Brothers

 This film surprised us all. We played it with “Hurt Locker”, so expected a bit of a letdown after watching the 2010 best picture oscar winner. But weren’t we pleasantly surprised. As expected Jake Gyllenhaal does a great job well supported by Natalie Portman and Toby Maguire. A little bit predictable but a great film nonetheless 8/10

The Hurt Locker

 As the winner of this years best picture Oscar you would expect this to be an entertaining and thought provoking film. And you would be right. I don’t know if it will stand the test of time, or be elevated into the ranks of “Platoon” or “Apocalypse Now” but a very good fiilm. 8.5/10

Kick Ass

I loved this film, Heidi hated it. I don’t think there would be a middle position for anyone. You will either love it or hate it. It is a bit silly, it is a bit over the top, but it is very well done with lots of subtle references to popular films and juicy bits of pop culture. While being a bit of a spoof  movie it handles the task unlike no other film before it.  We may even have a new genre here – the spoof comedy drama.  And Hit Girl deserves a movie all to herself I think!

Although not for everyone I still rate it highly.

8/10

Green Zone

The Iraq/Afghanistan/War on Terror/Search for WMD films are really starting to appear now aren’t they? This offering starrring Matt Damon although definately not the best film this year, not even the best Iraq/Afghanistan/War on Terror/Search for WMD film this year, does an acceptable job. You wouldn’t write home about it, but you wouldn’t leave disappointed either.

Watchable. 6/10

Clash of the Titans

It was big. There were swords. There were men in skirts. There was even a giant scorpion. Not my kind of movie, but it seemed to do it’s job. Sam Worthington killed everything he had to kill, saved the day and got the girl. All while wearing a skirt. Hero.

6.5/10

Cop Out

I didn’t expect much from this film. The tagline was “Rock out with your Glock Out” It had Bruce Willis in it, as well as the obligatory wisecracking comedic sidekick. Then I discovered it was directed by Kevin Smith. He was the guy responsibe for “Clerks”, “Chasing Amy”, “Mallrats” etc . So I then realised that the title was in fact a reference to the career move that Kevin Smith had taken by making this movie.

3/10

Bran Nue Dae

This was a fun film. I had people dancing on the back of utes. In fact I don’t think i’ve ever seen the crowd interect with a film so much. Everybody loved it. Even the people who came to watch the other film, “The Blind Side” enjoyed “Bran Nue Dae” more.

It’s a fast paced, colourful typically Aussie film. It’s what we do best.  Aussie cinema is not Hollywood, and will never be. We make quirky, colourful films about Australia and Australian subjects. And this is a very good example of that.

Admittedly it may be a bit over edited and short at 88 mins, some of the characters could have been expanded on a little. Some may say it is over acted. BUT ITS A MUSICAL! – It’s supposed to be overacted.  magda Szubanski and Deborah Mailman overact brilliantly. They take the stereotypical and throw it back in your face as comedy.

A brilliant Aussie Film, support Aussie film making and see this one at least a couple of times. 9/10

The Blind Side

While it was a pleasant change to see Sandra Bullock actually act for a change. (Something she can do surprisingly well actually – I bet she now regrets playing Sandra Bullock in ALL her movies for the last 15 years) This movie didn’t really impress me.

I think the poor kid from the slums being helped by kindhearted souls has been done to death. There must be at least 2 or 3 of these films each year released by the Hollywood machine. Oh well they must make some money or they wouldn’t bother would they?

This was a well done, well acted, good script kinda film, so no complaints there from me, It wasn’t painful to watch. It just treaded a too well worn path for my liking.

5/10

How to Train Your Dragon

 This was OK. Not bad, not great. Just OK. Not a Shrek, or a Toy Story or even an UP. Just OK. Like a Monsters Vs Aliens, or a Meet the Robinsons, just OK.

Like the poor kid who wants a Barbie, but a Cindy is under the tree. It’ll do. It wasn’t what they really wanted, but they’ll play with it until something better comes along.

Maybe it would have been better in 3D, maybe if I was in the mood for an animation, maybe I’m just a harsh critic. Maybe I’ve just watched Toy Story too many times, but this didn’t really do it for me, or my 3 year old Madeline for that matter.

6/10

Kung Fu Panda

I’d forgotten how good this one was. I think it’s one of the few animations from the last 10 years that Madeline doesn’t own, so therefore my only viewing was the last time we played it.

As I was unable to get a good support for “How to Train Your Dragon” I went over the back catalogue and came up with this.

At the time many critics were a bit harsh on this film, claiming a simple storyline weak characters and poor plot developement. Well toddlers and potheads don’t care about those things. They want a film to be colourful and funny with lots of memorable moments, and Kung Fu Panda delivers.

So remember “there is no charge for awesomeness” ,  but it gets Po a 8.5/10