Category: Mini Review
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Mini Review: Sacremento
There is real emotional payoff for those able to stick through the awkward beginnings of #Sacramento, although mileage may very based on how you feel about our two charming but emotionally stunted male leads. The women of the cast are lovely – just wish there was more of them!
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Mini Review: To A Land Unknown
Mahdi Fleifel’s #ToALandUnknown is an incredible look at the refugee struggle that doesn’t shy away from the brutal moments. The films strength is in its two leads, who remain compelling & sympathetic, even when their actions becomes increasingly volatile. A captivating watch!
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Mini Review: The Penguin Lessons
#ThePenguinLessons attempts to strike a balance between its politically fraught backdrop & its adorable penguin to middling effect, the former getting the shorter end of the stick. But it ultimately does find its way to an emotionally satisfying ending. A pleasant watch overall.
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Mini Review: Superman
The emotional beats really worked for me, as did Gunn’s clear heartfelt vision of #Superman. But I’m torn. It’s both refreshing & jarring to be dropped into a universe already in motion. But it makes you wonder if it would have hit harder if we had some more time with this cast.
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Mini Review: Heads of State
Forgettable and formulaic, yes. But as a vehicle for Cena, Elba, Chopra, and especially Jack Quaid to kick ass, #HeadsOfState isn’t so bad. And Cena & Elba look like they are genuinely having fun as a buddy cop duo. So I really can’t complain.
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Mini Review: Sorry, Baby
Sundance screenplay winner #sorrybaby is truly a triumph of a directorial debut, handling it’s heavy subject matter with deft & heart-wrenching poignancy, but never losing its authenticity & intermittent bursts of wry humour. Director Eva Victor is a magnetic lead. A great watch.
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Mini Review: Daniela Forever
#DanielaForever is incredibly inventive & specific in its visuals, direction & edit. Led by a good performance from Golding who manages to balance the emotional & playful moments quite well. But it never fully coalesces into an impactful ending. Seen #TIFF24, in theatres now.
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Mini Review: Jurassic World Rebirth
It’s incredibly formulaic, but can we acknowledge that #JurassicWorldRebirth could’ve been worse? The visuals & action are all spot on. The story is coherent, although the characters remain paper thin. So overall, it’s a pretty good modern Jurassic World movie. In theatres now!
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Mini Review: F1
The script has its issues – the two male leads bond over barely saying anything to each other. That said, knowing nothing about F1, #F1TheMovie feels like a celebration, filled with the uplifting spirit you’d expect from Joseph Kosinski & aided by Brad Pitt’s undeniable charm.
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Mini Review: Meet the Barbarians
It’s an effective satire of the “common” French folk, as the Syrian refugee family in #MeetTheBarbarians subverts expectations at every step. But mixed in is real heart, humour & levity, resulting in a lighthearted story that highlights the humanity on both sides of the equation.
Year in Cinema 