MENTAL - film

This Australian film was given a one star review by Leigh Paatsch (News Ltd) and a four star review by Margaret Pomeranz (At the Movies, ABC TV).

I'm with Leigh.

The mate I saw it with agreed. There was only two people in the cinema other than us and with the word of mouth I'm expecting this to attract, it won't be around for long. No great shame there for mine. 

And as for Margaret's four stars... well, I can't begin to explain that...

Trailer here.

KATH & KIMDERELLA - film

I’m a big fan of the TV show that this is based on, Kath & Kim, but I went into the film with pretty low expectations because, amongst other things, the last time they went feature-length we got ‘Da Kath & Kim Code’ which was a big ol’ let-down.

The first, probably 20-30 minutes or so, was actually pretty good! They were setting up the story, which involved Kath, Kim & Sharon going to Italy, back in Fountain Lakes. There were loads of laughs, even if some of the jokes were things that fans of the show would have heard before.

The trouble started really once the ladies hit Italy because that’s when the weak story really started to unfold. The laughs subsided pretty quickly and by the time we got to the cameo by Dame Edna, well, the 25 or so people in the cinema mostly just looked at each other or the screen pretty baffled. It was the ‘jump the shark’ moment we’d all feared.

All that said, for Kath & Kim fans, it’s still worth a look I reckon. There’s laughs there and it’s still good fun to see what all our old mates, including Prue & Trude, are up to. If you don’t catch it at the cinemas (just how long it will remain in them will be very interesting as it did very well on opening day) do catch it on DVD. I can’t imagine you’d be considering it if you’re not a fan, but if you are, give it a miss. Baffled wouldn’t even begin to cover it.

Official full length trailer here.

THE CAMPAIGN - film

This film stars Will Ferrell and Zach Galafianakis & if you like their stuff generally, get on board this offering. There's plenty of laughs to be had, belly-laughs even, as their characters campaign for a place as a Republican Congressman. It doesn't break any new ground and the ending is pretty naff but if you want a good laugh and a bit of escapism, go for it as this is good fun.

Trailer here

THE SAPPHIRES - film

What an exciting treat to be able to see this at the opening night of the Melbourne International Film Festival! The film didn’t disappoint the huge crowd – I don’t think I heard a bad word uttered about it as we left the cinema and joined the party at the Regent Ballroom.

I love a film that’s based on a true story, and this one is a gem. It’s based in the late 60s when, in the most unlikely circumstances, a group of Aboriginal women travelled to Vietnam to sing for the troops. This backdrop allows the film to touch briefly on some more serious issues like the Vietnam War and the stolen generation in Australia but they’re not overriding parts of the story by any means, it generally stays up-beat and bloody good fun. Jessica Mauboy plays the lead singer and she certainly isn’t a one trick pony; her acting’s almost as good as her off-the-dial good singing. I also loved Chris O’Dowd (the Irish guy in Bridesmaids & The IT Crowd) as the group’s manager, his comic timing and delivery is just beautiful. Kudos also to Deborah Mailman who was subtly gorgeous as always and to my favourite Australian comedian Judith Lucy who also delivers nicely in her small role as a racist pub owner.

This film is that fantastic combination of being both a lovely story that’s fun to watch and one that’s delivered in a beautifully crafted way. I was so engrossed in it that when a lovely plot line reached a crescendo, I actually gave a little yelp and tugged on the arm of the mate I went with who was polite enough to indulge my excitement with a grin that said ‘yes that really happened’ and a bit of ‘wow, you’re like a nine year old right now, this is embarrassing’.

This film has pretty broad appeal and I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes the way of Red Dog where the audience builds and builds for a long run in cinemas on the back of positive word of mouth. If you see it and enjoy it, tell someone.

Check out the trailer here… it’s in cinemas from this Thursday, 9 August.

NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN - film

Thank you Twitter, for connecting me to the film Not Suitable For Children. I follow Michael Lucas who wrote the screen play for this ace film and who is also part of the team behind two of my favourite TV shows, Offspring and Tangle.

The film is just what you’d expect if you’ve seen those shows – believable, watchable, fun and with a great cast to carry the nicely crafted dialogue.

I reckon it’s an excellent sign when you aren’t inclined to look at your watch during a film and the time never even crossed my mind in this one.

I was surprised how much I loved the lead actor in the film, Ryan Kwanten, given he’s been on Home and Away, something I’ve historically not been able to get past. (Think Indiana Evans as Tatum in the ABC TV drama ‘Crownies’… Actually, don’t.) However, he’s just lovely in this role, understated but charming to watch.

Kwanten’s character is diagnosed with cancer and told he won’t be able to have children after his surgery to treat it. We then follow him for about three weeks until the operation in which he realises he wants kids and tries to find a way to make it happen. As you’d imagine, there’s some complex issues and relationships that emerge that are all a pleasure to watch. Thought-provoking but fun and gently delivered.

Sarah Snook is also excellent in this film as the flat mate of Kwanten’s character. I’ve read comparisons to Emma Stone and there’s certainly a resemblance that goes beyond the red hair. To borrow a line from Molly Meldrum, Dicky Wilkins and just about every other person who’s watched and then talked about a film, I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of her!

I was one of just four people in the cinema when I saw this on opening day which made me really sad. I desperately hope that it gets some Red Dog-esque word of mouth and the cinemas fill in the coming weeks because this is an absolute cracker. Go see it!

Trailer here

FRIENDS WITH KIDS - film

Went into this one with the vague memory of having seen a mediocre review but I also knew it had an impressive cast, so I figured it’d be ok, at least. Turns out it was ok, at best.

The theme is relatable for both couples with kids (I think) and single people with friends who are having kids and all the ‘fun’ that comes with that. But that feeling of being in a social situation with a couple who pick at each other like a festering sore is, it turns out, just as uncomfortable to watch on the big screen as it is in real life.

As I was watching I couldn’t help but think of the lead woman (Jennifer Westfeldt), how on earth did she get this gig? Her face was distracting in a sharp and scrunchy way that seems mean to have noticed but the friends I saw it with did too. Her delivery was just a bit *meh*, I couldn’t warm to her. I also couldn’t stop wondering how this ok-but-not-great script had secured such a talented cast, a number of whom starred in Bridesmaids (Chris O’Dowd, Maya Rudolph & Kristen Wiig). It all made sense though, when I discovered that leading woman Jennifer also wrote and directed the film and that her husband who also features in it (though with not enough screen time for his character to develop much) is Jon Hamm, star of the smash TV series Mad Men.

Call me a cynic (you wouldn’t be the first), but the pieces all fit together now.

I saw this film with four other women, all of whom had kids. Two of them were with me and found the whole thing a bit tiresome and the other two enjoyed it.

On balance, I’d say wait for the DVD. At best.

Trailer here...

WISH YOU WERE HERE - film

I can't remember the last time I saw a film at the cinema twice. I don't know I ever have. Until this week. I loved the Aussie film Wish You Were Here so much that I decided to go back for a second viewing. It was partly motivated by the fact that the film builds to such a crescendo that to take in all the intricacies of the last 15 minutes or so, I wanted to see it again. But that's not to say you need to see it twice, I'm confident you're much smarter than me.

The story is complex but relatable - most of us have taken some dumb risks or acted like a bit of a douche in a foreign country. That's a simplistic take on what the film is based on, but still, as I say, a relatable theme. The performances are great, Joel Edgerton excellent as always and newbie (to me, anyway), Felicity Price as the leading woman was just terrific. She also co-wrote the film, just to make me love her even more.

Finally, this film is proof that you can tell a compelling and intricate story that engrosses you in an hour and a half. There's no need for films to be longer than that!

Watch the trailer but more importantly, go and see the film. I can't imagine anyone not appreciating it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVw1f43xF2M