Category: Mini Review
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Mini Review: The Piano Lesson
Not knowing the source material, #ThePianoLesson was a jarring experience, as a story of legacy & the literal ghosts that haunt us. John David Washington’s intensity doesn’t quite work for me, but Deadwyler & Fisher are top-notch. Overall, I feel a bit lost in the art on this one
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Mini Review: The Last Showgirl
Pamela Anderson shines as #TheLastShowgirl, in a role that feels tailor made for her. But as an exploration of character the film spends too much time telling rather than showing, dedicating much of its runtime to dreamy stylized shots. But the cast is no doubt excellent.
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Mini Review: The Room Next Door
Almodóvar’s #TheRoomNextDoor is dreamy in tone, visually striking, & perfectly contemplative with its subject matter. While the dialogue is a bit awkward, it’s aided by seasoned actors who feel right at home in the nuance. Still, I can’t help but feel a bit distant on this one.
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Mini Review: Young Werther
It’s great seeing #Toronto on screen in #YoungWerther, a CanCon romcom about the pitfalls of unrequited love. A lot hinges on whether or not you like Douglas Booth’s Werther, who’s fantastic at capturing both the emotional highs & lows. But it’s a sleek, fun film nonetheless.
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Mini Review: Better Man
Michael Gracey is a real expert at capturing the energy & emotion needed to make a solid movie musical – and #BetterMan is a truly solid one. Robbie Williams feels fully vulnerable, which elevates an otherwise familiar biopic. And the monkey bit actually works! A surprise hit.
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Mini Review: Nickel Boys
RaMell Ross’ #NickelBoys is so artistically interesting in its depiction of Colson Whitehead’s novel. But while definitely impressed, I’m mixed on the first-person approach which left me feeling both hauntingly captivated but also emotionally distant. A stellar watch nonetheless.
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Mini Review: Harbin
#Harbin is a tense war drama that delivers on its premise with a strong ensemble & effective score. While the middle gets a bit bogged down with heavy dialogue & gravitas, it’s the back half, when the espionage is the focus, where the film really shines. In theatres now!
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Mini Review: Carry On
Netflix’s #CarryOn is a real throwback action flick that successfully takes the viewer on a purely entertaining & wild ride. There’s a world where a better, more nuanced, script would’ve taken it to the next level, but that’s not what we were going for here. Sit back and enjoy!
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Mini Review: A Complete Unknown
Mangold’s #ACompleteUnknown works well as an ode to folk music & Bob Dylan’s career in general, & certainly shines in its music performances. But as a biopic it’s pretty conventional, and as someone who knew nothing about the man, my main takeaway was that he’s just unlikeable.
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Mini Review: Red One
The #RedOneMovie is a bit of a mess, jam-packing its paint-by-numbers plot with almost every piece of Christmas lore possible. But it’s the holidays so who cares, really! Just enjoy the entertainment, and don’t question where the $250 million budget went. Streaming on Prime.
Year in Cinema 