Cathy Yan’s Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020), doubles as both a fun action movie, and a fierce assertion of the female gaze in the male-dominated superhero genre. This article was originally posted on Blitz UNSW Viewers will know Harley Quinn from David Ayer’s appallingly bad Suicide Squad (2016), in…
Tag: Movie
BOOKSMART: The Best Film of the Year
I’ve never laughed so much as I did when I saw Booksmart for the first time. I’ve since seen it four times since, and each re-watch confirms its spot as my favourite film of 2019. On the night before high school graduation, Class President Molly (Beanie Feldstein) and her best friend Amy (Kaitlyn Denver) are faced with…
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD: Visually Dazzling End To Heartfelt Trilogy
We all know the story: an animal and a kid enter into a forbidden friendship, and are forced to keep it secret from everyone they know. Dogs, Horses, Whales, Loch Ness Monsters, the movies are all more less the same. But never have we seen this story told with such visual flair and emotional heft as…
Isle of Dogs: Too Much Quirk, Not Enough Substance
Wes Anderson, king of quirk, has long been gathering a liege of dedicated cinephiles who drool over his every film. And, I confess, I am one of his long-time fans. Especially considering the incredibly high expectations set by his previous film, 2014’s multi-Oscar winning The Grand Budapest Hotel. However, if you go into the cinema…
OCEAN’S 8: All-Star Cast Compensates For Poor Writing In Crowd-Pleasing Heist Comedy
When you walk into the cinema to see Ocean’s 8 this month (and walk in you should), here’s what you should expect. Expect a heist film that’s stylish, captivating and a whole lot of fun. Expect an all-star cast of Hollywood’s best actresses playing one of the coolest, funniest girl gangs ever assembled on screen. Expect a…
My Top Ten Films of 2017
Surprise! My review of the best of 2017 managed to only be a whole month late! (Hey, it’s better than 2016’s April release). My problem, admittedly, is once I start writing about the films I love, it’s hard for me to stop. Please enjoy my ‘Best of 2017’ list, and comment below what you think…
PADDINGTON 2: A Warm, Furry Hug Of A Movie
In 2014, Paddington Bear walked off the pages of his cartoon, on to Paddington station and into our cinemas. It soon became an unlikely family favourite. It showcased some of Britain’s best actors – from Hugh Bonneville’s lovingly exasperated patriarch, to Sally Hawkins’ eccentric yet caring mother, and Julie Waters as the comic relief housekeeper. At the film’s soft, furry heart is Paddington, cheerfully…
Review: Their Finest
For those interested in historical drama or comedy, ‘Their Finest’ is a new film set in World War II, England during height of the Blitz. It’s about a government propaganda department tasked with creating ‘morale boosting’ films for the public. When the film opens, the male-only ministry has hired Catrin (Gemma Arterton) to write the trashy…
Top 3 Movies to keep you in the Christmas Spirit
I’m admittedly too late for the ‘Top 3 Christmas Movies to get you in the Holiday spirit’ post. However, I realised, there’s no reason why the gift that is the wealth of holiday Christmas movies can’t keep on giving throughout December and into January. These three are my favourite films set at Christmas time, but…
Blazing Saddles fizzles out- 100 Word Review
Mel Brooks’ 1974 satire of the wild wild west is tasteless and unamusing. A corrupt politician with interest in the railway business hires a black sheriff in the hope of driving the townspeople out of town. To everyone’s surprise, the sheriff is actually good at his job and manages to eventually win over the town….
The Thief Lord- 100 Word Review
The Thief Lord is a tale of two orphan brothers who escape to Venice and befriend a gang of street children. Based on the book by Cornelia Funke (author of Inkheart), the movie is a fun fantasy adventure about family, youth and magic. The young cast work well together, although let down by Scipio, a whiny…
Blood Diamond Reviewed in 100 Words
Zwick’s 2006 thriller is a compelling and jarring look at the illegal diamond trade within civil war Sierra Leone. A fisherman and a smuggler unite to recover a priceless diamond and escape war-torn Africa. The pace is tense as the pair often narrowly escape confrontation with military and rebel fighters, featuring explosive action scenes. The…
Scribbles of Stage and Screen 