Eating Out: All You Can Eat - Movie Poster

Eating Out: All You Can Eat

3.0 Anne Murphy

Tiffani and her friend Casey try to lure the gorgeous Zack with a phony online profile using the image of Tiffani's buff ex, Ryan... which works fine until the real Ryan shows up.

"Eating Out 3" is the latest installment in a trilogy following the romps of a group of characters through some raunchy situations and hook-ups. The style is almost cartoonish, with beefcake leads who spend little time with their shirts on, and their daffy female friends. This movie looks like it was made on a shoestring budget without extravagant sets or staging. If you like trashy, with some decent one-liners, try dining here.


Elegy - Movie Poster

Elegy

3.5 Andrew O'Dea

Cultural critic David Kepesh finds his life - which he indicates is a state of "emancipated manhood - thrown into tragic disarray by a student who awakens a sense of sexual possessiveness in her teacher.

This intelligent movie explores the often volatile and intertwined moralities of love, ageing and commitment. Most remarkable is the outstanding performance of the lead actor, whose character engagingly exposes some of the more confronting philosophical and psychological nuances of men. Apart from some unfortunate moments of predictable melodrama, "Elegy" remains a refreshingly provocative film, eloquent enough to be an elegy unto itself.


Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within - Movie Poster

Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within

3.5 Andrew O'Dea

A Lieutenant-Colonel in the military police force of Rio de Janeiro wages a war to vanquish the city of its drugs and corruption.

Set amongst the slums of Rio, "Elite Squad 2" is a fictionalised yet telling exploration of the harsh political reality in Brazil. A bloody and intelligent political thriller, the guns also blaze in a host of gritty but exceptionally realistic shoot-outs. Through a tale of violence, it highlights the exploitation of the poor to the corruption of the police and bureaucrats who are meant to be preventing the crime they profit from. Not quite elite, but a markedly solid effort nonetheless.


Enter the Void - Movie Poster

Enter the Void

4.0 Stefan Bugryn

A drug dealing youth is killed in Tokyo, and drifts through the city in death watching over his sister.

"Enter the Void" is an experimental film that literally takes you on a beautiful journey through life and death. It's very dreamy and trippy, delving into a kaleidoscope of colours and pictures that can often be mistaken for an exploration of space. The narrative is powerful, often intensely emotional, and is shot almost entirely from the protagonist's view, which makes it all the more engaging. The dark themes and visual onslaught will make it hard viewing for the faint hearted, but all others will love entering the void.


Escort in Love - Movie Poster

Escort in Love

3.5 Anne Murphy

When her husband dies in a car accident, Alice is left with a massive debt and the risk of losing her son so she turns to the oldest profession in the world.

Working as an escort is sometimes painted as an overly rosy career choice when portrayed in a movie. Thankfully, the annoyance of that plot hook is diffused in "Escort in Love" by the comic scenes it generates. There is also a couple of interesting side themes around social inclusion and diversity which compensate. This film is easy to like and enjoy, thanks to the congenial characters. Love the escort.


Everlasting Moments - Movie Poster

Everlasting Moments

4.0 Anne Murphy

In a time of social change and unrest, a young working class woman wins a camera in a lottery.

"Everlasting Moments" is a captivating drama set at the turn of 20th century and told from the perspective of a woman of modest means. Beautifully captured by the camera, and produced in sepia tones, the movie is burnished with a historic patina. The central relationship is acutely observed as years pass, a wife beleaguered by her domestic situation and her oafish husband. Themes of resilience and acceptance are sympathetically related rather than viewed through a romantic lens. Lasting impressions.


Every Jack has a Jill - Movie Poster

Every Jack has a Jill

3.5 Anne Murphy

Jack is encouraged to take the romantic Paris vacation he won, despite just being dumped by his girlfriend.

Despite the odd title, "Every Jack has a Jill" is a thoroughly enjoyable romantic comedy. The genre dictates the happy outcome so the ending is no surprise. Apart from the conclusion the rest of the story is delightfully unpredictable with a cast of eccentric characters. See this movie to enjoy a warm hearted story which has all the quirky and charming elements required to weave an endearing spell.


Every Little Step - Movie Poster

Every Little Step

4.0 Anne Murphy

Follows the plight of real-life dancers as they struggle through auditions for the Broadway revival of "A Chorus Line".

This documentary is eminently worthy of a big screen season. Dancers take centre stage and give their all to showcase their talents, competing for an elusive 'call-back'. Their performances are determined and gritty. The audience can't forget the production is real, with dreams, tears and joy laid bare as auditions progress. "Every Little Step" is exhilarating to watch with life imitating art imitating life. Broadway that's better than Broadway.


Exit Through The Gift Shop - Movie Poster

Exit Through The Gift Shop

4.0 Anne Murphy

The story of how an eccentric French shop keeper and amateur film maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy.

Is "Exit Through the Gift Shop" documentary or mockumentary? Cleverly constructed and provocative, the film is absorbing as 'documentary', but the tongue-in cheek acerbic tone deftly tilts the balance back to 'mockumentary'. This creatively told story manages to be both an homage to street art and, at the same time, a caustic commentary on the mainstream art world - cynical to say the least. Viva la revolution, as long as you do the required thing and exit through the gift shop.


Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close - Movie Poster

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

3.5 Tom Jones

A nine-year-old amateur inventor, Francophile, and pacifist searches New York City for the lock that matches a mysterious key left behind by his father, who died in the World Trade Center.

The centre of the world and its inhabitants, as seen and experienced through the eyes and mind of a young boy, are dynamically depicted in this film about loss and the journey one takes to feel found. The central plotline struggles to sustain your interest for the entirety and the loose ends could be tied quicker, but the moments where life and all its eccentricities are pulled back to a very literal and innocent place are quite compelling. All in all, extremely heartfelt, incredibly nice.


Fair Game - Movie Poster

Fair Game

2.5 Tom Jones

A CIA agent's identity is revealed by the White House to discredit her husband after he writes a piece saying that the Bush administration had manipulated intelligence about weapons of mass destruction.

"Fair Game" is a dummies take on the 'he said/she said' enquiries which led to President Bush declaring that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction. Although this political drama is easy-to-follow, you kind of wish there were more thrills, shocks or unforeseen twists in the script, which at times lacks impact. The inclusion of real footage enhances the film; as it goes from being less conspiracy based to looking more like a historical account. Neither right nor wrong, just fair.


Familiar Ground - Movie Poster

Familiar Ground

3.5 Anne Murphy

Benoit lives with his invalid father while his sister, Maryse, is desperate for her husband to sell the backhoe sitting abandoned in their suburban yard.

The camera zooms in on family relationships, focussing on small interactions and exchanges. If you've ever wondered what the neighbours are doing, this film is a glimpse of them indulging in the same mundane activities as your loved ones. "Familiar Ground" is understated and wry, full of mini-moments. It manages to be unexpectedly generous too, as this little, almost deadpan, movie delivers a redemptive feel-not-bad, if not feel good, close. Familiar terrain that surprises.


Father of My Children - Movie Poster

Father of My Children

4.0 Wendy Slevison

A film producer struggles with suicidal despair amidst the collapse of his business.

"Father of My Children" explores the emotive subject of suicide, acutely juxtaposing the life of a busy young Parisian family before and after 'the event'. In this sensitive and authentic observation, anger, tears, secrets and stoic determination are all revealed as the people left behind struggle to continue on with life amidst their grief and the financial mess that is their legacy. Based on a true story (only minor details have been changed), this film is a poignant acknowledgement of the very significant issue of mental health in our world. Don't just see this film, talk about it.


First Love - Movie Poster

First Love

4.0 Stefan Bugryn

Three young girls share their love of the waves as they make a trip to Hawaii.

This film is a hidden gem. As the title suggests, you fall in love with these young playful girls as you follow their inspiring passion for surfing. You get swept up in their carefree attitudes, and it really does make you want to pick up a surfboard and hit the waves! It is stunningly shot, where every shot looks like a masterpeice. It almost feels like a young girls scrapbook, where even the soundtrack and editing add to the lively tone. Don't miss this one.


Fish Tank - Movie Poster

Fish Tank

4.0 Anne Murphy

Everything changes for 15 year old Mia when her mum brings home a new boyfriend.

"Fish Tank" is a coming of age movie set on a rundown English council estate. The characters are filled with equal measures of frustration, anger, longing and alcohol, without means to release the pressure. The decaying situation is played out with a credibility that leaves the audience unsurprised at the outcomes but gripped by the tension. With nowhere to go but down, the mood is deliberately oppressive. The tank is grimy, and breathing underwater almost impossible, but even so we glimpse gold on the scales of these fish.