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

EXPATS

A six part mini-series focussing on a group of privileged expats living in drama and crisis. One has a young son who was abducted but it’s more about the aftermath than the incident. The complex social classes of Hong Kong are well depicted, with the domestic helpers sacrificing dreams and time with their own families to serve their employers. Eastern and Western cultures clash frequently and stereotypes abound, particularly for the Asian and Indian mothers. I’m not a Nicole Kidman fan but she usually chooses decent roles. This one is similar to a few other melodramatic, wealthy wife characters she’s played. Wished for more HK scenery and street-life visuals but filming during the pandemic was prohibited at many locations. Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it but did think about it for a while afterwards.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7/10

BACK TO BLACK

This is the story of Amy Winehouse – her rise to fame and her sad spiral into addiction. If I suspend the fact that I was meant to be watching someone who looks like Amy Winehouse, sounds like Amy Winehouse, and is Amy Winehouse, this biopic would just be passable. Singing the songs herself, Marisa Abela as Amy wasn’t convincing enough to bring home Amy’s unique vocal style. It was imitation, not replication and there was no musical crescendo. Actor Jack O’Connell (who plays Amy’s former husband Blake Fielder-Civil) called the film a “reimagination” and “fictitious” which seems like a lazy way to explain the omission of pivotal occurrences in Amy’s life. Abrupt ending.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 6.5/10

THE GREATEST LOVE STORY NEVER TOLD

Probably shouldn’t have been told. Have always been a JLo fan but after watching this self-indulgent, needy, “I’m now happy but I’ve had so much heartache in my life”, whinge fest, I’ve gone cold. There’s no denying she has an amazing work ethic and a tenacity to achieve her goals. The behind the scenes footage of her working on her music video, sorry music film, was engaging and she’s clearly in her element when in total control of her environment. Ben Affleck’s measured words and unaffected-by-fame attitude were good additions too. But the rest was meh. Contradicting the high score on Rotten Tomatoes.

SCORE:

Doco score 5.5/10

SCOOP

Based on true events, this drama gives a compelling inside view of the efforts taken by BBC Newsnight journalist McAlistair to secure the infamous Prince Andrew interview. There’s tenacity, tension and a pathetic Duke of York who, when questioned on camera about his involvement with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, digs his own grave – leading to a public relations disaster for Buckingham Palace. 1.7 million viewers tuned in to the hour-long interview when it aired in 2019. Gillian Anderson heads the cast with Billie Piper as McAlister. Replicating history.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

PHYSICAL 100 – SEASON TWO

Have you ever wondered which body type is the ideal physique? Someone in South Korea did and ‘Physical 100’ was born. Following on from the format of season one, the 100 competitors include elite athletes, Olympic gold medalists, weightlifters, rock climbers, dancers, UFC fighters, cross fit masters, actors, singers, parkour experts, police officers, and military personnel. Participants compete in a knock-out series of individual and team challenges based on strength, endurance, and agility, with mass eliminations occurring along the way. There’s a lot of flexing. It frequently feels repetitive, with every aspect replayed from different angles, multiple times, for dramatic effect, but it piques your curiosity enough to see it through until the end. Best viewed with English dubbing.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7/10

DEADLOCH

Possibly the best Australian television series ever made. Filled to the brim with banter, wit and intrigue plus excellent character development – each with their quirks and foibles – this crime and comedy combo is compelling. Superb writing by Kate Mclennan and Kate McCartney pulls your emotional chain and sees you laughing hysterically one minute and on tenterhooks in the next. Even the crass detective will win you over. Watch it twice and cross everything for a second season.

SCORE:

Alex's Score score 10/10

ROBOT DREAMS

A deeply emotive animated film about meaningful friendships, loneliness and finding joy in life. Dialogue free, the story is carried on the strength of its expressive characters. It’s tailored to adults more than children and the ending will stay with you long after the credits have rolled. Poignant, delightful and memorable. Received a surprise 2024 Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature.

SCORE:

Alex's score 9/10

GHOST BUSTERS – FROZEN EMPIRE

Convinced a friend to come along and watch it with me by pitching it as likely to be “fun, a bit silly, and not unlike the other Ghostbusters movies.” It was all those things with some decent special effects to boot. There were some cute references to the past films and it was fast paced and held my attention. Some plot lines felt rushed (like capturing the main rogue spirit) and a few of the teen actors irked me with their constant jeopardy, but if your expectation is just to be entertained for 1hr 45min you won’t be disappointed. If you want to fact check and debate the apparent science, it won’t be such a good time. Suspend belief and go with the flow.

SCORE:

Alex's score 6/10 for the 👻 special effects and the New York City backdrop.

GRISELDA

Based on the life of Griselda Blanco (with a few factual adjustments), a key underworld figure involved in the trade of cocaine between Colombia and the USA for close to 30 years. Mostly in Spanish with English subtitles, Sofia Vergara excels in her portrayal of Griselda and shares the full gamut of her acting abilities. Gritty, realistic and violent, it has several shocking and unexpected moments. There’s loyalty and betrayal in equal measure at every turn. It gives a glimpse into a whole different world and into the ballsy boss lady who fought to control it.

SCORE:

Alex's score 8/10

THE GENTLEMEN

Usually love anything by director Guy Ritchie, and loved the movie of the same name but didn’t love this TV series. Frustrating and bumbling characters I had zero care for, who were immersed in constant chaos. An absolute annoying cluster feck the whole time. Couldn’t even get to the end of it.

SCORE:

Alex's score 1/10 for Guy Ritchie’s name attached to It.

BOY SWALLOWS UNIVERSE

This film is a genuinely gritty and grim glimpse (say that three times fast) into 1980’s life, set in a low socio economic suburb of Brisbane. It takes the viewer on a transcendental journey through the eyes of 13 year old Eli Bell (Felix Cameron) and his dysfunctional family. It’s filled with violence, drug use, and obscene language and is a constant emotional roller coaster which leaves you holding on for dear life until the end. The superb cast pull together the robust script and authentic sets. Excellent!

SCORE:

Alex's score 9/10

HAPPY VALLEY – SEASON 1 , 2 and 3

Solid UK police show following the trials and tribulations of Catherine Cawood, a fearlessand empathetic Sergeant played to perfection by Sarah Lancashire. Fast paced with realistic police banter, flawed (but mostly likeable) characters, and a relentless-feeling themed storyline which continues across all seasons, Happy Valley is anything but happy.

SCORE:

Alex's score 8/10

THE REGIME

Kate Winslet convincingly plays the infantile, useless, deluded, ridiculous, out of touch (get the idea?) hypochondriac leader of an unnamed European country, manipulated by a basic and aggressive soldier with a murderous past. When they team up, it goes to 💩. It’s meant to be satire but it’s just silly and fanciful and it feels like someone who had a life dream to make this series, paid to create it themselves when everyone else said no.

SCORE:

Alex's score 3/10 for Winslet’s acting only.

DUNE – PART TWO

The bad guys were bad. The special effects were seamless. Costuming was masterful and the musical score set the foreboding tone throughout. Never a dull moment. Storyline left the door open for the third and final instalment. Truly epic!

Costing $190million USD to make, loved seeing it at Event Innaloo Gold Class for $45. See it on the big screen. Also helps to watch ‘Dune – Part One’ beforehand as a refresher.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9/10

Amanda’s Score 10/10

DREAM SCENARIO

A journey into what happens when your dreams impact your reality, and the pitfalls of social media, going viral, cancel culture and herd mentality. Nicholas Cage plays the unassuming professor to a tee as his life rises, then falls, around him. Will leave you thinking long after it has ended.

Hope you don’t see me in your dreams.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

WONKA

This whimsical semi-musical is about friendship, chocolate, and never giving up on your dreams. It’s consists of catchy songs, a strong visual aesthetic, CGI animals, and Olivia Coleman’s tobacco-stained false teeth. Overall it makes for simple but charming entertainment which will leave you with a feel-good glow and a smile on your face.

I had no expectations other than being entertained by something light and airy. It deliverered. The kids in the cinema enjoyed it.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7/10

POOR THINGS

Much mention has been made of the “stupefying performances, insane production and epic costume design” and this movie is all that, but I was not prepared for (or forewarned about) the frequent visceral dissection of bodies, nakey people and bountiful f*rnication scenes.

It. Was. A. Lot. But I don’t regret watching it. Definitely wasn’t bored.

SCORE:

Alex's score 10/10

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