Lucy
Luc Besson and Scarlett Johansson? I’m there. I don’t even need to see the trailer.
(but here it is in case you need to see it)
Godzilla
I’m not a fan of remakes and I have been singly unconvinced about a good US remake of the classic monster movie. But I got to see some extra extended preview footage recently and I’m actually now really intrigued. Not quite excited but it’s much better than my previous feeling of ‘meh’.
They Came Together
I’m not convinced this is actually a movie. It feels like a parody of a romantic comedy trailer. These few minutes made me laugh but despite so many of my favourite actors being present I’m struggling to see how this could be funny over 90 minutes.
But to complete it here’s the obligatory happy frolic.
Bad Neighbours
What’s it about?
A couple with a newborn are forced to suck it up when a fraternity moves in next door. The family man (Seth Rogan) squares off against the frat guy (Zac Efron).
What did we think?
It’s often juvenile, not subtle and oddly paced – and yet Bad Neighbours sort of works. Maybe it’s the improv feel or the fact that Efron, Rogan and Rose Byrne are all very good. Or maybe it’s just Efron’s topless scene.
There are things people will hate. There are gross bits. There are the obligatory penis/dildo/phallic jokes. It’s not a classic but it will probably make you laugh. In the US it’s simply called Neighbors – I’m assuming it’s been renamed in Australia to avoid comparisons with the TV show. Rest assured there’s no danger anyone will confuse this for Ramsey Street. If nothing else, yay for the Zac six-pack.
Fading Gigolo
What’s it about?
A guy that gets talked into becoming a professional male escort by his cash-strapped friend.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: The plot sounded dubious and the inclusion of Woody Allen left me extra concerned but I walked out of Fading Gigolo pleasantly surprised. It’s a light but intelligent comedy that I actually found delightfully charming.
John Turturro (Transformers) wrote, directed and stars in a pic whose star power reflects the strength of a quirky but interesting script. Sharon Stone and Sofia Vergara play almost predatory females who are looking for attention and a selfish satisfaction that makes their interactions with Virgil fascinating. Not only what they want from him, but also the way they treat him. And then we meet a quiet widow who I think we all fall in love with a bit including our hero but can he have her? Especially given her devotion to the Jewish faith.
One of the criticisms of this film is that Turturro is not an attractive man, especially odd given the profession he’s supposed to portray but I think that actualy adds to this film. It’s about his quiet confidence and his attentiveness to the women’s needs, rather than a cheeky smile and six packs. He’s an unlikely but likable hero.
Warm-fuzzy feelings and no, not THOSE kind – there’s actually very little in the way of nudity and sex scenes. But see it anyway. 😉
Malificent
Okay so it looks like Disney ripping off the concept of Wicked but man Angelina Jolie (an actor of whom I’m NOT usually fond) really looks to bring it. I’m curious.
Apparently Jolie also insisted upon the canonical ‘horns’ despite the studio execs being concerned they would diminish the star’s attractiveness and pulling power. Good for her.
What’s Popular
Maggie’s Plan
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Maggie (Greta Gerwig) plans to have a baby on her own through artificial insemination, but switches tracks when she falls for a handsome teacher, John (Ethan Hawke), who is already married with kids to a shrewd academic, Georgette (Julianne Moore).
WHAT DID WE THINK?
Dominic Barlow says: Writer-director Rebecca Miller (The Private Lives of Pippa Lee) returns after seven years with this deeply enjoyable screwball romance set in New York City. Gerwig is on fine form as ever, but the entire cast – also including Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph, and Travis Fimmel – turns in amazing and funny performances. Filmed with gorgeous winter scenery and costuming, it’s a warm and affecting story about our obligations to the ones we love.
The Legend of Tarzan
What’s it about?
Ten years after leaving the jungle, Tarzan and Jane must return to save Africa from Christoph Waltz, who wants diamonds, or slaves, or colonialism, or something.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Just awful. Alexander Skarsgård’s Tarzan is entirely without charm and personality. Margot Robbie makes desperate attempts to compensate by being as sassy and vivacious as she possibly can, which is even worse. She ain’t your grandma’s Jane! Am I right, ladies? Christoph Waltz tries vaguely as a pantomime villain in white linen, and is the best thing in it with the exception of a CGI baby elephant. Oh, and Samuel L Jackson is Tarzan’s wisecracking cowboy sidekick who fires a machine gun and jokes about licking testicles. At least the animals don’t talk.
The BFG
What’s it about?
Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) is whisked away to Giant Country when she accidently spots a giant (Mark Rylance) going about his business in the middle of the night. She and her new friend the BFG must come up with a plan to stop his friends from kidnapping and eating children in England.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: If you ever read this Roald Dahl book as a child, this movie will be a giant (geddit?), nostalgic punch right in the feels. The BFG himself is brought to glorious life through the ever-expressive face of Rylance and the deft touches of a very talented animation team. The dream worlds fizz with life and imaginative design that leaps off the page.
Adapting a rather short story into a full length movie has it’s pitfalls though, and the pace does seem to lag in the middle, as smaller ideas from the novel feel fleshed out for time.
Though some of Dahl’s darker ideas are glossed over (as they always seem to be in movie form), and the Sophie seems a bit more precocious than I remember her, The BFG (both movie and character) is still rather charming.
Ice Age: Collision Course
What’s it about?
Scrat’s epic pursuit of his elusive acorn catapults him outside of Earth, where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the planet. To save themselves from peril, Manny, Sid, Diego, and the rest of the herd leave their home and embark on a quest full of thrills and spills.
What did we think?
We’re now five Ice Age instalments in and we’re sadly reaching the point where adults are praying for the exinction of the prehistorics. What was once, at its heart, a sweet family story is now a frenetic ADD children’s film with character numbers and guest stars put ahead of what little plot there is. The sheer number of animals – new and old – makes it difficult to keep track of but at least distracts you from the idea that a woolly mammoth can save the world from an asteroid collision.
High-quality animation helps and there’s more than enough there for the kids and during school holidays that’s all you need. I’d suggest getting your partner to take them though.
Editor's Choice
Maggie’s Plan
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Maggie (Greta Gerwig) plans to have a baby on her own through artificial insemination, but switches tracks when she falls for a handsome teacher, John (Ethan Hawke), who is already married with kids to a shrewd academic, Georgette (Julianne Moore).
WHAT DID WE THINK?
Dominic Barlow says: Writer-director Rebecca Miller (The Private Lives of Pippa Lee) returns after seven years with this deeply enjoyable screwball romance set in New York City. Gerwig is on fine form as ever, but the entire cast – also including Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph, and Travis Fimmel – turns in amazing and funny performances. Filmed with gorgeous winter scenery and costuming, it’s a warm and affecting story about our obligations to the ones we love.
The Legend of Tarzan
What’s it about?
Ten years after leaving the jungle, Tarzan and Jane must return to save Africa from Christoph Waltz, who wants diamonds, or slaves, or colonialism, or something.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Just awful. Alexander Skarsgård’s Tarzan is entirely without charm and personality. Margot Robbie makes desperate attempts to compensate by being as sassy and vivacious as she possibly can, which is even worse. She ain’t your grandma’s Jane! Am I right, ladies? Christoph Waltz tries vaguely as a pantomime villain in white linen, and is the best thing in it with the exception of a CGI baby elephant. Oh, and Samuel L Jackson is Tarzan’s wisecracking cowboy sidekick who fires a machine gun and jokes about licking testicles. At least the animals don’t talk.
The BFG
What’s it about?
Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) is whisked away to Giant Country when she accidently spots a giant (Mark Rylance) going about his business in the middle of the night. She and her new friend the BFG must come up with a plan to stop his friends from kidnapping and eating children in England.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: If you ever read this Roald Dahl book as a child, this movie will be a giant (geddit?), nostalgic punch right in the feels. The BFG himself is brought to glorious life through the ever-expressive face of Rylance and the deft touches of a very talented animation team. The dream worlds fizz with life and imaginative design that leaps off the page.
Adapting a rather short story into a full length movie has it’s pitfalls though, and the pace does seem to lag in the middle, as smaller ideas from the novel feel fleshed out for time.
Though some of Dahl’s darker ideas are glossed over (as they always seem to be in movie form), and the Sophie seems a bit more precocious than I remember her, The BFG (both movie and character) is still rather charming.
Ice Age: Collision Course
What’s it about?
Scrat’s epic pursuit of his elusive acorn catapults him outside of Earth, where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the planet. To save themselves from peril, Manny, Sid, Diego, and the rest of the herd leave their home and embark on a quest full of thrills and spills.
What did we think?
We’re now five Ice Age instalments in and we’re sadly reaching the point where adults are praying for the exinction of the prehistorics. What was once, at its heart, a sweet family story is now a frenetic ADD children’s film with character numbers and guest stars put ahead of what little plot there is. The sheer number of animals – new and old – makes it difficult to keep track of but at least distracts you from the idea that a woolly mammoth can save the world from an asteroid collision.
High-quality animation helps and there’s more than enough there for the kids and during school holidays that’s all you need. I’d suggest getting your partner to take them though.