Separation City

Not often does a movie come along that is so thought provoking and sobering.  Promoted as a man flick, we follow Simon’s (Joel Edgerton) relationship with his wife Pam (Danielle Cormack) whilst he struggles with infidelity and what drives him to that place.

Similar to another film ‘Sideways’ the story has a unique storytelling perspective – the male perspective!  The story has a lot of humour that covers the sobering and often destructive behaviours.  This film covers a lot of adult material and unsuitable for young people.  The film is based in Wellington, New Zealand and the cinematography is stunning.

This film will deeply affect you 1) as the male perspective is so refreshing and because 2) nothing hurts more than betrayal and lost love.  It may not be a movie that you will love, but it will stir a lot of thought, respect and appreciation for your current loved one.

Steph’s rating: 8/10

Public Enemies

The story is about John Dillinger (Depp) who is being hunted by Christian Bale, an agent of the new formed FBI.

This movie promised so much, Johnny Depp, fast cars, 1930’s style and gangster action.  While the cinematography was beautiful, the story and pace of the film were surprisingly weak.  This movie did not make an impact on me as I had hoped.  Throughout the film you are willing John Dillinger to outsmart the cops, as the FBI just wreaks of bad guy tactics.  But the speed of the film never generates that build up of adrenaline that a good gangster movie should.

Definitely a snoozer.

Steph’s rating: 6/10

Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen

We can all agree that the first Transformers movie was something pretty special.  But lets face it, it’s always pretty tough for a sequel to beat the original (just think of Terminator, Back to the Future, Matrix).

However I was pleasantly surprised, it was as good as a sequel could be.

While the first was rated pretty highly by both guys and girls, this part 2 is most definitely for the guys and as there’s plenty of Action, Girls and CGI to boot.  We’ve already heard that Critics hate it, but stuff the critics – this if fun watching.  Enjoy.

Steph’s rating: 7.5/10

The Hangover

Sometimes you just crave a silly, mindless movie to laugh hysterically at.  Well this is the one!  Leave your brain behind and just go with the flow of 4 guys out in Vegas for the best bachelor party ever.

Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms (The Office) and Zach Galifianakis (The bearded on) are fresh and very funny.  For a random comedy you are soon drawn to the characters and will love watching the night (that they can’t remember) unfold.  It’s a 00’s version of ‘Dude Where’s my Car?”, but a zillion time better.

Steph’s rating: 8/10

Star Trek 11

Wow, wow, wow!

J.J. Abrams has made Star Trek sexy and cool again.  This movie will not disappoint.  J.J. Abrams takes us back to the beginning and we meet the characters as young, passionate, hopeful and inexperienced.

There is a lot to like about these characters.  They’ve got the actors right, the pace is fast (no boring bits).  The CGI and the gadgets are beyond cool at ‘lust’ phase.

Even if you’ve hated the old Star Trek, you’ll love this new edition because its so fresh.  Like many of you who will go and enjoy, I’m excited and looking forward to more adventures with this young and hot cast.  The new James T Kirk, Chris Pine does the role proud and so does Zachary Quinto as Spock.  Simon Pegg adds zest as ‘Scotty’ while NZ’er Karl Urban does us proud as ‘Bones’.   This film is a big thumbs up!

Steph’s rating: 9.9/10

Monsters vs. Aliens

A young woman (Susan) is hit by a meteorite on her wedding day and becomes a larger than life monster.  She is immediately hijacked by the American government and taken to a ’secret’ prison where other Monsters are kept from society.  There she meets B.O.B the cutest gelatinous blob (who doesn’t have a brain – but turns out you don’t need one) and others.  Thankfully they are released from their prison when Aliens arrive.

I was hoping for another “The Incredibles”, but this film although funny in parts was pretty average.  B.O.B is the standout character and is the only ray of light in this average animated film.  Its so disappointing as the trailer indicated that it might have more substance.

Steph’s review: 6/10

WATCHMEN

We Love Movies – Video recommendation of the Week:
by FranksFilms

I’m breaking my own rule – twice.

Firstly, since this is a ‘video recommendation’ segment, I shouldn’t recommending a movie that’s not yet been released on video ………..but I am. If it helps, you can think of it as a video that you have to go over to your “friend’s house” to watch. You know that friend who’s house is that big building in the center of town, with the big marquee,  and he always has lots of your neighbors over, and treats you with enormous buckets of popcorn and soda ……except that you have to pay him.

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Chick flicks to me is what fine wine or expensive cars are too others, pure escapism and indulgence and this flick is a goody.

I just enjoyed every moment of the fashion voyeurism in this romantic comedy.  Isla Fisha plays Rebecca Bloomfield an extremely likable person who has an expensive addiction to shopping.  With her job ending suddenly she branches out to a new career where she finds success as a money adviser/ journalist.  Ironic! is how her friend and flatmate describes this development.

This movie is pure joy, just inhale the experience of shopping vicariously through her and soak in the laughs and the light romance.  My friends described the romance as cheesy, but who doesn’t love cheese!

Steph’s rating: 9.5/10

Marley & Me

Whether or not you had a dog growing up, you will enjoy this film.

John Grogan (Wilson) is a newspaper columnist who takes the advise of a friend (Dane) and buys his wife a dog to distract her from those ‘baby urges’.

The Labrador certainly steals the show – it really is something  quite adorable.  Whilst amused by the puppies antics we discover John and Jenny and watch them grow as a family.  It’s really a wonderful, humorous film.  I’m heard reviews say that Owen Wilson just plods along in this flick, but I disagree, he captures the essence of the character and I thought this watch was better than the trailer eludes too.

Enjoy!

Steph’s rating: 7.5/10

He’s Just Not That Into You

Thousands of women will flock to this movie with the aim of gaining some additional insight into their relationships.  Unfortunately they will find that this film offers nothing more than what is already widely available in your weekly women’s mag.

Having enjoyed so many movies where the women changes and wins the man ‘Grease, She’s all that’, I guess women-hood are at some level wanting to be told who they need to look like or be in order to meet ‘Prince Charming’ and find happiness.   Thankfully the message of this movie (if there ever was one) is that its just you baby.

Gigi (Goodwin) is adorable at representing the majority of women-kind and how they perceive love.  We watch her and her friend circle through various life situations.

Slumdog Millionaire

You must see this movie…soon!

A young boy grows up in the slums of India (and boy does India have slums!).  This slum/ shanty town is miles of tin shacks and insane poverty.  It’s fascinating yet really sad at the same time.  He goes on India’s version of ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’ to reach the love of his life.

I was at the edge of my seat this whole movie.  It’s extremely well directed and the story is gripping.  The child actors who play the two brothers growing up, will win your heart!  The story unfolds as he answers each question, we learn about him and where he’s from.  One of my favourite scenes (and yes there were many) is when he’s working at a Call Centre for a Scottish company – very stereotyped but hilarious!  There are some very funny, light moments in between the agony.

Grand Torino

Clint Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski an old war veteran whose catholic wife has recently passed away.

Walt is frustrated at everything around him including his kids , their extended family, the neighborhood being overrun with immigrants, local gangs, and the local priest who promised he would try to get him to confession.

Clint’s character starts off grumpy, but by the end of the film you understand him.  This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time.  The character drama is intriguing and wonderful.  I hadn’t seen any previews about this film and its really a hidden masterpiece.  Worth seeking out.

Wayne’s rating: 9/10

Bride Wars

When they pair Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway, you know this is a chick flick you want to see.

Although the trailer tells you the main gist ‘two friends become enemies due to having their weddings on the same day’, it’s delightful and very funny.  There is even a couple of surprises at the end to make sure you leave feeling ‘chick flick happy’.

I really loved the fashions in this film.  As all who love chick flicks know a key element is always the ‘clothes lust’.

Whilst this film follows the tried and true ‘friendship’ – rom Comedy formula, its still a great watch and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Steph’s rating: 7.9/10

Seven Pounds

When I think of the wording ‘Seven Pounds’, it reminds me of an old children’s fable about paying harshly for your sins/ mistakes.

The movie ‘Seven Pounds’ is about Ben Thomas a man tormented by a secret which provokes him into doing kind and generous acts.  But his motive for the kindness is driven by sadness and as a result leaves you feeling unsatisfied and questioning why?

For much of the film, I kept thinking ‘this is weird’ and wondering where the heck it was going.  The director has done this on purpose, with the end skillfully tying up all the loose ends.  But unfortunately this style of storytelling mostly felt really long and slow, if not boring in places.

The director is the same as ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ and unfortunately this film leaves you with that sad, unsatisfied feeling.

Steph’s rating: 6/10

The Spirit

This was such a refreshing movie to see.  Everything from the storyline to the cinematography is unique and stylized.  I loved it!  The film managed to capture the essence of the cartoon hero and the other characters were fascinating.

The Spirit is not a ghost, but he’s not alive either.  His nemesis is the Octopus (Samuel L Jackson).  He is a very cool villain, some of his lines and costumes are fabulously quirky and hilarious.   The Spirit is also a ladies man and there are lots of lovely heroines and villains in this film.  Scarlett Johansson steals the scene in a Nazi costume (one of the film highlights).

Yes Man

A similar light hearted comedy like ‘Shallow Hal’.  Jim Carey goes to seminar and becomes a Yes man where he commits to saying ‘Yes’ to every opportunity that presents itself.

It’s pretty funny and I laughed heaps.  Whilst its very silly, the movies messages is are you really living life to the full?  The film starts off slow but quickly improves.  The movie cleverly links all the people he meets through the ‘Yes’ opportunities into an interesting conclusion.

NZ’s own Rhys Darby stars as Norm, a role very similar to his ‘Murray’ from Flight of the Conchords.  Overall great film to laugh a few hours away.

Steph’s rating: 7.5/10