Topkapi: an uneven and slight heist film possessed of zest, colour and joy
Jules Dassin, “Topkapi” (1964) His heist film “Rififi” proved to be such a classic that it ended up being spoofed as well as imitated so US…
Hollywood Films
Mash-up of all previous Alien franchise flicks delivers an uneven story in “Alien: Covenant”
Ridley Scott, “Alien: Covenant” (2017) British director Ridley Scott must have taken all the criticisms of “Prometheus” to heart as he has delivered a new chapter…
Elvis & Nixon: amusing and light-hearted comedy of the meeting between rock star legend and the most powerful politician in the world
Liza Johnson, “Elvis & Nixon” (2016) Based on an actual incident in which the famous rock singer Elvis Presley turned up unannounced at the White House…
Get Out: social criticism and philosophical inquiry in amongst a bizarre plot and interracial politics
Jordan Peele, “Get Out” (2017) Jordan Peele’s comedy horror film, his first as a director, about an interracial relationship that goes awry can be seen as…
Galaxy Quest: affectionate homage and spoof maintains the values of altruism, quest for knowledge and defending the underdog
Dean Parisot, “Galaxy Quest” (1999) Conceived as a homage to and spoof of the famous science fiction TV series “Star Trek” and of the obsessive fan…
Queen of the Desert: a boring and flat movie that mocks a remarkable woman and the people and region she came to love
Werner Herzog, “Queen of the Desert” (2013) Renowned German film director Werner Herzog, maker of classics like “Aguirre: Wrath of God” and “Fitzcarraldo” could have done…
The Truman Show: comedy drama satire encapsulating the search for authenticity for self and community under conditions of control and manipulation
Peter Weir, “The Truman Show” (1998) Once in a while Hollywood releases a film that encapsulates philosophical ideas about the purpose of life and the human…
Torn Curtain: an unremarkable spy thriller film let down by poor casting and a laboured script
Alfred Hitchcock, “Torn Curtain” (1966) To properly appreciate how good a director Alfred Hitchcock was over a career of 50+ years, one needs to see the…
Australian and New Zealand Films
Women He’s Undressed: a whimsical and shallow treatment of an Australian country boy who hits the big time in Hollywood
Gillian Armstrong, “Women He’s Undressed” (2015) Hollywood could not have dreamt up a more classic story of the country boy who finds his home town and…
The Founder: a fictional character study calling into question the American Dream and how it enables control and exploitation
John Lee Hancock, “The Founder” (2016) How do you make an engrossing film about a character who is essentially unlikeable, a predator who steals others’ ideas…