Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 2
- By Anthony Sherratt
- 9 years ago
What’s it about?
Set to the backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ continues the team’s adventures as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill’s true parentage.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: The much-anticipated sequel to Guardians Of The Galaxy was always going to feature a plethora of one-liners and an awesome soundtrack and it certainly delivers on those. But while it’s heavy on laughs, it’s light on story. Almost two-and-a-half hours is a long running time and even more so when you consider just how little plot exists. Despite this, it’s incredibly entertaining and you will laugh for nearly the entire movie so it will once again make a squillion dollars despite the shortcomings. Between the laughs (most of which are delivered by Draxx, Rocket and Baby Groot this time around) and the cuteness (Baby Groot steals nearly every scene he’s in), there’s a lot to like about GotG2, but sadly the story – and ensuing replayability – is not one of them. And there are FIVE post-credit scenes and only one of them is actually worth sitting there for. Flat ending to the fun.
Free Fire
- By Elizabeth Best
- 9 years ago
What’s it about?
A bunch of people meet in a warehouse for a weapons deal. Shots are fired and shit gets real in real time.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: Ever wanted to skip the beginning boring part of a movie and get right to the climax? Free Fire is ALL CLIMAX; an hour and a half of gangsters shooting the shit out of each other, on a claustrophobic set. It’s tense, it’s exciting, it’s even gross in bits. It has a touch of the Reservoir Dogs about it except without the flashbacks. Only thing is, the flashbacks (ironically) are what move the story forwards and without them, the bullet fatigue eventually sets in. The concept is truly kick-ass, it’s just a shame they didn’t do a bit more with it.
My Pet Dinosaur
- By Anthony Sherratt
- 9 years ago
What’s it about?
A town is plunged into chaos when a boy accidentally makes a new friend. And by make, we mean literally and figuratively. The title probably gives that away though.
What did we think?
While it doesn’t exactly tread new ground, My Pet Dinosaur is a delightful throwback to kid’s movies of the 80s. It’s a positively endearing reminder of youth, imagination and love. It would be easy to lump in with a post-Spielbergian genre, but great acting and good characterisation more than overcome the cliches. It’s good solid fun and wonderful to see a movie for all ages that doesn’t talk down to kids or get too caught up in itself.
Get Out
- By Anthony Sherratt
- 9 years ago
What’s it about?
A young black man visits his girlfriend’s wealthy white family at their mansion in the woods for the first time, but when he gets there, things seem seriously weird.
What did we think?
True horror is not monsters or ghosts – it’s humanity. And nowhere is this more evident than in Jordan Peele’s Get Out. An incredibly intelligent look at racism, the insidiousness of political correctness and modern America, it’s a movie that defies easy categorisation though it slips into a revenge flick. The true strength is that it will make you uncomfortable mentally long after the credits have rolled. Insightful and witty, it’s a must see not only for film lovers but anyone interested in equality or racial dynamics. Superb.
GET OUT opens in Australian cinemas on May 4.
CHiPS
- By Anthony Sherratt
- 9 years ago
What’s it about?Michael Peña and Dax Shepard reprise the roles made famous in the 1970s/80s by Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox, with the California Highway Patrol officers this time hunting down a mob of motorcycle thugs making a killing from security vans, with suspicions of an inside job.What did we think?Angela says: “Chip happens” is the tagline: an implied sentiment so synonymoys with modern remakes. But surprisingly, this cheesy little comedy is actually not light on laughs. Peña’s Frank Poncherello is a likeable little git, and despite being the writer, director and star, Shepard’s washed-up ex biker makes a great partner. It’s no Oscar-winner, but there’s some serious chortles to be had. It’s a bit like watching a film your douchey friends have made in their spare time – pretty clumsy, but you can’t help feeling happy with it.
What’s Popular
Mile 22
What’s it about?
Mark Wahlberg and other angry friends try and transport a guy 22 miles while avoiding death by terrorists.
What did we think?
Nick says: Mile 22 offers nothing but epileptic action, an insanely poor editing job and poorly written, asshole characters. It gets a star because Iko Uwais is solid and at least it’s around 90 minutes long.
The Happytime Murders
What’s it about?
To clear his name of the brutal (yet strangely hilarious) Happytime murders, disgraced ex-cop turned private dick Phil Philips must overcome the bad blood between him and his old LAPD partner. But Phil’s a puppet living in a human world, and we all know puppets are only good for singing and dancing. Not being racist, just telling it like it is.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: believe it or not, there is a story thread running throughout this flick that comments on the racial tensions in Western society, but you can easily ignore that and take Happytime Murders for what it is: a blend of every b-grade buddy cop movie with Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Meet the Feebles.
It’s puerile, clichéd and predictable – in a good way. You know what to expect, it’s done well, and the jokes are more hit than miss.
I hope it moooooooves you in the same way it mooooooved me.
Crazy Rich Asians
What’s it about?
Rachel agrees to accompany her longtime boyfriend to his best mate’s wedding in Singapore, which will involve her meeting the family. Then she finds out he’s one of the country’s most eligible bachelors. He’s also rich… like, crazy rich… and she’s pushed into the spotlight.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: I love the fact that this isn’t an “Asian” movie per se: it transcends race. It’s a blockbuster romantic comedy that just happens to have an all-Asian cast. Because of the wealth of the characters, it’s a feast for the eyes as well as the heart. Thoroughly enjoyable modern take on the Cinderella trope that proves diversity on screen doesn’t just work, it kicks ass.
Also, this movie made me feel really really poor, and really really single. Just saying.
The Darkest Minds
What’s it about?
In a dystopian fu … sigh. Come on everyone, say it with me: Evoking epic themes, the chosen one flees persecution, seeking a hate- (and adult) free utopia, overcoming perils with heartbreaking sacrifice.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: It’s perfect for tweens born too late for <select your preferred coming-of-age analogy – Hunger Games / Maze Runner / Twilight / Harry Potter / Buffy / Star Wars / Logan’s Run / Tomorrow People / Lord of the Flies / Watership Down / I’m sorry if I missed your favourite>.
Don’t get me wrong, kids WILL love it because it IS their version of the teenager heroes journey.
It just a shame this seen-it-before, plot-hole-ridden, quest-for-a-new-cash-cow is aiming to fill the gap for gen-whatever-are-we-up-to-now as it frustratingly fails to reach its potential and feels like a pilot for a Netflix series of Legion Jnr.
Special, one-off tiered rating system:
30 and over: ★☆ (you’ve seen it before done so much better)
18 – 30: ★★☆ (your tastes are still developing – it’s not that bad)
Under 18: ★★★☆ (go on, you’ll love it)
Editor's Choice
Mile 22
What’s it about?
Mark Wahlberg and other angry friends try and transport a guy 22 miles while avoiding death by terrorists.
What did we think?
Nick says: Mile 22 offers nothing but epileptic action, an insanely poor editing job and poorly written, asshole characters. It gets a star because Iko Uwais is solid and at least it’s around 90 minutes long.
The Happytime Murders
What’s it about?
To clear his name of the brutal (yet strangely hilarious) Happytime murders, disgraced ex-cop turned private dick Phil Philips must overcome the bad blood between him and his old LAPD partner. But Phil’s a puppet living in a human world, and we all know puppets are only good for singing and dancing. Not being racist, just telling it like it is.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: believe it or not, there is a story thread running throughout this flick that comments on the racial tensions in Western society, but you can easily ignore that and take Happytime Murders for what it is: a blend of every b-grade buddy cop movie with Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Meet the Feebles.
It’s puerile, clichéd and predictable – in a good way. You know what to expect, it’s done well, and the jokes are more hit than miss.
I hope it moooooooves you in the same way it mooooooved me.
Crazy Rich Asians
What’s it about?
Rachel agrees to accompany her longtime boyfriend to his best mate’s wedding in Singapore, which will involve her meeting the family. Then she finds out he’s one of the country’s most eligible bachelors. He’s also rich… like, crazy rich… and she’s pushed into the spotlight.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: I love the fact that this isn’t an “Asian” movie per se: it transcends race. It’s a blockbuster romantic comedy that just happens to have an all-Asian cast. Because of the wealth of the characters, it’s a feast for the eyes as well as the heart. Thoroughly enjoyable modern take on the Cinderella trope that proves diversity on screen doesn’t just work, it kicks ass.
Also, this movie made me feel really really poor, and really really single. Just saying.
The Darkest Minds
What’s it about?
In a dystopian fu … sigh. Come on everyone, say it with me: Evoking epic themes, the chosen one flees persecution, seeking a hate- (and adult) free utopia, overcoming perils with heartbreaking sacrifice.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: It’s perfect for tweens born too late for <select your preferred coming-of-age analogy – Hunger Games / Maze Runner / Twilight / Harry Potter / Buffy / Star Wars / Logan’s Run / Tomorrow People / Lord of the Flies / Watership Down / I’m sorry if I missed your favourite>.
Don’t get me wrong, kids WILL love it because it IS their version of the teenager heroes journey.
It just a shame this seen-it-before, plot-hole-ridden, quest-for-a-new-cash-cow is aiming to fill the gap for gen-whatever-are-we-up-to-now as it frustratingly fails to reach its potential and feels like a pilot for a Netflix series of Legion Jnr.
Special, one-off tiered rating system:
30 and over: ★☆ (you’ve seen it before done so much better)
18 – 30: ★★☆ (your tastes are still developing – it’s not that bad)
Under 18: ★★★☆ (go on, you’ll love it)