range of topics such as monogamy, religious zealotry and obsession are expertly handled. It’s to Thompson...

Widows Movie Review

McQueen fills his films with the components that make for a lasting experience. The script is taunt and concise, the people in his films more often than not make their point through actions and not words. He uses precision and economy to set the stage. There are those with money and power and those that are trying to claw their way to a better life.   //   The films stats with dramatic action. There is an all male criminal crew that try to pull off a big heist. Things go ...

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald Movie Review

After escaping from incarceration the threat posed by Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) becomes a reality. Lines are drawn between the wizard world and that of the Muggles (non-magical humans). Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) is forced to choose sides and leaves his beloved creatures behind to get involved in the fracas.   //   This chapters pays real dividends to fans of the Harry Potter franchise as the two storylines begin to show more of a connection. This time out even ...

The Old Man & the Gun Movie Review

The story is based on the real life Forrest Tucker, a career criminal who was adept at robbing banks and escaping from prison. He continued to rob banks well into his senior years and that is where this story picks up. While fleeing a recent robbery, Forrest (Redford) meets Jewel (Sissy Spacek) and a relationship develops.   //   The two bond over coffee and conversation and it’s great to see an older couple (or any couple for that matter) charm each other without the ...

Hunter Killer Movie Review

The story revolves around a high-tech American submarine and its principled Captain, Joe Glass, played with his usual swagger by Gerard Butler. He is the ultimate stand up guy and when he and his crew rescue a fellow Russian sub captain from the bottom of the sea, they become immersed in coup to oust the current government in Russia.   //   American patriotism is down played slightly as the action on screen becomes more about doing the right thing regardless of national ...

Patrick Movie Review

Beattie Edmondson, daughter of Young One Adrian Edmondson and the absolutely fabulous Jennifer Saunders plays the spinster Sarah Francis, who comes into possession of Patrick, a mischievous Pug dog. Through a quite predictable path, she and the unwanted pooch become attached to each other and this coincides with an upturn in her fortunes.   //   There are very few surprises in store via the screenplay and the non reality of the setting wares a bit thin, it’s set in ...

Journey’s End Movie Review

The acting is superlative to a man. Sam Claflin as the company’s leader, Captain Stanhope, shows the signs of what is now known as PTSD. He has witnessed too much horror and experienced too much loss to continue as a well functioning human being.   //   Then there is Asa Butterfield as the fresh faced Second Lieutenant Raleigh, he just out of boot camp and yet to experience the horrors of war. His story arch is an especially tragic one. Paul Bettany as Lieutenant ...

Boy Erased Movie Review

The film energizes the viewer with a sense of outrage over the misguided attempt to cure their son’s homosexuality with the therapy while taking an even handed look at the hypocrisy of their religion, one based on forgiveness and love. Edgerton is masterful at balancing these opposites.   //   The father (Russell Crowe) mother (Nicole Kidman) and son (Lucas Hedges) form a loving family unit that is changed forever as the clash over religion and sexuality takes over ...