Aloha
What’s it about?
A celebrated military contractor returns to the site of his greatest career triumphs and re-connects with a long-ago love while unexpectedly falling for the hard-charging Air Force watchdog assigned to him.
What did we think?
Angela Bowen says: Despite a very strong cast, Aloha doesn’t have any true weight. The film skims on some serious issues like military, love, and marital issues, but so shallowly that you struggle to care or even know why you are supposed to.The Hawaiian setting is used sparingly and is almost a side note. Aside from Emma Stone’s character repeatedly saying that she is Hawaiian, there is little to remind the audience of what should be a culturally rich location.
Even hard-core Rom Com fans, Bradley fans, or Emma fans may struggle with this one. There are some confusing and unnecessary side plots and a lack of believable chemistry between the characters. Aloha can mean hello or farewell, but I couldn’t wait to use it in the goodbye sense for this fim.
Paper Towns
I admit when I first saw this trailer (the first one) I went out and bought the book the very next day. Now I’m trying to decide if I should read it before the movie or not. On the one hand books are usually better (nearly always) and yet the trailer was that good it possibly deserves to suck me in.
Hmmm.
Me and Earl and the dying girl
Yeah I’m so there.
Cooties
Um… I’m conflicted. The premise looks good but it seems to go overboard a bit and not enough for it to become good again. Plus Kristen Stewart.
San Andreas
What’s it about?
The ‘big one’ – the overdue earthquake that has threatened California for over 100 years – finally hits. Cue special effects. And The Rock.
What did we think?
I grew up on disaster movies (Towering Inferno is seared into my brain) so have a special place in my heart for them. So I enjoy Hollywood revisiting them every few years despite the fact that most of them are quite poor. But there’s still something ‘fun’ about watching mayhem and carnage on the big screen and for special effects San Andreas is incredible despite the fact you’ve seen most of the best ones in the trailer. The rippling of the earth is almost worth the price of the ticket alone although how they spend so much on FX and still have have one of the worst photoshopped family pictures is beyond me. Plotwise it’s incredibly predictable and the fact a decorated war hero stole a government helicopter to save two family members over the thousands of people he is paid to save is completely overlooked. The science is woeful (don’t start me on the tsunami) and the aftermath is heavily sanitised. I still enjoyed it as a mindless popcorn movie but my wait for a new smart disaster flick continues.
Tomorrowland
What’s it about?
A headstrong teenage science enthusiast (Britt Robertson) teams up with a bitter inventor (George Clooney) to re-enter a trans-dimensional utopia and save the world from destruction.
What did we think?
Director Brad Bird has made dazzlingly fun movies such as The Incredibles and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, and while Tomorrowland isn’t as good as his past work, it’s definitely in the same spirit. The visuals are very creative, and the main characters are endearing, with Robertson being an especially lively presence. The plot (co-written with Lost and Prometheus writer Damon Lindelof) is a bit hard to follow and sort of unsatisfying, but it’s still charming enough to be worth the ride.
What’s Popular
Little Evil
What’s it about?
Every new step-dad has the occasional thought their new step-child could be evil, but what if they really are the Antichrist?
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Good silly fun with a lot of heart, Little Evil is, at first glance, an entertaining premise stretched to fill an entire film. However, Little Evil’s real strength is in its emotional impact rather than comedic value. Yes, it’s very funny with shout-outs to a range of the genre, but the nuances of emotions and relationships are surprisingly deep. From Evangaline Lily’s loving dedication to her son, to Adam Scott’s recognition of the child’s vulnerability, Little Evil has more than just good laughs. The fantastic cast (it also includes Sally Field and Kurgan from Highlander) well and truly delivers. While it’s not the cult classic he gave us with Dale and Tucker vs Evil, director Eli Craig entertains us enough to leave us looking forward to his third feature film.
Girls Trip
What’s it about?
Middle-aged school friends reunite for a girls weekend in New Orleans which goes a little crazy. Wow. Didn’t see that coming.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: If Bridesmaids ‘raised’ the stakes in vulgar comedy, Girls Trip kicks it screaming into the cesspool stratosphere. Shitting in the street is so passé, now we piss on it from a great height. Literally. (And yes, millennials, this is literally being used correctly.) Whilst it veers dangerously close to standard Hollywood schmalz, a surprisingly poignant final speech makes it something you could recommend. But not for your elderly mother. Hell no.
I’ll never be able to look at grapefruits the same way again.
American Made
What’s it about?
A morally flexible airline pilot is recruited by the CIA to fly over Central America. He ends of taking side deals with just about every party available and becomes a highly successful drug smuggler. But how long can he burn the candle at four/five/six ends?
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: It’d be easy to describe American Made as a Tom Cruise mash-up. Flying with aviator sunglasses? Check. Being shown the money? Check. Flashing a cheeky smile and relying on charisma to get through tricky situations? Check! But while this based-on-a-true-story isn’t blockbuster material it is actually a fun romp combining political satire with larger than life antics that make you laugh AND engage you emotionally. Unexpected depth with nostalgic throwbacks makes this one stand out a bit.
Gifted
What’s it about?
A man is raising his niece, who is a mathematical prodigy. Once her abilities have been discovered, her grandmother fights for custody.
What did we think?
Imogen says: Watch as one of the Marvel Chrises handsomes his way through this beige movie. It’s got everything you’ve ever seen in a heartwarming film:
- a man who’s struggling to raise a child by himself,
- (but does it in a unique and quirky way);
- an equally unique and quirky child with a special talent;
- a two-dimensional love interest character (Jenny Slate, you’re better than this);
- a two-dimensional sassy yet wise black neighbour (Octavia Spencer, you’re WAY better than this).
- an acoustic soundtrack and predictable outcome.
Editor's Choice
Little Evil
What’s it about?
Every new step-dad has the occasional thought their new step-child could be evil, but what if they really are the Antichrist?
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Good silly fun with a lot of heart, Little Evil is, at first glance, an entertaining premise stretched to fill an entire film. However, Little Evil’s real strength is in its emotional impact rather than comedic value. Yes, it’s very funny with shout-outs to a range of the genre, but the nuances of emotions and relationships are surprisingly deep. From Evangaline Lily’s loving dedication to her son, to Adam Scott’s recognition of the child’s vulnerability, Little Evil has more than just good laughs. The fantastic cast (it also includes Sally Field and Kurgan from Highlander) well and truly delivers. While it’s not the cult classic he gave us with Dale and Tucker vs Evil, director Eli Craig entertains us enough to leave us looking forward to his third feature film.
Girls Trip
What’s it about?
Middle-aged school friends reunite for a girls weekend in New Orleans which goes a little crazy. Wow. Didn’t see that coming.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: If Bridesmaids ‘raised’ the stakes in vulgar comedy, Girls Trip kicks it screaming into the cesspool stratosphere. Shitting in the street is so passé, now we piss on it from a great height. Literally. (And yes, millennials, this is literally being used correctly.) Whilst it veers dangerously close to standard Hollywood schmalz, a surprisingly poignant final speech makes it something you could recommend. But not for your elderly mother. Hell no.
I’ll never be able to look at grapefruits the same way again.
American Made
What’s it about?
A morally flexible airline pilot is recruited by the CIA to fly over Central America. He ends of taking side deals with just about every party available and becomes a highly successful drug smuggler. But how long can he burn the candle at four/five/six ends?
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: It’d be easy to describe American Made as a Tom Cruise mash-up. Flying with aviator sunglasses? Check. Being shown the money? Check. Flashing a cheeky smile and relying on charisma to get through tricky situations? Check! But while this based-on-a-true-story isn’t blockbuster material it is actually a fun romp combining political satire with larger than life antics that make you laugh AND engage you emotionally. Unexpected depth with nostalgic throwbacks makes this one stand out a bit.
Gifted
What’s it about?
A man is raising his niece, who is a mathematical prodigy. Once her abilities have been discovered, her grandmother fights for custody.
What did we think?
Imogen says: Watch as one of the Marvel Chrises handsomes his way through this beige movie. It’s got everything you’ve ever seen in a heartwarming film:
- a man who’s struggling to raise a child by himself,
- (but does it in a unique and quirky way);
- an equally unique and quirky child with a special talent;
- a two-dimensional love interest character (Jenny Slate, you’re better than this);
- a two-dimensional sassy yet wise black neighbour (Octavia Spencer, you’re WAY better than this).
- an acoustic soundtrack and predictable outcome.