Reviews / 13.09.2018

At some point over the last few years, Hollywood has decided humour is the right path to resurrecting a sagging franchise. Perhaps Disney are to blame, given they've taken this route to revitalise both the Star Wars and Thor sagas. But those films are inherently rooted in fun, thereby adding a dash of comedy feels entirely natural and earnest. Applying this formula to something grounded in sci-fi/horror is often fraught with problems, especially something as promisingly terrifying as the Predator franchise. Sure, every film since John McTiernan's 1987 original...

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Reviews / 11.09.2018

There are children’s animated movies made exclusively for kids, which generally lead to a rather torturous experience for parents and caretakers alike (I’m looking at you, Hotel Transylvania 3). Then there is something deceptively ingenious and utterly delightful as Teen Titans GO! To the Movies, which successfully entertains both young and old, whilst also offering up a comic book fanboy’s joyous dream. With its tongue firmly planted in its cheek, Teen Titans GO! To the Movies is DC’s self-deprecating, meta-aware, kid-friendly Deadpool equivalent. It’s also exactly the breath of fresh levity that this cinematic...

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Reviews / 10.09.2018

With 'A Simple Favor,' the latest film from criminally underrated director Paul Feig, it's a case of two out of four ain't bad. The film certainly looks and sounds gorgeous, thanks to some lush costume design and a divine French soundtrack. Blake Lively giving a spirited and intriguing performance that may be the best thing she's ever done. However, sadly, the narrative falls over itself with a neverending wave of convoluted twists that never quite make sense and a dizzying calamity of constant tonal shifts that are rather jarring, to...

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Reviews / 06.09.2018

One of the cardinal sins of cinema is for a film to be boring. This rings especially true within the horror genre; a genre designed to thrill, terrify, and, above all things, get your heart racing. Rather ironically, 'The Nun' commits this very cinematic sin by delivering a bland, by-the-numbers piece of cinema which offers very little in the way of genuine scares or engaging entertainment. Overloaded with predictable jump-scares you can see coming a mile away and a thin plot that's stretched to its limits, 'The Nun' is another...

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Reviews / 03.09.2018

Australian cinema has produced some of the finest comedy the screen has ever seen. But the romantic comedy genre is not a territory we Aussies explore particularly well. For every groundbreaking example like last year’s sublime 'Ali’s Wedding,' there’s something as generically safe as The Flip Side, the debut feature film from producer-turned-writer/director Marion Pilowsky. There’s nothing inherently wrong with taking this path. The end result here is still a rather breezy, entertaining experience. However, with a cast full of superb comedic talent, The Flip Side feels like...

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Reviews / 23.08.2018

It obviously remains to be seen if 'Crazy Rich Asians' will truly mark a turning point for the industry. But with its intoxicating mix of dazzling Singaporean location filming, deliciously entertaining narrative, and one of the year's finest ensemble casts, the film is a mighty strong play to make one hell of a difference. This is one of the best times you will have in a cinema in 2018. My screening broke into spontaneous applause at its conclusion. Yep. It's just that much fun....

4 Likes
Reviews / 17.08.2018

While Disney's re-imagining of one of its most beloved icons tries admirably to reach the lofty heights set by that little bear in the blue coat, 'Christopher Robin' never quite gets there. With a tale that's unexpectedly despondent at times, there's a decidedly gloomy tone hanging over much of this film. That's not inherently a bad thing. It just may not be quite the film you're expecting. But when the clouds part and the joy shines through, it's every bit as utterly adorable and perfectly charming as you...

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Reviews / 14.08.2018

While its campy, jokey trailers and posters may portray a delicious sense of self-awareness, 'The Meg' ultimately fails to live up to its advertising. The Warner Bros. marketing team may have deemed this to be a silly film, but it doesn't seem as if anyone working on the actual production were on the same page. The film consistently takes itself so damn seriously, making it rather difficult to elicit any experience of fun from its audience. In saying that, you still get what you came for. Statham vs. megalodon....

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Awards Season, Opinion / 09.08.2018

As you're likely aware by now, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have announced plans for a brand new category at next year's Oscars. This vague new award (criteria and eligibility are still TBA) celebrates "outstanding achievement in popular film." If you have no idea what the hell this will mean, you're not alone. Even as an ardent Oscar-watcher of 30 years, I haven't the slightest idea how this award will be determined. Lagging ratings over the last few years have seemingly pushed the Academy to make...

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Reviews / 30.07.2018

Over 20 years ago (!), Tom Cruise brought us the first chapter of a franchise nobody ever expected to last. After a bit of a misstep with the sequel (sorry, I know it has its supporters, but it's an overbloated mess) and disappointing box office result from the third film, many assumed it may be the last we'd seen of Ethan Hunt. Thankfully, Paramount stuck with this franchise, and thank god they did. With 'Mission: Impossible - Fallout,' the sixth film of this saga, they've delivered one of the greatest...

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