The Transformers films have always operated at a high level of visual spectacle and basic human endeavour and the new edition is no different. Things have improved notably now that they are casting humans with more real appeal than being just eye candy even though they give them very little to do.

Stakes have risen and it’s nothing less than the complete annihilation of planet Earth at stake. With the introduction of a new set of adversaries, the Terrorcons who are led by Scourge (Peter Dinklage) and answer to the planet-eating dark god Unicron (Colman Domingo), Earth might become his latest snack.

The amount of visual information present during some of the fight scenes can be almost overwhelming as the efforts by the computer animators to up the level of detail is impressive. It’s the film’s strongest trait and it’s needed as the storyline is minimal and the character development slight. As an example of where CGI is at present, it heralds a new world and that is both a good and bad thing.
Rob Hudson
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Returning to the action and spectacle that have captured moviegoers around the world, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will take audiences on a ‘90s globetrotting adventure with the Autobots and introduce a whole new faction of Transformer – the Maximals – to the existing battle on earth between Autobots and Decepticons.

Directed by Steven Caple Jr. and starring Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback, the film arrives in Australian cinemas June 22, 2023.
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Directed by Steven Caple Jr. and starring Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Tobe Nwigwe, Peter Cullen, Ron Perlman, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, Liza Koshy, John DiMaggio, David Sobolov, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Pete Davidson, Cristo Fernández, the film arrives in Australian cinemas June 22, 2023.
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We follow the life of Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) a drifter who finds a purpose at the feet of Pete (David Strathairn), a grifter running the psychic medium scam at a traveling carnival with his partner Zeena the Seer (Toni Collette). Stanton learns the trade and sees himself as capable of more and aggressively makes those ambitions come to fruition.

The story is told in two distinct parts and part two features Cate Blanchett as the sultry Dr. Lilith Ritter. The two develop a working relationship and Stanton ups his game to pull the long con on the uber-rich. It’s these (mis)adventures that ramp things up and provide the last reel with its twists and turns.

Making more than a few comments on the vanity and naiveté of the superrich as well as how people’s beliefs can be swayed by grief and a convincing con, Nightmare Alley has a valid point behind its hyper-stylised noir look. Perhaps more convincing visually than story-wise, del Toro still creates an intriguing world that is easy to get lost in.

Rob Hudson
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With the virtuous Molly (Rooney Mara) loyally by his side, Stanton plots to con a dangerous tycoon (Richard Jenkins) with the aid of a mysterious psychiatrist (Cate Blanchett) who might be his most formidable opponent yet.

Driected by Guillermo del Toro and starring Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe, Richard Jenkins, Rooney Mara, Ron Perlman, Mary Steenburgen, David Strathairn, Nightmare Alley will be released in Australian cinemas January 20, 2022!
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Directed by Guillermo del Toro, Nightmare Alley stars Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe, Richard Jenkins, Rooney Mara, Ron Perlman, Mary Steenburgen, David Strathairn and will be released in Australian cineas January 20, 2022!
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