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/

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

Back in 1993 when McConaughey starred in Richard Linklater’s Dazed and Confused as the twenty something loser David Wooderson, few would have imagined an Oscar in his future but the almost complete transformation of both his appearance and acting skills in Dallas Buyers Club is nothing short of amazing. From rom-com lite to serious leading man.

His character in DBC, Ron Woodroof is a homophobic rodeo cowboy past his prime who contracts HIV from heterosexual contact with a lady of the night and thus begins his transformation. He finds the medical hypocrisy in regards to the drugs used for treatment at that time (mid-eighties) overwhelming and starts his own importation and distribution company. His transition into a more understanding and humane person is handled in a timely and incremental way and this really helps in the film’s believability.

The Dallas Buyers Club is a film that is not always easy to watch but it gets under your skin and stays in your memories long after the final credits have run. Its key performances redefine its main actors roles in the Hollywood hierarchy and the story is one of importance. In a year gone by of stand out performances, the accolades given in this case are entirely justified.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/PinnacleFilmsAU

It’s a sign of the expertise at work here that the 180 minute long film literally flies by. It’s also helped along by Leonardo DiCaprio’s most manic performance yet. If you thought he was full on in Django Unchained, he ramps it up ten fold here. Quite a few of the support cast members also turn in career defining roles. This includes Jonah Hill, who get the mix of powerful and pathetic just right and Aussie soap star Margot Robbie’s clothing optional performance that proves her place on the big screen.

A number of critics have taken Scorsese to task for glorifying all the drug use and sexist behavior. They must have been watching another film because never has a film showed so vividly how this kind of hedonist lifestyle fuelled by debauchery and excess leads to empty and hollow lives, big money or not. If you read about the real world characters from this period in Wall Street’s history it might even be considered tame by comparison.

In the 365 days that have just gone past (2013) it was a year in film that set a high water mark for both great films and great performances. Even in this crowded company, The Wolf Of Wall Street stands out and should be included in anyone’s list of must see movies.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/roadshow

The film uses stop motion animation (with one of the techniques cleverly shown in the end credits), CGI and what one might possibly imagine is hand drawn imagery and looks fantastic. Voiced by an A-list of vocal talent that includes Charlize Theron, Ralph Fiennes and Matthew (put down those bongos) McConaughey, they are given rich text to work with.

The story is an out right fantasy voyage and while this is a genre whose charms often elude, this is so inventively accomplished, it draws in the uninterested. Even with its deeply Eastern setting, there are universal themes of family, honour, bravery and friendship.

In what is turning out to be a very uneven year of cinema, Kubo and the Two Strings is a high water mark. Who would have thought back in January that two of the years most interesting films would come from the world of animation?

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU

There are double and triple crosses a plenty in this examination of the marijuana trade and you don’t know where things really stand until the very last of its multiple endings. The byzantine script makes full use of the set up and the film ends with a final reveal that is a self-referential joy to behold.

The cast is incredibly cool with naughty boy Hugh Grant providing the voiceover storyline and Charlie Hunnam showing he hasn’t lost any of his acting chops after a few miss-step roles. Matthew McConaughey is top notch as well and goes against gangster type by loving the misses to the very end. Said lady played by Michelle Dockery leaves her wholesome Downton Abbey persona far far behind.

Ritchie reveals a maturity that buttresses his learned experience from a number of projects that didn’t show his skills in the best light. He’s returned to where it all began and we the audience are richer for the experience. 2019 has been a stellar year for crime dramas.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/roadshow

If this is tinsel town’s attempt to par down the series of eight books written by Stephen King into a more streamlined presentation, much is lost in transition. It is so thin on character development, that it is almost ghost like. If the intension was to create an on going movie franchise, it is a poor first salvo.

In the attempt to not overwhelm the viewer with detail, the filmmakers have relied too much on the audience being familiar with the book series by King. As a free standing project, it just doesn’t provide the hook needed to get you involved. One could venture to say that the ultra King fan would also have been left hungry.

As it is, the cast is likeable (if under utilised) but it will leave the audience feeling deprived of a more substantial experience. If they end up making more episodes of The Dark Tower (both prequel and sequel) and raise their game, then this first film might provide a decent chapter two.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/TheDarkTower

There are other worlds than these. Stephen King’s The Dark Tower, the ambitious and expansive story from one of the world’s most celebrated authors, makes its launch to the big screen.

The last Gunslinger, Roland Deschain (Idris Elba), has been locked in an eternal battle with Walter O’Dim, also known as the Man in Black (Matthew McConaughey), determined to prevent him from toppling the Dark Tower, which holds the universe together. With the fate of the worlds at stake, good and evil will collide in the ultimate battle as only Roland can defend the Tower from the Man in Black.

Starring Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey, Tom Taylor, Claudia Kim, Fran Kranz, Abbey Lee and Jackie Earle Haley – Directed by Nikolaj Arcel – IN CINEMAS AUGUST 17.
www.facebook.com/TheDarkTower