Top of the list this week is the story of FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS, a New York heiress who dreamed of becoming an opera singer, despite having a terrible singing voice. I’ve seen the French movie about the same character which was ok — and this one is likely to be similar. Variety’s Guy Lodge describes this movie as, ‘… an audience picture first and foremost: one wholly sympathetic to its eponymous subject's delusional drive to delight crowds with or without the requisite artistry.’ Looking forward to it. People ***1/2 ◉ Critics ***1/2
OTHERS TO SEE
MIA MADRE (My Mother) tells the story of Margherita, a director in the middle of an existential crisis, who has to deal with the inevitable and still unacceptable loss of her mother. For The Hollywood Reporter’s Deborah Young, ‘Simplicity and maturity of vision are the virtues here, good qualities but perhaps a little too understated for major attention-grabbing.’ People ***1/2 ◉ Critics ***
MAYBE/MAYBE NOT
THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY is another biopic about a famous man, this time, Srinivasa Ramanujan Iyengar. He grew up poor in Madras, India, and earns admittance to Cambridge University during WWI, where he becomes a pioneer in mathematical theories with the guidance of his professor, G.H. Hardy. It’s good to know about famous people that have flown under the radar for most of us. I have seen this one and will post my review soon. In the meantime, I agree with Empire who describes it as ‘Well intentioned and played, this shows flashes of what could have been, but is ultimately let down by its timidity towards the maths, and fails to make the case for its own hero's greatness.’ People ***1/2 ◉ Critics **1/2
If you saw Bad Neighbours then we probably know what to expect with NEIGHBOURS 2: SORORITY RISING. After a sorority moves in next door, which is even more debaucherous than the fraternity before it, Mac and Kelly have to ask for help from their former enemy, Teddy. Notice the phrase ‘more debaucherous’. Didn’t think that was possible — but there you go. Screen International ’s Fionnuala Halligan says it ‘… turns out to be an uneasy watch, awash with unconvincing performances, unfunny stereotypes, and dubious gross-out gags.’ Be warned. People *** ◉ Critics **1/2
TO AVOID
See above and you decide! wink emoticon
That's it for this week. See you at the movies!
NOTE Movie summaries are adaptations of movie summary on IMDB. Opinions are mine unless credited. People and critics scores are a rough idea of how movies are currently being rated on the “average”. These updates are written from an Australian perspective so openings of the movies in cinemas may vary in other parts of the world.
Wasteland Gods by Jonathan Woodrow
