Splat 2.5/5 |
Adam (2009) |
"Adam, which premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival, holds your attention, but the film is slow-going at times and lacks a knockout punch." |
Colin Newton |
Tomato 3/5 |
Bruno (2009) |
"You should know by now whether Bruno is your kind of movie. I had high hopes, but confess to leaving the cinema somewhat disappointed." |
Colin Newton |
Tomato 3.5/5 |
I Love You, Man (2009) |
"It's great for men, excellent for women and perfect for a metrosexual man-date." |
Colin Newton |
Tomato 3.5/5 |
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009) |
"The 3D effects are not over-done, nor do they detract from the film. They are actually quite enjoyable." |
Colin Newton |
Tomato 3/5 |
Is Anybody There? (2009) |
"Caine and Milner go together like peas in a pod. Or, better yet, like bangers and mash. They're an odd couple, but they face life as one and it's a rewarding journey." |
Colin Newton |
Splat 2.5/5 |
Mes Amis, Mes Amours |
"While My Friends, My Loves is not a masterpiece, it sticks to the romantic comedy genre with a French twist." |
Colin Newton |
Tomato 3/5 |
The Soloist (2009) |
"Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx are highly convincing. Problem is, the film lets them down. It is not as powerful or moving as it could -- and should -- have been." |
Colin Newton |
Splat 2.5/5 |
Sunshine Cleaning (2009) |
"Although the film isn't brilliant, the script has its moments and includes some memorable dialogue: "How'd she die?" "It was a do-it-yourself kinda thing."" |
Colin Newton |
Tomato 3/5 |
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009) |
"Ultimately, this is not a great train-robbery film -- but hey, in the whole scheme of things, it's not a bad one, either." |
Colin Newton |
Tomato 4/5 |
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) |
"It would be great to say there is "more than meets the eye", but that is not the case. It's just a near-perfect replica of the first film." |
Colin Newton |
Tomato 3/5 |
Tyson (2009) |
"This doco goes a little way to portraying Tyson as more human than animal. Iron Mike even sheds a few tears." |
Colin Newton |
Splat 2.5/5 |
Van Diemen's Land (2009) |
"The film is at times tasteless and unpalatable but the screenplay, based on four confessions Pearce gave after his capture, has a certain level of interest to it." |
Colin Newton |
Tomato 3.5/5 |
$9.99 (2009) |
"Think Robert Altman's Short Cuts with clay characters as engaging as human actors, and you might get a sense of what you'll experience." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 4/5 |
500 Days of Summer (2009) |
"Despite the tricky punctuation, (500) Days of Summer might be the most truthful rom-com about the sort of people you're likely to know; not inhabitants of some movie version of Fairyland." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3.5/5 |
Angels & Demons (2009) |
"By paying less respect to Dan Brown's novel, Ron Howard has made Angels & Demons a more entertaining film than his plodding treatment of the author's Da Vinci Code." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3.5/5 |
Astro Boy (2009) |
"The feature-length film, modelled on Pixar films, merges the best of western and eastern animation styles. result is an entertaining film that should satisfy both adults and children." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 5/5 |
Avatar (2009) |
"Avatar is a landmark film everyone will be talking about." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3.5/5 |
Away We Go (2009) |
"It's the sincerity of the performances by Krasinski and Rudolph that makes you want to see how the journey will end for the couple they play." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3/4 |
Baby Mama (2008) |
"It's very much the women's show, and they prove enjoyable company, but there's more sugar than vinegar in the script which is stretched to find laughs." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3.5/5 |
Beautiful Kate (2009) |
"While the sexual subject matter may be confronting, Ward's confident filmmaking featuring a mix of seasoned pros, including Bryan Brown, Ben Mendelsohn, Rachel Griffiths and new talent, particularly Sophie Lowe, should satisfy mature audiences." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 4/5 |
Blessed (2009) |
"Blessed is a powerful and truthful movie experience that lingers long after the end." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3/5 |
Body of Lies (2008) |
"Exciting enough while it's unfolding, but it lacks an original element and there aren't enough scenes where Crowe and DiCaprio are playing off each other." |
Des Partridge |
Splat 2/4 |
Bonneville (2006) |
"Unfortunately, it's as flimsy as tissue, and the actresses, all 50+, really do more with the material...than it deserves." |
Des Partridge |
Splat 2/5 |
The Box (2009) |
"The movie gives the impression of being pasted together from many different parts rather than presented as a cohesive whole." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 4.5/5 |
Bright Star (2009) |
"One of the year's pleasures for the eyes, mind and heart -- a bright star indeed." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 4/5 |
Broken Embraces (2009) |
"Tending to meander at times, there's still plenty to enjoy if typical Almodovar multiple narratives don't confuse you." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 4/4 |
Burn After Reading (2008) |
"The performances are altogether delightful." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3/5 |
Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) |
"There's nothing too subtle about Moore's filmmaking style, but he does get his points across in a straightforward, uncomplicated way." |
Des Partridge |
Splat 3/5 |
Case 39 (2010) |
"One of those movies that's bad enough to make it worth seeing." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3.5/5 |
Charlie & Boots (2009) |
"Murphy's straight-forward direction and the genuine charisma that's drawn from Hogan and Jacobson's characters, make this film fun." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3/5 |
Cheri (2009) |
"While it's not likely to be as admired as much as his Dangerous Liaisons, Frears - who is heard as the narrator - has given audiences an elegant treat that's easy to escape into, and there are skilful performances by the entire ensemble." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 4/5 |
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (2009) |
"It all can be swallowed very easily, with the likeable characters, including the policeman Earl (Mr T), ensuring that the adventure serves up a tasty conclusion." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3/5 |
Cold Souls (2009) |
"There's added appeal thanks to Barthes' silly but fun film via the outstanding cinematography by her collaborator, Andrij Parekh, whose arty lighting and careful framing make the film a visual treat." |
Des Partridge |
Splat 2/5 |
Couples Retreat (2009) |
"Despite the potential for humour from the couples and their relationship problems, the script relies on lame situation jokes." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3.5/4 |
The Dark Knight (2008) |
"The Dark Knight illuminates courtesy of Ledger's brilliant interpretation of the madman." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 4.5/5 |
Disgrace (2009) |
"Near-flawless casting through the film ensures it will be recalled as one of the year's outstanding dramas from Australia, or anywhere." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3/5 |
Disney's A Christmas Carol (2009) |
"Enough elements of Dickens's story remain for a viewer to be refreshed by Scrooge's change of heart, and to be moved by his rediscovery of the Christmas spirit that climaxes the story." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3.5/5 |
Drag Me To Hell (2009) |
"Director Sam Raimi returns to his roots, and fans of his controlled style of horror, where less is often more, should be grateful." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3/4 |
The Edge of Love (2009) |
"Dylan Thomas's life is represented here, but John Maybury's hollow romantic drama is more interested in his women than in his literary art." |
Des Partridge |
Splat 2.5/5 |
Fame (2009) |
"Tancharoen does not bring anything particularly fresh or distinctive to the song and dance elements of the story, but the new group of students (led by possible star Kay Panabaker as Jenny) deliver credible-enough performances." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3/5 |
Funny People (2009) |
"Funny People would have been funnier and more meaningful with fewer offensive jokes and more self-control from the undeniably talented Apatow." |
Des Partridge |
Splat 2/5 |
G-Force (2009) |
"Billed as children's fare, G-Force's incessant action provides trainer wheels for youngsters soon to grow into the teens who have made Bruckheimer's live-action films such moneyspinners." |
Des Partridge |
Splat 2/5 |
Genova (2008) |
"Genova fails to provide the view with much that is satisfying and instead accomplishes only a superficial examination of grief and the way people respond." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3.5/5 |
Gomorrah (2009) |
"It's a challenging approach, and while there are some terrific moments within the film, as well as suspense and action (including a spectacularly staged car crash), there's also frustration as a result of the regular cutting from one story to another." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3/5 |
Hannah Montana The Movie (2009) |
"Won't shake up the movie world, but it is a family film that's easy enough to like while overlooking the fact it sprouts corn and movie cliches." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3/5 |
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) |
"The sets are dazzling, but the characters (manufactured by computer artists in most cases) aren't particularly designed to engage." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3.5/5 |
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) |
"A visual feast is served up in former Monty Python cast member Terry Gilliam's fantasy -- credited to "Heath Ledger and friends" -- that should enthral loyal fans of the veteran's colourful film history, but is more than likely to baffle Gilliam novices." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3/5 |
Imagine That (2009) |
"An uncharacteristically restrained performance by Eddie Murphy, a sharply funny supporting role filled by Thomas Haden Church, and a beguiling new child actor, Yara Shahidi, make this fantasy-comedy about the power of imagination agreeable enough." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 4/4 |
In Bruges (2008) |
"The twists and turns of McDonagh's elaborate plotting, its tremendous location of the medieval city of Bruges in Belgium, and the high level of performances from everyone involved makes it one of this year's pleasures." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3/5 |
The Invention of Lying (2009) |
"Ricky Gervais' new film isn't as out-and-out funny as you might have hoped, but it's still got some funny moments." |
Des Partridge |
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