When American writer/zoologist Delia Owens’ debut novel solo nine-teen million copies and topped The New York Times Fiction Best Sellers List a film version was inevitable. The book follows the life and times of Kya Clark played by Daisy Edgar-Jones (Cold Feet and Ear Of The Worlds). Her life is one filled with extreme hardship.

As the youngest member of a family led by an abusive father played with believable ferocity by Garret Dillahunt, she has to endure all of her loved ones leaving the toxic environment. She stays with their father and suffers the physical and mental isolation until he too leaves their shack home located out in the marsh lands. Forced to raise herself until her teens she is shy but very intelligent.

Her interface with the outside world is minimal and most people try to take advantage of her including a boy named Chase Andrews (Harris Dickinson). He is the small town’s star athlete and comes from a known family. Their relationship become adversarial and when he turns up dead she is charged with the murder. Through backstory during the trial we discover more details about her life and relationship with Chase. This film is a treat for both fans of the book and those new to the story, Where the Crawdads Sing speaks of one woman’s strength against insurmountable odds and her ultimate victory.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/SonyPicturesAUS/

Set in the world of the theatre, both big and small we get to know the crazy menagerie of animated animals that make up the cast of a work put on by Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey). A talent scout Suki (Chelsea Peretti) who works for super promotor Jimmy Crystal (Bobby Cannavale) sees the production and is unimpressed. This sets Buster on a path to eventually putting the musical on in the big smoke. A thinly disguised Las Vegas-like town called Redshore City.

With an insane set design set in outer space and uninhibited by an actual budget limitation and with colours that almost sear the retinas it is visually impressive. The character animations and actions remain in the PG world and present no problems for younger minds to fully grasp. It does teach a few worthy lessons involving friendship and dedication to one’s dreams along the way.

Who would have thought that one of 2021’s most entertaining musicals would be comprised of animated animals voiced by some of Hollywood’s best-known actors and ready to break into song and dance at any moment? It’s difficult to not get involved

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU/

Buster (Oscar® winner Matthew McConaughey) and his cast have turned the New Moon Theater into a local hit, but Buster has his eyes on a bigger prize: Debuting a new show at the Crystal Tower Theater in glamorous Redshore City.

But with no connections, Buster and his cast—including harried mother pig Rosita (Oscar® winner Reese Witherspoon), rocker porcupine Ash (Scarlett Johansson), earnest gorilla Johnny (Taron Egerton), shy elephant Meena (Tori Kelly) and, of course, porcine provocateur extraordinaire Gunter (Nick Kroll)—have to sneak their way into the world-famous Crystal Entertainment offices, run by a ruthless mogul wolf named Jimmy Crystal (Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale).

In a desperate attempt to get Mr. Crystal’s attention, Gunter spontaneously pitches an outrageous idea that Buster quickly runs with, promising that their new show will star lion rock legend Clay Calloway (Bono). Problem is, Buster has never met Clay, an artist who shut himself away from the world more than a decade ago after the loss of his wife and hasn’t been seen since.

As Gunter helps Buster dream up an out-of-this-world theatrical masterpiece, and the pressure (and sinister threats) from Mr. Crystal mount, Buster embarks on a quest to find Clay and persuade him to return to the stage. What begins as Buster’s dream of big-time success becomes an emotional reminder of the power of music to heal even the most broken heart.

Sing 2 is written and directed by acclaimed returning filmmaker Garth Jennings and features, in addition to Bono’s and Cannavale’s roles, new characters played by music superstars Pharrell Williams and Halsey, Black Panther’s Letitia Wright, and comedians Eric Andre and Chelsea Peretti.

The film is produced by visionary Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and by Janet Healy. Sing 2 combines dozens of classic rock and pop hit songs, electrifying performances, breathtaking artistry, and Illumination’s signature humor and heart into the definitive feel-good cinematic event of the year.

Sing will be released in Australian cinemas this Boxing Day!
www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU/

Buster (Oscar® winner Matthew McConaughey) and his cast have turned the New Moon Theater into a local hit, but Buster has his eyes on a bigger prize: Debuting a new show at the Crystal Tower Theater in glamorous Redshore City.

But with no connections, Buster and his cast—including harried mother pig Rosita (Oscar® winner Reese Witherspoon), rocker porcupine Ash (Scarlett Johansson), earnest gorilla Johnny (Taron Egerton), shy elephant Meena (Tori Kelly) and, of course, porcine provocateur extraordinaire Gunter (Nick Kroll)—have to sneak their way into the world-famous Crystal Entertainment offices, run by a ruthless mogul wolf named Jimmy Crystal (Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale).

In a desperate attempt to get Mr. Crystal’s attention, Gunter spontaneously pitches an outrageous idea that Buster quickly runs with, promising that their new show will star lion rock legend Clay Calloway (Bono). Problem is, Buster has never met Clay, an artist who shut himself away from the world more than a decade ago after the loss of his wife and hasn’t been seen since.

As Gunter helps Buster dream up an out-of-this-world theatrical masterpiece, and the pressure (and sinister threats) from Mr. Crystal mount, Buster embarks on a quest to find Clay and persuade him to return to the stage. What begins as Buster’s dream of big-time success becomes an emotional reminder of the power of music to heal even the most broken heart.

Sing 2 is written and directed by acclaimed returning filmmaker Garth Jennings and features, in addition to Bono’s and Cannavale’s roles, new characters played by music superstars Pharrell Williams and Halsey, Black Panther’s Letitia Wright, and comedians Eric Andre and Chelsea Peretti.

The film is produced by visionary Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and by Janet Healy. Sing 2 combines dozens of classic rock and pop hit songs, electrifying performances, breathtaking artistry, and Illumination’s signature humor and heart into the definitive feel-good cinematic event of the year.
www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU/

The story revolves around the government’s cover up of actual monsters that inhabit our planet. These monsters are eventually revealed to the public when the earth in invaded by aliens, who of course have ideas of world domination.

Setting the story in the world of CGI animation gives the filmmakers carte blanch to create and destroy what ever they want and this leads to some outstanding moments of mayhem including the destruction of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Many modern-day animated features find a fine balance between adult and youth entertainment and include enough adult innuendo to keep the parents happy while the young ones are blissfully unaware. Monsters vs Aliens keeps these risqué moments to a minimum and that lands the film more in the children’s only camp. It’s still a marvel to look at and the youth will certainly be riveted but as adult entertainment, it has slightly less to offer.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/ParamountPicturesAU

It might be a generational thing as this reviewer is far removed from being a tween but great story telling has the ability to transcend age limitations. There are good things to take from the experience however as Reese Witherspoon is very appealing and funny as one of the major characters and it’s good to see Oprah back on the big screen. It’s also great to see Disney give a chance to a female director on one of its major films, in this case Ava DuVernay (Selma, Middle Of Nowhere).

Mention must also be made about the visual presentation, it has many moments of amazing and imaginative computer generated imagery that could only happen in a non reality landscape. The story defies a quick synopsis but it has to do with interdimensional time travel and science fiction driven possibilities mixed with a fantasy approach that blurs thew lines between them all.

This is a film that will polarise audience members but is worth a look, especially if the fantasy genre is one that appeals.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/WrinkleInTimeMovie

Recently separated from her husband, (Michael Sheen), Alice decides to start over by moving back to her hometown of Los Angeles with her two young daughters. During a night out on her 40th birthday, Alice meets three aspiring filmmakers who happen to be in need of a place to live.

Alice agrees to let the guys stay in her guest house temporarily, but the arrangement ends up unfolding in unexpected ways. Alice’s unlikely new family and new romance comes to a crashing halt when her ex-husband shows up, suitcase in hand. HOME AGAIN is a story of love, friendship, and the families we create. And one very big life lesson: Starting over is not for beginners.

Directed by Hallie Meyers-Shyer and starring Reese Witherspoon, Michael Sheen, Candice Bergen and Lake Bell – Home Again is IN CINEMAS OCTOBER 19.
www.homeagainmovie.com.au

Competition will be drawn 17 October 2017, winners will be notified by mail.