I missed writing up a review for
The Fault In Our Stars when it
released. I was busy writing a book in four weeks—just a little test I gave
myself, which I’m happy to say I succeeded in. So its my pick of the week, even
though it opened a week and half ago. It’s not just for teenagers, either. Blended, the new Adam Sandler comedy, is
not the basket case reviewers are saying. If you liked Sandler’s previous
films, this is more of the same. Then there is The Rover. I wish that I liked it. I hate panning Aussie films, but
it was blah, really blah—and depressing. Just a reminder to see Edge of Tomorrow. It really is the pick
at the moment. I haven’t been paid to say that, either.
(My movie Pick
of the week)
The
Fault In Our Stars ✪✪✪✪
Opens
in Australia: 5th June 2014
USA: 6th June UK: 19th 2014
Other Countries: Release Information
Perth: Luna Palace Cinemas
OUR THOUGHTS
No, I haven’t
read the John Green book.
“Have you read it?” That’s the first question you
are asked when you say you have seen or
It is a young adult novel and the film is directly
geared toward that audience. I expected to be unimpressed. Come on I’ve seen Love Story and the 1973 Sunshine when I was a YA, so I know how these films are formulated to tug at your
heart strings with this ounce of pathos, and that drop of hope, and those strategically
placed characters who will be left behind.
I’m not a
teenager anymore, so you won’t get me, I thought. But this film is good,
the script well constructed, and the leads are talented, so they did get me.
Well done. Good to see we are moving on from vampire love triangles and
children killing children in tournaments. There is hope for the future of
literature and films yet.
STUDIO BLURB
Hazel and Gus are two extraordinary teenagers who share an
acerbic wit, a disdain for the conventional, and a love that sweeps them - and
us - on an unforgettable journey. Their relationship is all the more
miraculous, given that they met and fell in love at a cancer support group. THE
FAULT IN OUR STARS, based upon the number-one bestselling novel by John Green, explores
the funny, thrilling and tragic business of being alive and in love.(C) Fox
The
Rover ✪✪
Opens
in Australia: 12th June 2014
USA: 20th June UK: 15th August 2014
Other Countries: Release Information
Perth: Luna Palace Cinemas
OUR THOUGHTS
It’s hard to believe that Director David Michod of
the highly acclaimed, and rightly so, Animal
Kingdom directed this film. It has a slew of gritty characters just like
his previous hit. And I’ll give him kudos that he shows great skill in eliciting
from his actors a depth of nuance that creates credible and terrifying
characters that we truly believe are capable of the worst.
However The
Rover feels more like a film he would have made in his early career. The
pace goes from full-on action in the first few minutes to a dreary walk very
quickly. This has all been done before in Mad
Max 2 and with more money spent on the sets. I will say, though, that Guy
Pearce gives a tremendous portrayal of a man determined on recovering his
property at all costs. And who knew that Robert Pattinson could act? Wow. He
delivers, too. Unfortunately, there is not much to deliver but a depressing and
soulless imagining that fails on many levels.
P.S. I do love this poster, though.
STUDIO BLURB
THE ROVER, David Michod's highly anticipated
follow-up to ANIMAL KINGDOM, is set in a world 10 years following the collapse
of society. The rule of the law has disintegrated and life is cheap. The film
follows hardened loner Eric (Pearce) as he travels the desolate towns and roads
of the outback. When a gang of thieves steals his car they leave behind a
wounded Rey (Pattinson) in their wake. Forcing Rey to help track the gang, Eric
will go to any lengths to take back the one thing that still matters to him.
Michod also wrote the film based on a story he conceived with Joel Edgerton.
(c) A24
Blended
✪✪✪ ½
Opens
in Australia: 12th
June 2014
USA: 23rd May June 14
UK: 23rd
May 2014
Other Countries: Release Information
OUR THOUGHTS
You will read terrible reviews about every one of
Adam Sandler’s films. He is not liked at all by the critics. I can understand why. For the most part,
his films are formulaic and pretty silly. However, ever since Bridesmaids, with its edgy humor, became
such a hit, all the romantic comedies these days revolve around the F-bomb,
talking about sex as if you’re talking about drinking a glass of water, and
copious drug-taking like it’s a common place occurrence in every home. I do
enjoy these types of films. It’s comedy for grown-ups.
But what about the family films—that aren’t
animated—that we used to take the kids to see? They’ve disappeared. Adam
Sandler is about the only person making these family-type films, and my family,
with pre-teen and an early teen, like them. I can’t take my kids to see A Million Ways To Die In The West (and
it seems a lot of people didn’t take themselves either, it bombed—beyond the
boundaries of bad taste, I fear). So Sandler is all that is left.
A fellow reviewer lamented on Twitter: When will Adam
Sandler stop making movies? My hope is that its not until someone else starts making
rom-coms minus the swearing and gratuitous sex. Don’t believe the reviews.
There are some solid laughs and my whole family—who are hard to please because
they’re veterans—enjoyed it a lot.
STUDIO BLURB
After a disastrous blind date, single parents
Lauren and Jim agree on only one thing: they never want to see each other
again. But when they each sign up separately for a fabulous family vacation
with their kids, they are all stuck sharing a suite at a luxurious African
safari resort for a week in "Blended," the third comedy collaboration
between stars Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.(c) Warner Bros
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