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 |
$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 |
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 |
Splat 2.5/5 |
Aliens in the Attic (2009) |
"Hilarious? No. But will you hate your kids for begging to see it? Nooooo." |
Roger Moore |
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 3.5/5 |
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 |
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 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 |
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 |
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 |
Coco Before Chanel (2009) |
"Those flocking in for the fancy frocks will be in for a surprise in this approved biopic, which has its emphasis on the "before" part of the title." |
Rodney Chester |
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 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 |
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 3.5/5 |
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 3.5/5 |
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009) |
"Dawn of the Dinosaurs so successfully reinvigorates an already solid franchise, while simultaneously broadening the fan base, that you can already see the fourth film gathering on the horizon." |
Vicky Roach |
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 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 |
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 |
Tomato 4/5 |
Julie & Julia (2009) |
"Nora Ephron serves up a hearty silver-service banquet with a story that links the lives of two exceptional American women." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3/5 |
Last Ride (2009) |
"Weaving draws on his vast experience to show the complexities of his rugged and violent character, while also offering glimpses of the man's softer side and his genuine affection for his growing son." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 4/5 |
Looking for Eric (2009) |
"It would be unthinkable for Britain's Ken Loach to make a film without some social purpose, but at 72, he's made the funniest film of his long career." |
Des Partridge |
Splat 0.5/5 |
Michael Jackson's This Is It (2009) |
"It is not a rip-off. But make no mistake, it is a cash-in." |
Leigh Paatsch |
Tomato 4/5 |
Moon (2009) |
"While there are echoes of Kubrick's 2001 classic, Moon has enough that's original and surprising to make it worth recommending, and not only to diehard fans of sci-fi films." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3.5/5 |
My Sister's Keeper (2009) |
"As manufactured Disease of the Week weepies go, Nick Cassavetes's drama based on a Jodi Picoult bestseller, is surprisingly moving." |
Des Partridge |
Splat 2.5/5 |
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009) |
"The two short scenes that bring British comic Ricky Gervais into the movie as the stuffy museum administrator suggest the possibility of a third movie... A decent script surely is needed before that's given the go-ahead." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 4/5 |
Observe and Report (2009) |
"Offers a surprising journey if you're prepared to ride along with Ronnie, his security cart, and his attitude." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3.5/5 |
The Proposal (2009) |
"The stars aren't going to erase memories of Hepburn and Tracy, or Lombard and Powell, but Bullock and Reynolds — even when playing a naked bathroom scene together — make a good fit." |
Des Partridge |
Tomato 3/5 |
Public Enemies (2009) |
"Certainly worth a look, but you might feel that Mann keeps his characters, apart from Billie, at arm's length." |
Des Partridge |
Splat 1/5 |
Push (2009) |
"The premise is promising all right, but it's a movie over-stuffed with talk and actors with a glazed look as though they too aren't sure of what they're doing." |
|
Tomato 3/5 |
Red Cliff (2009) |
"The mix of real history and imagined events results in filmmaking of high quality, despite the gaps and possible confusion of the foreign story." |
Des Partridge |
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