The Book Thief
What’s it about?
In Germany during WWII, Liesel (Sophie Nélisse), age 9, is sent to live with foster parents (Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson). She earns her title of “the book thief” after “borrowing” books from the mayor’s wife’s library.
What did we think?
Casey says: There is a lot going on in this film and it sometimes feels like it moves too quickly to form meaningful relationships. This is remedied completely by the end, and the relationships are actually what make this film so beautiful. The narration by Death (Roger Allam) felt a little tedious to begin with (and seriously, Back to the Future owns the flying through clouds opening shot – leave it alone), but it all ties together in one of the most moving final shots of a film I’ve ever seen. Ever.
My eyes leaked more than they should have in a public place. Excuse me while I head off to steal the book.
August: Osage County
What’s it about?
When a family member dies, everyone gathers to pay their respects. They end up paying their disrespects.
What did we think?
Elizabeth says: It’s hard to know where to look with this many powerhouse performances competing for attention. There’s Meryl Streep as the manipulative matriarch dropping acid-tongued truth bombs; Juliette Lewis as the eternally upbeat self-deluding youngest daughter; Julia Roberts as the bitter first child so used to copping family abuse that it’s hardened her to the ones she cares about most. But is it too much? This adaptation of a Pulitzer Prize-winning play has so much melodrama it almost requires a theatrical setting to work. The delicious, explosive dialogue needs to seep into the stalls to diffuse the emotional build-up, or the pressure cooker is in danger of exploding with too much force. If you like the sort of epically corrosive family dysfunction seen in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, then this film is a show-stopper. If not, well, this is gonna be rather uncomfortable for you, isn’t it?
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
What’s it about?
The continuing adventures of Bilbo Baggins as he and a band of dwarves seek to reclaim a lost kingdom.
What did we think?
Anthony says: This is not The Hobbit you read. In place of the original novel, Peter Jackson has served up an adventure where conflict and action take prominence over discovery and curiosity. It’s still a fun movie and the new character of Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly) is enchanting, but purists may struggle a bit. The rest of the world will enjoy a better-than-average (but still bloated) movie full of great scenery and cinematography.
Philomena
Marnie says: Philomena is “based on a true story” done right. The central premise – one woman’s tireless search for her son, and her strength in the face of heartbreak wrought by the hands of the Catholic Church – is compelling. Dench is a quiet powerhouse, and she and Coogan are delightful as the unlikely companions. Gorgeously captured scenery underscores the honest human drama. With a screenplay full of heart, the film packs an emotional punch yet never manipulates. It’s beautifully nuanced, moving cinema.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
What’s it about?
Life Magazine’s Walter Mitty works with photo negatives at a time when everything is going digital. He lives beyond his humdrum cubicle walls through a series of elaborate daydreams. When redundancy looms, his existence becomes more fantastic than he ever could have imagined.
What did we think?
Liz says: Stiller’s Mitty is a photo negative in a world of iPads; struggling for relevance but full of potential beauty in and of itself. His transformation from nebbish office worker to fulfilled human was cinematic chicken soup for my soul. The fact I am a journalist staring down the barrel of digital irrelevance myself probably had a little something to do with it, but this film touched me right in the warm fuzzies.
Frozen
What’s it about?
After being orphaned (it’s a Disney movie after all) a pair of contrasting sisters face a world of isolation before a series of events trap the land in an eternal winter. Can the fearless optimist Anna release the icy grip of Anna (loosely based on The Snow Queen)?
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Frozen is a delightful return to classic Disney musical animation. It takes the fresh edginess and strong female characters of recent forays (the amazing Tangled and Wreck-Em Ralph) and combines them with the musical nature of The Little Mermaid. The result is a wonderful tale of friendship, family and frivolity. Simply adorable and one for all ages.
On a side note the preceding short ‘Get A Horse’ is simply incredible and an amazing tribute to the then-and-now of Disney.
What’s Popular
Eye in the Sky
What’s it about:
A drone-led terrorist capture mission in Kenya takes an unexpected turn, throwing up an intriguing ethical dilemma for all those involved. In one of his last roles, Alan Rickman plays a typically cynical general, with Captain Phillips’ Barked Abdi in a pivotal on-the-ground role.
What did we think:
Angela Young says: This extraordinarily-gripping thriller keeps you guessing and mulling all the way, as you see through the eyes of the frankly bizarre world of modern remote warfare, tiny beetle drones and all. Superb performances from a global cast and an excellent script combine to make this a winner that’ll leave your cogs turning long after you leave the cinema.
It’s got Helen Mirren and Alan Rickman in it. That should tell you all you need to know.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2
What’s it about?
Nia Vardalos, John Corbett and the rest of the cast of 2002’s My Big Fat Greek Wedding return for a sequel involving (who’d have thought?) ANOTHER big fat Greek wedding.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: This film is basically a montage of the entire cast running from one event to another in a very wacky panic. They wave their arms around a lot and pull faces. Man, what a bunch of characters! Family, am I right? Oh, boy.
Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice
What’s it about?
Ideologies clash as the world’s only two public superheroes come to words then blows. But is there more afoot?
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: At the end of the day you go to this movie to watch the two SuperFriends fight and/or to see Wonder Woman finally debut on the big screen. You will not be disappointed on either count. It just takes a while to get there.
For a long movie there’s not as much action as you’d expect but once it finally arrives it’s well worth the wait. The first half of the film suffers from a heck of lot of sub-plots, exposition and lingering shots of Superman as a messianic figure. The conflicting ideas of Superman being above the law, an alien and a hero to all are reasonably well explored and exploited even if Jessie Esienberg’s xenophobic Lex Luthor is more psychotic Joker than measured intellect. Affleck does well as an older, jaded Batman though his propensity to use guns and kill people sits oddly, while Gal Gadot would have stolen the show if she’d been used more.
DC is obviously playing movie catch up and trying to pack so much set-up into the front half of this film detracts from what should have been a quality gritty superhero film that lacked the whimsical one-liners of the Marvel universe. Still it was enjoyable and ends with the promise of so much more. Avoid spoilers and see it early.
Star Trek Horizon
What’s it about?
Earth’s coalition of planets is at war with the Romulans. But something is wrong – a weapon of immense power that shouldn’t exist is about to change the galaxy.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: For years people have bemoaned the impending death of amateur theatre. Cry no more, for YouTube is the new amateur theatre paradise. As with the local rep, the acting is variable, some casting is dubious, but the passion is never in question. And because the budget is minuscule, there is innovation aplenty (blurring the background to alleviate set design issues is a very nice touch).
The effects, premise & script are all quite good – it’s better than some professional films out there. Open YouTube on your TV and have a Star Trek fan fiction movie night at home!
Editor's Choice
Eye in the Sky
What’s it about:
A drone-led terrorist capture mission in Kenya takes an unexpected turn, throwing up an intriguing ethical dilemma for all those involved. In one of his last roles, Alan Rickman plays a typically cynical general, with Captain Phillips’ Barked Abdi in a pivotal on-the-ground role.
What did we think:
Angela Young says: This extraordinarily-gripping thriller keeps you guessing and mulling all the way, as you see through the eyes of the frankly bizarre world of modern remote warfare, tiny beetle drones and all. Superb performances from a global cast and an excellent script combine to make this a winner that’ll leave your cogs turning long after you leave the cinema.
It’s got Helen Mirren and Alan Rickman in it. That should tell you all you need to know.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2
What’s it about?
Nia Vardalos, John Corbett and the rest of the cast of 2002’s My Big Fat Greek Wedding return for a sequel involving (who’d have thought?) ANOTHER big fat Greek wedding.
What did we think?
Amy Currie says: This film is basically a montage of the entire cast running from one event to another in a very wacky panic. They wave their arms around a lot and pull faces. Man, what a bunch of characters! Family, am I right? Oh, boy.
Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice
What’s it about?
Ideologies clash as the world’s only two public superheroes come to words then blows. But is there more afoot?
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: At the end of the day you go to this movie to watch the two SuperFriends fight and/or to see Wonder Woman finally debut on the big screen. You will not be disappointed on either count. It just takes a while to get there.
For a long movie there’s not as much action as you’d expect but once it finally arrives it’s well worth the wait. The first half of the film suffers from a heck of lot of sub-plots, exposition and lingering shots of Superman as a messianic figure. The conflicting ideas of Superman being above the law, an alien and a hero to all are reasonably well explored and exploited even if Jessie Esienberg’s xenophobic Lex Luthor is more psychotic Joker than measured intellect. Affleck does well as an older, jaded Batman though his propensity to use guns and kill people sits oddly, while Gal Gadot would have stolen the show if she’d been used more.
DC is obviously playing movie catch up and trying to pack so much set-up into the front half of this film detracts from what should have been a quality gritty superhero film that lacked the whimsical one-liners of the Marvel universe. Still it was enjoyable and ends with the promise of so much more. Avoid spoilers and see it early.
Star Trek Horizon
What’s it about?
Earth’s coalition of planets is at war with the Romulans. But something is wrong – a weapon of immense power that shouldn’t exist is about to change the galaxy.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: For years people have bemoaned the impending death of amateur theatre. Cry no more, for YouTube is the new amateur theatre paradise. As with the local rep, the acting is variable, some casting is dubious, but the passion is never in question. And because the budget is minuscule, there is innovation aplenty (blurring the background to alleviate set design issues is a very nice touch).
The effects, premise & script are all quite good – it’s better than some professional films out there. Open YouTube on your TV and have a Star Trek fan fiction movie night at home!