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.
I Am Eleven
What’s it about?
A documentary that looks at an age that is sometimes one of the happiest times of our lives. From India to Morocco, Bangkok to Amsterdam, from the Upper East Side of New York to Gen’s hometown of Melbourne, I AM ELEVEN takes us to 15 countries exploring the world today through the eyes of today’s eleven-year-olds.
What did we think?
Anthony says: Simply wonderful. It’s a must-see if you love or have an interest in any of the following: children, the future, sociology, psychology, communications, growing up, reminiscing, love and/or life.
It’s emotional, entertaining, interesting and enthralling. With a limited release you might very well miss it but I hope you don’t.
Bernie
What’s it about?
In small-town Texas, the local mortician strikes up a friendship with a wealthy widow, though when he kills her, he goes to great lengths to create the illusion that she’s alive.
What did we think?
Cindy says: Like the title character, this film is short and sweet, and a little bit dull, and leaves me in two minds. Appearing as a cross between a mockumentary and a midday movie, the big-name stars (Jack Black, Matthew McConaughy and Shirley MacLaine) seem a little out of place among an outstanding cast of unknowns featured as the townsfolk of Carthage, Texas. These unknowns totally steal the show as they narrate the plight of their small-town hero. Based on a true story, this is a comic murder mystery with not a lot of shock, but plenty of “awww”.
The Bourne Legacy
What’s it about?
An expansion of the universe from Robert Ludlum’s novels, centered on a new hero whose stakes have been triggered by the events of the previous three films.
What did we think?
The Bourne Legacy is an oddly flat addition to the franchise. It has an interesting enough story and indeed the first act is set during the first Bourne movie. But even that provides some jarring moments and simply makes you wish you’d re-watched the original before you sat down.
The characters are likeable and Jeremy Renner and Ed Norton put in very good performances, but the action sequences are a little lacking especially when compared to the outrageously frenetic fight scenes we’ve previously seen. Unfair comparison? Possibly but it is quite a contrast.
It’s good enough to warrant a continuation of the series – and doesn’t rule out a return of Damon – but it’s simply entertaining without reaching any great heights.
What’s Popular
Big Hero 6
What’s it about?
A young orphaned (of course) robotics prodigy faces a series of personal challenges that create a superhero team (once again of course).
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Parents of sons are about to discover the intense fandom that parents of daughters have been going through these past 12 months with Frozen (minus the musical numbers). But what Big Hero 6 lacks in songs it makes up in characters, heart and sheer chutzpah.
A beautiful blend of action and humour will appeal to kids as young as 4 and to us slightly bigger kids at <age redacted>. Dripping with emotion, this film is actually more about grief than altruism but the lessons get learned along the way regardless. Albeit in a superhero costume.
I’m already counting the days until I can see it again.
The Imitation Game
What’s it about?
The true story of how mathematics won the second World War. A socially inept mathematical genius called Alan Turing is employed by a government agency to break the German cryptographic systems.
What we thought
Dan says: This is the story of one of the greatest of human achievements. Along with Babbage and Lovelace, Turing is one of the parents of the modern age. While the dramatisations sometimes inch into the realm of misinformation any man, woman and child whose life benefits from the invention of the computer owes it to themselves to watch this exciting story.
If they don’t owe it to themselves, they at least owe it to Alan Turing.
Oh god, I can’t stop crying.
Mr Turner
What is it about?
This is the story of William Turner, renowned but uncouth 19th century English landscape artist, starting at his middle ages.
What do we think?
Alistair Crawford says: If you are after a warts and all authentic period piece, where a genius but almost charmless master-painter, grunts, gropes and spits his way through the drudgery of 19th century life, then this is your movie. A few comical scenes involving self-important art critics, strange brothel experiences, newfangled photography and altercations with other illustrious artists of the time lighten the mood a little. But for the most part, this is about the hard and pedestrian life of the artist and those around him. In contrast, the only true beauty in this movie shines from his paintings, and the picturesque landscapes he occasionally wanders. If you value art history or long contemplative historical dramas, see this. Otherwise maybe not.
Penguins of Madagascar
What’s it about?
Four penguins fight their own nature to become a recklessly amazing super spy team, eventually teaming up with the international animal protection task force, The North Wind, to prevent their old enemy (they had no idea they had), Dr. Octavius Brine from robbing the world of cuteness! No, seriously.
What did we think?
Clint Skene says: Hands down, this is one of the funniest animated films I’ve seen in quite some time. It’s no secret that the Madagascar series had grown a little stale but I always held a soft spot for the black and white birds of awesomeness that were Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private. Great gags, a non-offensive application of 3D, a heaping helping of adorable penguin antics, and stellar performances from both Benedict Cumberbatch (Agent Classified) and John Malkovich (Dr. Octavius Brine), I can’t recommend this movie enough for audiences young and old.
Editor's Choice
Big Hero 6
What’s it about?
A young orphaned (of course) robotics prodigy faces a series of personal challenges that create a superhero team (once again of course).
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Parents of sons are about to discover the intense fandom that parents of daughters have been going through these past 12 months with Frozen (minus the musical numbers). But what Big Hero 6 lacks in songs it makes up in characters, heart and sheer chutzpah.
A beautiful blend of action and humour will appeal to kids as young as 4 and to us slightly bigger kids at <age redacted>. Dripping with emotion, this film is actually more about grief than altruism but the lessons get learned along the way regardless. Albeit in a superhero costume.
I’m already counting the days until I can see it again.
The Imitation Game
What’s it about?
The true story of how mathematics won the second World War. A socially inept mathematical genius called Alan Turing is employed by a government agency to break the German cryptographic systems.
What we thought
Dan says: This is the story of one of the greatest of human achievements. Along with Babbage and Lovelace, Turing is one of the parents of the modern age. While the dramatisations sometimes inch into the realm of misinformation any man, woman and child whose life benefits from the invention of the computer owes it to themselves to watch this exciting story.
If they don’t owe it to themselves, they at least owe it to Alan Turing.
Oh god, I can’t stop crying.
Mr Turner
What is it about?
This is the story of William Turner, renowned but uncouth 19th century English landscape artist, starting at his middle ages.
What do we think?
Alistair Crawford says: If you are after a warts and all authentic period piece, where a genius but almost charmless master-painter, grunts, gropes and spits his way through the drudgery of 19th century life, then this is your movie. A few comical scenes involving self-important art critics, strange brothel experiences, newfangled photography and altercations with other illustrious artists of the time lighten the mood a little. But for the most part, this is about the hard and pedestrian life of the artist and those around him. In contrast, the only true beauty in this movie shines from his paintings, and the picturesque landscapes he occasionally wanders. If you value art history or long contemplative historical dramas, see this. Otherwise maybe not.
Penguins of Madagascar
What’s it about?
Four penguins fight their own nature to become a recklessly amazing super spy team, eventually teaming up with the international animal protection task force, The North Wind, to prevent their old enemy (they had no idea they had), Dr. Octavius Brine from robbing the world of cuteness! No, seriously.
What did we think?
Clint Skene says: Hands down, this is one of the funniest animated films I’ve seen in quite some time. It’s no secret that the Madagascar series had grown a little stale but I always held a soft spot for the black and white birds of awesomeness that were Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private. Great gags, a non-offensive application of 3D, a heaping helping of adorable penguin antics, and stellar performances from both Benedict Cumberbatch (Agent Classified) and John Malkovich (Dr. Octavius Brine), I can’t recommend this movie enough for audiences young and old.