San Andreas Movie Review
Why are there never any people that spill out of the buildings that get completely destroyed? They were warned this time by Paul Giamatti to get the hell out of Dodge.
Why is it always the daughter that steps up to be the hero and not the son? Boys don’t look as good in wet t-shirts.
Why is it almost always California that gets destroyed in disaster films? It’s halfway there already.
What would it be like to hang ten on a giant tsunami? Good in a small emergency craft, not so ...
Tomorrowland Movie Review
The story revolves around a parallel universe that is not unlike the hidden world in Ayn Rand’s opus Atlas Shrugged (minus the extreme narcissism). It’s a land where science is let loose to the benefit of mankind. This gives the filmmakers a platform for some very cool wishful technology and also features a lot of fantastic set design artwork.
With a list of participants that includes director Brad Bird (The Incredibles and The Iron Giant), George Clooney and Hugh Laurie, it’s a ...
Woman in Gold Movie Review
Woman in Gold ticks many boxes which appeal to a wide audience - it's a David and Goliath story; it's courtroom drama; it's holocaust drama; and it's art documentary. It's a gripping story about a fascinating and frightening moment in history and director, Simon Curtis, holds it all together with a sure hand.
The film is structured into two timelines: the present day where we follow Altmann's attempts to reacquire her stolen possession; and the early 20th century leading to the Anschluss ...
Sirkis/Bialas International Quartet – Come To Me Album Review
When a lyric is sung in a language foreign to the ear, it becomes more of a melodic statement than one of message and as such is easier to just let wash over you. Bialas is sublime in her native tongue and the sparse and thoughtful supportive piano notes of Harrison are divine in their simplicity and accessibility. There is no barrier here.
The rhythm section of Sirkis and Bettison are also a marvel of unison thought process and give the music just the right nudge when needed. The songs ...
Mad Max: Fury Road Movie Review
The set designs are awe inspiring and play as much of a character in the proceedings as top billed stars Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron. The vehicles on display are also amazing and this side of the film has been ramped up to the point of disbelief. Car heads are in for a very good time. There are also a few surprises with casting that give you a chance to see known stars outside their comfort zone.
Themes of a post-apocalyptic wasteland are revisited but with enough of a twist to keep ...
Pitch Perfect 2 Movie Review
The oddly cadenced film suffers from a script that is very uneven and a directing style that didn’t help to stitch things together. First time full-length film director Elizabeth Banks (who also stars in the film) just doesn’t have the accumulated chops to add much to the mix.
When the film relies on storyline, it’s a bit of a mess but as a platform for one-liners, it is very funny. Rebel Wilson does the most with her joke riddled part and her over the top persona rivals the ...
Boychoir Movie Review
If the narrative sounds familiar that’s because it is. This same basic framework has been used over and over from Fame to Billy Elliot. Substitute the poor kid for a rich kid and you have Dead Poet's Society; substitute adults for the schoolboy and you have The Full Monty. Boychoir ticks off each obligatory plot point with metronomic predictability offering no new twists to a tired formula. Everything turns out exactly how you'd expect.
The film boasts an impressive cast list including ...
Avengers: Age of Ultron Movie Review
One of first film’s strongest points was the dynamics between the characters and how they riffed off each other. Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man was given some great lines and everyone else had to up their game just to keep up. The new script is mysteriously bereft of most of those moments and sticks to a pacing of mostly action scenes patched together with momentary bits of dialogue. When the action does arrive however, it is dazzling.
The film also relies a bit too heavily ...
The Gunman Movie Review
Standing in for Neeson this time out is the now craggy faced Sean Penn, who looks like he spent considerable time in the gym while preparing for this role. He plays Jim Terrier, an overseas mercenary with a dark secret and a love interest in Annie played by Italian actress Jasmine Trinca. Through circumstance they become separated but the tie of love warrants a future reconnection.
There are more notable moments of interest amongst the cast members like Javier Bardem sporting normal look ...
Cinderella Movie Review
Her step-mother and sisters are evil beyond redemption and the prince is handsome and honourable beyond reproach. None of this is unexpected, of course - Disney is as Disney does and it's perfect little girl fodder, complete with doe-eyed innocence and glittery flouncy dresses. And it's all shot with an impossible beauty that can only be achieved on a perfectly lit studio set.
Nothing is a surprise - the goodies get their fairy tale ending and the baddies get their just desserts. It's ...
