Ghost In The Shell
What’s it about?
Major’s brain was saved from a terrorist attack and was the first human brain connected with a robotic body. The military wants her for her murder skills. Everyone else just likes that she gets around naked all the time.
What we thought
Dan says: The prospect of exploring the human condition as it struggles to find itself in this increasingly tech driven environment is quickly shelved to show a naked lady beating seven hells out of robot assassins then sitting in a car talking for 20 minutes. Scarlett Johanson’s butt does so much heavy lifting in this film that you wonder if it wouldn’t have a more promising career if it left ScarJo for a solo career.
There’s some interesting design in this film that’s lifted straight from the source material. A couple of the secondary characters are watchable and have a handful of satisfying moments, but this film is… boring. Unless you really want to watch robots, gunfire and naked ladies, I’d probably take a pass on this one.
Smurfs: The Lost Village
What’s it about?
A collection of cobalt forest goblins have funky forest adventures. Each one has a strongly defined vocation except for the singular girl goblin, “Smurfette” who is defined only through her gender. In a massive departure from tradition, Hollywood attempts to address this.
What we thought
Dan says: This film is for kids. It’s not scary, there are almost no stakes. If you’re stuck in the same room as children watching this then you might get a couple of chuckles out of it. You’ll appreciate how pretty it is and find yourself trying to play ‘spot the famous voice’. Sadly “because magic” seems to be the solution to any actual dilemmas. At the end of the day this film is just a bit…
Laaah Lah lala la blaaah
The Lego Batman Movie
What’s it about?
It’s The LEGO Movie spin-off featuring the hilarious, egotistical Batman you came to love. This time the lone vigilante is faced with a citywide invasion from the Joker’s evil army, after he refuses to reciprocate a love-hate relationship with the villain. In order to save Gotham, Batman is faced with his hardest struggle: working with others.
What did we think?
Candice says: There may not be a catchy sing-a-long to rival Everything Is Awesome, but The Lego® Batman™ Movie still hits the right notes! Theres something for everyone, with plenty of comedic Batman references and pop-culture jokes to keep the adults happy. Batman’s newest orphan recruit Robin and his long-serving butler Alfred add layers of witty, silly (and at times rude) banter between the figurine co-stars. The film gets a little heavy towards the end and may stretch the attention of some younger folk in the cinema, but they’ll quickly be won over with the musical finale.
Looking to take a little bit of The Lego® Batman™ Movie home with you? Say ‘Hey Puter’ to Siri. You’re welcome.
The Boss Baby
What’s it about?
A seven-year old with an overactive imagination discovers the new baby in his home (voiced by Alec Baldwin) is really a middle-manager from the place ‘where babies come from’; here to complete a spy mission and climb the corporate ladder.
What did we think?
Lisa Clifford Says: while mildly amusing, being convoluted and overly long means The Boss Baby probably won’t become a family favourite. There are genuinely funny moments, though most rely heavily on the corporate executive schtick Alec Baldwin honed on 30 Rock.
In a missed opportunity, it raises, but fails to deal with, the tricky issues for kids around feelings of jealousy and displacement when a new baby arrives, and how a parent’s love is quantified and divided between siblings.
If you miss 30 Rock and have to watch a G-rated movie, The Boss Baby will keep you entertained for about an hour*.
*Full running time is actually 97 minutes
Beauty And The Beast
What’s it about?
Really? We’re really going there? Fine. In a shocking twist, Beauty And The Beast Redux is actually a big-screen offshoot of Marvel’s Legion: a fever dream where David places himself in yet another musical hostage situation. But will Stockholm syndrome work for or against this powerful mutant?*
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: an epic revitalisation of the golden Hollywood musical, replete with a dastardly villain, breathtaking choreographed-from-above dance numbers, and a happy ending for all. There are winks and nods aplenty within this utterly adorable Best Picture Oscar winner for 2018 (without Silence of the Lambs it’ll be a shoe-in).
*1 It’s your fault. You asked. What a stupid question “what’s Beauty and the Beast” about. Idiot.
*2 If you haven’t watched Legion yet, get thee to FX immediately.
Loving
What’s it about?
1950’s Virginia: it was a simpler time, when a man could love a woman and a woman her man (so long as they had the same skin colour); and old, white, privileged men could exert their racist bigotry without fear of repercussion … until the US Supreme Court made a landmark civil rights decision and said it was OK to love the one you’re with (Loving v. Virginia).
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: 2017’s trio of harrowing reminders of segregation is a tender balance of Fences’ stark reality and Hidden Figures’ uplifting feel goodedness*. An unassuming, endearing romance, juxtaposed by ignorance and hatred; Loving confirms that love WILL conquer all, even in a court room (which takes a back seat to love story).
Postscript: Thank goodness no-one judges people anymore on who or how they love. /sarcasm
*this is now a word
What’s Popular
Johnny English Strikes Again
What’s it about?
Johnny English is called back into the field after MI7 is compromised by a really intelligent hacker.
What did we think?
Nick Bleeker says: It feels a bit out of touch and the story and most of the jokes are predictable, but Johnny English Strikes Again is an incredibly harmless and, surprisingly, fun film. Star Rating: 2.5/5
Stephen Scott says: Predictability can be a blessing and a curse: for fans of Rowan Atkinson and the silly spy genre, in this case it’s a blessing of papal proportions. Johnny English Strikes Again is exactly what you expect: a talking Mr Bean bumbling through an Austen Powersesque adventure. Star Rating: 3.5/5
Ladies in Black
What’s it about?
A coming-of-age story in which Lesley (who desperately wants to be called Lisa) takes a job in a tres chic department store while waiting for her exam results. Based on a book, Ladies in Black takes a peek behind the dressing room curtain of the impossibly glamorous women who dressed the well-heeled women of Sydney.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: This is such an enjoyable Aussie film but man it was hard for me to pay attention to anything else but the fashion. Because OH MY GOD THE FASHION. A visually sumptuous film about an innocent time in Australia’s history when department stores were all about providing first class service, and every immigrant was considered a “reffo” (refugee) no matter how bloody fabulous they were. I found myself taking turns sighing with love for the dresses and smiling from ear to ear for the story.
Searching
What’s it about?
A father (John Cho) has to search through his daughter’s online life to connect the dots when she goes missing one night.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: Part thriller, part drama, part advertisement for what a Mac can do, Searching is a masterclass in inventive storytelling. The movie unfolds solely through a series of chat windows, tumblr posts, tweets and live streams, and navigates the line between heartache and heart attack deftly. It’s clever with its “show don’t tell” storytelling, and damn it’s nice to see Cho kicking ass in the lead role he deserves
A Simple Favor
What’s it about?
A somewhat intense mommy blogger is befriended by a worldly but blunt fellow mother. When her new best friend goes missing it sets events into motion that will forveer change their lives (cue dramatic music).
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt (who has NOT read the book) says: It would be simplistic to describe this as Gone Girl Gone Wild but it’s hard to escape some comparisons with the 2014 thriller. The major difference is the tone. Director Paul Feig interjects humour at unexpected moments which prevents you from fully engaging with anger at the characters – all of whom you dislike at some point. Even the ending has a touch of slapstick that robs the film of some gravitas. Quite simply there aren’t enough laughs for it be called a comedy but enough where it detracts slightly from the thriller tag. Despite all this, it’s actually a pretty good flick that keeps you guessing and off balance. Great performances from Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively keep you focused and wanting them to be innocent and, more importantly, ensuring you leave with a smile on your face. 3.5
Editor's Choice
Johnny English Strikes Again
What’s it about?
Johnny English is called back into the field after MI7 is compromised by a really intelligent hacker.
What did we think?
Nick Bleeker says: It feels a bit out of touch and the story and most of the jokes are predictable, but Johnny English Strikes Again is an incredibly harmless and, surprisingly, fun film. Star Rating: 2.5/5
Stephen Scott says: Predictability can be a blessing and a curse: for fans of Rowan Atkinson and the silly spy genre, in this case it’s a blessing of papal proportions. Johnny English Strikes Again is exactly what you expect: a talking Mr Bean bumbling through an Austen Powersesque adventure. Star Rating: 3.5/5
Ladies in Black
What’s it about?
A coming-of-age story in which Lesley (who desperately wants to be called Lisa) takes a job in a tres chic department store while waiting for her exam results. Based on a book, Ladies in Black takes a peek behind the dressing room curtain of the impossibly glamorous women who dressed the well-heeled women of Sydney.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: This is such an enjoyable Aussie film but man it was hard for me to pay attention to anything else but the fashion. Because OH MY GOD THE FASHION. A visually sumptuous film about an innocent time in Australia’s history when department stores were all about providing first class service, and every immigrant was considered a “reffo” (refugee) no matter how bloody fabulous they were. I found myself taking turns sighing with love for the dresses and smiling from ear to ear for the story.
Searching
What’s it about?
A father (John Cho) has to search through his daughter’s online life to connect the dots when she goes missing one night.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: Part thriller, part drama, part advertisement for what a Mac can do, Searching is a masterclass in inventive storytelling. The movie unfolds solely through a series of chat windows, tumblr posts, tweets and live streams, and navigates the line between heartache and heart attack deftly. It’s clever with its “show don’t tell” storytelling, and damn it’s nice to see Cho kicking ass in the lead role he deserves
A Simple Favor
What’s it about?
A somewhat intense mommy blogger is befriended by a worldly but blunt fellow mother. When her new best friend goes missing it sets events into motion that will forveer change their lives (cue dramatic music).
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt (who has NOT read the book) says: It would be simplistic to describe this as Gone Girl Gone Wild but it’s hard to escape some comparisons with the 2014 thriller. The major difference is the tone. Director Paul Feig interjects humour at unexpected moments which prevents you from fully engaging with anger at the characters – all of whom you dislike at some point. Even the ending has a touch of slapstick that robs the film of some gravitas. Quite simply there aren’t enough laughs for it be called a comedy but enough where it detracts slightly from the thriller tag. Despite all this, it’s actually a pretty good flick that keeps you guessing and off balance. Great performances from Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively keep you focused and wanting them to be innocent and, more importantly, ensuring you leave with a smile on your face. 3.5