Default – 2 Column

Kath & Kimderella

What’s it about?
The foxy ladies of Fountain Gate are back to tackle the European hierarchies (and the big screen) in their epic adventure of Kath and Kimderella. Set in the gorgeous but bankrupt Papilloma, the girls embark on a journey to Italy after Kath (Jane Turner) wins a holiday for two.

What did we think?
Elodie Boal says: The movie gets off to a triumphant start, but what happens next is a big jumble of awkwardness. This really is a pointless plot with a storyline that didn’t go anywhere. Out of place and the Cinderella references  added a whole lot of cheese. Recycling is good but not when it means rehashing and reusing a lot of old television material.

Even I, a true fan, got lost in all the montages, dance sequences and oodles of costume changes that gave Sex and the City a run for its money.

I must admit the guest appearances were entertaining and Frank Woodley’s scene on the castle balcony was incredible. Overall however, I left rather disappointed. Only diehard fans, should see it. Otherwise, wait for $1 Tuesdays.

 

The Expendables 2

In all honesty, you already know if you want to see this film no matter the reviews. Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger together, punching people in the face and shooting everything that moves is an action fantasy fan’s wet dream. As such a bad critical reception won’t dissuade attendance (not forgetting of course that the film boasts a tonne of other action stars doing shooty/explody things and yelling stuff).

Expendables 2 is not Oscar material, nor is it ever pretending to be; however the it is very self aware and plays that card fast and often (on some occasions a tad too hard). Norris despite his cultural cache is essentially irrelevant to anything going on in the film and his screen time fails to add to the film. Arnie and Willis share probably the easiest and most engaging action banter, whilst Lundgren continues to impress in the interesting (for an action film) role of Gunnar. Statham is perhaps a little lost amongst the pile of muscled torsos all vying for screen time, but whenever he’s kicking people in the face he’s doing it as hard as he can just for you. Jet Li is in the first five minutes… maybe. Van Damme feels a bit under written, but his show down with Stallone is really all you want to see and it’s pretty damn cool.

Ultimately E2 isn’t quite up to the consistency of the first outing, but it’s super fun nonetheless.

 

Moonrise Kingdom

What’s it about?
Two kids, driven by love, run away setting a curious chain of events into motion as a New England community rush to find them.

What did we think?
If Oscars were awarded to the best movie rather than the most popular then the next would go to Moonrise Kingdom. I’m still smiling.

Delightfully quirky, Moonrise Kingdom is a triumph. It’s curious, off-beat and has so many layers you may not fully appreciate it until much later as you relive the adventures mentally and realise the depth of the interactions.

I DARE you to not fall in love with this film.

 

Hope Springs

What’s it about?
After thirty years of marriage, a middle-aged couple attends an intense, week-long counseling session to work on their relationship.

What did we think?
Five-star acting in a good but not great movie that will soon be forgotten.

Despite having Steve Carrell in it Hope Springs isn’t a comedy. It’s more insightful chuckles than laugh-out-loud and , while it’s intelligent, this is probably the largest failing as it seems unsure of itself when it comes to the laughter.

Poor pacing doesn’t help but the incredible performances from Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee-Jones and Carrell are almost worth the admission tickets. Almost.

At the end of the day the storyline is largely forgettable and I really didn’t need to see Streep masturbating.

 

Total Recall

What’s it about?

A factory worker, Douglas Quaid, begins to suspect that he is a spy after visiting Rekall – a company that provides its clients with implanted fake memories of a life they would like to have led – goes wrong and he finds himself on the run.

 

What did we think?

Cindy says: Even though I am a child of the 80’s, I cannot ‘recall’ the original film.  Probs lucky for me.  This film is an action-packed thrill ride blockbuster, and really only deserves one viewing, otherwise the gig is definitely up.

Colin Farrell erases any memory of a hammy Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Jessica Biel is beautiful.  Full stop.  Director Mr Wiseman creates a visually stunning world, and employs his visually stunning wife.  Full stop.

If the idea of Blade Runner, The Bourne Identity and Robocop having a threesome is the kind of memory you desire, a trip to ‘Total Rekall’ should do the trick.

The Sapphires

What’s it about?

In the racist-fueled days of the late ‘60s, a quartet of young indigenous singers and their rambunctious Irish manager launch from the outback to Vietnam to entertain troups as Australia’s answer to The Supremes.

What did we think?

Stephen says: A feel-good Aussie musical with heart & soul. If the dialogue and plot were less clunky in places, it would easily be a 4-star movie. Knowing it’s based on a true story makes the humour, romance & tales of self-discovery more poignant, especially the fleeting references to racism, the stolen generation & the horrors of war the group experience in Vietnam.

Chris O’Dowd balances pathos & levity in his central role, while Deb Mailman confirms her national treasure status, and yes, Jessica Mauboy sings like an angel. It’s a toe-tapping good time.

Scroll to top