THE ROCKET - film

This Lao/Australian film is just superb. I absolutely loved it.

Some of you may know that I have a personal connection to Laos which I guess did heighten the warmth I felt towards this film (the fact I was drinking a Beerlao as I watched probably also helped) but even those with no interest in or knowledge of the country will enjoy this.

It's won awards at the Berlin International Film Festival, the Tribeca Film Festival, the Sydney Film Festival and the Melbourne International Film Festival which speaks volumes.
The film is about a young Lao boy Ahlo whose family believe he is cursed and his quest to break free from that. The kid who plays Ahlo, Sitthiphon Disamoe (a former 'street kid' I gather), is really delightful and his young female sidekick is also really great. The growth of their relationship on the screen feels really authentic, it's lovely to watch.

This really great article in The Guardian will give you some background on the film if you want to read more, including the insights of the Australian writer & director Kim Mordaunt. Mordaunt was also featured on At the Movies from ABC TV which you can see here.

Go and see this one, it's fantastic! Trailer here.

WE'RE THE MILLERS - film

Sorry I'm a bit slow out of the blocks with 'We're the Millers'. If you haven't seen it already, don't bother.
This one is just ok. A handful of laugh out loud moments but by and large pretty ordinary. Even Jason Sudeikis who I rather like couldn't save this one. Jennifer Aniston is also in it and frankly all I thought of her in this was, she must be short on cash to have said yes to it.

Trailer here.

FRANCES HA - film

I have seen loads of four star reviews for this one which is usually a good sign. 
(eg this in The Age and this from David & Margaret on At the Movies on ABC TV)

But this isn't a four star film for me. 
It's fine. It's charming enough. 
But frankly, it didn't delight me. It was just a bit *meh*. Viewing companion agreed.

Can't say I'd encourage you to rush out and watch it. Maybe on DVD some time if the opportunity arises.

Trailer here  or the reviews about if you want a look at what it's about.

NOW YOU SEE ME - film

I wasn't sure I would, but I actually quite liked this. It's a film about four magicians (or maybe 'illusionist' is the correct term?!) who get caught up in a series of heists that become larger and more complex each time. It opens with an impressive magic trick that reminded me that magic really can be pretty cool. And there's a tricky ol' conclusion to the story which made me want to watch it all over again, armed with this fresh knowledge! That said, it's not the kind of film I'd pay to see twice but would happily watch it on DVD.

One of the four magicians is played by Jesse Eisenberg who you might remember from the film 'The Social Network'. He's fantastic in this, I'm now a big fan. It also stars Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Morgan Freeman, Isla Fisher and Michael Caine - an impressive line up.

Get along to this one if you have the luxury of being able to see a few films but if it's a rarity, perhaps wait for the DVD.

Official trailer here.