Category: Mini Review
-
Mini Review: The End of Oak Street
The End of Oak Street is certainly entertaining, playing up its central mystery & the nostalgia of its 80s suburban setting. But man the script needs some work. Between its incredibly dumb main characters & basically non existent side cast, I wasn’t always sure who to root for.
-
Mini Review: The Rivals of Amziah King
Let’s start with the good. McConaughey is excellent in The Rivals of Amziah King, & the music is great. But the film is more a tribute to American folk music & bees than a crime revenge thriller. And they really needed to cool it with the quick cuts & edits. It’s a miss for me.
-
Mini Review: Obsession
Out of all the big horror flicks this year, I think Obsession is arguably the most horrific, & manages to hold the tension all the way to the very end. Inde Navarrette is indeed a breakout, totally owning every scene. Huge respect to the team, but I never want to watch it again.
-
Mini Review: Akashi
There’s an artistic style in Akashi that is refreshing, with the film unfolding like a series of beautifully composed tableaus. The film has a deliberately slow & methodical pace, but what unfolds is an interesting meditation on family, marriage and loss. Well worth a watch.
-
Mini Review: Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Wow, Spider-Man: Brand New Day seriously leaps the MCU forward while still maintaining its focus on sad Peter, and for that the nerd in me is pleased & excited. And while there probably is a more streamlined version of this plot, what we get is yet another solid Spider-Man film. 4/5
-
Mini Review: Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender
Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender shines in its stunning visuals, bringing incredible detail & artistry to its backgrounds & character design. It’s very much an Aang story, so those wanting more Team Avatar will be a bit disappointed. But maybe this is a blueprint for more to come?
-
Mini Review: Minions & Monsters
Okay I’ll admit, the silly Citizen Kane reference in Minions & Monsters got me. And the fact that this movie has a Citizen Kane reference is crazy. While two-thirds of the movie are indeed a cute ode to cinema, the last third almost put me to sleep. But it’s Minions, so have fun!
-
Mini Review: The Odyssey
The sheer scale of The Odyssey is truly befitting of its epic source material, & a sight to be hold on the biggest screen possible. And while it may not be the sleekest or most visually stunning, Nolan easily finds a way to make every minute of its runtime captivating & poignant.
-
Mini Review: My Father’s Shadow
My Father’s Shadow feels like pure poetry in its depiction of two boys travelling to Lagos with their father. There’s a lyricism to how scenes & portraits are interwoven, & a gentleness to the narrative despite the turmoil of Nigeria in 1993. A great debut from Akinola Davies Jr.
-
Mini Review: Enola Holmes 3
The novelty has very much warn off on Millie Bobby Brown’s Enola Holmes 3, which continues to bank on its quirky charm and fun characters. The story is serviceable, and the performances are apt. But there’s not much more I can say aside from “it’s fine”.
