Maps To The Stars
What’s it about?
Agatha (Mia Wasikowska) the exiled daughter of a Hollywood power couple (John Cusack and Olivia Williams) returns to LA to reconnect with her famous younger brother (Evan Bird). Violence pursues those around her, including a frustrated actor turned chauffeur (Robert Pattinson) and fading star Havana Segrand (Julianne Moore).
What did we think?
Scott Ford says: A cavalcade of stars, commentary on celebrity and self-help, incest and tween violence — director David Cronenberg has packed a lot into this film, but nothing sticks. The plot, which gestures at classical tragedy and references surrealist poetry, is often advanced by the appearance of exposition-spewing phantoms and is entirely forgettable.
Cronenberg’s direction is excellent as ever, dancing the line between alienation and intimacy. The dialogue between tween superstars is a reminder of his talent for making discomfiture compelling. But there are also more than a few regrettable moments. Maps to the Stars is a lot adding up to not much.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
What’s it about?
Alexander has more terrible days than most, especially compared to the rest of his ‘perfect’ family. Wishing on his birthday that they could experience the sort of day that he normally has, Liar Liar-style, they do.
What did we think?
Rob O’Connor says: Surprisingly amusing! This live-action Disney family film is loosely based on a popular children’s book, so our expectations were low – happily they were exceeded. While so many of these films feature idiot parents, bratty kids and a story aimed at selling Happy Meals, Alexander avoids all that, delivering a nice message about families sticking together.
The jokes were well spread over our posse (9yo, 13yo and parents) and there were enough quality laughs for all for a pass mark. The cast, which include Steve Carell and Jennifer Garner, are dependable but not stretched. The film is good, single-view, inoffensive, forgettable family fun for 7 year olds and up. That’s definitely better than most films in this genre.
Let’s Be Cops
What’s it about?
Two friends dress up as policeman and get carried away when they get mistaken for the real thing.
What did we think?
What do you get when you have a cop movie without cops? This. With a simple premise, Let’s Be Cops is really a one-joke wonder trading off the popularity of TV’s New Girl. And for fans of the show that’s probably gong to be enough. Nick and Coach…. er… I mean Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans are likable (and rather similar to their small screen characters) but there’s just not enough in the script for anyone.
For non-New Girl fans, the first half of the movie is sort of okay but it just runs out of direction and laughs. After awhile it feels like you’re the one doing time. Don’t do the crime kids.
The Drop
What it’s about?
Set in the working-class streets of Brooklyn, Bob Saginowski (Tom Hardy) is an unassuming bartender working at his cousin’s bar that operates as a “drop” taking illegal cash deposits from the Mafia.
What do we think?
Andrew Stewart says: This is a movie that builds slowly, storing small pieces of intense energy away until the pressure gets too much and it explodes all over the screen in the most satisfying way. The ending is gripping and is a fitting crescendo to the complex character development carefully crafted throughout. Both Hardy and the late James Gandolfini (The Sopranos) make this mobster thriller worth seeing.
The Mule
What’s it about?
In 1983, a meek Australian footballer (Angus Sampson) is detained by local law enforcement for seven days, until he passes the heroin he is smuggling in his stomach.
What did we think?
Dominic Barlow says: For the first 45 minutes, the film is a dark comedy with a hapless, loveable hero under serious pressure. After that, things go from strangely funny to just strange, because we spend roughly as much time in the affairs of the no-good cops and crooks around him. There’s some nice period touches, with high-panted outfits and TVs tuned to the America’s Cup, to create a muddy feel of middle-class Australia. It’s also stacked with fine performances from the likes of Hugo Weaving, John Noble and Noni Hazelhurst. On the whole, though, it’s a grubby crime caper that doesn’t have much humour, and not much intrigue either.
Interstellar
What’s it about?
With humanity facing a ticking clock on earth, a band of scientists launch a mission to space to find a way to expand into the universe.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: During Interstellar I occasionally found myself reminded of the strong emotional impact that 2001: A Space Odyssey had on me as a child which was wonderful. It took me awhile (luckily we had almost three hours) to realise that while it was emotive it was actually a little light on substance. Sure there are some interesting themes and thought provoking concepts (despite some highly theoretical science) but Interstellar’s greatest failing is its obvious US target demographic.
With WAY too much exposition and Nolan’s inexplicable and incessant need to wrap every little end up neatly, what starts out as a majestic movie capturing both the wonder and terror of being in space sadly finishes feeling like a cliched film from just about any genre. Is it good? Yes. Are the effects impressive? Hell yes. Will you enjoy it? Probably. Will you rush out to see it a second time? Doubtful.
What’s Popular
Fifty Shades Darker
What’s it about?
The sequel to Fifty Shades of Grey sees sexually dominant Christian Grey beg his lady love, Anastasia Steel to come (snigger) back into his life, but not without women from his past shaking things up.
What did we think?
Andrew Danyals says: I have to admit that while watching this, I had the urge to be tied up and licked. Or spanked. Pretty much anything to get my mind off this dreadful movie. While it has slightly better eroticism than the first one (not necessarily saying much), the sequel suffers from a discordant narrative that drove me nuts. It’s all over the place. I like seeing the exploration of erotic themes and empowering situations on the big screen but this barely qualifies as the former and still confuses as the latter. I still can’t get over how a film about this sort of sex is somehow so very vanilla.
DISSENTING SQR REVIEW BELOW
Patriots Day
What’s it about?
A retelling of the horrific Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, and the dramatic four-day chase of the Tsarnaev brothers.
What did we think?
Angela Young says: Hollywood dramatising recent tragic events makes me uneasy, so I can’t say I find this film anything other than distasteful and unnecessary. That said, it’s reasonably well told (not too much high-drama BS thrown in with the facts) and a lot of the actors do a pretty good job, including Kevin Bacon and a strangely deflated-looking John Goodman, though Mark Wahlberg’s made-up hero character designed to neatly tie things up is pretty overdone. I’d much rather see a well-made documentary.
Live By Night
What’s it about?
It’s the 1920s, and Ben Affleck is a zoot suit-wearing, machine gun-toting gangster. Sometimes he has feelings, but you can’t really tell.
What we thought
Amy Currie says: Live by Night is overstuffed with plot and takes itself far too seriously. I’m sure the book on which it was based is quite interesting, and that it would have made a decent Netflix series. As it is, it’s not so much a saga as an edited highlights package. It certainly looks pretty, and some of the subplots and characters are genuinely intriguing. They’re gone in a flash, though, and we’re back to more of Affleck not moving his face.
Don’t bother.
Manchester By The Sea
A sombre examination of mourning as a withdrawn and troubled man is unexpectedly left guardianship of his dead brother’s 16-year-old son.
Angela Young says: This film will split audiences. For me, I was seared in two by its utterly real depiction of a pain so awful as to kill a man’s soul. An eccentric soundtrack (from orchestral to choral to swing) and extremely slow pace fits this artistic masterpiece like a glove. Casey Affleck’s portrayal of Lee – now guardian of his late brother’s kid – deserves the Oscar. Michelle Williams’ brief appearances are perfect, and Lucas Hedges is spot on as the kid. A profoundly moving piece on the vast variances of mourning, superbly written and directed.
Editor's Choice
Fifty Shades Darker
What’s it about?
The sequel to Fifty Shades of Grey sees sexually dominant Christian Grey beg his lady love, Anastasia Steel to come (snigger) back into his life, but not without women from his past shaking things up.
What did we think?
Andrew Danyals says: I have to admit that while watching this, I had the urge to be tied up and licked. Or spanked. Pretty much anything to get my mind off this dreadful movie. While it has slightly better eroticism than the first one (not necessarily saying much), the sequel suffers from a discordant narrative that drove me nuts. It’s all over the place. I like seeing the exploration of erotic themes and empowering situations on the big screen but this barely qualifies as the former and still confuses as the latter. I still can’t get over how a film about this sort of sex is somehow so very vanilla.
DISSENTING SQR REVIEW BELOW
Patriots Day
What’s it about?
A retelling of the horrific Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, and the dramatic four-day chase of the Tsarnaev brothers.
What did we think?
Angela Young says: Hollywood dramatising recent tragic events makes me uneasy, so I can’t say I find this film anything other than distasteful and unnecessary. That said, it’s reasonably well told (not too much high-drama BS thrown in with the facts) and a lot of the actors do a pretty good job, including Kevin Bacon and a strangely deflated-looking John Goodman, though Mark Wahlberg’s made-up hero character designed to neatly tie things up is pretty overdone. I’d much rather see a well-made documentary.
Live By Night
What’s it about?
It’s the 1920s, and Ben Affleck is a zoot suit-wearing, machine gun-toting gangster. Sometimes he has feelings, but you can’t really tell.
What we thought
Amy Currie says: Live by Night is overstuffed with plot and takes itself far too seriously. I’m sure the book on which it was based is quite interesting, and that it would have made a decent Netflix series. As it is, it’s not so much a saga as an edited highlights package. It certainly looks pretty, and some of the subplots and characters are genuinely intriguing. They’re gone in a flash, though, and we’re back to more of Affleck not moving his face.
Don’t bother.
Manchester By The Sea
A sombre examination of mourning as a withdrawn and troubled man is unexpectedly left guardianship of his dead brother’s 16-year-old son.
Angela Young says: This film will split audiences. For me, I was seared in two by its utterly real depiction of a pain so awful as to kill a man’s soul. An eccentric soundtrack (from orchestral to choral to swing) and extremely slow pace fits this artistic masterpiece like a glove. Casey Affleck’s portrayal of Lee – now guardian of his late brother’s kid – deserves the Oscar. Michelle Williams’ brief appearances are perfect, and Lucas Hedges is spot on as the kid. A profoundly moving piece on the vast variances of mourning, superbly written and directed.