Film Reviews by JD

Rhys Darby plays 8 characters all flawed some more than others. His "drag" performances are a little awkward. After a while it becomes wearing but there are light moments of comedy in each chapter.

"Has-been" producers, critics and DJs reminisce about Pink Floyd on and on and on for 4 discs. There is not a moment of Floyd in the hours of rubbish.

This true account of 4 men's 119 day struggle for survival at sea on a capsized catamaran is partly about clashing and extreme personalities and partly about survival. There is some background stuff about the families waiting for their return which helps the drama. Interesting but not gripping unless you are an avid sailor.

This style of humour didn't hit my funny bone. It relies on the silliness of believing that Sam Neill's character was a dog in a previous life and that Peter O'Toole's was the owner. I on the other hand saw it as the mocking of the eccentricities of a priest when he is drunk. Awkward and not pleasant. If you can laugh at other's shortcomings and go along with the idea that an elderly man can change in a moment from cynical to gullible then let yourself go. On the positive side there are moderately entertaining sub-plots and the acting is good.

B movie cult horror-comedy (plagiarised from the 2 previous reviews) is a good précis. But it is B movie stuff so expect it to be a bit raw and low budget. The Kiwi's do not shy away from some obvious sheep jokes.

A vampire comedy. This is not sophisticated nor is there much plot, just silliness, jolliness and kiwi madness. Some of the slightly gory scenes are funny. It doesn't sweep you along, there were a few times the joke wore thin but I stayed with it and was repaid with a gentle humour. All of the comedians are accomplished and slick, worth a watch unless your too serious about it.

This is a profoundly moving film about a schizophrenic outcast who comes from a very violent family. His motivation and solace is chess. This is a low budget film about a very poor New Zealand community some of whom are very violent. Not easy to watch. The main character "dark horse" is extremely engaging and emotionally involving. The tale is generally of triumph over adversity and you will not be too depressed for watching it. Advertised as a classic, I would agree.

This is a historical account of the first successful ascent of Everest. Original footage is used. Some of the filming for the film was done close to the summit of Everest some in the snowy mountains of New Zealand. The story is as close to true as possible. The real trials of the team from the selection to success are shown with as much drama as if it were fiction. I felt exhausted just watching.

The majority of reviewers seem to have found this overly long. Not for me. I was utterly engrossed in Casey Afflick's misery. Sadness beyond endurance. Melancholy with no possibility of cure. Only Casey could bring such despair to a character. Not for everyone, but if you can stand lingering depression, it is fantastic.

Why have a film with a different director and different main character do a sequel to 3 of the best action films ever? Money I expect. The film is doomed to failure. It is not as good as the other Bourne's and if I wasn't comparing it, I would probably give it 4 *s. Plot is a bit iffy but the action sequence with the drones and the wolf was memorable.

Waititi has an amateur childish charm which will not appeal to many. Silly and slow comedy. A bunch of nerds with no social skills will eventually charm you with their innocent naive stupidity. Not great but uplifting.

I'm glad they could get the money for another series. The plots are interesting and unpredictable, the characters and their interactions involving, and the scenery awesome. Some of the acting is a little underwhelming, though Erin Armstrong is surprisingly good given his lack of fame.

Ben Affleck postponed the release of this film in light of the abduction of Madeline McCann in 2007. A sensitive and sensible decision. All the papers pointed out how closely the child actress resembled Madeline. The huge difference is that Madeline is still sadly missing. Sorry for the plot spoiler but the poster for the film shows the final scene with her on it on the couch so also a poster spoiler. Personally I think Casey is a considerably better actor than his brother and it must be gaulling to be directed by him. There will many who disagree.

Child abduction is not easy watching and some of it will sicken all but the most superficial viewer. Pretty much everything that Casey does however is sad beyond endurance. He is without doubt the best actor ever for profound emotion. The direction however is poor and does not do anything for the plot.

This is an artsy tale of silly humour. It is not for most. Even for a cult type humour it is a bit too dry in places and the plot a bit too unimportant. On the one hand I liked the style but on the other I didn't laugh. A bit like a film I think was called Napoleon Bonaparte (cult child comedy) but I can't find it under this name.

After watching this film I immediately ordered a whole load of New Zealand directed films. Great scenery, very laid back humour, silly in bits but not too much, the main characters are really well crafted. Some of the supporting acting is a bit thin, difficult to say whether that was script or actor. Sam Neill of course is superb but Rhys Darby is laugh out loud funny.