LATEST REVIEWS BY THE POPCORN PANEL
No-holds-barred reviews of movies, TV series, and streaming shows by Alex Cearns. 

TED LASSO: SERIES 4

After intending to wind up for good after three successful seasons, this series made an unexpected return. Now focussing on a women’s soccer team called the Lady Greyhounds, Ted (Jason Sudeikis) is back at AFC Richmond with Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham), Higgins (Jeremy Swift), Keeley (Juno Temple), Roy (Brett Goldstein) and Beard (Brendan Hunt), plus a new cast of team mates and a cameo by Tracey Ullman as zany Zelda. A stand out character is uptight, stoic assistant coach Alice Chilton (Tanya Reynolds) who has the biggest character arc. The story follows the usual tropes associated with the show – mateship, never giving up, being your authentic self, kindness etc – only this time around it unnecessarily tries too hard. Ullman’s character is over the top (with a bad wig) and several of the plot threads are ridiculous, like one about Beard going to his ex-girlfriend’s new play and later, embarking on an extreme makeover to look younger. There’s a lot to be said for quitting on a high and I’m not sure this has enough legs to continue, which is a shame because feel good content is needed more than ever. But it has to be done well and it’s beneficial to know when enough is enough.

SCORE:

Alex and Amanda’s Score 6.5/10

LIFE IS LIFE

Powerful real estate developer Giacomo (Diego Abatantuono) wants to build a luxury resort on a picturesque stretch of beachfront in Sardinia. He buys up all the surrounding land except one plot which belongs to Efisio (Giuseppe Ignazio Loi), an 80 year old shepherd. Over several years, Giacomo makes constant financial offers that seem too good to refuse, eventually reaching a million euros, but Effisio refuses every single time. It’s his ancestral home, with direct access to the beach where he walks his cows every day. Inspired by the true story of farmer and shepherd Ovidio Marras, the battle of wills escalates and ends up in court. Efisio’s daughter Francesca (Virginia Raffaele) is caught between the place she loves, the possible economic windfall, and the peer pressure of the local community who believe the new resort will solve their unemployment crisis and bring in tourist dollars. This is a David and Goliath story about the power of the little guy standing up to a conglomerate convinced that money can buy anything. Beautifully filmed with a sweet soundtrack, the only downside was that it felt too long. Sincere stubbornness.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7.5/10

ZOMBUCHA

Recently unemployed couple Maddie (Emma Leonard, who also wrote the script) and Leo (Ryan O’Kane) are desperate to find a way to make some quick cash. When they head to a local farmers market they meet l Kai (Duncan Fellows), who’s raking it in selling his home made kombucha. Maddie and Leo steal Kai’s SCOBY (the living kombucha base) and use it to develop their own brand ‘Thirsty Virgin’. They treat the SCOBY like a child and feed it herbs stolen from their neighbour’s garden, only for it to become sentient and rapidly grow. Their new brew becomes a hit with the public, but it comes with an unexpected side effect – anyone who drinks it turns into a zombie. Maddie and Leo are forced to team up with their friends (including lesbian mother Audrey played by Shakira Clanton who is brilliant ) and fight to prevent a full blown apocalypse. While the plot sounds ridiculous on paper, this film is genuinely funny and delivers many laugh-out-loud moments thanks to the superb comedic cast. With a vibrant aesthetic and solid pacing, this is wildly entertaining. A fun ride from start to finish.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7.5/10

THE SOCIAL RECKONING

Jeff Horwitz (Jeremy Allen White) is an investigative journalist working for The Wall Street Journal. He begins investigating the conduct of Facebook and finds a whistleblower in Frances Haugen (Mikey Madison) amongst the company’s closed ranks. She helps expose the way the algorithm works to grow views and profits rather than police its own content. Mark Zuckerberg is perfectly portrayed by Jeremy Strong, who has his deadpan demeanour and voice down pat. He outshines White and Madison, though neither really had to stretch much, playing a mild-mannered journalist and a quiet data scientist respectively. The message of this film is serious and important, so the moments of obvious humour didn’t always land for me. Written and directed by Aaron Sorkin as a companion piece to ‘The Social Network’, this stands alone as a current statement about the manipulation of social media users and how misinformation can impact behaviour. All I could think of afterwards was the boiling frog fable about a frog that fails to notice the slow, steady increase of water temperature until it’s too hot to escape.

SCORE:

Alex and Alex’s Score 7/10

Natalie’s Score 9/10

Stefan’s Score 8.5/10

Rebecca’s Score 6.5/10

Fiona’s Score 6/10

Duncan’s Score 4/10

PICKPOCKETS

Set across Sydney, two rival pickpockets Jesse (DC Fairhurst) and Robin (Lucy Green) begin encroaching on each other’s territory. Their mutual resentment quickly escalates into a tit-for-tat revenge game where Jesse gets stabbed and Robin finds herself repeatedly arrested. Everything comes to a head when beloved (but unhinged) Aussie celebrity, Jasper LeClaire (Tim Minchin), enters the mix and demands the pair fulfil a near impossible request. This is an engaging film with fast pacing and a high tempo score that accelerates the action. It’s uniquely filmed in black and white with selective pops of colour, which cleverly highlight how Jesse and Robin mark the objects they plan to steal. Co-written, directed and edited by Fairhurst and co-written and produced by Green, it also serves as a public service announcement regarding personal vigilance, reminding viewers not to be complacent with their belongings in public. A zany, fun crime escapade.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

PARAMEDICS

Channel Nine’s fly-on-the-wall documentary series returns for its seventh season, shifting its focus to Perth for the very first time. Each episode follows the tried and tested format of tracking a medical emergency, from the initial call right through to delivering the patient to hospital. … yet it’s so much more than an incident timeline. The featured paramedics (Michael, Kieran, Wishy, Josh, Ven, Dimi, Rhi and James) share their personal motivations for joining St John WA and give glimpses into their backstories and current lives. They’re all likeable, professional, individuals who have genuine compassion for every person in their care. Each episode follows three or four separate cases, ranging from motor vehicle accidents and falls to heart conditions, sports injuries, broken limbs, and drug overdoses. Post-hospital updates on each patient’s recovery are provided and appreciated. Riveting, real and genuinely moving, this is an eye opening look at the dedication of frontline workers.

*The first four episodes have been watched for review.*

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9/10

THE WIDOWER: TIL DEATH DO US PART

Thomas Randolph has been married six times, but only two of his wives are still alive. While one passed away from cancer, three others died under suspicious circumstances. He was arrested for the 1986 murder of his second wife Beckie and was acquitted, only to be charged twenty years later for the 2008 murder of his sixth wife Sharon. Found guilty, he appealed his conviction to the Nevada Supreme Court, who ordered a retrial. He was found guilty again and sentenced to sixty years in prison. This jaw-dropping documentary focuses on the pursuit of justice by now retired Las Vegas Metro Police Detective Dean O’Kelley, who investigated the cold case, and Dateline NBC journalist Dan Slepian, who interviewed Randolph many times over a decade. Randolph is a walking ick who considers himself to be God’s gift to women. His M.O. involved taking out life insurance policies on his wives and asking friends to commit the murders for money. The one man who agreed to help him, Michael Miller, was shot and killed by Randolph, who then double-crossed him by claiming self-defence after Miller murdered Sharon. Pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars in payouts, he continually played the system and frequently sued prosecutors and hospitals for settlement windfalls. He manipulated every legal loophole he could find, including a frustrating ruling where any mention of his first murder charge was excluded from his second trial for Sharon’s death to prevent jury prejudice. A narcissistic, revolting piece of work, Randolph’s ability to get away with literal murder (more than once!) for as long as he did is mind blowing. Hopefully he remains incarcerated for the rest of his days.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

THE GREATER GOOD

Tour guide Biagio (Rocco Papaleo who also directs and is a co writer) takes four incarcerated women (Samanta played by Claudia Pandolfi, Gudrun played by Teresa Saponangelo, Anny played by Rosanna Sparapano, and Livi played by Livia Ferri) and their supervisor Raffaella (Vanessa Scalera) on an overnight hiking trip into the Italian countryside as part of a special rehabilitation program to search for an ancient tree. While the women travel through the picturesque landscape, they are forced to confront the underlying reasons for their crimes and the circumstances of their incarcerations. In a strange directorial choice, characters frequently break the fourth wall by speaking directly to the camera, and appear in elaborate costumes while musicians play instruments around them. These theatrical, play-like scenes are out of place and unnecessary. In the interests of full disclosure, I found the pacing and plot so slow I fell asleep for a portion of the middle, only to wake up and find that nothing much had progressed. What I did see was dull and gimmicky.

SCORE:

Alex and Janette’s Score 5/10

Bronny’s Score 8.5/10

Lee’s Score 8/10

Serena’s Score 6.5/10

SEA LOOK: THE TAGGED SEALS

Set on an iceberg, this engaging animated series follows the daily life of a group of seals who communicate through vocalisations and body language. The graphics are beautifully drawn, with expressive, big eyed characters and minimalist backgrounds. Every seal has a distinct personality and the start of every episode, numbered flipper tags are shown to reveal which specific seals feature in that chapter. A cute cast of birds, whales, and fish also make appearances. There are subtle bits of crude humour (seals have flatulence!) but the content is still family friendly with a G rating. The format of short episodes, no more than 14 minutes long will engage even the youngest viewers. Best of all though, the bouncing movements of the seals, distinct colour tones, and squeaky sound effects make this mesmerising for dogs. Funny, cheeky and charming, our toy poodle x loved it!

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8.5/10

THE COMFORT DOGS OF UGANDA

The 20 year conflict in Northern Uganda between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the government saw warlord Joseph Kony abduct children and force them to fight for him. This powerful short documentary tells the story of former child soldiers Lucy, Francis, and Jennifer. They are now guardians of dogs entrusted to them through the Comfort Dogs of Uganda program. Created in 2015 by The Big Fix Uganda animal welfare charity, which also operates the only veterinary hospital in Northern Uganda, the initiative helps war trauma survivors heal alongside rescue dogs. The project is managed by Francis Okello Oloya, a psychologist who lost his sight as a child soldier when a bomb exploded in his front garden. It gifts these life saving dogs for free, and all guardians complete an intensive 20 week dog bonding and education program. Training the dogs requires patience and emotional control, which helps reconnect the neural pathways damaged by combat trauma. The dogs also bring laughter, joy, and love back into their guardians’ lives, and ongoing psychological counselling is provided as well. All of the dogs’ needs are taken care of, including food and veterinary treatment. Within ten minutes, I’d cried multiple times – first for Lucy, Francis, and Jennifer sharing the abuse they suffered during their painful childhoods, then for the poor state of many dogs in Uganda, and finally for the deep adoration they have for their own dogs Sadik, Tommy, and Ogen. Hearing Francis speak with such pride at being awarded a gold medal through the program also set me off. It’s a rollercoaster. Director and producer Richard Wainwright has created one of the most powerful half-hours I’ve ever watched. It serves as an incredible awareness tool and seeks to raise funds for The Big Fix. Heartbreaking but also heartwarming, put this on your must see list.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 10/10

THE LESSON

Attorney Elisabetta (Matilda De Angelis) is representing university professor Angelo (Stefano Accorsi) at his se*ual assault trial. In the opening court scene, his victim unexpectedly retracts her claims and says she made the allegations up, allowing Angelo to walk free. Soon afterwards, Bette’s former boyfriend Daniele (Marlon Joubert) is released from prison and she becomes convinced he’s stalking her. While staying at her parents’ remote country house, she’s shocked when the professor shows up, claiming he’s been coincidentally renting the property next door. She prepares to make him a cup of tea and panics when he steps up behind her, making a split second decision that has life changing consequences for them both. The plot of this film is intriguing on paper, but it moves into farcical territory as it progresses. I found it hard to buy into the story right from the start as De Angelis looks too young to be an experienced attorney – plus her reckless criminal choices don’t align with the way a real legal professional should behave. The acting was average and the final minutes fail to deliver a satisfactory payoff. Bland and lacks direction.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 5/10

Janette, Serena and Ang’s Score 6/10

THE MISANTHROPE

Sandra Oh is front and centre (stage) in this National Theatre production, playing Alice, an uptight novelist. She has a huge list of things she despises, with people, hypocrisy, fake politeness and influencer culture at the top of it. She freely expresses her cynical opinions to all and sundry, including flamboyant bestie John (Paul Chahidi) and flirty boyfriend Stefan (Tom Mison), who she suspects is cheating on her. With the gender roles and character names changed, this is a modern interpretation of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin’s satirical writings, originally penned in 1666. Being a live performance captured on film, the cast is responsible for carrying the entire story. Any slip up or mistake is instantly amplified, yet in this production the actors are flawless and show impeccable timing. They handle the dialogue-heavy script with ease, and Oh is particularly impressive. She excels! This is a format which brings content to the masses that many of us would otherwise not see. I’m hooked.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

VERITY

Successful author Verity Crawford (Anne Hathaway) has been in a catatonic, paralysed state after a car accident several months ago. Lowen Ashleigh (Dakota Johnson) is asked to ghostwrite the remaining books of her highly successful thriller series. After accepting the offer, and a generous fee, Lowen moves into Verity’s Vermont home which she shares with her husband Jeremy (Josh Hartnett) and their son Crew (Brady Wagner). During her stay, Lowen digs through Verity’s notes to research her writing style and to understand character development process. When she uncovers an autobiographical manuscript, she begins to suspect that Verity might not be as incapacitated as everyone thinks. The tension of this psychological thriller builds steadily and the pacing maintains momentum throughout. Hathaway’s performance has the most range, switching between flashbacks of her perfect life, to the present where she is make up free and bed ridden. The Crawfords house is gothic real estate p*rn from the outside but is filled with shadows and a heavy atmosphere on the inside. Its picturesque lake and forest outlook is spectacular – such a juxtaposition to the events that have taken place there. You’ll be kept guessing until the very end, and left to decide where the truth lies. Creepy and unsettling.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

DIGGER

When billionaire oil tycoon Digger Rockwell (Tom Cruise), one of the world’s richest men, arrogantly ignores urgent warnings about an ice fracture in Greenland, it results in a global disaster. Set in the USA, he meets with President Compton (John Goodman) and a group of wealthy, sycophantic politicians and pompous military personnel to brainstorm their public narrative. They all care for money more than people and the planet, with the exception of Digger’s environmental advisor Dr Ganesh (Riz Ahmed). I don’t want to give too much away about the plot other than to say it takes several unpredictable turns that go in unexpected directions. Go in blind and let it unfold as a surprise. Written and directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, his original screenplay is a bold choice for Cruise, who uses his star power to deliver a thought-provoking view and a message I’ll think about for a very long time. The action unfolds on stylised sets with immaculate attention to detail and a distinct colour palette, creating a starkly striking atmosphere. The entire cast is brilliant in their heavily caricatured roles, though Sandra Hüller is underutilised as Digger’s half-sister Emma … but this isn’t a movie about women. Funny and insane on one hand, it’s current and foreboding on the other. If you watch it and don’t like it, you don’t get it. Just give Tom Cruise the Oscar, already.

SCORE:

Alex and Kelly’s Score 10/10

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY

Following the death of her husband, Mrs. Dashwood (Caitríona Balfe) and her daughters Elinor (Daisy Edgar-Jones), Marianne (Esmé Creed-Miles) and Margaret (Bodhi Rae Breathnach), are forced to leave their family estate. Elinor soon catches the eye of shy gentleman Edward Ferrars (George MacKay), while Marianne falls for charming John Willoughby (Frank Dillane). The two sisters travel to London hoping to reunite with their beloveds, only to be left heartbroken after discovering that one of the men is already engaged and the other isn’t who he seems. This romantic drama is adapted from Jane Austen’s first novel, which was published in 1811 and is set in the early 1800’s. The story emphasises the pressures placed on young women to find financially stable husbands, while being ridiculously polite and maintaining social etiquette at all times. A well chosen cast, along with authentic period costuming, hair, makeup, and hats, bring the Regency era to life. I loved all of the animals included, especially the many dog cameos. There’s a clever plot twist near the end for those who haven’t read the book. An easy watch about choosing genuine love over material wealth.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

THE GREAT ARCH

Danish architect Johan Otto von Spreckelsen (Claes Bang) is thrust into the limelight when he wins a national 1983 competition to design a new landmark in Paris. After reluctantly hiring a team of French builders and project managers, led by Fellow architect Paul Andreu (Swann Arlaud), he devotes the next four years to the construction of his beloved “cube”, the Grande Arche de la Défense. Otto’s perfectionism spirals after butting heads with the French government’s red tape and financial constraints. As costs become untenable and compromises are demanded, he clashes with his colleagues over the rigid control he demands. His vision for the cube is all he cares about, which puts distance between his wife Liv (Sidse Babett Knudsen) and severely damages their relationship. The cast are superb and give authentic, impassioned performances. Partly based on true events, with some fictional liberties, this is a fascinating behind the scenes look at a magnificent but obsessed creator and the personal toll of literally building a legacy.

SCORE:

Alex and Janette’s Score 7/10

CHARLIE HARPER

Charlie (Nick Robinson) and Harper (Emilia Jones) first cross paths when Charlie works as a teacher’s assistant in Harper’s English class. Reconnecting at a party years later, they end up dating and move in together. Harper pursues a career as a chef, while Charlie lives in denial that he’s an alcoholic. They both seem like decent people who slowly grow apart … and disappointingly nothing much else happens. The story starts with each of them recounting their five year relationship to other people, before it catches up to the present. Some interesting abstract filming techniques are used but overall this film is dull in pacing and content. Even the soundtrack has little impact, with a song that’s sentimental to the characters played three times failing to leave any emotional imprint on me as a viewer. Subdued and unmemorable.

SCORE:

Alex and Deb’s Score 5/10

Bryan’s Score 3/10

LIONESS: SEASON 3

This season of the this special ops thriller has plenty of action, but it doesn’t recreate what makes ‘Lioness’ special in the first place. The plot is overly complicated, while the constant switching of timelines is dizzying. Without introducing a new Lionesses or leaning into any of the special operations strategies that made Season 1 so unique, it feels like just another spy show but with a bigger military emphasis. Zoe Saldana is still excellent as Joe, but overall this was the weakest season for me. When the big reveal finally happened in the final minutes, I had to research who the actual abductor was as the whole preceding storyline gave no clues. It feels like they are making it up as they go along.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 6/10

UNABOMBER

Unabomber Ted Kaczynski (Jacob Tremblay) inflicted a reign of terror across America from 1978 until 1995. He killed 3 people and injured 23 others with his improvised explosive devices before he was finally caught in 1996. This partly biographical drama focuses on two main timeframes – his early college years as a math prodigy at Harvard where he participated in controversial psychological experiments conducted by Professor Henry Murray (Russell Crowe) and the nationwide manhunt leading to his arrest. The script takes many liberties with the actual truth, condensing an entire task force down to one main FBI agent piecing together the evidence (Kathy Scruggs played by Shailene Woodley) and heavily implying Kaczynski’s university days were responsible for his radicalisation. There’s a definite sympathy angle in relation to the latter, with the experiments presented as a convenient scapegoat for the formation of his extreme anti-industrial views. The reality is, his withdrawal from society and self isolation in the Montana wilderness are more likely to blame. A stronger story would’ve been to cover his entire life rather than use a brief period to justify his crimes committed decades later. Tremblay is excellent as Kaczynski, delivering an intense and at times unnerving performance. A fragmented attempt to rationalise a delusional mind.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 5.5/10

Amanda’s Score 7/10

COYOTE VS ACME

Watched this a second time with members of The Popcorn Panel movie club and everyone agreed it was nostalgic fun.

Coyote vs. ACME

Ketchup Entertainment

Pinnacle Films

 

SCORE:

Alex, Amanda and Randi’s Score 10/10

Charli’s Score 9.5/10

Kelly, Steve, Aunty and Jason’s Score 9/10

Kaz and Dez’s Score 8/10

Dave’s Score 6.5/10

PULP – WHAT DO YOU DO FOR AN ENCORE?

Rising to fame in the 1990’s, British pop band Pulp took to the stage in 2025 to promote their first album release in 24 years. Directed by Garth Jennings and narrated by frontman Jarvis Cocker, this concert documentary mixes live footage of this gig with archival clips. Cocker comes across as funny (his quips about ageing definitely ring true), self-deprecating, and personable while sharing stories of how the band climbed the “mountain of pop.” What impresses me the most is his authenticity, with his signature awkward, angular dancing style making him all the more relatable. I went into this screening knowing almost nothing about the band, other than their hit anthem “Common People” – so discovering the rest of their music was a pleasant surprise. Their show was a ball of infectious energy, and I can only imagine how electric it felt to be there amongst the 20,000 excited attendees. At my cinema screening, audience members clapped at the end of the songs and gave a big round of applause when the credits rolled. Existing fans will love this, and as a new a fan, I did too.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9/10

NEW ZEALAND SPY

When New Zealand’s national intelligence agency has five vacant agent positions and only three applicants, management has no choice but to hire the entire pool. Qualified recruits Michael (Joe Thomas) and Susan (Rose Matafeo) are joined by a second Michael (Paul Williams), an incompetent try hard who secures a spot by proxy. The mismatched trio is sent on a chaotic mission to stop an assassination plot and prevent the head of Australian intelligence from purchasing state secrets on the Kiwi black market. This is a light hearted, low budget comedy filled with rapid fire Kiwi satire and bumbling physical humour from Williams. Not every gag lands and sometimes the humour feels slightly forced, but for the most part it gives genuine laughs. With only six episodes under 30 minutes long each, it’s easy to consume and perfect to binge. Retro fun that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 6.9/10

Amanda’s Score 5.5/10

THE WEIGHT

Set in 1933 during the Great Depression, Samuel Murphy (Ethan Hawke) is a widowed single father who gets arrested and sentenced to hard labour in a prison camp after beating up a cop. He is forced to work as on a road building crew managed by warden JJ Clancy (Russell Crowe). Clancy sees potential in Murphy as a leader and believes he’s trustworthy. He offers him a deal – if Murphy helps smuggle gold bars out of a mine and through the dense wilderness, he’ll be granted an early release and the chance to reunite with his young daughter Penny (Avy Berry) before she’s put up for adoption. After agreeing to the proposal, Murphy sets off on the trek with three fellow prisoners and two armed mine guards. Along the way, a Native American woman named Anna (Julia Jones) joins the group as their cook. As they battle the harsh elements, distrust creeps in amongst the men and they face the constant stress of being attacked by local thieves. The burden of their precious cargo weighs heavily on their bodies and their minds. Authentic costumes, sets, and period props enhance the historical realism of this film, while every member of the cast is brilliant. Hawke is compelling and once again showcases his versatility as an actor. This role is worlds apart from his performance as Lorenz Hart in ‘Blue Moon’, but just as intense. Crowe delivers a solid American accent during his brief screen time, while Berry is an absolute scene stealer, with her cuteness and talent reminiscent of a young Abigail Breslin in ‘Little Miss Sunshine’. Wonderful panoramic cinematography and an engaging story round out this rugged and captivating adventure.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

Jason’s Score 8.5/10

THE LAST WHALE SINGER

Vincent (Vincent Tong) is a young humpback whale who idolises his father Humphrey (Chimwemwe Miller), a legendary whale singer whose sweet melodies protect the undersea world. When his parents die in a tragic accident, Vincent is wracked with guilt. He sees an opportunity to step up after an ancient sea monster called the Leviathan escapes his iceberg prison and intends to endanger all marine life. Accompanied by his fusspot remora nanny Walter (Bruce Dinsmore) and a hearing impaired orca named Darya (Jenna Wheeler-Hughes), he sets out to save his beloved home. This film is so much more than a standard hero’s journey. It explores themes of courage, self worth, and the realisation that finding your own unique voice is a powerful gift. All of the creatures are incredibly cute and the animation is gorgeous, with a shimmering rainbow palette and vibrant backgrounds. The ocean is beautifully presented in a panoramic format, which creates the feeling of wide open spaces under the waves. Subtle environmental themes run through the movie but are never preachy, making this a fantastic conversation starter for children. While its ideal audience is kids, adults will also be captivated. Uplifting, touching, and mesmerising.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

MONSTER: THE LIZZIE BORDEN STORY

Ryan Murphy, who has to be the busiest producer in television, returns with the fourth instalment in his true crime ‘Monster’ franchise … only he forgot about the “true” part. His newest offering focusses on accused double axe murderer Lizzie Borden (Ella Betty) in 1892. She’s a quiet, wide eyed young woman living under duress with her emotionally absent father Andrew (Charlie Hunnam) and vicious stepmother Abby (Rebecca Hall). They’re both violent towards her and treat her with disdain. Lizzie finds a friend, confidant, and eventually lover, in maid Bridget Sullivan (Vicky Crieps). Sullivan expands Lizzie’s world and is the only person who shows her genuine kindness. When the abuse becomes unbearable, Lizzie plots her parent’s murder. After killing them both she’s subsequently charged by police, only to be found not guilty in court. Murphy makes Borden’s story fit his narrative, sacrificing historical accuracy for explicit content and shock value. There’s an unnecessary and ridiculous thread featuring serial killer Aileen Wuornos (Sarah Paulson) who’s presented as a sycophantically obsessed Lizzie Borden fan. There’s no evidence that Wuornos even knew who Lizzie was and all these scenes do is reaffirm that the show has strayed into fantasy territory. After a laborious build up, the eight episodes drag and the story could’ve easily been told in half the time. Crieps speaks with an inconsistent accent that annoyingly drops in and out, and Paulson caricatures Wuornos. As is synonymous with Murphys work, the soundtrack is brilliant and the costuming and sets have no expense spared. A bloody, graphic fabrication of female rage.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 5.9/10

Amanda’s Score 6.5/10

RUNNER

Specialist courier Hank Malone (Alan Ritchson) gets tasked with transporting a donated liver to the children’s hospital in order to save a young girl called Ellie (Scarlett Crabtree). What he doesn’t bargain for is chatty medical courier Ben Bishop (Owen Wilson) insisting on tagging along too. When ruthless cartel boss Damian Zaldívar (Rodrigo Santoro) decides he wants the organ for his dying mother, he pursues Malone and Bishop along the Gold Coast, trying to obtain it at any cost. This film is filled with high speed chaos, mostly during scenes of spectacular car crashes and impressive vehicle flips. As two people forced to fight for survival together, Ritchson and Wilson have a decent buddy energy on screen, but overall the acting is fairly ordinary, with some players leaning too hard into their character tropes. While the coastal scenery is picturesque, the plot is simple and far fetched. Remove any expectations to be challenged mentally to enjoy this for what it is. Action 101.

SCORE:

Alex’s Score 5.9/10

Jason’s Score 7.5/10

HEART OF THE BEAST

Retired special forces officer James Belmont (Brad Pitt) takes his service dog Odin (Uber) deep into the Alaskan wilderness (played by New Zealand). They both suffer PTSD and nightmares from their shared time in combat and now seek solace away from others. As James flies his small plane through a remote mountain pass, he suffers a medical episode which causes him to crash. Stranded in the elements, the pair must rely on each other to survive. It’s a clever premise having two beings experience the same horrors inflicted by humans, only to replace them with a different enemy in Mother Nature and her wild predators. The tension builds steadily and becomes more nerve wracking as the plot progresses. In a deliberate choice to reassure viewers that Odin doesn’t die, the opening scene shows him standing safely on a road as a truck pulls up, before flashing back seven days in time and telling the story of how he came to be there. Pitt and Uber give emotional performances that capture the connection between a soldier and his canine partner. Uber just pips Pitt at the post for the best actor accolade – say that three times fast! Having trained and rehearsed together extensively pre production, their chemistry runs deep and you can tell that the co-stars have a genuine rapport. Sixty two year old Pitt pushes himself physically for this entire film and has the stamina and strength of someone half his age. He plunges into freezing cold waters, carries heavy loads, and performs his own demanding stunts. His character is equally as tough, enduring several wince inducing, graphic injuries. The animals created by CGI have battle scarred faces and mean demeanours which don’t ring true for the appearances and stereotypical behaviours of real creatures. This movie a homage to the loyalty and bravery of dogs and shines a light on military working dogs and their lives after service. It’ll leave your heart full of love for man’s (and woman’s) best friend. How good are dogs! Oh and take your tissues – I cried 3 times.

SCORE:

Alex, Amanda, Kelly, Deb M, Penny, and Deb B’s Score 9/10

Steve and Tracey’s Score 8/10

Charli’s Score 7.8/10

Dave’s Score 7/10

RESIDENT EVIL

When hapless medical courier Bryan (Austin Abrams) accepts one final late night delivery job to Raccoon City, he expects an easy run. En route he accidentally hits a woman who jumps in front of his car. Initially distraught, he soon realises she’s a zombie who’s out for blood. He manages to escape to the city, only to find it overrun with zombies that meld together into a cartwheeling ball of conjoined body parts. Determined to deliver the package in his care, he fights his way to an Umbrella Corporation facility to complete the drop. The momentum is slow to begin with, but spirals half an hour in as Bryan’s fight for survival intensifies. There are several impressive splatter scenes when hordes of the undead plunge to their deaths, and the pinwheeling lumps of mutating arms, legs, and torsos are effectively grotesque. In a nod to the games, there are clever sequences filmed from a first-person point of view, where the camera looks down a shotgun barrel towards the scope. While there are plenty of jump scares, this film leans more into eliciting laughs than evoking terror. With Zach Cregger directing, it is hard not to compare it to the vibe of ‘Weapons’, only this feels more chaotic. Abrams brings a frenetic energy to the bumbling, hot mess Bryan. I was enjoying the ride of this production until its closing minutes. Rather than delivering a satisfying resolution, the story ends abruptly to set up an obvious sequel, making Bryan’s journey feel incomplete. Viewers may feel ripped off by this after 95 minutes of barracking for the underdog. Comedic gore.

SCORE:

Alex and Amanda’s Score 6.5/10

Alex and Rebecca’s Score 8/10

OASIS: DON’T LOOK BACK IN ANGER

Oasis burst onto the music scene in the 1990’s and became one of the biggest bands in the world. Known for their working class roots, brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher are also famous for their tumultuous relationship. After yet another explosive backstage argument in 2009, the band ended. The brothers didn’t speak for 15 years until they reformed and hosted 41 sold out stadium shows, performing in front of 2.2 million people. This 2+ hour documentary is mostly concert footage from their reunion tour and is all about the music. The best scenes feature short clips of ecstatic fans, overcome with emotion to be hearing songs they love, played live. As someone not overly familiar with Oasis beyond their hits and the notoriously brash attitude of Liam, I really wanted to learn more about what makes the duo tick, why they fell out, and their motivations for getting the band back together other than monetary gain – but they don’t go deep. In fact, their conversations to camera don’t go anywhere. You won’t learn a single new thing about either of them and nothing is revealed about their lives off stage. Liam might’ve mellowed slightly, but he still has a massive ego and perhaps there’s not that much more to know of him. Noel, being the songwriter of the two, obviously has some depth, but this isn’t revealed or explored. Ample singing with an absence of personal substance.

SCORE:

Alex and Kelly’s Score 5.5/10

COYOTE VS ACME

In the desert outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Wile E. Coyote decides he’s finally had enough of the faulty ACME products that repeatedly injure him during his attempts to capture the Road Runner. He hires despondent injury lawyer Kevin Avery (Will Forte) to sue the ACME Corporation. Kevin bites off more than he can chew by taking on the case and the mismatched duo end up in court, facing off against ACME’s imposing, fancy suited attorney Buddy Crane (John Cena) and its loudmouth CEO Foghorn Leghorn (Eric Bauza, who voices 12 other characters including favourites like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety, and Porky Pig). The entire cast, human and cartoon, are superb and they don’t miss a beat, with my favourite being Martha Kelly, who’s brilliant as Kevin’s deadpan-demeanoured receptionist Dottie. This film is an absolute riot, filled with clever comedy, a strong message about the shady dealings of mega corporations, and an underdog story that has you barracking for the “lowlife cave dwelling desert dog”. The script is filled with witty banter and sharp barbs that bring genuine laughs. Body language, facial expressions, and sound effects are used to create magic moments of situational comedy. I appreciate that this is a production made for adults that kids will also enjoy, instead of the usual other way around. By seamlessly merging nostalgic 2D animation with live action environments, two distinct worlds are blended into one while keeping the spirit of Looney Tunes intact. What a travesty it would’ve been if this movie hadn’t seen the light of day, and full credit to the fans and cast who intensely pushed back against the studio decision to bin it as part of a tax write off. Props to distributor Ketchup Entertainment for acquiring the worldwide distribution rights and releasing it for us to now enjoy. They deserve to make back every cent of their investment and then some. This is the gold standard for creative animation. Let’s hope that’s not all folks.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 10/10

FORGOTTEN ISLAND

Set in the Philippines, Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano) have been best friends since childhood. Jo is cheeky and easy going, while Raissa is intelligent and studious. When Raissa gets accepted into an American university, Jo is heartbroken at the prospect of saying goodbye to her favourite person. On Raissa’s last night in town, they head down to the local beach where Jo accidentally opens a portal to a mythical island called Nakali – a place her grandmother Lola Fatima (Dolly de Leon) used to talk about when she shared stories of folklore. The girls wash up on the island and realise twelve hours have passed that they can’t recall. Guided by Raww (Dave Franco), a half human, half dog creature, they begin a quest to regain their memories, meeting an array of interesting creatures along the way. This DreamWorks feature showcases jaw dropping animation that will frequently have you asking “How did they do that?!” It features inventive 3D worlds and 2D crossovers in an array of styles, including manga and anime. The dynamic colour palette adds to the film’s funky vibe and the lighting of each scene is handled masterfully. It’s the pinnacle of visual arts. Story wise, the 109 minute run time focuses on family, friendship, and never forgetting what, and who, matters most. Clever banter and cheeky humour are mixed with 1990’s pop culture references, delivering an overall experience that appeals to older kids, teens, and adults. The banging soundtrack is filled with upbeat, high energy songs that make you want to move. Some are familiar tunes, while others have been written specifically for the movie. Top tier on every level.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9/10

Saraj’s Score 7/10

SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE BEAST OF MOSSY BOTTOM

Shaun the sheep and his flock of fleeced friends return in this claymation adventure from Aardman Animations. When the clumsy farmer (John Sparkes) accidentally ruins the flock’s prize pumpkin patch, Shaun (Justin Fletcher) turns mad scientist to fix it. He creates a special growth potion but when the farmer mistakes it for hair serum, he accidentally transforms into a fully furred, yeti-looking creature. After scaring locals and all of the Mossy Bottom farm animals, the farmer is branded a monster and is locked away on a ship. Shaun, sheepdog Bitzer, and the flock launch a mission to rescue him, alongside the local vet (Nina Sosanya). This film is a lesson in dialogue free storytelling. Its vibrant visuals, expressive characters, situational comedy, simple story and superb sound effects do the heavy lifting to keep audiences entertained. With a halloween themed plot, I’d call it gentle horror suitable for kids aged 6 and up. The 81 minute run time is perfect and there are fun nods to movie classics like ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Psycho’ that will appeal to adults. A delightful tale of zany animal antics.

SCORE:

Alex and Duncan’s Score 8.5/10

Andrew and Sally’s Score 9/10

PRACTICAL MAGIC 2

Nearly three decades after the original cult classic was released, witch sisters Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian Owens (Nicole Kidman) return in this underwhelming sequel. They’re still haunted by a generational curse that causes the premature death of any man an Owens woman loves. Panic sets in when Gideon (Xolo Maridueña), the boyfriend of Sally’s daughter Kylie (Joey King), is hit by a car while riding his bike. Convinced the curse is striking again, a panicked Kylie travels to England to find a way to break the cycle, prompting Sally and Gillian to chase after her. Bullock plays the gruff, risk averse sibling opposite a ditsy Kidman, but their scripted banter feels rehearsed and lacks the spontaneity of natural ad-libbing. There are brief moments of fun between them but they’re too inconsistent. The main male characters, including Gideon, university professor Ian Wright (Lee Pace), and local resident Thomas Lockland (Solly McLeod), come across as insipid and are poorly acted. Sally’s other daughter Antonia (Maisie Williams) gets the rawest deal plot wise. She’s a trainee doctor who seems to work all the time, with no outside interests or romantic sparks introduced. On the magic front, this production fails to get off first base, with the tricks being light on and lacking a wow factor. Given the $75 million USD budget and advancements in visual effects since 1998, there‘s no excuse not to blow the roof off – this is a missed opportunity to create something memorable. The 130 minute runtime feels long because nothing much happens. My one standout moment was right near the end when Kidman drops an unexpected f-b*mb in an otherwise sanitised PG-13 rated film. Big names but little enchantment.

SCORE:

Alex, Dave, and Charli’s Score 6/10

Amanda and Tracey’s Score 7/10

Debbie’s Score 6.5/10

BY ANY MEANS

Black FBI agent Wayne Strider (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) begins investigating the firebombing and murder of his close friend, civil rights activist Vernon Dahmer (Giancarlo Esposito). Set in 1966 in Mississippi, Dahmer is killed for encouraging people of colour to register to vote. Facing prejudice and indifference with in his own agency, Strider is paired with unhinged Brooklyn hitman Gregory Scarpa (Mark Wahlberg). He’s an off-the-record heavy, brought in by the FBI to punch first and ask questions later. The two men try to crack the case together and to elicit information from locals, Scarpa launches a violent campaign against several local Klansmen. His bloody, bone shattering interrogation scenes are hard to watch at times and he delights in dishing out some summary justice. Loosely based on true events, this intense and disturbing story presents a dark chapter of Americas history. Blatant racism plagues the era and Strider’s badge offers him no protection. Wahlberg, wearing extensive facial prosthetics and a wig, is unflinching as the trigger happy mobster. Abdul-Mateen II plays Strider with the growing confidence of a man finally finding his voice. A gripping look at the blurred lines of justice.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7.5/10

THE FALL 2: DEADPOINT

Jax (Harriet Slater) is still heavily grieving after her reckless, thrill seeking sister Shiloh (Virginia Gardner) plunged from a tower in the original film. When Luce (Arsema Thomas) buys Shiloh’s old truck, she convinces Jax to tackle a dangerous, rickety plank walk built into the side of a Thai mountain. The pair set off to confront their fears in honour of Shiloh’s unoriginal and virally trending “Do what makes you feel alive” mantra. Jax has seemingly learnt nothing from her sister’s death and is easily led. Once they reach Thailand the story becomes pumped full of jeopardy, piling several dramatic, cliched plot threads on top of each other. There’s a bit of everything smashed in, short of Shiloh coming back to life. Expect frequent near death plunges, average effects, and stilted acting. While there’s sentimentality about forgiveness in the final scene, overall it’s a lesson that safety protocols exist for a reason and you should heed the warnings at off limits places. Mindless action.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 4.5/10

HOPE

Bumbling police chief Bum-seok (Hwang Jung-min) is called to investigate a mutilated bull just outside of Hope Harbour. When he returns to town, he finds a war zone with demolished buildings and dozens of citizens who’ve been attacked by a huge alien. Joined by his deputy Sung-ae (Hoyeon), he tries to locate the extraterrestrial while a group of local hunters, led by his second cousin Sung-ki (Zo In-sung), searches for it in a nearby forest. Jung-min and Hoyeon are in a constant frenetic state and their high energy roles must’ve left them totally and utterly exhausted by wrap day. They really give it their all. The first hour of this film is absolutely phenomenal thanks to the incredible sets, creative special effects, precise stunt driving, thumping music, detailed props, and engaging plot. But the following 100 minutes spiral into a chaotic mess. As soon as the clunky CGI creature is revealed, things take a turn. It looks like a character from a 1990s video game that’s struggling to render movement, which is such a shame given everything preceding its appearance is a 10/10. More aliens arrive, and in a blatant rip-off, one looks like a Xenomorph but sounds like a Yautja, while another has the mouth of Barbara Maitland from ‘Beetlejuice’ when she transforms into the undead. Add in an indestructible Sung-ki who survives a ridiculous amount of physical abuse and a runtime that overstays its welcome. The ending sets up a blatant sequel and several elements just don’t make sense – such a shame given it started out so perfectly. I wish there’d been more restraint (andediting) in the second act. Off its rocker!

SCORE:

Alex and Janette’s Score 6.5/10

Mon’s Score 7/10

IT ENDS

Four friends, Tyler (Mitchell Cole), James (Phinehas Yoon), Day (Akira Jackson), and Fisher (Noah Toth), drive onto the highway and find themselves stuck on a straight, never ending road that cuts through thick woods. Their vehicle never runs out of fuel and if they stop for more than ninety seconds, swarms of desperate people who are also trapped try to hijack their car. As they drive for hundreds of thousands of miles, they realise they no longer need to eat, drink, or sleep. Every day becomes an endless routine of driving, trying to think of ways to pass the time, and contemplating the futility of their situation. All four characters have distinct personalities that evolve within the constraints of the (mostly) single setting. They also have different breaking points. Clever filming styles include a retro 1970’s sequence and cool time lapses. This is an engaging and surreal ‘Backrooms’ of the road and its repetitive premise builds the claustrophobic tension. Interestingly the colour grading and standard or acting is reminiscent of ‘Obsession’. With metaphors are open to interpretation, it has a thought provoking, and conversation provoking, ending. I’m keen to watch it again.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

SWEETHEART

When his babysitter leaves to get married, Nico (Marco Fiore) is sent to stay with his elderly Great Aunt Gela (Aurora Quattrocchi) for the summer. She lives in Sicily with her one-eyed, elderly pug Frank. Her strict rules, religious beliefs, and lack of wi-fi are a shock to the system for the young boy, whose life revolves around his phone. He initially struggles to adapt to Gela’s traditional lifestyle in her quiet apartment complex. As the two slowly begin to find common ground, Nico makes friends with a group of local kids, including feisty Rosa (Martina Ziami), and grows to appreciate the endearing Nonna neighbours who support each other through thick and thin. Presenting a simple exploration of first love, community, and generational connection, this film takes its name from the affectionate term used by the grandmothers. The performances are wonderful across the board, especially Fiore and Quattrocchi. Special mention must be made of the cast of nonnas, who are mostly Sicilian elders new to acting. A gentle coming of age story.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

Saraj’s Score 7/10

ROSEBUSH PRUNING

Middle son Ed (Callum Turner) narrates this film and opens with a recollection about the death of his mother (Pamela Anderson), who was allegedly killed by a pack of wolves. He lives in a sprawling estate outside Barcelona with his blind, ritual driven father (Tracy Letts) and three adult siblings, Jack (Jamie Bell), Robert (Lukas Gage), and Anna (Riley Keough). When everyone’s favourite person, Jack, announces plans to move in with his girlfriend Martha (Elle Fanning), the codependent family dynamic crumbles into a cesspool of betrayal, airing dirty laundry, and incestuous acts. This film relies on their shocking and distasteful behaviour, sacrificing a cohesive story for provocation. It essentially chronicles the implosion of obscenely wealthy, dysfunctional people who aren’t the slightest bit likeable and beats ‘Saltburn’ on this front. While the plot is uncomfortable and absurd, the cast give it their all with committed performances. Sadly the taboo subject matter overshadows everything. Unhinged and disturbing.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 5/10

MAYDAY

US Navy pilot Lieutenant Troy “Assassin” Kelly (Ryan Reynolds) is shot down over Soviet territory during a secret reconnaissance mission in 1987. He’s rescued by Nikolai Ustinov (Kenneth Branagh), a retired KGB operative who lives in an isolated cabin and conveniently happens to be obsessed with all things American. Russian authorities, led by security officer Alexander Volkov (Marcin Dorocinski), begin hunting the unlikely duo and they take off on a chaotic cross country adventure in an attempt to reach the border. As far as Reynolds goes, you can take the man out of the Deadpool suit, but you can’t take Deadpool out of the man. He plays Kelly with a familiar charm and smart-mouthed banter, minus Deadpool’s signature crassness. Branagh, in a very dodgy looking beard, brings eccentric energy and holds his own in the action scenes. While the plot is cheesy and frequently far fetched, the technical aspects are superb. The cinematography delivers spectacular aerial footage, fight scenes filmed low to the ground, and a unique side-mounted car camera rig to capture the moving background – the latter was my favourite scene. Supported by meticulously crafted sets and authentic costumes, the look of this film is its strongest selling point. Silly fun presented brilliantly.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7/10

Amanda’s Score 6.5/10

TINA ARENA: UNRAVEL ME

Sicilian-Australian Filippina Arena’s ability to sing was discovered during a wedding when she was nine. While working with a vocal coach, she auditioned for the popular kids’ variety show ‘Young Talent Time’. Host Johnny Young was blown away by her vocals and made her a permanent cast member. He suggested she go by the stage name of Tina to sound more commercial than her nickname, Pina. After several years on the show, she left to forge her own path, eventually heading to Los Angeles, where she married her then-manager Ralph Carr in 1995. She released hit singles “I Need Your Body” and “Chains” before she began feeling increasingly controlled by those around her. She moved to Paris looking for a fresh start and the French public welcomed her with open arms. Arena speaks candidly in this 96 minute documentary, reflecting on the highs and lows of a career spanning five decades. She comes across as a hardworking, resilient woman who fought for her success. Her extraordinary vocal range and powerful voice are highlights. You know her music – now you’ll know her too.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

BIG BABY

Horror writer Adam Lewis (Brandon Scott) spirals when two podcast hosts give his latest screenplay a bad review. As depression sets in, he attempts to write a new script, only to be haunted by nightmares of a man wearing an oversized baby mask, who he names Big Baby (Adam Marcinowski). The hulking man-toddler tells Adam he was drowned in a swimming pool as a boy and wants revenge against the people who pushed him in. Adam decides to make Big Baby the focus of his next film and shares this news with his girlfriend Kate (Krsy Fox, who also serves as a producer, editor and sound mixer). Adam becomes obsessed with Big Baby and his mental state deteriorates even more. Kate moves out and Adam starts writing storylines where Big Baby gruesomely slaughters his childhood enemies. This flick is surprisingly effective at combining the pressure of being a self employed artist with a total breakdown. While some of the practical effects are cheesy, the kills are violent, and the hideous get-up of the title character is unsettling. Executive produced by singing icon Cher and her son Chaz Bono, the plot constantly blurs the line between reality and fantasy. B-grade, diaper driven mayhem.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 6/10

UNTOLD RAYGUN: BREAKING BADLY

Rachael Gunn, AKA Raygun, became an overnight sensation for all the wrong reasons after her breakdancing performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She failed to score a single point across three rounds with her dismal routine (which included the sprinkler, a bouncing kangaroo imitation, and spinning around on the floor) and sparked thousands of viral memes and global ridicule. This 72 minute documentary features Rachael and her husband (and coach) Samuel Free sharing her journey in their own words. They recount the Oceania qualifying tournament, where she was deemed the best dancer in a very small field of competition, and progress to the fallout that followed her Olympic appearance. Unfortunately participating in this production does her few favours. For the first hour, it feels like a comedy mockumentary and she is given limitless rope. Gunn and Free fail to acknowledge her lack of technical skill and treat the situation like a joke that only they seem to get. Instead of admitting her shortcomings, Gunn comes across as arrogant and insists she gave it her all. There is only one brief moment where she has remorse and states “I bought shame and embarrassment to the country.” When billionaire Richard Branson offers her a lifeline by taking her on one of his cruises and getting her to “dance”, the passengers appear to be laughing at her rather than with her – which she is completely oblivious to. While it must be horrible to have your shortcomings exposed for the whole world to see, and no one should be abused online, a little humility goes a long way. Nothing good comes from delusions of grandeur.

SCORE:

Alex and Amanda’s Score 8.5/10

THE DOG STARS

*CONTAINS A SPOILER* Ridley Scott’s latest offering is set in post-apocalyptic 2035 following a flu pandemic that wiped out most of the population. Former mechanic Hig (Jacob Elordi) lives at a derelict airfield with his beloved dog Jasper and cynical ex-Marine Bangley (Josh Brolin). Grieving the loss of his wife Melissa (Sai Bennett) and their unborn child, Hig routinely flies his beaten-up Cessna on dangerous supply runs to a nearby city. When he’s forced to land in a field, he befriends Cima (Margaret Qualley) and her curmudgeonly father Pops (Guy Pearce). He emotionally connects with Cima, who is a widow, but struggles to fully open his heart to her. This is a survival movie where resources are scarce and everyone is constantly under threat, yet it has moments of calmness amongst the chaos. The cinematography is spectacular, with breathtaking aerials captured above rugged landscapes – while humanity has nearly been destroyed, the great outdoors is thriving. Apart from a surreal visit to a community run by the mysterious Darlene (Allison Janney, having lots of fun), the story is engaging and Elordi does a solid job portraying melancholic Hig. There are many blanks to fill in regarding the virus and backstory for every character, but this film focusses on what is, rather than what has been. In the interests of full disclosure (and because dog people need to know!), Jasper dies and usually this would kill a film for me, but I feel that his loss adds to Hig’s attachment avoidance moving forward. Brutal and gentle at the same time.

SCORE:

Alex and Jason’s Score 8/10

Janette’s Score 7.5/10

STOP! THAT! TRAIN!

Former ‘Stank Rail’ stewardesses Tess (Ginger Minj) and DeeDee (Jujubee) sneak aboard high speed bullet train the Glamazonian Express. When it hurtles straight towards a catastrophic “Stormaganza”, they try to keep the passengers calm. President Judy Gagwell (RuPaul Charles who looks every bit the star) and command centre dispatcher Donna Dusk (Rachel Bloom) take charge and together they attempt to avert the disaster. This film follows the joke-a-minute slapstick style of spoofs like ‘Flying High!’ and ‘The Naked Gun’. Despite its glossy sets, phenomenal drag queens (including Marcia Marcia Marcia, Latrice Royale, Brock Hayhoe and Symone), and immaculate costuming, the comedy falls flat, relying on unoriginal, crude one liners. Not even celebrity cameos from Sarah Michelle Gellar, Lisa Rinna, Nicole Richie, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Missi Pyle, and Raven-Symoné can rescue the lacklustre script. It doesn’t take itself seriously and is a bit of fun but still ends up a train wreck.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 5.5/10

Kerryn’s Score 9.5

Janette’s Score 8/10

Duncan’s Score 7.5/10

Kelly’s Score 7/10

SPA WEEKEND

Three best friends, Jane (Leslie Mann), Sophie (Anna Faris), and Coco (Michelle Buteau), head off on an expensive spa weekend to celebrate Jane’s birthday. Desperate for some downtime, their hopes for a relaxing getaway are dashed when eccentric pal Mel (Isla Fisher) decides to gatecrash. She’s an unhinged, loose unit without a filter who wrecks everything she touches. Jane, Sophie, and Coco get dragged into her chaos as she disrupts the entire luxury resort. Mel has a stereotypical ocker Australian accent, which is fitting given Fisher is an Aussie and filming took place on the Gold Coast in Queensland. This is a predictable comedy with jokes that feel forced and overly rehearsed. It reminds me of ‘The Hangover’, and has the same writers, but with middle aged women who are dealing with divorce, new relationships and burnout. None of the characters possess any likable traits, making it difficult to care when their retreat falls apart. Amongst a lot of cringing, I only laughed once, when a group of goats ran amok during a yoga session – such a shame since I fit the demographic for the target audience. While the shallow script means the four leads had very little to work with, they were also given the freedom to ad-lib, and overall they failed to demonstrate their comedic range. The best bits are the post credit bloopers. The rest is mind numbing.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 4.5/10

Jason’s Score 6.5/10

DALLIANCE

Billy (Hugo Weaving) randomly meets caterer Dani (Heather Mitchell) on a ferry while he’s trying to escape his angry brother Gary (David Wenham). Dani helps him hide then drives him home, where she’s introduced to his wife Rose (Georgie Parker). She later asks Rose if she can “borrow” Billy as her plus-one date for a fancy dinner her ex will be at. Rose agrees, but Billy tragically passes away at the event after having a heart attack. A group of his former school friends, now all in their 60’s, reunite at his funeral. The emotional highs and lows of their personal lives are revealed and their different relationship dynamics rise to the surface. Did someone say midlife crisis? Meanwhile Rose begins to question the events that occurred leading up to his death and wonders if Dani is telling the truth. This six part series builds the expectation of an explosive twist, but one never comes. It fails to deliver a satisfying payoff and apart from Billy’s death, nothing much happens. The talented cast, which also includes Catherine McClements and Wayne Blair, is let down by the weak writing. Lacks punch.

SCORE:

Alex and Amanda’s Score 5/10

PAW PATROL: THE DINO MOVIE

Ten year old Ryder (Henry Rolan) and his pack of heroic rescue pups Chase (Rain Janjua), Marshall (Carter Young), Skye (Mckenna Grace), Rubble (Lucien Duncan-Reid), Rocky (William Desrosiers), and Zuma (Nylan Parthipan) discover a hidden island populated by dinosaurs. There they meet Rex (Hayden Chamberlain), a happy go lucky dog in a wheelchair who rides around on a Tyrannosaurus Rex and lives in a treehouse. When villainous Mayor Humdinger (Ron Pardo) is released from jail alongside his Kitten Catastrophe Crew, he decides to mine the island for its precious diamonds by blowing it up. His greedy actions threaten to destroy the prehistoric ecosystem and the PAW Patrol spring into action to stop him in his tracks and save their new Dino friends. This is an uplifting kids film filled with simple, sweet messaging about inclusivity, never giving up and always trying your best. It’s beautifully animated, with the anthropomorphism of the dogs drawn in a vibrant round-faced style. Their sleek, glossy vehicles reflect each pooch’s personal branding and their tech is innovative and fun. With a plot that’s easy to follow, the optimism and team spirit of the dogs shines though. Pure positivity.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

Kyleigh and Emilee’s Score 9/10

THE WHISPER MAN

Following the death of his wife, author Tom Kennedy (Adam Scott) moves cities with his young son Jake (Woody Norman). Their fresh start quickly turns into a nightmare when Jake is abducted by someone copycatting an imprisoned serial killer called Frank Carter, AKA The Whisper Man (Michael Keaton). Tom’s estranged father Peter (Robert De Niro) is a retired detective who put Carter away decades earlier. He’s approached by detective Amanda Beck (Michelle Monaghan) to help hunt down the kidnapper and in doing so, reconnects with Tom. Despite the accomplished cast and big production value of this sleek looking film, the story pushes believability beyond the limit. It’s filled with ridiculous coincidences, absurd plot holes, and miraculous recoveries from injuries that would definitely cause death – not to mention the police and prison procedural misconduct. While it’s fun to see Keaton playing a creepy role for a change, nothing else about this is memorable. All hype, much disappointment.

SCORE:

Alex’s Score 4.9/10

Amanda’s Score 4/10

DEATH OF THE PASTOR’S WIFE

Mica Miller joined the evangelical Solid Rock Church in South Carolina when she was 13 years old. The congregation’s older pastor JP Miller groomed her and the two began an affair before leaving their respective partners and getting married when Mica was 22. For the next five years, Miller subjected Mica to relentless psychological, s*xual, and physical abuse while she tried to be the perfect Pastors wife. He began having an affair and behaved in ways that were in direct contradiction to his preachings. Mica eventually left him and filed for divorce, only to later take her life in a North Carolina national park. Her siblings believe that his relentless torment drove her to su*cide, and they are pushing for “Mica’s Law” to criminalise coercive control and domestic abuse. While the FBI has charged Miller for stalking and sending harassing digital communications, he’s never been held accountable for his role in her death. This documentary reconstructs the fateful relationship between Mica and JP’s using audio recordings, video footage, and interviews with friends, family members, and parishioners. An anger inducing, frustrating look at a religious zealot using the church as cover.

SCORE:

Alex and Amanda’s score 8/10

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