Film Review Roundup 31st August 2013

THIS WEEK'S PREVIEWS

Some good films to choose from this week, and all of them with mixed reviews I am afraid.  So it’s up to you whether you trust the critics.  Poor old Mortal Instruments really took a caning with 12% rating at Rotten Tomatoes Website, but it’s not aimed at middle-aged reviewers. I’ve taken a tempered view of it. Stoker and What Maisie Knew are very good indie flicks. Jobs proves Ashton Kutcher can act or at least walk like Steve Jobs.  And number two in a fun franchise is here with Red 2. 

(My movie Pick of the week)

Stoker★★★★

Opens in Australia: 29th^th August, 2013

Perth, Australia:      See at Luna Cinemas 

Other Countries:          Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

    We have here a very good, very creepy psychological thriller.  Mia Wasikowska is captivating to watch, and Nicole Kidman always does a good woman on the edge. This is Korean director Park Chan-Wook’s first English language film.  It’s interesting to learn that he actually doesn't speak English and required a translator.  Since this film has three Australian actors, (also Jackie Weaver), and English lead in Matthew Goode (and a Korean director), I just wonder if there are any Americans still working in Hollywood?

STUDIO BLURB

When India Stoker (Mia Wasikowska) loses her beloved father and best friend Richard (Dermot Mulroney) in a tragic auto accident on her 18^th birthday, her quiet life on the family’s secluded estate is suddenly shattered. Exquisitely sensitive, India’s exhibits an impassive demeanor which masks the deep feelings and heightened senses that only her father understood. Thus acclaimed Korean filmmaker Park Chan-Wook’s (OLDBOY, LADY VENGEANCE, SYMPATHY FOR MR. VENGEANCE) first English-language psychological thriller STOKER comes to life.

India finds herself drawn to her father’s long-lost brother, Charlie (Matthew Goode), who unexpectedly arrives for the funeral and decides to stay on with her and her emotionally unstable mother, Evie (Nicole Kidman). While India initially mistrusts her charming but mysterious uncle, he fascinates her as well, and she begins to realize how much they have in common.

As Charlie reveals himself to her little by little, India becomes increasingly infatuated with her charismatic relative and comes to realize that his arrival is no coincidence. With her uncle to guide her, she is about to fulfill her unusual destiny.

Jobs

★★★★

Opens in Australia: 29^th August 2013

Other Countries: Release Information

Perth, Australia: See at Luna Cinemas

OUR THOUGHTS

Ashton Kutcher gives a fine portrayal of Steve Jobs in this biopic. Say what?  Let me repeat that in case you thought you read wrong.  Ashton Kutcher can actually act! 

A few of the complaints may be that Jobs is portrayed as a real arrogant a-hole but I’ve read a few of the books on him, and it appears that really is him.  In his defence, if you are going to change the way the whole world operates you probably will, and should be allowed, to behave however you like.

Don’t be waiting through the whole film for the story of the development of the iPod.  It only tells the story leading up to the launch of the iMac.  But we mostly all know the iPod story by now don’t we?  (We’ve Googled it on our smart phones.)  However, it is still fascinating and well-paced and did I mention Ashton Kutcher does a good job?

STUDIO BLURB

It only takes one person to start a revolution. This is the extraordinary story of Steve Jobs, the original innovator and ground-breaking entrepreneur who let nothing stand in the way of greatness. The film tells the epic and turbulent story of Jobs as he blazed a trail that changed technology -- and the world - forever. (c) Official Site

Red 2

★★★^½

Opens in Australia: 29^th August 2013

Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

I couldn’t wait to see this film.  Our family really enjoyed the 2011 Red. And I know the critics didn’t like it but we still had fun.  Helen Mirren and John Malkovich play it up so well.  It’s a popcorn film and it does what it’s meant to do. Perhaps not as witty as the original Red, but we knew what to expect this time around. Die Hard and Bruce Willis fans I notice there is another Die Hard film slated for 2015, Die Hardest. I hope they leave the Red franchise at two. We don’t need a Red Redder or a Red Reddest. It would be enough to turn you pink.

STUDIO BLURB

In Red 2, the high-octane action-comedy sequel to the worldwide hit RED, the team of “Retired, Extremely Dangerous” CIA operatives are reunited as they use their old-school style to take on a new set of enemies across Europe.

Retired black ops CIA agent Frank Moses (Willis) reunites his unlikely team of elite operatives – including former colleague Marvin (Malkovich), ever deadly sharp-shooter Victoria (Mirren) and Frank’s beloved Sarah (Parker) – for a global quest to track down a missing portable nuclear device.  To succeed, they’ll need to survive an army of relentless assasins, ruthless terrorists and power-crazed government officials in a mission that takes them to London, Paris and Moscow.

Mortal Instruments: The City of Bones

★★★^½  for fans

★★ if you are over 15

Opens in Australia: 22nd August 2013

Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

This film is an adaptation of a young adult series of books which were originally written as Harry Potter fan fiction (the author took the H.P. characters and made up her own story with them) which, when it became successful the character’s names were changed. The first half of it has a very Harry Potter feel until it comes horribly unstuck at a love scene.  There were many groans and much laughter in the audience from this point on. However, my 13 year-old-son really enjoyed it.  And I actually think kids between 10 and 15 will enjoy which is a good thing because there is not much for them at the cinema these days.  If you are over that age or have never heard of Mortal Instruments I fear this one is not for you. 

STUDIO BLURB

Lily Collins stars as a young girl whose life is upended when she realizes that she's part of a long line of demon-slayers in this Screen Gems adaptation of Cassandra Clare's first book in her series of best-selling novels. Lena Headey and Jonathan Rhys Meyers head up the rest of the starring cast.

What Maisie Knew

★★★

Opens in Australia: 29^th August 2013

Other Countries: Release Information

Perth, Australia: See at Luna Cinemas

OUR THOUGHTS

This is from the producers of 2010 top notch indie release The Kids are Alright.  What Maisie Knew is a pretty tough film to watch with two narcissistic parents ignoring this beautiful innocent child.  By the end of the film you will want to punch something.  I attended the preview with my cousin who works in education. Her first words after the film had ended, were that, sadly, she’d seen similar in real life. And that just made me even angrier. Onata Aprile, the little actress playing Maisie, is extraordinary. How gorgeous is she in this poster?  Caution: this film is still haunting me days later.

STUDIO BLURB

A contemporary reimagining of Henry James' novel, WHAT MAISIE KNEW tells the story of a captivating little girl's struggle for grace in the midst of her parents' bitter custody battle. Told through the eyes of the title's heroine, Maisie navigates this ever-widening turmoil with a six-year-olds innocence, charm and generosity of spirit.

What have you seen this week? Did you find our comments helpful or do you disagree? Share your thoughts with us.

Film Review Round-up 18th August 2013

THIS WEEK'S PREVIEWS

Just two films this week I can review.  I saw more but they are not releasing yet. This week a highly anticipated film Elysium disappoints and We’re the Millers (that was not on my list of films to see) was actually very entertaining. 

(My movie Pick of the week)

We’re the Millers ★★★ ½  
Opens in Australia: 18^th August, 2013
Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

If you enjoy these irreverent, American comedies (Wedding Crashers, Hall Pass, This is 40, Horrible Bosses) you will enjoy this very much.  I don’t usually like them. However, this one had me chuckling.  Jennifer Aniston looks very pretty as well.  It’s fun and forgettable and is reasonably consistent all the way through.  What more can you ask for in a comedy?

STUDIO BLURB

David Burke (Jason Sudeikis) is a small-time pot dealer whose clientele includes chefs and soccer moms, but no kids-after all, he has his scruples. So what could go wrong? Plenty. Preferring to keep a low profile for obvious reasons, he learns the hard way that no good deed goes unpunished when he tries to help out some local teens and winds up getting jumped by a trio of gutter punks. Stealing his stash and his cash, they leave him in major debt to his supplier, Brad (Ed Helms). In order to wipe the slate clean-and maintain a clean bill of health-David must now become a big-time drug smuggler by bringing Brad's latest shipment in from Mexico. Twisting the arms of his neighbors, cynical stripper Rose (Jennifer Aniston) and wannabe customer Kenny (Will Poulter), and the tatted-and-pierced streetwise teen Casey (Emma Roberts), he devises a foolproof plan. One fake wife, two pretend kids and a huge, shiny RV later, the "Millers" are headed south of the border for a Fourth of July weekend that is sure to end with a bang. (c) WB

Funny interview below with Jennifer Aniston on We’re The Millers.

Elysium ★★★
Opens in Australia: 15^th August, 2013
Other Countries:          Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

After the very original science fiction flick District 9, all sci-fi fans were eagerly awaiting Director and writer Neil Blomkamp’s next venture.  Elysium is not the fabulous follow-up we had expected.  It’s riddled with more plot-holes than you can poke a crutch at (you’ll get the joke if you see the film) and the acting is very inconsistent.  I understand that science fiction is made up, however, there are certain physics rules you need to stick to, and if you break them you need to explain how.  So, when I see a ship crash land on  Elysium because it’s open to space, I question how the oxygen doesn’t escape, or why Elysium is always seen from the same spot on Earth, and why they have such good security against ships landing, and then they don’t just to suit the plot.

It’s also just a little bit repetitive on the apartheid theme Blomkamp handled so well in District 9. Hopefully, he will take heed of the mixed reviews and try something new next time.  I will say this, the spaceships look very real even if the acting doesn’t

I would probably give this a lower rating but everyone in my family enjoyed it, as did a sci-fi  friend, so maybe it was just me.

STUDIO BLURB

In the year 2154, two classes of people exist: the very wealthy, who live on a pristine man-made space station called Elysium, and the rest, who live on an overpopulated, ruined Earth. The people of Earth are desperate to escape the planet's crime and poverty, and they critically need the state-of-the-art medical care available on Elysium - but some in Elysium will stop at nothing to enforce anti-immigration laws and preserve their citizens' luxurious lifestyle. The only man with the chance bring equality to these worlds is Max (Matt Damon), an ordinary guy in desperate need to get to Elysium. With his life hanging in the balance, he reluctantly takes on a dangerous mission - one that pits him against Elysium's Secretary Delacourt (Jodie Foster) and her hard-line forces - but if he succeeds, he could save not only his own life, but millions of people on Earth as well. -- (C) Sony

What have you seen this week? Did you find our comments helpful or do you disagree? Share your thoughts with us.

Review Round Up 10th August 2013

There was some entertaining films released this week and last.  A little something for everyone and a couple of true life stories that seem too bizarre to be true—but they are.  You could see any of these films I’ve reviewed and enjoy yourself.  Next week my calendar is filled with previews.  If you see a square-eyed woman slumped in a cinema seat that could be me.

(My movie Pick of the week)

Pain and Gain ★★★ ¾
Opens in Australia: 8^th August, 2013
Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

Michael Bay (Transformers, The Rock, Bad Boys) channels the Coen Brothers ‘Fargo’ in a true story of three good reasons (Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, Anthony Mackie) not to take steroids, do drugs or boast about your wealth to your fitness trainer. It’s such a bizarre story that in certain scenes they had to splash across the screen, “This is a true story” and later, “This is still a true story”.  It’s politically incorrect and the characters are so awful, you feel no sympathy for any of them and yet I liked it a lot.  It’s classified as a black comedy but it’s a tad short of the brilliance of a Tarantino or Coen Brothers ‘black’.  You will definitely walk out thinking what the heck did I just witness and it’s fun enough and certainly crazy enough to justify a watch.  “Hands down” (you’ll get this pun if you see the film) one of the most outrageous true stories you will see.

STUDIO BLURB

From acclaimed director Michael Bay comes "Pain and Gain," a new action comedy starring Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson and Anthony Mackie. Based on the unbelievable TRUE story of a group of personal trainers in 1990s Miami who, in pursuit of the American Dream, get caught up in a criminal enterprise that goes horribly wrong. (c) Official Site

The Bling Ring  ★★★
Opens in Australia: 8^th August 2013
Other Countries: Release Information
Perth, Australia: See at Luna Cinemas

OUR THOUGHTS

Okay, I admit I have a slight fascination with Hollywood and all the gossip—not enough to break into the houses of anyone famous, mind you.  Based on a Vanity Fair article, this true story is of a bunch of High School kids who actually did take that extra stalking step.  And not just once!   Over and over again, they snuck into Paris Hilton’s digs (she left her key under the mat, so some might say she invited them in).  Other celebs hit big time were Megan Fox, Orland Bloom and Miranda Kerr, Lindsay Lohan (as if the girl hasn’t got enough on her plate) and more.

It’s reasonably engaging, although, the thieves are portrayed as soulless characters and I do wonder if it was as simple as that.  And as this is, supposdedly, Director Sofia Coppola’s study on the dark side of our fascination with celebrity, it is quite a shallow and sensational view.

The main question on my lips is: Does Paris Hilton really have self-portrait photos and paintings all over her house and dozens throw pillows with her image? If so, I think she may have more problems than the ‘Bling Ring’ kids.

STUDIO BLURB

In THE BLING RING, Oscar Winning filmmaker Sofia Coppola takes us inside the world of these teens, where their youthful naivete and excitement is amplified by today's culture of celebrity and luxury brand obsession. The members of the Bling Ring introduce us to temptations that any teenager would find hard to resist. And what starts out as youthful fun spins out of control, revealing a sobering view of our modern culture. (c) A24

NOW YOU SEE ME ★★★ ½
Opens in Australia: 8^th August, 2013
Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

There is a stellar cast here and I really enjoyed this film.  It’s a little different and there is a bit of fun to be had trying to guess who the magician’s have on the inside of the FBI that allows them to be one step ahead. 

It moves along at a cracking pace and you will be wondering how the heck they do all those tricks.  All the actors play to type. So, if you like Mark Ruffalo as the unkempt, frustrated guy, Morgan Freeman as the wise, smooth know-it-all, Jesse Eisenberg as the unemotional, disrespectful guy, Woody Harrelson as the untrustworthy dude nobody likes, and Isla Fisher as the throw-in girl causing friction, then you will enjoy this film.  It’s a solid three and a half star, good date night film.

STUDIO BLURB

NOW YOU SEE ME pits an elite FBI squad in a game of cat and mouse against "The Four Horsemen", a magic super-team of the world's greatest illusionists. The Four Horsemen pull off a series of daring heists against corrupt business leaders during their performances, and then funnel the millions of stolen profits into their audiences bank accounts, while staying one step ahead of the law.

FBI Special Agent Dylan (Ruffalo) is determined to make the magicians pay for their crimes—and to stop them before they pull off what promises to be an even more audacious heist. But he’s forced to partner with Alma (Laurent), an Interpol detective about whom he is instantly suspicious. Out of desperation he turns to Thaddeus (Freeman), a famed magic debunker, who claims the bank heist was accomplished using disguises and video trickery. One thing Dylan and Alma agree on is that the Horsemen must have an outside point person, and that finding him (or her) is key to ending the magicians’ crime spree. Could it be Thaddeus? Or Alma? Or could it really be… magic?

The World’s End ★★★ ½
 Opens in Australia: 1st August, 2013
Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

As coincidences go this is a quasi-English version of Seth Rogan’s film ‘This Is The End’ currently in cinemas. Same set up; a group of friends partying and drinking to excess only to discover that it’s the world which will succumb to a bad hangover.

Director Edgar Wright adds the final film to what he’s labeled his "Cornetto Trilogy”— the first two being ‘Shaun of the Dead’ (2004) and ‘Hot Fuzz’ (2007)—starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost who are also co-collaborators.

Gary King (Simon Pegg) has not done well for himself and we meet him in rehab. He believes by rounding up the old school gang and reattempting the challenge of drinking their way around a home town pub circuit ending at ‘The World’s End’ pub, he will somehow put things right in his life.

He gathers his childhood pals, now well settled into middle-age, Andy (Nick Frost), Peter (Eddie Marsan), Oliver (Martin Freeman) and Steven (Paddy Considine), who reluctantly agree to join him in his booze goal.

The further into the pub crawl they go, though, the more they realize things are not quite right in the village; people who should know them don’t remember them and the behaviour of some of the inhabitants is beyond unusual. Amidst this there is an unresolved love triangle with Oliver's sister Sam (Rosamund Pike).

Pegg fabulously portrays an off-the-rails but somehow loveable misfit with some darker moments hinting at his ability to take on deep, dramatic roles. There are some solid laughs, along with introspection on living life in the past and the value of our humanness. It’s also a great advertisement for not drinking to excess.

However, it didn't give me the “Hot Fuzzies” like Pegg & crew’s previous collaborations. My husband found this film far more amusing than me. It could be a guy thing or it could be the other two films raised my expectations a tad too high. It’s still fun and, somehow, the end of the world does go down better with a drink. 
STUDIO BLURB

20 years after attempting an epic pub crawl, five childhood friends reunite when one of them becomes hellbent on trying the drinking marathon again. They are convinced to stage an encore by mate Gary King, a 40-year old man trapped at the cigarette end of his teens, who drags his reluctant pals to their hometown and once again attempts to reach the fabled pub – The World’s End. As they attempt to reconcile the past and present, they realize the real struggle is for the future, not just theirs but humankind’s. Reaching The World’s End is the least of their worries.

What have you seen this week? Did you find our comments helpful or do you disagree? Share your thoughts with us.