Category: Mini Review
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Mini Review: La Chimera
I tend not to gravitate toward the more artsy ambiguous films, but #LaChimera feels more complete of an idea than most, with a slightly fantastical but still satisfying ending. Josh O’Connor is a pleasant surprise with a brooding performance speckled with a bit of whimsy.
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Mini Review: Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
The new #GodzillaxKongTheNewEmpire is a fun, what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of movie, with a plot that’s better left not thought about. Was I wishing for something a bit more coherent? Sure, particularly in the wake of the Monarch TV series. But who cares, just enjoy the ride!
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Mini Review: Problemista
Writer/director Julio Torres’ debut #Problemista is an incredible feat, using surrealist humour to tell an immigrant story that still maintains its charm & authenticity. Torres is a breath of fresh air, particularly opposite Swinton’s hurricane of a character. A delightful watch.
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Mini Review: The Queen of My Dreams
Writer/director Fawzia Mirza’s #TheQueenOfMyDreams is a charming, vibrant & deeply personal film, told from a distinct Pakistani-Canadian lens. While it doesn’t always gel, Amrit Kaur’s portrayal of both mother & daughter across two time periods is a real treat. In theatres now.
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Mini Review: Road House
While it ends up feeling formulaic and overly polished, the latest #RoadHouse remake is still an entertaining ride, anchored by an ever charismatic Gyllenhaal. Just be prepared to suspend your disbelief and wonder, why do so many people keep coming back to this brawl-filled bar??
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Mini Review: Exhuma
While I wade very rarely into horror, I couldn’t resist catching #Exhuma in a packed theatre in Toronto. It’s layered twisty plot is a lot to take in, but Jang Jae-hyun expertly delivers with a chilling atmospheric tone, solid cast & perfectly paced occult scares. A great watch!
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Mini Review: Ghostbusters Frozen Empire
Despite low expectations, #GhostbustersFrozenEmpire was filled with too many smart characters doing dumb things, dumb characters doing dumber things, and really terrible parenting, for me to enjoy it. The cast are clearly doing their best to hold it all together. In theatres now.
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Mini Review: One Life
It’s hard to not enjoy the heartwarming story & performances in Anthony Hopkins’ #OneLife, which chronicles the real story of Nicky Winton who rescued 669 children amidst the start of WWII. It’s beautifully heartbreaking & sincere, without ever feeling contrived. A great watch.
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Mini Review: The American Society of Magical Negroes
While it plays very safe as satire, which is a huge missed opportunity in a post-American Fiction world, The American Society of Magical Negroes is at least fun & cute, with a solid lead in Justice Smith who delivers a monologue spiritually akin to Barbie’s. In theatres now.
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Mini Review: Love Lies Bleeding
Indulgently visceral sound effects aside, while this isn’t right up my alley, A24s #LoveLiesBleeding is still seductively captivating, with perfectly nuanced performances from its leads & a violently thrilling plot. A worthwhile watch, not for the faint of heart. In theatres now.
Year in Cinema 