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

THE TESTAMENTS

Picking up the story five years after the events of ‘The Handmaids Tale’ this series revolves around Daisy (Lucy Halliday), a teenager from Canada who infiltrates the oppressive regime of Gilead in the USA. Once there, she attends the same girls school as June Osborne’s daughter, who is now known as Agnes Mackenzie (Chase Infiniti). The curriculum is designed by Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) to prepare the students for their roles as young brides, where they are married off to old male commanders. Nothing has fundamentally changed within Gilead’s power structure over the years and it’s still as restrictive as ever, making for tense viewing. The costume and set design are visually stunning, relying on strong, deliberate colour palettes. Every character is dressed in an identifiable uniform of sorts, which serves as a constant reminder of their status and removes any individuality. Most of the cast are teenagers, as opposed to the adult character focus of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. With ten engrossing episodes, the finale will leave viewers eagerly anticipating a second season. Famed source material author Margaret Atwood even makes an appearance. A worthy predecessor.

SCORE:

Alex and Amanda’s Score 9/10

BACKROOMS

This film has a decent cast, an occasional first person point of view filming style reminiscent of the ‘The Blair Witch Project’, and quirky, claustrophobic set design. Sadly those are the only positives to be found in this mess of a production. Based on the viral YouTube Creepypasta sensation, Clark (Chiwetel Ejiofor) discovers a series of strange rooms in his furniture store basement. When he vanishes, his therapist Dr Mary Kline (Renate Reinsve), heads into the rooms to find him. I expect a film to at least make sense and this one completely fails to deliver on that front. It feels as though someone on a massive bender wrote the script, leaving frustrating blanks for the audience to fill in. The actors do the best they can with the material but it’s too confusing to enjoy and I had a headache by the end. The fact that Kane Parsons is entertainment company A24’s youngest ever director at just twenty years old may explain the unrefined ideas and the lack of a mature, cohesive structure. How this project got green lit for a cinema release is a mystery – it’s the biggest disappointment of the year to date.

SCORE:

Alex and Amanda’s Score 3/10

Kelly’s Score 8/10

Dave’s Score 6/10

Duncan and Tony’s Score 5/10

TIME AND WATER

This documentary is crafted around the non-fiction book by Icelandic author Andri Snær Magnason, who also narrates. Relying heavily on his home movie archive and incorporating 70 years of family history, he uses the story of his grandparents, who were avid explorers, to frame the disaster of glaciers disappearing in Iceland. While his environmental premise has value, the rest of the content feels self indulgent and unnecessary. His grandparents were undoubtedly interesting people, but their story could’ve been told succinctly, rather than consuming the bulk of the runtime and diluting the overall message. Magnason’s response to the Okjökull glacier disappearing was to install a plaque on its former site in 2019 with a letter to the future inscribed on it stating, “Ok is the first Icelandic glacier to lose its status as a glacier. In the next 200 years, all our glaciers are expected to follow the same path. This monument is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it.” And did they? Was there any concrete activity over the past seven years to make things different? I didn’t leave this screening feeling fired up or inspired to join the cause and had to rely on Google to learn that Magnason campaigns against damaging industrial dams and smelters. The 93 minute duration also required a stronger content edit. There are scenes filmed by Magnason’s children that are filled with irritating camera shake, old footage is low resolution, parts are out of focus, and many clips seem irrelevant to the climate change crisis. It needed less of all that and more on what Magnason is doing and how viewers can support his efforts. National Geographic backed this production and the only elements befitting of their brand are the education on glaciers dying and some of the beautiful cinematography of the Icelandic landscapes. Well intended but without a call to action this passive piece is a missed opportunity to be an effective voice for change.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 6/10

Saraj’s Score 5/10

IM NOT STILLER

Adapted from Max Frisch’s 1954 Swiss novel, this story follows American James Larkin White (Albrecht Schuch) who is arrested on a train in Switzerland. Authorities are convinced that he is Anatol Stiller, a Swiss sculptor who mysteriously disappeared seven years earlier after he was rumoured to be involved with the communist party. Despite Stiller’s estranged ballerina wife, Julika (Paula Beer), his old friends, and his former lover Sibylle (Marie Leuenberger) insisting it’s him, White vehemently denies that he’s the wanted man. The plot will keep you guessing about who is telling the truth, but one major twist is a little too convenient and the ending is bland – the is he / isn’t he reveal caught me out but also left me feeling flat. An interesting premise about simply being yourself.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 6.5/10

Deborah and Serena’s Score 7/10

MORTAL KOMBAT II

Despite being based on a video game, this franchise is definitely not for a younger audience. It’s far more gory, gruesome, graphic, and sweary than I expected. The narrative follows the games themselves, with multiple timelines coming together across different realms. It’s busy and hectic. The Outworld, led by tyrannical Emperor Shao Kahn (Martyn Ford), and Earthrealm, aided by Lord Raiden (Tadanobu Asano) and Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee), must each pick five champions to battle in a fight to the death – a mortal combat tournament. To complete the Earthrealm roster alongside Sonya, Liu Kang (Ludi Lin), Jax Briggs (Mehcad Brooks), and Cole Young (Lewis Tan), washed up martial arts actor Johnny Cage (Karl Urban) is recruited. His character was the weakest, and most annoying, link in the film for me. Plot aside (let’s be real, the story is just a loose framework for the fatalities), this movie is essentially a showcase for multiple well choreographed fight scenes. The stunt team really took it to the next level in the way they creatively designed and executed the incredible action sequences. It’s non stop hyper violence from start to finish with some wince inducing kills. The only let down is the cheesy dialogue of Johnny Cage, whose mouth is greater than his talent. The stand out character is Kano (played by Aussie Josh Lawson), with his quick one liners and humorous delivery. His scenes with Quan Chi the Necromancer (fellow Aussie Damon Herriman) are comedy gold, and it’s easy to see why he’s picked up a cult following for the role. This adrenaline fuelled slugfest will mostly appeal to fans of the game, and those unfamiliar with it may be left behind in the what, where, and why. A grand spectacle filmed entirely on the Gold Coast.

SCORE:

Alex, Fiona, and Duncan’s Score 8/10

Jason’s Score 6/10

Steve’s Score 4/10

OBSESSION

Bear Bailey (Michael Johnston) has a huge unrequited crush on his work colleague Nikki Freeman (Inde Navarrette). After missing an opportunity to tell her how he feels, he buys a cheap novelty toy called a “One Wish Willow” and wishes for Nikki to love him more than anyone else in the world. The wish works instantly and Nikki becomes completely obsessed, transforming into a suffocating, terrifying, menacing girlfriend. Their relationship spirals into a toxic, dysfunctional mess of erratic behaviour and extreme jealousy, causing Bear to regret his actions. Navarrette is fantastic as Nikki and delivers a standout performance that carries the film. She switches seamlessly from calm and vulnerable to dangerous and unpredictable, using glitchy body language, sudden shrieking, and unsettling voices to maintain the intense discomfort. You won’t feel relaxed watching this, knowing Nikki could spiral at any minute, and that’s what the horror here relies on – dread and psychological unease which builds a layer of anxiety that does not dissipate until the credits kick in. With a budget of $1 million AUD, there’s a reason this film has already grossed over $100 million at the box office. It’s brilliant! With a young crew and a 26 year old director (genius Curry Barker who is also the writer), this is the sort of result that paves the way to a sky’s the limit future, and deservedly so. An original, bloody masterpiece – just be careful what you wish for.


SCORE:

Alex and Alex’s 9/10

Kelly’s Score 8/10

PASSENGER

Keen to find freedom on the open roads, young couple Maddie (Lou Llobell) and Tyler (Jacob Scipio) pack up their apartment and move into a Mercedes van. Six weeks into their travels, they pull over to help a dying driver at a crash scene, unknowingly breaking a folklore rule to “never stop no matter what.” Their consequence is to be hunted by a creepy supernatural entity called the Passenger, who keeps showing up in their van with murderous intent. Going into this film, I didn’t have particularly high expectations, but it totally surprised me. With the first scene making up most of the chilling trailer, the suspense is consistently maintained for the duration. There are several solid jump scares and, although the plot rollout is slightly formulaic, the overall premise feels fresh and feeds into people’s worst case scenario fears of driving on isolated roads at night. Most of the action takes place at night, in deserted car parks and campgrounds, adding an extra layer of doom to the intensity and tension, not to mention the constant claustrophobia of Maddie and Tyler being trapped in the small van with a demon. The actual manifestation of the Passenger (Joseph Mawle) himself needed work – just doesn’t look vile enough and required more detailed, unsettling special effects makeup to match the tone of his actions. There was also no explanation as to why he was dressed as a priest, but overall this had me invested. A spooky highwayman fable that does not sell the dream of van life.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7.5/10

Alex's Score 7/10

THE CAPTIVE

Wounded Spanish soldier Miguel de Cervantes (Julio Peña Fernández) was captured by Algerian corsairs in 1575, aged 28, and held for ransom with other Christians. He was incarcerated for five years and during that time, he did what he had to in order to stay alive. Using his knack for storytelling to pass the days, he caught the eye of his captor, the feared and brutal Bey of Algiers, Hasán Bajá (Alessandro Borghi). The two men formed an intense, imbalanced relationship based on seduction and survival, and Cervantes received special privileges, like day release and delicious food – but behind the scenes, he was quietly plotting his escape while navigating jealous acts and betrayal from his fellow prisoners. Religiously, the script provides an interesting look at the two different faiths. Adjuration was believed to be the most mortal sin of all and strict moral codes were quickly bent depending on who was watching or what social status you held. Despite the heavy themes, this film feels like a grand adventure and the fact that it’s loosely based on a true story makes it even more intriguing. Cervantes’s time in captivity is believed to have shaped the writing style he later used in his famous novel ‘Don Quixote’, one of the best selling and most translated books of all time. The set and costume design accurately reflect the rich culture of Algiers in the 1500’s, an era when life was brutally hard but also unexpectedly liberal. I found the long runtime a bit tedious by the end – trimming some of the prison scenes would’ve benefited. A compelling blend of fact, fiction, history, and myth.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7/10

Saraj’s Score 8/10

THE TALENTED MR. F

In 2023, two Berlin film students, Julius Drost and Moritz Hennenberg, made an animated short about a clumsy household robot called ‘Butty’. After attempting to get the film accepted into several festivals, they discovered that an American student from West Virginia named Samuel Felinton had slightly edited ‘Butty’ by cutting two scenes out of it and adding music, before renaming it ‘T-130’ and putting his name in the credits. He then appeared on news stations and talk shows promoting the film and won a handful of awards for it. Drost and Hennenberg realised that legal action would be too costly, so they decided to fly to the States to confront Samuel catfish-style – and this documentary is the result of their trip. Felinton fits the profile of a talentless grifter who’s desperate to be liked and doesn’t think twice about stealing the content of others if it means being praised for a job well done. He initially responds to the situation with narcissistic bravado, which puts Drost and Hennenberg on the back foot. Being empathetic individuals they give Felinton more than enough space to explain himself. As a creative who has been on the receiving end of copyright theft in the past, I found their overly sympathetic approach and lack of consequences to be frustrating. It was also interesting to see Felinton agree to appear on camera, as the allure of spinning his side of the story proved too tempting to resist. A psychologist’s field day.

SCORE:

Alex and Serena’s Score 8/10

KARLA

In 1962, twelve year old Karla (Elise Krieps) bravely ran away from home to report her father for serious sexual abuse allegations. At a time when children weren’t taken seriously as complainants and none of the legal procedures were written in support of female victims, Karla was pushing the proverbial uphill to be heard and believed. Despite this, she persisted, eventually bringing her father Karl (Torben Liebrecht) to justice in a landmark court case where she was supported by a local judge Dr Frederick Lamy (Rainer Bock) and his secretary Erika (Imogen Kogge). Based on the true story of the first known legal case in West Germany where a child successfully prosecuted an abusive parent, real life Karla (who went on to become a doctor) collaborated with the production team to ensure she had full control over her own narrative. The sensitive script tactfully leaves the unspeakable unsaid and steers clear of sensationalism. If anything, it needed a slight edit in the runtime to improve the flow of the story. A moving film that highlights how a single voice can create change.

SCORE:

Alex and Deborah’s Score 7.5/10

A FADING MAN

Primary school art teacher Hanne (Dagmar Manzel) and her husband Bernd (August Zirner), retired pastor, have their lives upended when Hanne’s former husband of more than thirty years, Kurt (Harald Krassnitzer), turns up unannounced at their home. They realise that Kurt has advanced stage Alzheimer’s and is completely unaware that he and Hanne have been divorced for decades. With Kurt’s daughter Samira away overseas and the local care facilities unable to accommodate him, Hanne and Bernd reluctantly decide to let Kurt stay with them. This arrangement turns into a much longer time period than planned, quickly impacting all areas of their lives and developing into an odd triangle. All three leads are brilliant in the way they sensitively handle the realities of ageing but the story ends quite suddenly, which may frustrate those who prefer neatly tied up stories. This film raises profound questions about what to do when vulnerable people need care but become difficult for those who love them to manage, and where responsibility begins and ends. Thought provoking.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7.5/10

THE CRASH

This true crime documentary offers insight into the cause of a horrific car accident in Ohio in 2022 that claimed the life of two young men. Seventeen year old spoilt schoolgirl Mackenzie Shirilla was at the wheel when the Toyota Camry she was driving smashed into a brick building at more than 160 km/h. Shirilla was seriously injured and her two passengers, boyfriend Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan, were killed on impact.
Following the crash, evidence found at the scene, combined with CCTV footage and information that came to light through social media, led to a shocking twist – Shirilla was charged with two counts of murder and a number of other felonies. Interviews with her family and friends, and those of the two victims, aim to shed light on what happened in this high profile case. Shirilla’s lack of remorse and empathy are sickening and the culpability of her parents is up for viewer judgement – they never held her accountable for any incidents of bad behaviour when she was growing up and helped her concoct a story that she blacked out and doesn’t remember any of the crash. Thankfully the court didn’t buy it and justice was served, with Shirilla was sentenced to 15 years to life. Stomach churning, narcissistic evil.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7/10

Amanda’s Score 8/10

GIRL TAKEN

Creepy, paed*philic schoolteacher, Rick Hansen (Alfie Allen) abducts 17 year old student Lily Riser (Tallulah Evans) and holds her hostage in the basement of a secluded forest hideaway near her home town. After five years in captivity she manages to escape and Hansen is captured. When Riser returns home she finds that everyone has moved on without her, including her mother Eve (Jill Halfpenny) and twin sister, Abby (Delphi Evans). The first two episodes of this series are quite engaging, but with the subsequent time jumps, it goes from being plausible to ridiculous. If Riser had been missing a shorter time frame the believability would be more palatable, especially since Hansen is still actively teaching and Riser is being held in the immediate vicinity. In the latter episodes the story becomes even more far feather and I got bored. Everything about this series is average. Overall it tries to be too sensationalist and clever, which doesn’t work. It would’ve fared better to sit in a more realistic space.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 5/10

Amanda’s Score 6/10

THE CHRISTOPHERS

Ian McKellen stars as Julian Sklar, a legendary artist who is worth a fortune but hasn’t had an exhibition in years. His greedy, estranged children, Barnaby (James Corden) and Sallie (Jessica Gunning), hatch a plan to guarantee their inheritance. They hire art restorer Lori Butler (Michaela Coel) to locate eight canvases from “The Christophers”, a famous series based on the love of Sklar’s life, and forge their completion so they can be sold for millions when he dies. The plan quickly derails when Sklar wises up to the scheme, setting off a psychological battle of wills between all players. Will he finish the artworks himself? Will Butler complete the forgeries? Will the canvases be destroyed altogether? McKellen is fabulous as the curmudgeonly, caustic, and ego-driven Sklar, and the sharp, intellectual dialogue (mostly from his character) gives this film a theatrical setup, as if it was written for the stage. This is enhanced by the majority of scenes taking place in just a few rooms of Sklar’s dilapidated home. I found McKellen’s grandmaster resonance and Coel’s deadpan demeanour to be a riveting juxtaposition, and Coel was skilled at physically expressing more than she spoke. While the intensity of the script and unredeeming characters won’t be to everyone’s taste, this is a superbly acted tale of artistic legacy.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8.5/10

Janette’s Score 4/10

POWER BALLAD

Rick Power (Paul Rudd) is the front man for an Irish wedding band called ‘The Bride & Groove’. He meets washed up boy band singer Danny Wilson (Nick Jonas) at a wedding and the two end up jamming together all night, bonding over their love of music while getting boozed up. Fast forward to six months later when Danny releases a new single using Rick’s original lyrics and melody. The song becomes a global smash hit, selling millions of copies, and Rick becomes obsessed with receiving recognition for his contribution, despite having zero proof that the source material was actually his. This USA x Irish production hits the comedy nail on the head. The strong script is peppered with humour and Rick’s bandmates played by Peter McDonald, Rory Keenan, Keith McErlean, and Paul Reid provide hearty banter. it’s a riotous, well acted romp from beginning to end. This film totally deserves the thirty second round of applause it received at the end of our cinema screening.

SCORE:

Alex, Kyleigh and Helen’s Score 9.5/10

Saraj, Maree, Amber, Jim, Cheryl, Steve and Virginie’s Score 9/10

Andii’s Score 8.5/10

Chloe, Jo and Megan’s Score 8/10

Fiona’s Score 7.5/10

Kelly, Sheelagh, Katherine and Tony’s Score 7/10

Duncan’s Score 6.5/10

THE SHEEP DETECTIVES

George Hardy (Hugh Jackman) is a kind hearted shepherd who lives in a caravan on a plot of land with his beloved flock of sheep. Every night he reads them a bedtime story, often part of a detective novel. When he turns up dead one morning and foul play is alleged, the sheep make it their mission to find his killer. This turns into a grand adventure involving a number of suspects. All of the sheep have unique personalities and are portrayed as individual, sentient beings. They are fabulously voiced by a range of big name celebs including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris O’Dowd, Patrick Stewart, Regina Hall, Brett Goldstein and Bryan Cranston. The easy to follow plot moves with momentum but be ready for two heavy themed scenes that involve dogfighting and a dog attack – they are handled sensitively though and are the only parts of the story that may need further explanation for junior viewers. The animation is gorgeous and the Winter Lamb (aka George voiced by Tommy Birchall) will steal your heart. I was surprised that overall this film caters to a slightly younger audience than I expected and I found one of the lambs, Zora (voiced by Bella Ramsey), who incessantly asks questions, to be slightly infuriating. The initial incompetence of bumbling policeman Tim Derry (Nicholas Braun) also got on my nerves, but it’s clear that the point of his character is to bring the silly slapstick. I hoped this film would reach the heights of ‘Babe’ and while it doesn’t come close, it’s still highly enjoyable and you just can’t hate on it.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7.9/10

Natalie’s Score 9/10

Katherine’s Score 8.5/10

Jason, Janette, Venessa and Sally’s Score 8/10

THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU

This long-awaited “final 4th season” to the popular series ‘The Mandalorian’ is a cracker. The plot is filled with manic missions, risky rescues, epic escapes, and blasting battles. There are also spectacular stunts, seamless special effects, wonderful puppetry, quirky creatures, mythical worlds, and non-stop, systems overloading acting (in a good way!) for the entire 132 minutes. Not forgetting the genuine messages about family, friendship, and loyalty delivered through a range of characters. Most of all, there’s the best duo ever to grace our screens, The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal and stunt doubles Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder) and Grogu – no disrespect to Starsky and Hutch, Xena and Gabrielle, Abbott and Costello, Thelma and Louise, Bill and Ted, Cagney and Lacey, Tom and Jerry, Bert and Ernie, R2-D2 and C-3PO…
Let’s be real, I mainly watched this for Grogu and the Grogu content absolutely delivered. He has ample screen time, culminating in a 15 minute sequence all to himself and he’s as adorable as ever. He brings the comic relief and the cute. I so hoped this would be a ten before I even walked into the cinema and, thankfully, it didn’t disappoint. I really don’t know how anyone could hate on this film. It’s superb! Pure entertainment of the highest order. This is the way!

SCORE:

Alex and Janette’s Score 10/10

Amanda’s Score 9/10

Jason’s Score 8.5/10

Saraj’s Score 8/10

Zenda and Duncan’s Score 7.5/10

Francis and Sonja’s Score 7/10

Ang’s Score 6.8/10

Fiona and Dave’s Score 6.5/10

MOTHER MARY

What in the realm of the absolutely cooked did I just watch? This is up there as one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen. It’s about a pop singer with the stage name of Mother Mary (Anne Hathaway) who reconnects with her former best friend, fashion designer Sam Anselm (Michaela Coel). They haven’t had any contact for over a decade and Mary rocks up unannounced and asks Sam to make her a dress for her upcoming show where she’s debuting a new song. The reunion immediately goes sideways, with Sam’s reaction to MM being toxic and condescending. Most of their conversations take place in Sam’s barn style studio and the two women speak to each other in a constant, intense barrage of metaphors and riddles, dancing around all the questions you want answered as a viewer. I can’t really tell you much more about the plot because I had no idea what was going on. Sam and MM’s relationship feels like that of scorned lovers rather than friends. When things ridiculously dip into the supernatural I had to fight my desire to up and walk out. Two points for Hathaway singing and co-writing the MM songs herself – the concert scenes were also quite spectacular, only few and far between. Maybe if her acting gigs dry up after this stinker she can consider a career as a pop star. Self indulgent, dreadful nonsense.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 2/10

IN THE GREY

This latest offering from director Guy Ritchie stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Bronco and Henry Cavill as Sid, two elite extraction specialists working alongside a high stakes lawyer Rachel Wild (Eiza González). Rachel is hired by banking executive Bobby Sheen (Rosamund Pike) to recover a billion dollar debt from crime boss Manny Salazar (Carlos Bardem) using whatever means necessary. Running for around 90 minutes, this film is filled with punchy sound and a fast paced plot. There are a few holes in the story and several small parts don’t make sense, but it’s clear that more thought has been given to the tactical logistics and constant, sometimes campy, banter than to the narrative. In other words, just enjoy it for what it is and don’t dig too deep. While the shoot outs are abundant, this didn’t feel violent enough for a typical Ritchie film – he was definitely playing it safe on that front. A sleek thriller.

SCORE:

Alex’s Score 7.5

Bob and Fiona’s Score 8.5/10

Saraj and Megan’s Scores 8/10

Steve’s Score 6.5/10

Duncans Score 6/10

H IS FOR HAWK

Based on a true story, Helen Macdonald (Claire Foy) has a fellowship at Cambridge University. When her beloved father Alistair (Brendan Gleeson) dies suddenly, she impulsively purchases a hunting goshawk named Mabel, leaning into a hobby she got a taste of as a child. After training Mabel to return to her glove, Helen takes her out on hunting adventures, which don’t always go smoothly. Soon Mabel becomes Helen’s whole focus, consuming her time and greatly impacting her job and relationships. There’s pushback from family members and her college fraternity as they grow concerned about her new obsession. While I don’t understand the need to dominate a wild animal in such a way, I can see how Mabel’s demeanour as a non-affectionate species mirrors Helen’s detachment as she moves through her grief. Mabel’s flight scenes are beautifully filmed and she’s a magnificent creature. Gleeson and Foy have a natural ease as father and daughter and give strong performances and I loved the addition of Imogen Dufty as Mabel’s cheery Australian best friend who is measured in her support for Helen. What I expected this film to be from the trailer and what it actually was were two different things and it didn’t quite deliver for me. It feels like it should be a story of connection and finding yourself again but there isn’t an awakening or growth arc of any significance for Helen … and I just couldn’t get past the keeping a goshawk despite researching all of the arguments to do so.

SCORE:

Alex, Mon, Zenda, Fleur, Richelle, Sonia, Deanne and Eve’s Score 7/10

Renate’s Score 10/10

Alison and Michelle’s Score 9.5/10

Nola, Serena and Leanne’s Score 9/10

Simone, Madalene, Bronny’s Score 8.5/10

Janette, Lisa, Katherine, Debbie and Jason’s Score 8/10

Amanda, Rhonda and Cath’s Score 6.5/10

REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES

From the beautiful opening undersea scene you know you’re in for a treat. It features a giant Pacific octopus called Marcellus (voiced by Alfred Molina) explaining how he came to be in captivity at a local aquarium. Seventy year old widow and aquarium cleaner Tova Sullivan (Sally Field) shares her daily musings with Marcellus while she goes about her duties and often saves his life after he escapes from his tank. When muso Cameron Cassmore (Lewis Pullman) rolls into town in a beat up old van looking for his biological father, he ends up working at the aquarium alongside Tova. Before long they become firm friends and Cameron also finds solace in caring for Marcellus. Field and Pullman complement each other perfectly as two lost souls adrift in their grief until a series of sweet coincidences bring them together. The quirky performances of the supporting cast – Colm Meaney as store owner Ethan Mack and the “Knitwits”, Tova’s knitting friends played by Joan Chen, Kathy Baker, Mary Ann Minetti, and Beth Grant – add to the charm. Crafted from stand in models and CGI, Marcellus and other sea creatures are detailed in design and realistic in the way they move. This is a wholesome and tender film about family, loss, and the power of connection – to humans and to other beings. I love that it highlights the sentience and intelligence of octopuses. It’s rare to find a movie devoid of swearing, sex scenes, or violence, three components often used to command a viewer’s attention. Here the sweet plot and superb acting carry the responsibility of engaging and impacting viewers. One for all ages.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9.5/10

NOAH KAHAN: OUT OF BODY

This doco follows the meteoric rise to fame of Vermont singer Noah Kahan and his preparation for a concert at Fenway Park. In it he shares stories of his upbringing and family history, along with his goals and hopes for the future. A down to earth guy who loves his fiancé Breanna and their German Shepherd dogs, Noah’s voice has a unique huskiness to it and his poignant lyrics resonate with millions of his fans. His breakout hit “Stick Season” became a viral sensation on TikTok before topping global charts. The unprecedented access to Noah in this intimate and well produced documentary will leave you with a greater understanding of this humble man. He candidly admits to struggling with body dysmorphia and comes up against a mental block trying to write his second album. The generosity he shows young fan Zuza will have you asking who is cutting onions (yeah I cried) and tells you everything you need to know about who he truly is. It’s refreshing to see such a good guy make it big. Humanising and inspiring.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

THE GIRL WITH THE NEEDLE

Seamstress Karoline (Vic Carmen Sonne) begins an affair with her boss one year after her husband Peter (Besir Zeciri) goes missing without a trace. She falls pregnant to him, but his wealthy mother forbids them to marry. When the war ends, Peter returns with a serious and debilitating facial deformity. Karoline decides to adopt her baby out and moves in with Dagmar Overbye (Trine Dyrholm), a woman who claims to run an adoption service. In a macabre twist, Karoline discovers the horrifying truth about Overbye and the 35 babies she took in on the pretext of finding them loving homes. Set in Copenhagen in 1919, the black and white treatment of this film adds a gritty, bleak sense of time and place. The subject matter is depraved and harrowing, and the phenomenal cast brings this story, inspired by real events, vividly to life. You won’t forget these atrocities in a hurry.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8.9/10

SMALL PROPHETS

Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley) is a man merely going through the motions ever since his partner, Clea, mysteriously left seven years ago on Christmas Eve. He’s lost interest in his hardware sales job and makes frequent obligatory visits to his father Brian (Michael Palin) who’s in a residential care facility. When Brian shares a secret formula to create tiny spirits called homunculi who can predict the future, Michael hopes they may be able to tell him what happened to Clea. Half-pixie looking and half-alien, he brings them to life in large jars in his garden shed and names them the King, the Queen, and the Seraph. I had to search high and low to find this series and I’m so glad I did – there’s so much to love about it. The incredible cast gives these characters an eccentric realness, including Michael’s colleague and sidekick Lauren Patel as Kacey, and Jon Pointing and Sophie Willan as his annoying, nosey neighbours Clive and Bev. Pearce is brilliant and brings so much heart to Michael. His friendship with Kacey is divine. The use of stop motion animation for the homunculi gives them a quirky and beautiful charm. They are presented sensitive creatures who are vicious and vulnerable at the same time. Writer Mackenzie Crook, who also serves as director and stars as Michael’s pedantic boss Gordon, has crafted a nostalgic and wondrous show. All the warm and fuzzies with this gem!

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9/10

DEAD MANS WIRE

Bill Skarsgard is Tony Kiritsis, a man who takes things too far when he become aggrieved with a company called Meridian Mortgage. A a four year deal in the making to develop 17 hectares of land into a shopping centre goes sour, putting him in debt and sending him over the edge. Angry at the owner M.L. Hall (Al Pacino), he takes M.L.’s executive son Richard (Dacre Montgomery) hostage and straps a shotgun to the back of his neck, using a homemade device known as a dead man’s wire which will trigger the firearm if Richard runs, faints, or moves too quickly. Tony marches Richard out of his office and steals a police car, while the police powerless to stop him. With a local news crew and a detective on his tail, Tony heads to his apartment and locks himself inside with Richard, before making a list of demands including a public apology from the detached M.L. When Tony phones his favourite radio DJ Fred Temple (Colman Domingo aka “the voice of Indianapolis”, public sympathy starts to sway his way but he starts running out of options. Skarsgard has to be one of the most versatile actors of our generation. It’s a novelty to see him in a lead role, but at times his voice dipped into his Pennywise character from “It” and “Welcome to Derry” which came off as slightly unconvincing. The tension was steadily maintained but didn’t blow the roof off. A fascinating true story from 1977 that reads like fiction.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 6.5/10

UNCHOSEN

This six part series opens with a written statement that declares “Over 2,000 cults exist in the United Kingdom. Some are closed communities. But many, like this fictional one, live in plain sight.” This sets the expectation that the content will have some relevance to the real world and the part of the plot that revolves around the ‘Fellowship of the Divine’ certainly feels plausible. The Fellowship is an ultra conservative, patriarchal Christian cult that forbids modern technology and enforces physical punishment as penance. Its highly controlled female members are expected to be obedient, subservient trad wives, always walking a step behind their men. The story follows Rosie (Molly Windsor) slowly pulling away from her husband Adam (Asa Butterfield) as he rises through the Fellowship ranks. When convicted criminal Sam (Fra Fee) saves their daughter Grace from drowning, it opens Rosie’s eyes to new temptations and the possibility of living a different life. While the Handmaid’s Tale-esque machinations of the cult are concerning, this doesn’t have the tension I was hoping for, and the whole thread involving Sam feels ridiculous … as does how little it took for the house of cards to eventually fall. There are too many ideas running at once and implausible cliches everywhere. The standout actor is Butterfield, but even his character’s final actions are questionable. Don’t get me started on the gaping holes left unfilled at the end. Wanted more and didn’t get it.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 6/10

PRETTY LETHAL

Five young adult ballerinas (led by actress Maddie Ziegler, who gained global fame after five seasons on ‘Dance Moms’ and appearing alongside Sia in her 2014 ‘Chandelier’ video clip) and their teacher head to Hungary for a ballet competition. After their flight gets diverted and their bus breaks down, they seek refuge in a remote gothic bar owned by Devora (Uma Thurman) who, coincidences of coincidences, happens to be a one legged ballerina. Unbeknown to the girls, the venue is a haven for underworld criminals with nefarious motives, and they soon find themselves in grave danger. Thurman’s accent lacks believability and her cheesy role is a big step down from the glory days of the Hattori Hanzo sword wielding bride she played in ‘Kill Bill’. She doesn’t even get a big battle moment. Luckily the other cast members make up for it, as they pirouette, grand jeté, and arabesque their way through multiple bloody battles. The stunts go full send, with innovative and acrobatic manoeuvres used to take out their opponents. Incorporating graceful, choreographed dance moves into violent fight scenes with improvised weapons is a fresh take for an action movie. All the busyness nearly makes up for the plot, which sits close to the mediocre threshold and offers zero character backstories. The ninety minute run time is perfect and the block pink title font is a nice nod to ‘Pretty Woman’. Fun girl power that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7.5/10

BALLS UP

Geez, where to start with this ridiculous film?! I watched it because I saw the trailer and it looked funny – talk about false advertising. It stars Mark Wahlberg and Paul Walter Hauser as Brad and Elijah, two guys who work at a marketing firm and design a novelty condom. That’s probably your first clue as to the low brow tone of what’s to come. They fly to Brazil for the football World Cup final and scandalously interrupt the match with disastrous consequences. Chased out of the arena by angry fans, they are kidnapped by murderous cartel boss Pavio Curto (Sacha Baron Cohen) and end up being hunted across the country by locals, criminals, and authorities. At a rumoured cost of $80 million to make, the entire plot feels like the silliest scenarios conceivable were drunkenly brainstormed in a teen boys’ locker room. Directed by Peter Farrelly, one half of the Farrelly brothers, it scrapes the bottom of the slapstick, dirty-joke barrel. There’s silly and then there’s plain awful. The only positive facet was filming in Queensland, Australia, which injected $60 million into the state’s economy and employed 250 locals as crew members. It would be nice to have something decent to show for all that. Put it in the “no” bin.

SCORE:

Alex’s Score 3/10 (for the karaoke scene)

KEVIN

This wacky animated series revolves around a highly-strung tuxedo cat called Kevin (voiced by Jason Schwartzman) who moves out of home and into ‘Furrever Friends’ pet shelter after his owners Dana (voiced by Aubrey Plaza, who is also a co-creator) and Dan separate. He embraces his newfound independence and becomes friends with a group of misfit animals, while deciding if he ever wants to live with humans again. With raunchy humour, this is adults-only content and definitely not for kids – it has a similar vibe to shows like ‘Family Guy’ and ‘Rick and Morty’. Cupcake, the street-smart hairless cat (voiced by Whoopi Goldberg), is disappointingly the most vulgar and least funny. Some of the jokes fall flat and are extremely cringey, pushing the boundaries of decency, but the more you watch, the more the characters’ connections grow and the story becomes quite endearing. My favourite feline is the chronically ill Scottish Fold, Judy (voiced by Aparna Nancherla), who’s an eternal optimist, despite her health afflictions, and longs to be adopted. Based on Plaza’s real experience of owning a cat and experiencing a breakup, pet people will relate. Satirical and deranged.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 6/10

THRASH

A category five hurricane causes a storm surge to beak through a concrete levee and flood the town of Annieville. The rapid influx of water causes a meat packing trick laden with blood and animal remains to puncture, and is contents to spill out, creating a thick chum which attracts a hoard of bull sharks. They take to the underwater streets, mauling anyone in their path. The story follows several locals who fail to evacuate in time, and find themselves trying to survive against the rampaging, hungry predators. Picture of a worse-case-scenario situation that takes safe and familiar spaces and turns them into watery gauntlets. Add in a woman about to go into labour, three kids in foster care stuck on a table in a water filled farmhouse, and a marine biologist desperate to rescue his niece. Then Nelly, a pregnant great white, swims in to join the fray – she wins the prize for the best scene in the film. I replayed it eight times. Recorded in a panoramic letterbox format, the special effects are excellent, particularly the 15 foot surge that smashes the town to pieces and fills it with debris. This movie might sound like it has a B-grade plot but it’s well executed with horrifying realism. There’s a couple of corny lines which get a pass given these poor people are fighting for their lives. The tension increases with the body count and the gore delivers. Having spent time working on a great white shark research boat in South Africa in 2002, I can confirm that the sharks move with a believable cadence and are anatomically accurate. Best line “Hey Will, bet you never saw this on shark week!”. This was so much better than I expected it to be. Loved it and was thoroughly engrossed.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8.5/10

PIKE RIVER

This emotional drama is based on the true events of the 2010 Pike River coal mine explosion in New Zealand, where 29 men lost their lives. Sonya Rockhouse (Robyn Malcolm) and Anna Osborne (Melanie Lynskey) are connected by their grief after Sonya’s son Ben (Richard Crouchley) and Anna’s husband Milton (John Leigh) are both killed in the disaster. When the mining company announces that the men’s bodies will not be recovered and the mine entrance will be sealed shut, Sonya and Anna team up to fight the system. Their combined efforts see them become formidable and outspoken activists. Malcolm (who is phenomenal in everything she touches) and Lynskey both excel in character driven roles and masterfully capture Sonya and Anna’s tense and exhausting legal battle of nearly a decade. They have incredible chemistry together on screen and give stellar, grounded performances. The supporting cast are also wonderful and Jacinta Arden’s cameo as herself is a touching nod to her role in helping the real life Sonya and Anna. Everything about this retelling is superb, including the cinematography which captures the rugged natural beauty of the local area and the strong commitment to accurately presenting the facts. An unforgettable and tragic story told with integrity.

SCORE:

Alex, Amanda, Mel and Chani’s Score 10/10

HULK HOGAN: REAL AMERICAN

For close to fifty years, Hulk Hogan was a wrestling icon. A master showman and cultural phenomenon, he put wrestling and the WWE on a global stage. This engaging four part documentary tells the story of his humble beginnings and how he came to be one of the most recognised athletes in the world. With unfettered access to Hogan himself (real name Terry Bollea), he candidly shares recollections of his highest highs and lowest lows, alongside interviews with friends, family members, and wrestling colleagues. When the larger than life character he created began to impact his personal relationships, he struggled to define where the persona of Hogan ended and Terry began. I grew up watching WWE and remember the height of the Hulkamania craze – then in 2009 I saw Hogan at Perth Airport and even as he went through security screening, he was a jovial and had a commanding presence. Nothing is off limits in this series and it’s one of the best deep dives into the makings of a celebrity I’ve seen, largely thanks to Hogan’s generous, forthright participation. Nothing is speculated, as it all comes straight from the horse’s mouth. Love him or hate him, and regardless of whether you agree or disagree with his politics, the genuine way he interacted with his young fans (many of whom he visited through the Make-A-Wish Foundation and other organisations) showed his true spirit. By the end of the final episode, I knew so much more about this “Real American” than I did at the start, despite his second wife of eleven years being omitted from the story. An intriguing, and sometimes depressing, look at the cost of fame.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7.9/10

THIS IS A GARDENING SHOW

A passion project of Zach Galifianakis, this series offers an unconventional take on the traditional gardening show format. Each episode focuses on a different plant, fruit, or vegetable and commences with Zach doing a quirky introduction directly to camera. He then has unscripted conversations with local children who mostly have zero interest in the gardening theme of the day. Initially I found these random interjections irritating, but as Galifianakis eased into them and stopped trying to force the jokes, they grew on me, especially when the kids gave vague answers that were genuinely funny. The series regularly visits grassroots community gardens run by extremely knowledgeable people who are passionate about developing the best produce they can and through these segments Zach learns new things … and so did I. With the fourth wall constantly broken and the crew frequently included in the banter, some of the humour felt a bit contrived, but overall this show has good intentions and a genuine dose of heart. The eccentric cast combined with Zach’s earnest curiosity make it a refreshing and worthwhile time investment.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7.9/10

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2

Following up a smash hit like ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ was always going to be a big ask and while sequels rarely supersede their originals in terms of production quality, script, and performances, there were more things I liked about this film than didn’t like. Let’s start with the “didn’t like”: Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) has zero chemistry with her love interest Peter, played by Aussie actor Patrick Brammall, and their relationship is an unnecessary inclusion. The plot is also all over the place, attempting to focus on too many modern themes like cancel culture, trying to remain relevant, and the phasing out of print media. The things I did like: the glam costumes, particularly those worn by Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), are absolutely stunning and every single one is a showstopper. This movie also feels like the Meryl Streep show. She steals every scene and although you know exactly what to expect from her sharp-tongued, ruthless character of Miranda, she’s still fabulous on screen. The rest of the cast, including Emily Blunt (Emily Charlton), Stanley Tucci (Nigel Kipling), and Miranda’s robotic assistant Amari (Simone Ashley), are solid across the board. Location wise, New York City has never looked better, and opting to shoot at iconic places in Milan during fashion week adds authenticity. A number of celebrities have fun cameos, including Amelia Dimoldenberg from Chicken Shop Date, Law Roach, Domenico Dolce, Heidi Klum, Donatella Versace, and Lady Gaga in a speaking role as herself. Soundtrack highlights are the inclusion of Madonna’s ‘Vogue’ along with Gaga’s gothic performance of ‘Runway’. The sheer spectacle of the fashion and the brilliance of Streep adequately returns us to this high-stakes world. Fun style over substance.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7.5/10

Lee’s Score 8/10

Kyleigh’s Score 7/10

Suzanne and Janette’s Score 6.5/10

Leeanne’s Score 6/10

Deborah’s Score 5/10

IMPERFECT WOMEN

Eleanor (Kerry Washington), Mary (Elisabeth Moss), and Nancy (Kate Mara) are close friends who’ve been in each other’s lives for decades. When Nancy is murdered, Eleanor and Mary are devastated and can’t think of anyone who’d want to harm her … after all she had a seemingly perfect life. As the investigation unfolds, everyone falls under suspicion and long held secrets are exposed, causing the plot to spiral off into a few unexpected areas. Mary is the standout character, with Moss playing against the type of role she’s usually known for – instead of being a woman who fights back, she’s a devoted middle class mother. She also gets the most mundane wardrobe, while Washington and Mara have ultra stylish aesthetics. Some of the houses and apartments featured are so luxurious they’d be considered real estate p*rn. With a loaded cast, the acting is notable. The eight episodes revolve around fractured friendships, hidden resentments and how you don’t always know someone as well as you think. This series started off strongly, but it slumped for a few episodes, before picking up again. The ending is predictable and, if you’re even remotely paying attention, the big reveal isn’t that big.

SCORE:

Alex and Amanda’s Score 7/10

THE STRANGER

Set in Algiers in 1942 this psychological drama is based on the famous novel of the same name by Albert Camus. The film follows the story of Meursault (Benjamin Voisin), a young man whose detached observations of how French settlers are treated in Algiers lead him to commit a violent and senseless act on a beach. He’s a cold, complex person who refuses to lie, is emotionally absent and lacks empathy. He only smiles twice in the entire movie and his one enraged outburst occurs in prison when a priest (Swann Arlaud) tries to push him into finding God – it’s also a scene that feels out of place and goes on for too long. Beautifully captured in black and white, which emphasises the 1940’s timeframe, I wonder if this deliberate avoidance of colour is to show that Meursault himself is very black and white and refuses to entertain the grey of human behaviour. Compared to the book, this production has been toned down regarding the overt racism of colonial Algeria which is central to Meursault’s detachment. It also scraps the first person narrative that lets us hear his inner thoughts and instead relies on Garrel’s superb performance to convey his character’s emptiness. It’s fascinating to see the randomness of the French justice system during the court sequences where Meursaults demeanour is under question more than his crime. Depressing but intriguing.

SCORE:

Alex, Janette and Jason’s Score 7/10

Led and Leigh’s Score 8.5/10

EXIT PROTOCOL

Seasoned hitman Charles Mansfield (68 year old Dolph Lundgren) is desperate to quit the murder business but must complete one final job to earn his freedom. His plans go pear shaped when he falls for his much younger target Danique (Charlotte Kirk) breaking the executioner code. His whole career has involved eliminating other operatives who have tried to leave the industry and now he’s become the very target he normally kills. High level assassin Sam Hayden (Scott Martin) is tasked with taking out Mansfield, but when he can’t go through with it, he also becomes a wanted man. Mansfield enlists the help of Hayden, realising it’s the only way he’s going to make it to retirement. The story is told through an irritating voiceover from Hayden, who also likes to mumble to himself a lot. Martin doesn’t have a strong screen presence and the acting across the board isn’t great, with a dodgy Australian accent from Kirk and some jerky, overly rehearsed performances from everyone else. Part of the blame for this lies in the basic, blunt writing. Packed with fast cars, private jets, and lots of guns, the pacing moves along consistently and there are a few unexpected twists along the way. The stunts are fun and Lundgren is a consummate professional, doing most of his own sequences which is impressive for his age. If you want a straightforward action movie, you can blitz this in under 90 minutes. It’s by no means perfect but leave your expectations at the door and you’ll be entertained.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 5.9/10

DETECTIVE HOLE

This Norwegian crime thriller revolves around Detective Harry Hole (Tobias Santelmann) who is tasked with investigating a potential serial killer alongside a corrupt cop, Tom Waaler (Joel Kinnaman). The series is packed with twists and turns as it follows Hole through a dark, complex investigation where the police always seem to be one step behind. As with all good lead detectives, Hole battles the demon drink, but overcomes it at a brisk pace, without any lasting consequences. While the plot moves forward reasonably well, the nine episode duration feels long. The story loses its way near the end, when the different narrative threads, some of which are convoluted, are conveniently and unrealistically finalised. Hole’s hallucinatory second sight (or drug-induced visions) feel like lazy crime solving shortcuts. There are also lots of moving parts between multiple players, plus minor inconsistencies in the narrative that don’t make sense. The filming locations depict Oslo as a gritty, trash-ridden metropolis mixed with neat, upper-class neighbourhoods, and overall it has a brooding vibe. Being mostly character-driven, Santelmann and Kinnaman play off each other well as good cop / bad cop, supported by a solid cast. Decent but crammed.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 6.9/10

Amanda’s Score 7/10

THE MANDALORIAN – SEASONS 1, 2 & 3

I’m 7 years late to the party on this show. I’ve never been into ‘Star Wars’ and usually stick to my rule of only watching and reviewing content that’s less than 12 months old, but I wanted to catch up on this before the feature film ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ hits cinemas next month. Now I’m hooked. The series follows bounty hunter Din Djarin, whose nickname is Mando (voiced by Pedro Pascal and mostly played by his stunt and body doubles Brendan Wayne, grandson of John Wayne, and Lateef Crowder) five years after the fall of the Empire. He’s tasked with terminating an asset, only to discover the target is an infant called Grogu, who’s of the same species as Yoda. Grogu is 50 years old but develops slower than a human and is still a child. Unable to go through with the execution, Mando takes the “foundling” under his wing. Together they travel the universe, fighting Imperial forces led by bad guy Moff Gideon and rival mercenaries while trying to protect Grogu and his evolving “Force” powers. The cinematography, prop construction, and set design are superb, creating a blockbuster quality that would feel at home on the big screen. Using puppetry and animatronics for Grogu gives the actors a realistic weight and physical presence to interact with, which CGI simply can’t replicate. It’s old school mixed with modern tech. I adored all of Grogu’s authentic, curious toddler scenes, particularly him eating things he shouldn’t. Unfortunately, Season 3 doesn’t live up to the bar set by the preceding instalments, with constant side quests and a drop in the visual quality of the backgrounds and creature effects. Plus two odd cameos from Lizzo and Jack Black. That said, I still loved these 24 eps as a whole. With more than 15 guest directors and at a cost of $120 million for every 8 episodes, this entire production feels like an epic cross between ‘Star Trek’, ‘Dune’, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and at times ‘Doctor Who’. Stylishly designed and highly absorbing, I’m looking forward to the watching the movie – and nothing had better happen to Grogu!

SCORE:

Alex and Amanda’s Score 9.5/10

APEX

Five months after the tragic death of her husband Tommy (a brief cameo by Eric Bana) in a rock climbing accident, American Sasha (Charlize Theron) travels to the fictional Wandarra National Park in New South Wales to spread his ashes and seek closure. While refuelling her camper van at a petrol station filled with stereotypical locals, she meets Ben (Taron Egerton). He’s initially charming and helpful but soon reveals himself to be an unhinged “apex” predator. Sasha finds herself in a dangerous game of cat and mouse as Ben hunts her through the treacherous terrain and taunts her psychologically. The cinematography perfectly captures the brutal grandeur of the inhospitable location and adds to the futility of Sasha’s situation. She’s a formidable target though and is trying to escape a maniac while absolving the guilt she carries over her role in Tommy’s death. In a parallel universe type scenario, she eventually finds her strength. Theron delivers a tough physical performance, with Sasha taking a battering at every turn. Props to her stunt double for the impressive show of skills. Egerton also cops a hammering and is always superb when he plays the psychotic bad guy. He adds a chilling audible element to his sinister sneer by making crow like screeches as a way to announce himself in the wilderness, and while his convincing Australian accent is to be commended, surely there are authentic Aussie actors who could’ve filled his role – Theron is a big enough name to carry the star power requirement for the whole film. Ben also lacks any character development and backstory, so his motivations remain unclear. It would’ve been interesting to know what made him the way he was. The action and suspense are fairly consistent throughout and although some of the CGI backgrounds left a bit to be desired, the convincing leads made up for these small lapses. A bone breaking, battle heavy survival thriller.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7/10

Amanda’s Score 7.5/10

AMRUM

CONTAINS SPOILERS – Set in 1945, twelve year old Nanning (Jasper Billerbeck) lives on the German North Sea island of Amrum with his Nazi supporting mother, Hille (Laura Tonke), his aunty and two younger siblings. With the Second World War in its final days and his father away serving as an SS officer, the family’s situation is increasingly desperate. Hille is heavily pregnant and Nanning is forced to support her by performing manual labour at a nearby farm owned by Tessa (Diane Kruger). When the news of Hitler’s death sends Hille into labour, she falls into a deep depression and refuses to eat anything, stating that she only wants white bread with honey and butter. Desperate to please her, Nanning sets out to barter, buy and beg for, the scare ingredients. There are two horrible scenes of animal cruelty, including the skinning of a rabbit and shooting of a seal, that bring a jarring sense of violence to the otherwise peaceful and idyllic location. Based on the experiences of screenwriter Hark Bohm, the story is bleak and slow. While the acting is good and Billerbeck carries his leading role well, not a lot happens beyond Nanning’s determination to feed his mother. This is a film about a young boy trying to maintain his humanity despite the indoctrinated beliefs of his parents. That said, I found it hard to care about, or morally connect with, a Nazi family who ran away to avoid the horrors of a war that they actively endorsed. The irony is not lost when Nanning’s father sends a letter from a prisoner of war camp stating that his captors are treating him well. His experience is a far cry from the brutal and inhumane conditions the Nazis inflicted upon their own detainees. An uncomfortable perspective that left a bitter taste.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 5.5/10

Saraj’s Score 6/10

EXIT 8

This film takes place in the confines of a sterile, brightly lit subway system and revolves around three main characters, the Lost Man (Kazunari Ninomiya), the Walking Man (Yamato Kochi), and the Boy (Naru Asanuma). They are trapped in a seemingly endless maze of tiled corridors and must follow a set of instructions posted on the walls if they want to make it back to the outside world – if they spot an anomaly they must turn around immediately, and if everything appears normal they must proceed, with the goal being to reach Exit 8. I understand that there are metaphors at play here regarding taking responsibility, paying attention to the mundane details of life, and moving towards who you’re meant to be, but these messages felt lost in the tedious frustration of the characters being trapped in this monotonous purgatory. The set remains almost entirely the same for the duration of the film, except for a brief outdoor beach scene, which adds to the repetitive experience. Although it’s billed as a psychological horror, the intellectual points it tries to emphasise aren’t clear and require too much digging to decipher, and it fails to hold any tension. The plot dragged on and didn’t deliver any real suspense. Based on the popular video game of the same name, this movie has received positive reviews for being a faithful representation of the source material, but it seems that the playable version might be more engaging than the watchable one. It didn’t land its emotional or philosophical punches for me.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 5.5/10

HALLO BETTY (‘HELLO BETTY’)

Emmi Creola-Maag (Sarah Spale) was a talented copywriter who became a national cooking icon. Set in Switzerland in 1956, this true story follows Emmi as she navigates her misogynistic advertising agency job, where it’s believed that good ideas only belong to men. When she’s tasked with marketing cooking oil for a client, she invents ‘Betty Bossi’, a fictional housewife who shares simple, foolproof recipes, promotes kitchen appliances and offers household advice. Betty becomes an overnight sensation, leading to a regular cooking newspaper, best-selling cookbooks, and eventually a television show – and the general public is convinced that she’s a real person. As Emmi juggles her ambitions with her role as a wife and mother, conflicts arise in her marriage and she has to choose between being Betty or being herself. Sarah Spale perfectly portrays Emmi’s steely determination and the supporting cast brings a stereotyped authenticity to their 1950’s characters. The sets are stylishly designed with a colour palette identifiable to the era and the themes covered are relatable even in 2026. An inspiring journey about a woman who defied gender roles.
YOU’LL ENJOY THIS IF YOU LIKED: ‘Mad Men’ & ‘Lessons in Chemistry’

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

MICHAEL

This biopic chronicles the early life and rise of singing superstar Michael Jackson, beginning with his childhood as the standout talent in the ‘Jackson 5’. It delves into the controlling treatment he received at the hands of his overbearing father, Joe Jackson (Colman Domingo), who insisted on relentless rehearsals and dished out brutal disciplinary action … but the plot frustratingly fails to explore any other relationships in Jackson’s life. His sister Janet’s absence is glaringly obvious (she declined to participate), the characters of his four brothers feel more like background extras than independent people, and the actress playing his other sister La Toya only appears on camera three times and doesn’t speak. Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, portrays him as an adult and is a superb dancer with some physical similarities to his uncle. While his concert reenactments are a standout and feel authentic in their attempt to capture Jackson’s atmospheric stage presence, I never fully believed I was watching Michael Jackson himself. There was clearly a checklist of items in Jackson’s life that the writers wanted to tick off by way of justification and clarification: he kept exotic animals because he saw them as “friends”, he underwent rhinoplasty because Joe called him “big nose” as a child, and he was obsessed with the story of Peter Pan as a form of escapism. There is even a hospital scene where he mentions pain medication making him feel sleepy, which felt tone deaf given he died from an intravenous drug overdose. Produced in cooperation with the Michael Jackson Estate (where multiple family members are still riding his coat tails all the way to the bank) this film feels incomplete. It misses the mark if you are after a deep dive into who Jackson really was. A glossy tribute that fans will love, but one that ultimately plays it safe.

SCORE:

Alex, Jason, Cath, Marie, and Saraj’s Score 7/10

Chloe’s Score 10/10

Andii’s Score 8.5/10

Sam’s Score 8/10

Amanda and Claires Score 6/10

THE TRUTH AND TRAGEDY OF MORIAH WILSON

The 2022 murder of popular 25 year old professional cyclist Moriah “Mo” Wilson sent shockwaves through the gravel racing community. Respectful in tone, this 97 minute documentary is more of a tribute than a crime procedural. It focuses on Mo’s background as a competitive skier and college graduate, then shines a light on her cycling success. Her parents Karen and Eric, brother Matt, and close friend Caitlin Cash share their memories of Mo and describe the devastating impact her death has had on their lives. She is remembered as a kind and humble young woman who cared about those around her. The way US Marshals tracked her cold blooded killer Kaitlin Armstrong to Costa Rica and used a fake advertisement for a yoga teacher to dig her out of hiding was impressive. The questionable behaviour of fellow cyclist Colin Strickland, Mo’s boyfriend and Armstrong’s former boyfriend, including using a fake name to hide his communication with Mo and purchasing of the firearm used by Armstrong, deservedly led to intense public scrutiny and the loss of his pro sponsorships. A senseless crime told through the lens of those who loved her.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7.9/10

IT’S NEVER OVER, JEFF BUCKLEY

Jeff Buckley was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist known for his incredible vocal range and emotional intensity on stage. Regarded as one of the most promising artists of his generation, this documentary chronicles his early life, rise to fame, and tragic death at 30 years of age. His story is told through behind the scenes footage, video clips, childhood photos, and personal voice messages to and from his mother Mary Guibert (who was also an executive producer), plus interviews with friends and bandmates. Highlights include two renditions of his haunting cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” which didn’t become a global hit until 2008, more than a decade after he passed away. It’s also a sobering look at the inner machinations of the music industry – despite his only album ‘Grace’ being a hit, Buckley owed his record label hundreds of thousands of dollars in touring and recording expenses when he died. The common misconception that his death was related to drugs or alcohol is cleared up, with confirmation that he accidentally drowned. As someone who is only familiar with his most famous song, I learnt a few new things about the man himself. But because everything was pieced together posthumously, this doco lacked the depth that comes from interviewing a subject directly and presenting curated questions that provide real insight. Some of the voicemail recordings were difficult to understand and the addition of subtitles would’ve benefited to determine what was being said. Additionally, the people speaking on camera weren’t clearly named from the start, or were only named once, which left me frequently wondering who they were in relation to Buckley. The quirky animation occasionally used also felt out of place for such serious subject matter. More a celebration of Buckleys creative spirit than a deep dive into his persona.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 6.5/10

Saraj’s Score 5.5/10

GRIZZLY NIGHT

This survival thriller unfolds like a b-grade horror movie but is actually a dramatisation of true events. Set in 1967, it reenacts a night in the Glacier National Park, Montana, where two separate fatal grizzly attacks occurred kilometres apart – something that had never happened before in the park’s history. The story follows rookie park ranger Joan Devereaux (Lauren Call), who is working her first overnight shift at a crowded holiday cabin. Due to overbooking, several tourists are forced to sleep outside. Terror erupts when a grizzly stalks the grounds and mauls teenager Julie Helgeson (Brec Bassinger) to death. Several miles away at Trout Lake, a group of young campers including Michele Koons (Laurie Fortier) are targeted by a second bear, and Michele is killed. While some of the acting is stilted, the bears are a standout and their handling was overseen by the American Humane Association (AHA) to ensure safety and welfare requirements were maintained. Camera techniques and editing are used to avoid direct interaction between the bears and the human actors, but this definitely lessens the intensity of the attack scenes, which are only implied as a result. There’s a disconnect where you can tell the bears and cast aren’t in the same places at the same times. With a muted colour treatment, the aesthetic has a distinct 1960’s feel which ties the action into the era. The scenery is breathtaking, with most of the outdoor content filmed in Park City, Utah. Music is used to build the tension, though on occasion it’s a little overdramatised. The real life attacks were largely caused by the parks’ chalets and kitchens users dumping leftover food to attract bears, a practice that was outlawed following that fateful night. As the “let’s kill what we can’t control” ending depicts, grizzlies were aggressively hunted until the Endangered Species Act of 1973 was implemented, which is credited with preventing their extinction. A grim reminder on the dangers of poorly managing our interactions with the natural world.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 6.5/10

THE MUMMY

The first thing you need to know about this movie is that Brendan Fraser isn’t coming to save the day. Instead you are thrust into the world of horror director Lee Cronin. Set in Cairo, a young girl called Katie (Emily Mitchell) is kidnapped and vanishes without a trace. Eight years later, a teenaged Katie (Natalie Grace) is miraculously discovered alive, locked inside a sarcophagus following a plane crash. It’s evident she’s experienced severe trauma – her limbs are painfully contorted and she’s suffering from locked-in syndrome. Her parents Charlie (Jack Reynor) and Larissa (Laia Costa) have since relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they live with their two other children and Larissa’s religious mother. As they desperately try to reconnect, Katie’s behaviour becomes increasingly violent and unmanageable. Detective Dalia Zaki (May Calamawy), who originally failed to locate Katie in Cairo, tries to solve the mystery of her abduction and work out where she’s been. This film is a wild ride, particularly in the last half hour where it really lets loose. The sound effects are every bit as visceral as the visuals. There are wince inducing moments of Katie reacting violently to her new surroundings and lashing out at her family. It’s more disturbing than scary, with strong bouts of vomiting, eating insects and peeling off strips of skin. One scene was so revolting that my stomach lurched which was a first. Having said that, I also laughed a lot, but it was mostly a “What the heck?!” response because I couldn’t believe the insanity I was seeing. Grace is so convincing as Katie that I never once doubted her characters story. This feels like an updated take on ‘The Exorcist’, with the addition of an ancient Egyptian sub plot. Gripping, messed up mummy madness.

SCORE:

Alex, Ann, Duncan and Matt’s Score 8/10

Claire’s Score 5.5/10

FUZE

Paddington in London grinds to a halt when an unexploded World War II bomb is discovered half-buried on a busy construction site. Chief Superintendent Zuzana (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) orders an exclusion zone and Police evacuate everyone in the vicinity. Military bomb disposal expert Major Will Tranter (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) is called in to manage the threat, but his attempts to defuse the device don’t go to plan. While the authorities are distracted, a group of criminals, including Karalis (Theo James) and X (Sam Worthington), breach the exclusion zone to rob a bank vault filled with jewellery. The two story threads initially don’t seem to tie together, other than occurring concurrently, but as several unexpected twists unfold, pieces of the plot puzzle fall into place. Coming out of the gate hard, this film launches into the action immediately and the pace is consistent all the way to the end. It doesn’t blow the roof off (pun intended), but I was entertained and invested.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7.5/10

YOU, ME & TUSCANY

When house sitter Anna (Halle Bailey) meets real estate agent Matteo (Lorenzo de’ Medici) in a bar, he shows her pictures of his Italian villa and family’s restaurant in Tuscany. With a plane ticket at her disposal, a gift from her late mother, Anna takes off on a whim and flies to Italy, deciding to stay in Matteo’s empty villa without permission. When his family discovers her living there, she panics and lies, saying that she’s his fianee. She learns that his relationship with his father is fractured due to past grievances. Matteo’s cousin Michael (Regé-Jean Page of ‘Bridgerton’ fame) spends time with Anna and the two begin to develop feelings for each other. When Matteo unexpectedly arrives, he adds to this complicated mess and joins Anna in pretending they are engaged. Charming and stylish in its production, this film will leave you with a big smile on your face. The rolling hills of Val d’Orcia and quaint narrow streets of Pienza (standing in for the fictional village of San Conessa) showcase the romantic atmosphere of the region. The food cooked in the family’s restaurant is mouth-wateringly fresh and the dishes are presented so vibrantly you can almost smell them through the screen. There are a few small moments that feel overly saccharine, but that’s to be expected with a rom-com. I loved that there was a properly concluded ending, complete with some hilarious ad-libbed deleted scenes in the credits. An uplifting, cheerful movie that takes you on an escape to a beautiful part of the world.

SCORE:

Alex and Ann’s Score 8/10

Duncan’s Score 7/10

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