All The Money In The World
What’s it about?
Despite having “all the money in the world”, JP Getty (Kevin Spacey Christopher Plummer) refuses to pay a ransom when his grandson is kidnapped.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: When editing someone out of a film and still insisting you can stick to your release date, you better make damn sure you do a good job of it. And what a job director Ridley Scott, Plummer and the cast have done, rallying to erase Spacey post #MeToo scandal. Plummer’s performance, shot in just 10 days, is masterful (and with a much larger part than I assumed). Controversy aside, Scott has created a film that remains gripping, even if you know the history behind this “based on true events” tale. I dare you to try and stop yourself muttering “you motherf–ker” every time the penny-pinching Getty sinks lower than you think he could possibly ever go.
Replacing Spacey was the best decision Scott ever made, as having someone with compromised moral character play this asshole would have been film-killing.
The Greatest Showman
What’s it about?
A flash look of the life of legendary showman and salesman PT Barnham told in the style of a larger-than-life musical (of course).
What did we think?
Visually sumptuous, The Greatest Showman embraces chasing dreams, love and acceptance and anyone with joy in their heart will be swept away.
A stellar cast put in incredible performances and the soundtrack is both truly stunning and catchy. Audiences unfamiliar with the musical device of having periods of time pass during songs may feel the story is rushed and light, but with so much to tell the choice is a strong – albeit unusual – one.
Similarly, the promotion of aspiration over historical narrative provides a feel-good story. It’s not perfect and certainly different but there’s just so much to love about this musical spectacular that it’s easy to overlook the flaws. It’s fitting that a film about Barnham is more style than substance. After all, sometimes the entertainment is more important than the art.
Downsizing
What’s it about?
A couple decide to embrace mankind’s newest invention to combat overpopulation – a shrinking process that will see them not only become small but insanely rich.
What did we think?
The producers and marketers of this film should be locked up for fraud. The trailer was fresh, original, entertaining and exciting: exactly everything the film is not. In actuality, it is a depressing story that meanders morbidly around while wasting its truly talented cast. The second half of the movie doesn’t even utilise the whole shrinking premise; it’s wasted beyond some early laughs.
Coco
What’s it about?
A boy growing up in a family who hate music, dreams of becoming a musician. On the day of the dead he decides to pursue his dream with unforeseen consequences.
What did we think?
PIXAR’s ability to manipulate our emotions continues unfettered with a delightful tale that will bring a lump to the throat and maybe even tears to the eye. At its heart COCO is a tale about family and you’d have to be devoid of emotion to not get swept away during this journey of exploration. The characters are rich, the humour sly and the music wonderful.
It does focus on dead family members – indeed our hero spends most of the movie visiting the land of the dead where he interacts with ancestors he annually honours and therefore knows. As such younger audience members may have questions about dying but its handled subtly and tastefully.
Intelligent and full of heart, COCO is a must-see for anyone who loves family, music or the genre.
Pitch Perfect 3
What’s it about?
The now-separated Bellas reunite to perform one last show for the troops which results in a montage-y European adventure, cartoonish espionage and lots of Rebel Wilson being Rebel Wilson.
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: The poster says “Last Call, Pitches” but the Bellas probably should have gone home a few rounds ago judging by this over-the-top, silly sequel. Like a night out that’s lasted a bit too long, there are some funny moments but really it just feels unnecessary. Never stick around til the bar closes.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
What’s it about?
Jedi – Sith / Rebellion – Empire / Resistance – First Order / Good – Evil / Vader – Luke / Rey – Kylo … everything is black and white, right?
Not anymore. Not when “The First Order Strikes Back” and the final trilogy in the Skywalker saga hits the darker, middle episode.
What did we think?
Stephen Scott says: Sure there’s some darker material here (dark for a family movie) but there’s also comedy (a little too jovial for my taste, but it’s aimed at a younger audience), with the added bonus of some terrific social commentary on capitalism and war profiteering to make the kids think about how the world works.
Where The Last Jedi improves on Episode VII is that it’s captured the original movie’s soul: a super-fun, high-octane fantasy space opera with effects to make your jaw drop, heart-pumping action sequences, and a couple of tear-jerking moments.
The kids are dysfunctional and jaded about the universe and their place in it, the parents bicker and try to find meaning, while the passionate go to extremes.
It’s classic Star Wars and bodes well for the Rian trilogy recently greenlit by Disney.