|
3.5/5
|
58%
|
Edge of Darkness (2010) |
"
Though Ray Winstone does his best to elevate this story, in the end Edge of Darkness is a fairly basic Mel beats up the bad guys flick"
—
smh.com.au
Posted Feb 14, 2010
|
|
4/5
|
67%
|
Daybreakers (2010) |
"
Daybreakers is a perfect panacea to audiences averse to the tweeny romanticisation of the undead by Twilight and its ilk."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Feb 14, 2010
|
|
4/5
|
91%
|
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009) |
"
Precious is a triumph of the soul, a triumph of a film and a heart-warming story that will touch all but the toughest cynics."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Feb 14, 2010
|
|
3/5
|
49%
|
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010) |
"
"It is a bit hard to see quite where Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief's market lies. Too adult for juveniles, too juvenile for adults."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Feb 14, 2010
|
|
4.5/5
|
97%
|
A Prophet (Un prophete) (2010) |
"
With a rich vein of brains, brawn and twists to constantly turn this film and its audience on their heads, Une Prophet is a truly compelling journey into the criminal world, that may well prove to be the Godfather of its generation."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Feb 14, 2010
|
|
3.5/5
|
18%
|
Valentine's Day (2010) |
"
Valentine's Day the film, is exactly what you think it is. You can't complain if you see it, because, you were warned. By the title, by the trailer and by the genre."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Feb 14, 2010
|
|
4/5
|
35%
|
The Wolfman (2010) |
"
To say there is nothing new about The Wolfman is to miss the fact that this is its charm."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Feb 14, 2010
|
|
3.5/5
|
37%
|
Nine (2009) |
"
The lasting impression of Rob Marshall's musical Nine is almost... but not quite."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Jan 31, 2010
|
|
4.5/5
|
94%
|
In the Loop (2009) |
"
Prepare yourself for an hour and a half of political farce made only funnier by the fact that these ludicrous actions and explanations all feel so terrifyingly plausible."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Jan 30, 2010
|
|
3.5/5
|
76%
|
Invictus (2009) |
"
With Invictus, Eastwood gets his message across in much the same way as the South African special forces -- he beats us over the head with it."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Jan 30, 2010
|
|
3/5
|
18%
|
The Tooth Fairy (2010) |
"
The feeling upon walking out of Tooth Fairy closely resembles the notion one often has upon leaving the dentist -- that wasn't nearly as bad as expected."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Jan 30, 2010
|
|
4/5
|
57%
|
Bran Nue Dae (2010) |
"
If you dare to like happy films, this Bran Nue Dae is just for you."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Jan 30, 2010
|
|
4.5/5
|
91%
|
Up in the Air (2009) |
"
Up In The Air is not only a funny, satirical delight as well as a beautifully crafted thoughtful observation on society, but it is also refreshingly different, and a film that prompts a second viewing even as you enjoy the first ride."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Jan 30, 2010
|
|
4/5
|
25%
|
Law Abiding Citizen (2009) |
"
For large portions of Law Abiding Citizen we're not sure who is going to be the winner here, nor who we want to be, and though it won't make for much of a date flick, as far as intelligent action flicks go, it gets two big burly thumbs up."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Jan 30, 2010
|
|
4.5/5
|
75%
|
The Road (2009) |
"
Avoiding all the pit falls of the bleak genre, The Road is captivating and in the end inspiring, and though not a film for everyone, a great film for any who enjoy thoughtful, artful cinema."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Jan 30, 2010
|
|
3.5/5
|
84%
|
The Princess and the Frog (2009) |
"
Disney are back doing hand drawn animation, and despite a slightly stuttering start to shake off the cobwebs, they're still doing it very well."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Jan 11, 2010
|
|
4.5/5
|
93%
|
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) |
"
With one creative genius adapting the work of another, the result is a mesmeric, visual feast, a host of adorable eccentric characters and a truly wonderful, kid friendly, caper."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Jan 11, 2010
|
|
4/5
|
56%
|
It's Complicated (2009) |
"
A refined, balanced and eminently funny film, featuring three sublime performances from its incredibly talented leads."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Jan 11, 2010
|
|
5/5
|
83%
|
Avatar (2009) |
"
From the music to the muse, this is clearly a James Cameron flick, clearly a masterpiece, and clearly marks a revolution in blockbusters, for if you only see one film in a 3-D cinema this year, make it Avatar."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Dec 23, 2009
|
|
2/5
|
81%
|
Broken Embraces (2009) |
"
When film makers start making films about film makers, you begin to worry that they've run out of inspiration."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Dec 23, 2009
|
|
4/5
|
94%
|
Les beaux gosses (The French Kissers) (2009) |
"
Those who feel subtitles inherently mean a dull night at the cinema, would be well advised to try French Kissers or as it should be known France 90210."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Dec 23, 2009
|
|
4/5
|
70%
|
Sherlock Holmes (2009) |
"
This Sherlock Holmes combines dark arts and action, wit and tongue-in-cheek mirth, to feel like a great film adaptation of a comic book version of Holmes."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Dec 23, 2009
|
|
3/5
|
5%
|
Old Dogs (2009) |
"
Those expecting new tricks or even vaguely inventive laughs from Old Dogs or its two waning stars should heed the obvious cliche."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Dec 23, 2009
|
|
3.5/6
|
32%
|
The Lovely Bones (2009) |
"
Peter Jackson has successfully filmed hobbits in middle earth and aliens in South Africa, but struggles to combine the visuals of a teenage girl in limbo with the ordeals of a family in hell."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Dec 23, 2009
|
|
3.5/5
|
83%
|
Bright Star (2009) |
"
Oh Bright Star, wouldst thou were a great film... but thou art not. Thou art good but bitsy."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Dec 23, 2009
|
|
3/5
|
12%
|
Did You Hear About the Morgans? (2009) |
"
With less edge than soup, Did You Hear About the Morgans? is a proud, plain, rom com."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Dec 23, 2009
|
|
3/5
|
21%
|
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009) |
"
A surprising array of stars play the helium voiced sextet, safe in the knowledge that noone is going to be offended by this charming chipmunk squeakquel."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Dec 23, 2009
|
|
5/5
|
79%
|
Nowhere Boy (2010) |
"
Setting a cracking pace, Nowhere Boy is a joyful journey into the power of personality, the finding of friends and the start of an amazing life, and to top it off, is one of the best films of the year to boot."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Dec 23, 2009
|
|
3.5/5
|
57%
|
9 (2009) |
"
Gorgeously animated, beautifully executed and incredibly imaginative, Shane Acker's 9 manages to nonetheless feel a little bit like something you've seen before."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Dec 9, 2009
|
|
3/5
|
67%
|
Away We Go (2009) |
"
Sam Mendes' Away We Go is two thirds of a good film. Many good laughs. A decent concept. No follow through."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Dec 9, 2009
|
|
4/5
|
22%
|
Planet 51 (2009) |
"
Well and truly aimed at kids, Planet 51 is a film they will thoroughly enjoy yet which any accompanying adult will have lots of laughs in too."
—
smh.com.au
Posted Dec 9, 2009
|
|
3/5
|
78%
|
The Informant! (2009) |
"
Somewhere between the true story it is based on, and the gimmicks and gags brought to the tale by Damon and Sodeburgh The Informant! somehow falls between the cracks to result in only an ok movie."
—
Unknown2
Posted Dec 3, 2009
|
|
4/5
|
83%
|
Paranormal Activity (2009) |
"
From the changing relationship dynamics to the various reveals, this is a maestro fright flick at its shocking best. And if you're after a film that goes bump in the night, this is the one for you."
—
Unknown2
Posted Dec 3, 2009
|
|
5/5
|
90%
|
Zombieland (2009) |
"
With its brain seeking tongue wedged firmly in its blood soaked cheek, Zombieland embraces its violence and language warnings to make a truly hysterical, enjoyable and mouth watering zom-com ride."
—
Unknown2
Posted Dec 3, 2009
|
|
3.5/5
|
74%
|
Cold Souls (2009) |
"
You'd say that Cold Souls is strange, but strange doesn't begin to describe this darkly humorous, concept film."
—
Unknown2
Posted Nov 26, 2009
|
|
1/5
|
58%
|
The Invention of Lying (2009) |
"
Somewhere between a great concept and an awful script The Invention of Lying got lost in its own truth gimmick. But the truth is, it starts bad and just gets worse."
Posted Nov 26, 2009
|
|
3.5/5
|
89%
|
A Serious Man (2009) |
"
The talent of the Coens is such that they make this film eminently watchable, absolutely enjoyable and utterly engaging despite the fact that it's never entirely clear why we're seeing it in the first place."
—
Unknown2
Posted Nov 17, 2009
|
|
3.5/5
|
55%
|
Prime Mover () |
"
Fun then fierce, light then laconic, Prime Mover is primarily entertaining, and there's nothing wrong with that."
—
Unknown2
Posted Nov 17, 2009
|
|
3.5/5
|
27%
|
The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) |
"
This is a film for the fans. Fans of the books. Fans of the first film. If you enjoyed that, you'll enjoy this. If you didn't, you have no chance here. It's a New Moon, not a new dawn."
—
Unknown2
Posted Nov 17, 2009
|
|
2.5/5
|
21%
|
Amelia (2009) |
"
Much like one of Earhart's trans-Atlantic flights Amelia just goes on and on without deviation."
—
Unknown2
Posted Nov 15, 2009
|
|
3.5/5
|
71%
|
The Boys Are Back (2009) |
"
The Boys are Back deftly combines humour and heart in a well crafted tale of boys of all ages growing up, and if it helps, just think of it as a good film they happened to make in Australia."
—
Unknown2
Posted Nov 15, 2009
|
|
4/5
|
39%
|
2012 (2009) |
"
With a planet sized disaster film, there are nation sized holes to pick at if you choose, but there's a world of fun to be had if you sit back and let the destruction wash over you in this fantastical, mind blowing visual feast."
—
Unknown2
Posted Nov 15, 2009
|
|
4/5
|
66%
|
The Brothers Bloom (2009) |
"
A tale full of heart, heroism and old school fun, that with the addition of just a few witty zingers could have been one of the great films of the year."
—
Unknown2
Posted Nov 15, 2009
|
|
4/5
|
37%
|
The Time Traveler's Wife (2009) |
"
A graceful, elegant love story, that carefully avoids quasi-science, time travelling philosophy or mills and boon style passionate embraces, focussing instead on the means by which two truly star crossed lovers cope with their unique lives together."
—
Unknown2
Posted Nov 4, 2009
|
|
3.5/5
|
54%
|
Disney's A Christmas Carol (2009) |
"
While for some there is something disconcerting about the lifeless eyes of the otherwise life like characters, it certainly lends itself to large 3D cinemas, with rubber faced characters and grand sweeping movement."
Posted Nov 4, 2009
|
|
3/5
|
75%
|
Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) |
"
See Capitalism: A Love Story if you like to hear the sound of Michael Moore railing against 'the man', but if you're after a good documentary there's no love here for you."
—
Unknown2
Posted Nov 4, 2009
|
|
3.5/5
|
79%
|
Genova () |
"
An elegant, traumatic but ultimately rewarding tale that will leave you glad to have made the trip."
—
Unknown2
Posted Nov 4, 2009
|
|
1.5/5
|
23%
|
Case 39 (2010) |
"
Case 39 is slow, painful and one suspects for both Cooper and Renee Zellweger full of regrets."
—
Unknown2
Posted Nov 4, 2009
|
|
3.5/5
|
81%
|
Michael Jackson's This Is It (2009) |
"
This Is It is essentially one really big DVD Special Feature, yet it has a real humanity that is enlightening, endearing and surprisingly engaging."
—
Unknown2
Posted Oct 29, 2009
|
|
4/5
|
64%
|
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) |
"
This is a wonderous, dark and opulent film, that captivates and moves the audience. Fans of Ledger or Gilliam will feel rewarded for their time in the Imaginarium."
—
Unknown2
Posted Oct 29, 2009
|
|
3.5/5
|
45%
|
The Box (2009) |
"
The Box lacks the poetry and elegance of Darko, and at times mistakes randomness for mystery, however a good cast and pace mean those who enjoy debating what they just saw will have plenty to work over."
—
Unknown2
Posted Oct 29, 2009
|
|
4.5/5
|
94%
|
An Education (2009) |
"
The most extraordinary thing about this engaging, hysterical and deeply moving film is how natural this supposedly inappropriate relationship feels."
—
Unknown2
Posted Oct 21, 2009
|
|
0.5/5
|
6%
|
All About Steve (2009) |
"
Sandra Bullock bulldozes the line between a socially awkward character and an annoying human being in a monstrous turkey that can genuinely make a claim to being the worst film of the year"
—
Unknown2
Posted Oct 21, 2009
|
|
2/5
|
29%
|
The Final Destination (2009) |
"
Where some of the previous installments have been quite clever, the focus here is entirely on angling the camera so that something else can rush at us."
—
Unknown2
Posted Oct 13, 2009
|
|
3.5/5
|
50%
|
Whatever Works (2009) |
"
Whatever Works, like its lead character, takes a long while to draw us in, but once it does it is enjoyable, thoughtful and decidedly Woody."
—
Unknown2
Posted Oct 13, 2009
|
|
2/5
|
49%
|
Astro Boy (AstroBoy) (2009) |
"
Like a pig-iron fisted metaphor, Astro Boy the film resembles the robot, in that it is cobbled together out of parts we recognise. And as much as they don't sound like they could all work in one film, they don't."
—
Unknown2
Posted Oct 13, 2009
|
|
3.5/5
|
11%
|
Couples Retreat (2009) |
"
It's been 13 years since Swingers. Couples Retreat is a very different film from writers leading very different lives. It's fast paced. Its a bunch of skits book-ended with story. And it's a lot of fun."
—
Unknown2
Posted Oct 8, 2009
|
|
3/5
|
84%
|
Whip It (2009) |
"
Whip It never quite finds its rhythm or energy and the actors all seem to be holding something back in a comic book tale that requires over exaggeration more than subtle nuance."
—
Unknown2
Posted Oct 8, 2009
|
|
4/5
|
90%
|
Moon (2009) |
"
Much more than simple escapism, Moon may not be for everyone, but it is certainly a very good film that will inspire intriguing post-cinema conversation."
—
Unknown2
Posted Oct 8, 2009
|
|
4/5
|
75%
|
Julie & Julia (2009) |
"
Like a beautiful home cooked meal, Julie & Julia is not perfect by industry standards, just warm, comforting and very, very enjoyable."
—
Unknown2
Posted Oct 8, 2009
|
|
1.5/5
|
40%
|
Imagine That (2009) |
"
Imagine That is an embarrassment from which only Thomas Haden Church emerges unscathed, because he is the only one to commit fully to his eccentric character."
—
Unknown2
Posted Oct 1, 2009
|
|
3.5/5
|
55%
|
Mao's Last Dancer (2010) |
"
Don't see Mao's Last Dancer if you want a perfectly structured film. See it if you want to experience a truly amazing story."
—
Unknown2
Posted Oct 1, 2009
|
|
4.5/5
|
84%
|
Looking for Eric (2010) |
"
Looking For Eric is a film of three halves, each almost a genre unto itself."
—
Unknown2
Posted Sep 23, 2009
|
|
3.5/5
|
80%
|
Van Diemen's Land (2009) |
"
A great film to see with your mates to inspire talk of who would eat who, how you'd eat human and the fine line between serial killer and survival."
—
Unknown2
Posted Sep 23, 2009
|
|
3.5/5
|
90%
|
Stone Bros (2009) |
"
Stone Bros isn't a worthy or important, topical film. All it wants is for you to laugh, and there's no doubt that you will."
—
Unknown2
Posted Sep 23, 2009
|
|
5/5
|
87%
|
500 Days of Summer (2009) |
"
(500) Days of Summer is a classic independent film, taking a bunch of risks and trying to break as many rules as possible, yet it is in many ways a traditional ode to love, and it will leave you yearning for the opportunity to be dumped yourself."
—
Unknown2
Posted Sep 16, 2009
|
|
|
98%
|
Up (2009) |
"
Pixar's latest hero is a septuagenarian, misanthropic crank. And this film is all about him. It shouldn't work. We shouldn't like him, or want to watch him. But we do. You will. And you'll love it."
—
Unknown2
Posted Sep 16, 2009
|
|
2/5
|
77%
|
Valentino: The Last Emperor (2009) |
"
From naked models draped in fabric, to private jet passengers draped in dogs, Valentino is a warts and all, fly on the wall insight into the life of one of the great fashion designers. Unfortunately in this flick there are more warts than all."
—
Unknown2
Posted Sep 16, 2009
|
|
2.5/5
|
68%
|
Funny People (2009) |
"
Funny People has some very funny moments but don't expect a joke fest. And don't expect a tight film either. At two and a half hours, it is not one but two films... and at least one of them shouldn't have been made."
—
Sydney Morning Herald
Posted Sep 10, 2009
|
|
4/5
|
98%
|
Anvil! The Story of Anvil (2009) |
"
See Anvil! if you love heavy metal, because these guys are legends. See Anvil! if you don't love heavy metal because this story is legendary."
—
Sydney Morning Herald
Posted Sep 10, 2009
|
|
4/5
|
21%
|
Sorority Row (2009) |
"
Won't be the most intelligent or best acted film you'll see this year, or maybe even this week, but it could be the best fright flick of 2009."
—
Sydney Morning Herald
Posted Sep 10, 2009
|
|
2.5/5
|
85%
|
Blessed (2009) |
"
Blessed's relentless melodrama means the situations feel staged and stereotypical and both the mothers and children for the most part become painful, charmless annoyances who we want to go home to avoid."
—
Unknown2
Posted Sep 10, 2009
|
|
5/5
|
76%
|
The Young Victoria (2009) |
"
Blunt is magnificent here, surrounded by a sumptuous ensemble who give life, passion and warmth to this fast paced and engaging tale, suitably worth of its royal lineage and glorious in every way."
—
Sydney Morning Herald
Posted Aug 23, 2009
|
|
4/5
|
48%
|
Taking Woodstock (2009) |
"
Like its namesake festival it is crazy, naive, full of hope and features extensive drug use."
—
Sydney Morning Herald
Posted Aug 23, 2009
|
|
3.5/5
|
94%
|
The Cove (2009) |
"
It is overwhelming, compelling and very depressing. In short, The Cove does its job very, very well."
—
Sydney Morning Herald
Posted Aug 19, 2009
|
|
4/5
|
83%
|
The September Issue (2009) |
"
A documentary portraying the Vogue editor's preparations for her biggest issue, and it demonstrates that if anything, Streep toned Wintour down."
—
Sydney Morning Herald
Posted Aug 19, 2009
|
|
4.5/5
|
88%
|
Inglourious Basterds (2009) |
"
A two and half hour film made up of only a handful of beautifully crafted scenes. Superbly exagerated characters in high intensity moments. This is classic Tarantino."
—
Sydney Morning Herald
Posted Aug 19, 2009
|
|
4/5
|
100%
|
Balibo (2009) |
"
The worst cliche in Australian cinema is that we have so many Australian stories that need to be told. Normally it is tripe. In the case of Balibo, they actually found one."
—
Sydney Morning Herald
Posted Aug 9, 2009
|
|
1/5
|
84%
|
Tyson (2009) |
"
Just relentless lisping monotonous speech that makes the prospect of entering the ring with Mike seem attractive if only because it will be over sooner."
—
Sydney Morning Herald
Posted Aug 9, 2009
|
|
4/5
|
83%
|
Beautiful Kate (2009) |
"
This is an extraordinary film not only for its subject matter, and its approach, but for the extraordinary qualities it demonstrates in every field. The cast are superb, the cinematography magical, the absence of morality is refreshing."
—
Sydney Morning Herald
Posted Jul 29, 2009
|
|
5/5
|
89%
|
Coraline (2009) |
"
It takes an extraordinary mind to create a truly original, truly new, truly beautiful fable, Coraline is one such creation."
—
Sydney Morning Herald
Posted Jul 29, 2009
|
|
4/5
|
68%
|
Public Enemies (2009) |
"
Depp and Bale as Dillinger and the FBI agent tracking him are excellent and the film is a consistently entertaining, thoughtful and high paced ride, that Dillinger actually did the more extraordinary actions portrayed is the only way their inclusion in a"
—
Sydney Morning Herald
Posted Jul 29, 2009
|
|
4/5
|
48%
|
My Sister's Keeper (2009) |
"
The decision to avoid unnecessary sentimentality defines this film, elevating it to a more thoughtful if a touch less engaging arena, sacrificing emotional escapism for conversation provoking tragedy."
—
Sydney Morning Herald
Posted Jul 29, 2009
|
|
3.5/5
|
44%
|
The Limits of Control (2009) |
"
The Limits of Control is hard work for the audience yet by degrees rewarding, captivating and fascinating."
—
Sydney Morning Herald
Posted Jul 27, 2009
|
|
4.5/5
|
89%
|
Red Cliff (Chi Bi) (2009) |
"
Like your chinese action? The huge battles, physics defying fight sequences, the sense of history in the making? Then you'll love Red Cliff."
—
Sydney Morning Herald
Posted Jul 27, 2009
|
|
2/5
|
51%
|
Chéri (2009) |
"
Sadly the few good elements of Cheri only serve to highlight the films considerable inadequacies, and the only bedroom-based action it will inspire is a comforting nap, possibly before the end of the film."
—
Sydney Morning Herald
Posted Jul 27, 2009
|
|
3/5
|
84%
|
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) |
"
If Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is a roller coaster, it's the tiny train meant for only the very youngest kids, the one that seems to go round and round forever without really ever picking up any pace."
—
Sydney Morning Herald
Posted Jul 22, 2009
|
|
3.5/5
|
62%
|
Coco Before Chanel (2009) |
"
The story of Coco's formative years is fascinating, if let down a little by a somewhat stereotypical orphan opening and a haphazard rush to the finish line."
—
Sydney Morning Herald
Posted Jun 28, 2009
|
|
4/5
|
20%
|
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) |
"
Any review of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen only needs be one line long. If you liked the first film, you'll like this one."
—
Sydney Morning Herald
Posted Jun 28, 2009
|
75%
29%
71%
85%
46%
40%
