Film Reviews - A

About A Boy (2002) 74
Hugh Grant suits the role of the consumer driven brat that goes through life with no goals because he figures he has all he needs. That is, until he meets some little guy and his life becomes about a boy. The mood and themes bring give the story life and it’s certainly worth a look.

Absolute Power (1997) 38
Whilst there is no doubt Clint Eastwood is a great director, he seems to have gone through a decade in the 90’s where every movie he made had a repetitious theme. This movie fits as the prototype of how his movies all look alike. The movies I refer to are True Crime, In the Line of Fire and Blood Work.

Accused, The (1988) 75
Jodie Foster stands up for herself after being brutally raped on a pinball machine by a group of men. This tense drama/thriller features a great performance from Jodie Foster, who was very deserving of her Best Actor Oscar. If you like heavy hitting true stories like Boys Don’t Cry, you may like this..

Ace Ventura – Pet Detective (1994) 85
Jim Carrey brings an exaggerated humour into a very successful comedy that some audiences tend to dislike. If looked at from a certain angle there are definite big laughs to be had. It isn’t just silly stuff… there are lots of witty moments also. Personally – I think EVERYTHING he does in this film is hilarious. This is a great film for repeat watching.

Ace Ventura – When Nature Calls (1995) 80
Jim Carrey takes his comedy even further and he proves he has a whole bag of tricks to reveal with this awesome character. Whilst the plot is slightly weaker than the first film, the gags are still hilarious and non-stop the whole way.

Across The Universe (2007) 70
This film is challenging at times and it is hypnotic at other times. It excellent use of music and imagery but the lack of clear narrative brings it down and makes the overall experience feel drawn out. I had qualms with the character “Prudence”, as she didn’t seem to contribute too much to the plot, other than being the girl who “didn’t fit in”. The actor’s vocals were excellent, as were a few particular songs (Come Together). This movie holds a clear interest for the flower power children of the 60s and it’s worth checking out for its take on alternative lifestyles and spreading the peace revolution.

Adaptation (2002) 83
Charlie Kaufman does it again with this humorous, original and clever script that has excellent performances and great production value. For open minded viewers and fans of unconventional storytelling.

Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert (1994) 68
Costumes aside – it is the scenery that wins me over with this film. Massive shoes and pink buses don’t tickle everyone’s fancy but the courage it takes to perform those transsexual roles in 1994 Australia is groundbreaking. The homophobes were the minority when this film came out and made huge announcements for gay acceptance in rural communities.

Affair to Remember, An (1957) 36
There are so many 50’s movies that get cracking’ and deliver a great story, (African Queen, High Noon) but this meanders on with less than sparkling performances. It is for the fan of the romance genre but even those would admit this one drags on. It has such a predictable ending so it’s worth giving something extra to the audience to make the trip worthwhile but Leo McCarey (the Director) doesn’t bother.

After the Sunset (2004) 68
This is a typical heist film with gorgeous cinematography. Watch for the Edward Norton cameo at the basketball game.If you enjoyed Oceans 11 or Shade, this film is for you.

African Queen, The (1951) 90
This film is touted as the greatest adventure story ever and it is hard to argue otherwise, this being one of the truest examples of Hollywood magic in a whirlwind of action/drama and war. The stars, with obviously perfect chemistry and deserving of their accolades, should be congratulated on their dedication to their roles particularly in a physical way. Rarely do we see an example of stars willing to rid the make-up, and climb around murky waters in order to travel to such destinations.

Age of Innocence (1993) 25
Costumes and pompous dialogue might impress some people, but it certainly doesn’t impress me as credentials for a movie. This film is littered with posh people talking “rumours and nonsense” while wearing big dresses and turning their nose up at well dressed men. The story is a lame one too. It is about a man torn between two women. Wow…

A.I. – Artificial Intelligence (2001) 47
Stanley Kubrick worked on developing this film for a decade before he approached Steven Spielberg to direct it. They worked together for a few years on such things as the conceptual art and storyboarding, before doing the casting. With Kubrick passing away in 1999, Spielberg went on to shoot the film with an obvious eye for incorporating Kubrick techniques throughout. Spielberg masterfully works a typically Spielberg movie into a Kubrick-like film. He succeeded but unfortunately the film lacks a compelling storyline. Technically, this film is outstanding. But at the heart of it, it’s the story that matters most. Something must seriously be missing, seeing as this is based on Pinocchio’s story and is, one of the greatest ever told.