Downton Abbey Movie Review
Having lost touch wit the TV series a few seasons back, it was reassuring that all the main characters have returned. The screenplay by Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park and Vanity Fair) still capitalises on the show’s MVP and writes some great lines for Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith) and she comically spars with everyone she converses with.
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The story based on the impending visit of the King and Queen is used as the basis of an us against them tale. The staff of Downton Abbey ...
It Chapter Two Movie Review
After an almost three decade long hiatus, Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård) is back and the gang gathers once again to investigate. The years have not been good to all and the film takes its time to bring you up to speed with their adult lives. The theme of a lifelong friendship growing out of childhood pursuits is tested.
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As is the premise that true horror is created in one’s own psyche and fears. This leads to some very inventive nightmares. It is presented as more creepy ...
The Farewell Movie Review
In the East, it even runs as deep as not telling a loved one the extent of their illness or showing grief at all. In Lulu Wang’s The Farewell, she uses her real life experiences to help develop the story for the big screen. She even uses her casting choices to challenge perceptions.
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Playing against type, Awkwafina steps away from her comic roles to deliver a very serious interpretation of a woman not allowed to feel grief by her cultural restrictions. Although Chinese ...
The Kitchen Movie Review
The establishment of the characters and story in the first act is fine, it’s the second act and final reel that are a bit wobbly. The end especially feels rushed. It’s as if the story would have been better served if presented as a high quality multiple episode television series.
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Having women act in the roles traditionally inhabited by male characters challenges you to get past gender. These ladies can be as ruthless and scheming as any previous on-screen ...
Dragged Across Concrete Movie Review
It’s more than a little satisfying seeing Gibson’s character on the downward spiral as he and Lurasetti make plans to rob a criminal of his ill gotten gains to supplement their dwindling finances. During the scam they come across said criminals robbing a bank. Conflicted on which side of the law they will ultimately land, they give chase.
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What follows is basically a road movie as a protracted chase gives us the opportunity to get to know the two disgraced cops and the ...
The Nightingale Movie Review
Clare (Aisling Franciosi) is a young Irish convict who chases Hawkins (Sam Claflin) a repugnant British Officer across the Tasmanian wilderness in an act of revenge. Hawkins and some of his men have perpetrated unthinkable horrors upon Clare and her young family.
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Clare enlists the help of Billy (Baykali Ganambarr), an Aboriginal tracker to aid in her quest. During their journey they learn to respect each other as they witness horrible savagery foisted upon the native ...
Dogman Movie Review
He runs a pet grooming business in a dilapidated seaside resort and shares his life with his dogs, a daughter from a previous relationship and the town bully, Simoncino, played with blunt force by Edoardo Pesce. Simone is very much a loose cannon and he draws Marcello into a series of illegal activities.
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Circling around Simone like a moth to flame, their relationship is an odd one and is never fully explained. Being forced to engage in a robbery of an adjoining ...
The Australian Dream Movie Review
Goodes, one of the greats of the game became a Cause célèbre when he called out a young fan for directing a racial slur towards him during a game. What followed became even more divisive as people took sides based on a deeply held racist thoughts.
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The film presents talking heads from both side of the divide and it’s interesting to note that some in the film, the ones who come across as so unenlightened and out of touch actually signed off on their participation in the ...
Angel Has Fallen Movie Review
It’s all up to GB once again to save God, no I mean Morgan Freeman from harms way. The first threat upon the US President’s life is a drone attack that is staged in a most impressive way with the flying bombs clustering together like a swarm of angry bees. This is just the start of the action.
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The attack is blamed on Butler’s character, Secret Service agent Mike Banning who is assigned to the President’s security detail and so he goes on the run to clear his name. ...
Once Upon A Time … In Hollywood Movie Review
The characters that inhabit this world are somehow softer, less hyper cool, more down to earth and less criminal. For those expecting the histrionics that QT usually fires out, this time that intensity is set to slow burn. The film’s final reel is classic violence overkill (quite literally) and will satiate those with a taste for the big red.
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Most of the salacious appeal of the film is its connection to Charles Mason and his disciples and while they play a part, ...
