Shayda, which was the opening night feature at this year’s MIFF, is a semi-autobiographical film based on the childhood experiences of its writer/ director Noora Niasari. Set in 1995 in the Dandenong area, the film depicts an Iranian-Australian woman, Shayda’s (Zar Amir Ebrahimi) escape from abuse at the hands of her husband, Hossein (Osamah Sami). Having taken her daughter Mona
Read moreClever, inventive, visually breathtaking and studded with gritty action sequences, the dystopian adventure, The Creator is one of the stronger cinematic sci fi offerings of recent times. Still, a few too many conspicuous film references, structural issues and superficial examination of key issues like artificial intelligence and American imperialism lessen its impact. In scenes reminiscent of the start of District
Read moreRetribution is another entry in that paranoid action movie sub-genre, the Liam Neeson film. As many will now be familiar, the formula for these films involves Liam as a seemingly ordinary guy suddenly being thrust into a deadly situation where he’s trapped in some form of transport with a mysterious fiend sending him cryptic messages and threatening to kill people
Read moreAfter the decidedly mixed critical reception for their last overblown superhero extravaganza, The Flash, those behind the DC Extended Comic Universe would have been very keen to resurrect the fortunes of their franchise with their latest effort Blue Beetle. Unfortunately, despite a few fresh and appealing touches, this is just another generically plotted, noisy, frenzied and juvenile superhero action comedy.
Read moreFor those who (like me prior to seeing this film) are complete novices in the Paw Patrol world, this is a computer animated series for youngsters that mixes Thunderbirds-style rescue adventure with the adorable cuteness of puppies. In this world, in which dogs can talk and drive cars, a very likeable group of hounds Rubble, Skye, Liberty, Chase, Zuma and
Read moreLow-budget British drama, Scrapper takes a slender plot and infuses it with pathos and slightly erratic humour for one of the year’s more engaging cinematic oddities. Following her mother’s death, 12-year-old Georgie (Lola Campbell) is living by herself on an English council estate. Dodging school, making money selling stolen bikes with her friend Ali (Alin Uzun) and duping social services
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