Damien Straker
Tomatometer-approved critic
Australia
http://www.impulsegamer.com/author/damienstraker/
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
The Whale (2022) |
A clunky and imbalanced chamber piece that lacks the director’s reliable visual instincts.
- Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Feb 12, 2023
|
|
|
|
What's Love Got to Do with It? (2022) |
A shockingly tired, by-the-numbers romantic comedy that is not as progressive as it suggests. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Feb 05, 2023
|
|
|
|
M3GAN (2022) |
Fun satirical elements fail to overcome M3GAN’s lack of originality and artistic finesse.
- Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Jan 22, 2023
|
|
|
|
The Fabelmans (2022) |
An effective look at how innocence collides with grief and clarity as Spielberg's lost child veers into the woods to confront the dark truths of adulthood.
- Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Jan 06, 2023
|
|
|
|
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) |
Banshees is elevated by a darkly funny scenario that is skilfully realised and used to explore rich, psychological themes.
- Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Dec 23, 2022
|
|
|
|
The Menu (2022) |
Strong performances and deadpan humour ensure this dark comedy is brought to the boil.
- Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Nov 25, 2022
|
|
|
|
Triangle of Sadness (2022) |
The film is a collection of thought bubbles aimlessly circling each other in hope they will cohere and preference character development over amusing but pointless oddities.
- Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Oct 29, 2022
|
|
|
|
Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022) |
While not an entirely memorable take on the whodunnit genre, Bodies remains darkly funny and enjoyable.
- Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Sep 22, 2022
|
|
|
|
Beast (2022) |
A well-made but unremarkable exercise in genre thrills rather than emotions.
- Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Sep 04, 2022
|
|
|
|
Both Sides of the Blade (2021) |
A potentially gripping romantic thriller suffers from poor execution and results in a curious French misfire. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Aug 27, 2022
|
|
|
|
Official Competition (2021) |
It remains a fun Spanish comedy but the blunt way it is told means it is not quite a classic filmmaking parody. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Jul 23, 2022
|
|
|
|
A Hero (2021) |
Asghar Farhadi’s new film is sophisticated Iranian noir. It confirms the director as a strikingly thoughtful filmmaker.
- Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Jun 28, 2022
|
|
|
|
Lightyear (2022) |
The only positive attribute is the film’s expensive, glossy aesthetic. Otherwise, Lightyear is a one-hundred-minute toy commercial and one of Pixar’s most uninspired films. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Jun 19, 2022
|
|
|
|
Top Gun: Maverick (2022) |
Top Gun: Maverick is a mature blockbuster and an improvement over its predecessor. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Jun 19, 2022
|
|
|
|
Alcarràs (2022) |
Memorable cinematic images and highly naturalistic performances compensate for Alcarràs’ minimalist plotting. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Jun 12, 2022
|
|
|
|
Petite Maman (2021) |
This film explores tenuous female bonds with a gentle touch. Meanwhile, the children are joyful and energetic in each other’s company while verging on dark realisations about the adult world.
- Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted May 14, 2022
|
|
|
|
The Good Boss (2021) |
The Good Boss memorably depicts the facade of modern capitalism and industry. It is also the film for which Bardem should have been nominated for Best Actor.
- Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Apr 18, 2022
|
|
|
|
Memoria (2021) |
Tilda Swintons audacity to undertake this role and her embodiment of loneliness carries this complex, difficult experiment a long way.
- Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Apr 06, 2022
|
|
|
|
Blue (2017) |
An ambitious Australian documentary that pulls no punches in its brutal illustration of the state of the ocean and its marine life.
- Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Mar 06, 2022
|
|
|
|
CODA (2021) |
As a story of maturity, CODA is excellent and as an example of inclusiveness it is pivotal.
- Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Feb 18, 2022
|
|
|
|
The Worst Person in the World (2021) |
A well-assembled, strongly acted film that will make a certain demographic feel a little better about their most questionable choices. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Jan 08, 2022
|
|
|
|
The French Dispatch (2021) |
For a director prone to meticulous visuals, Dispatch's untidiness leaves it cluttered and over-scripted. It is a feast for the eyes, but a good journalist knows a strong story stands on its own. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Dec 22, 2021
|
|
|
|
Zola (2020) |
While trashy and divisive, Zola's resistance to safe, conventional filmmaking is highly commendable. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Dec 03, 2021
|
|
|
|
The Many Saints of Newark (2021) |
Some surprisingly clunky writing and an obvious hole in the casting leaves this as a shockingly forgettable attachment to an otherwise classic show. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Nov 14, 2021
|
|
|
|
Pig (2021) |
Pig is about acknowledging the irreversible nature of grief and accepting the bleakest memories of our lives. It is a beautifully acted, complex film deserving of repeat viewings. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Nov 07, 2021
|
|
|
|
Black Widow (2021) |
While it improves in the second half, Black Widow is too uneven and generic to recommend. Telling a story about freewill and liberation is ironically littered with too many artistic compromises. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Oct 29, 2021
|
|
|
|
The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain (2020) |
The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain is a visceral and affecting experience. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Oct 24, 2021
|
|
|
|
Rogue (2020) |
Rogue's lousy writing, poor casting, and crummy special effects impede what should have been a precise target. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Sep 11, 2021
|
|
|
|
Cruella (2021) |
Poor craftsmanship and a clumsy script undermine Disney's latest origin story. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Jun 13, 2021
|
|
|
|
Heroic Losers (2019) |
The film is funny and undemanding but not an outright winner. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Jun 03, 2021
|
|
|
|
Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018) |
Can You Ever Forgive Me? is ignited by Melissa McCarthy who gives the best performance of her career. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Jun 01, 2021
|
|
|
|
Lapsis (2020) |
It is an undeniably bizarre movie and not always successful, but its boldness remains an intriguing proposition. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted May 31, 2021
|
|
|
|
De Gaulle (2020) |
The opportunity to shape this important story into a dynamic narrative, worthy of its British counterparts, is missed. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted May 20, 2021
|
|
|
|
Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021) |
The only commendable aspects are Jolie and Little's performances. Yet one must ask why Sheridan has relegated them to such an underwhelming, late night B-movie. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted May 14, 2021
|
|
|
|
The United States vs. Billie Holiday (2021) |
Andra Day's soulful performance is the lone reason to watch this otherwise middling biopic. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted May 05, 2021
|
|
|
|
Land (2021) |
While visually impressive, Land is marred by a lack of personal conflict and a terrible screenplay. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Apr 30, 2021
|
|
|
|
Voyagers (2021) |
Voyagers is a dull space drama built on large sci-fi themes over deep characters and suspense. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Apr 14, 2021
|
|
|
|
Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) |
Despite its imperfections, Judas and the Black Messiah resonates with anger and sadness. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Mar 08, 2021
|
|
|
|
Nomadland (2020) |
Nomadland is one of the most understated and quietly painful films I have seen. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Mar 04, 2021
|
|
|
|
Minari (2020) |
The film is commendable for its rich ideas and the empathy it crafts for its characters. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Feb 24, 2021
|
|
|
|
High Ground (2020) |
Despite a strong, authentic depiction of Indigenous culture, High Ground leaves us longing for a more nuanced thriller. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Jan 27, 2021
|
|
|
|
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) |
Wonder Woman 1984 is an oddly careless disappointment that needed pruning and more refinement. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Dec 21, 2020
|
|
|
|
David Byrne's American Utopia (2020) |
American Utopia's quirky presentation proves uplifting and surprisingly moving. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Nov 28, 2020
|
|
|
|
In the Name of the Land (2019) |
The visuals are stunning but an opportunity for a more subtle cautionary tale was missed. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Nov 25, 2020
|
|
|
|
I Am Greta (2020) |
Hollywood often tells us that the smallest person can change the world and director Nathan Grossman's thesis is the same. If Greta can do it, why can't you? - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Oct 23, 2020
|
|
|
|
Corpus Christi (2019) |
Corpus Christi is buoyed by exceptional craftsmanship, including Bartosz Bielenia's nuanced performance and several deft stylistic choices. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Oct 10, 2020
|
|
|
|
Tenet (2020) |
An incomprehensible and pretentious misfire from the usually reliable Christopher Nolan. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Sep 28, 2020
|
|
|
|
Waves (2019) |
The audacious stylistic choices and powerful performances immerse us into a downward spiral before gentle acts of solidarity reconnect the characters. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Jul 17, 2020
|
|
|
|
A White, White Day (2019) |
Hlynur Pálmason subverts the Nordic noir genre and achieves emotional and artistic success. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted Jul 08, 2020
|
|
|
|
Hearts and Bones (2019) |
Hearts and Bones' dull visuals and undernourished script detract from its strong performances and sincere intentions. - Impulse Gamer
Read More
| Posted May 03, 2020
|