Starting with part 2 they expanded the Wick Universe by creating a concept called the High Table with its arcane rules and extreme sense of justice. This has gone some way to supplying a backbone to the story arc and they have leaned into this in every film since. With Ballerina it barely generates a mention and it’s a sad absence because this work is very light on dynamics and story.

Ana de Armas is fine as the main character Eve and her ability in the fight scenes is engaging and exhilarating. But we learn so little about her life or her motivations. Those moments of exposition are sadly missing and would have given the audience a breather to help build anticipation for the next fight scene and provide a path to the person under the persona.

The fight scenes do stand out as Eve’s technique of using any and all available items as weapons is quite a departure from Wick’s modus operandi. No one can argue the motivation behind Wick’s explosion of violence but Eve’s is not as clearly defined. Setting almost every fight scene in dark surroundings also blunts the impact. Taken in the context of the Wick Universe, it’s a worthwhile view but as a solo work not so much.
Rob Hudson
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From the World of John Wick: Ballerina stars Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, with Ian McShane, and Keanu Reeves.

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is coming to Australian cinemas on June 5, 2025
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The story still raises questions about what it is to be truly human but from a slightly different vantage point than before and the main actors keep things as fluid as ever. In a defiant nod to the gender bias in a lot of action films, the big baddie, Luv (Sylvia Hoeks) is a woman this time and she kicks some serious butt.

The film’s long running time (162 minutes) plays out in a very leisurely manner and might challenge viewers spoon fed on blockbuster action movies. Its appeal lies in the individual interpretations of its audience members and the dialogue it creates after the film has washed over you.

Good science fiction should both entertain and create scenarios that develop serious thought and Blade Runner 2049 succeeds emphatically in both these areas.

Rob Hudson
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No Time To Die, Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology. In cinemas April 8.

No Time To Die stars Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Rory Kinnear, Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Jeffrey Wright, Ana de Armas, Dali Benssalah, David Dencik, Lashana Lynch, Billy Magnussen and Rami MalekIn, will be released in Australian cinemas April 8!
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The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.

In cinemas April 8, 2020,
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Having the writer also be the director, in this case Rian Johnson, makes the entire exercise feels more on point. Little seems diluted from what is a classic whodunnit. It’s clever but not so clever the it leaves you behind. There are plenty of clues and it’s entirely up to you to decipher real from ruse.

With such a packed cast, it also prevents the blame from landing on the most famous shoulders as so often happens. To help throw you off the scent, contrasting comic relief is provided by Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc. His Foghorn Leghorn voice (the film’s description, not mine) brings to mind his crazy redneck voice from Logan Lucky.

By film’s end, you will have done your detective due diligence and gone through a number of suspects as they all have reasons to lie. Don’t miss the chance to catch this classic slice of old school magic and support a genre that when done right, is both endearing and entertaining.

Rob Hudson
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Acclaimed writer/director Rian Johnson (Brick, Looper, Star Wars: The Last Jedi) pays tribute to mystery mastermind Agatha Christie in KNIVES OUT, a fresh, modern-day murder mystery where everyone is a suspect.

When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombin (Christopher Plummer) is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan’s dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan’s untimely death.

With an all-star ensemble cast including Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette, Don Johnson, Michael Shannon, LaKeith Stanfield, Katherine Langford and Jaeden Martell, KNIVES OUT is a fun, witty and stylish whodunnit guaranteed to keep audiences guessing until the very end.

In Cinemas November 28.
www.knivesoutmovie.com.au

To enter this great competition simply fill out the form below. Please note – these tickets are for a specific event only and can not be exchanged or refunded. The winners will need to be available on November 25 at 6:30pm in Brisbane to be able to attend this event at Event Cinemas Myer Centre.

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Competition will be drawn 21 November 2019, winners will be notified by email.

When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan’s dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan’s untimely death.

With an all-star ensemble cast including Chris Evans, Ana De Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Johnson, Michael Shannon, Toni Collette, LaKeith Stanfield, Katherine Langford and Jaeden Martell, KNIVES OUT is a witty and stylish whodunit guaranteed to keep audiences guessing until the very end.

Knives Out will be released in Australian cinemas November 28!
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Check out director Cary Fukunaga, Daniel Craig (James Bond #007), Jeffrey Wright (Felix) and Lashana Lynch (Nomi) in this behind the scenes look at our recent Caribbean filming.

Bond 25 will be released in Australian cinemas April 2020!
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K’s discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years.

Starring Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Robin Wright, Jared Leto and Dave Bautista, directed by Denis Villeneuve and IN CINEMAS OCTOBER 5, 2017!

www.bladerunnermovie.com