Explore our Cinerama Capsule 2018 film reviews, from Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One to the gargantuan Meg and a Prayer Before Dawn.
All the Money in the World
Sometimes, true-life historical stories are far more fascinating than any fiction writer could conjure, and the 1973 kidnapping of John Paul Getty III (Charlie Plummer) and the refusal of his billionaire grandfather, J. Paul Getty (Christopher Plummer), to cooperate with the kidnappers are among them. Based on John Pearson’s 1995 book Painfully Rich: The Outrageous Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Heirs of J. Paul Getty, Ridley Scott’s movie has a rocky filming schedule due to Kevin Spacey’s removal and Christopher Plummer’s last-minute inclusion and re-shoots, and unfortunately, it shows. Great performances from Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer, Charlie Plummer and Mark Wahlberg can’t save the film from feeling slow and patched together at the last minute.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Following on from his darkly humorous In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths. Martin McDonagh delivers a film that dovetails the darkest of humour with a psychological examination of human pain and justice. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri delves into themes of guilt, family and prejudice, unapologetically pushing buttons that generate discomfort. As we follow Mildred, the amazing Frances McDormand and her efforts to ensure the person who raped and murdered her daughter Angela is brought to justice, Three Billboards delivers one of the greatest character studies of recent years as the past ghosts of a small town continue to haunt its future.
With a stellar ensemble featuring Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Caleb Landry Jones, and more, McDonagh’s film deftly explores the ripples of change in a community in the wake of violence and destruction, and the singular need to uncover the truth no matter the personal cost through the darkest humour and psychological drama.
Cinerama Capsule 2018 (reviews)
Lady Bird
Lady Bird is one of the most genuine and heartfelt films exploring the transition from girlhood to womanhood I’ve seen in a long time. With a stunning, beautifully crafted script from Greta Gerwig, who also directs and a stellar central performance from Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird is tender, funny and warm while never shying away from the conflict and difficulties of teenage life. Add to the mix a truly delightful ensemble cast that includes Lucas Hedges, Laurie Metcalf, Timothée Chalamet and Tracy Letts, and Gerwig’s picture may well be one of the best coming-of-age flicks of the past five years.
I, Tonya
Margot Robbie and Allison Janney give outstanding, dare I say, award-winning performances as we explore the life of Tonya Harding through a cleverly constructed mockumentary-style film. I, Tonya is funny, sad, and deeply uncomfortable, with a clear social commentary on the American underclass, fame, and the media. Its score ripples with upbeat classic pop songs, but at its heart, I, Tonya is dark, edgy, and, at times, a deeply uncomfortable satirical exploration of fame, corrupted sporting prowess, and familial toxicity.
Game Night
Who doesn’t love a night of board games, beers and besties? Married couple Max (Jason Bateman) and Annie (Rachel McAdams) sure do, but their weekend game night with friends Ryan, Billy Magnussen, and married couple, Kevin Lamorne Morris and Michelle Kylie Bunbury, is about to become something far more dangerous, thrilling and eventful than a mere roll of the dice! Game Night is a hoot, but it also struggles with the classic dilemma of balancing action, comedy, and character development in a movie that ebbs and flows in its ability to hold the audience’s interest. Despite this, a top-rate cast and several laugh-out-loud scenes enable the film to largely rise above its flaws. Roll the dice on this one, and you won’t be disappointed.
Cinerama Capsule 2018 (reviews)
Ready Player One
Ready Player One was always going to be a tough story to translate on the silver screen, but who better to attempt it than Steven Spielberg? His long-awaited adaptation, starring Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Mark Rylance and Simon Pegg, isn’t just a visually electric treat; it’s a divine love letter to pop culture that has one eye on the past and one firmly fixed on the future. That doesn’t mean there aren’t flaws in Spielberg’s high-octane rollercoaster ride. Ready Player One does stumble in its character development, rushing to introduce its characters and their backstories, which occasionally leaves the film feeling somewhat cluttered, but it more than makes up for this with sheer cinematic power and beauty. Ready Player One is the epitome of the big-screen experience, and love it or hate it, Spielberg’s vision is designed to take your breath away.
The Meg
Jon Turteltaub’s summer action blockbuster opens with a promising premise but soon descends into a farce of gargantuan proportions. On the plus side, it’s clear that the director and cast know this, and therefore, they have as much fun with it as is humanly possible. Jason Statham once again needs something to punch, and this time it’s a prehistoric megalodon that’s come out to play just as summer is in full swing. More Godzilla than Jaws, there are moments when this ridiculous monster flick finds its fins, but alas, despite a few genuine jump scares and some fun, The Meg quickly drowns in its own awfulness.
A Prayer Before Dawn
Recounting the true story of Billy Moore, a young lad from Liverpool who attempted to restart his life in Thailand as a boxer following an adolescence of drugs, violence and crime back home, Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire delivers a knockout blow with this gritty drama. Billy’s (the fabulous Joe Cole) new life quickly fell apart as he was arrested for gun offences in Thailand in 2005 and sentenced to three years in the notorious Klong Prem Central Prison. There, he would attempt to earn the respect of his fellow prisoners, despite language being a barrier, by mastering Muay Thai. A Prayer Before Dawn is brutal and visceral in its exploration of Thailand’s criminal justice system and Billy’s need to survive at any cost through sport. You can almost smell the sweat and feel the heat in a movie that leaves you feeling like you have done several rounds in the ring.
Cinerama Capsule 2018 (reviews)
First Reformed
Paul Schrader’s sweeping tale of religious belief, isolation and radicalism will stay with you long after the credits have rolled. Filmed in a 4.3 aspect ratio, First Reformed explores themes of faith, money, industry, and personal passion with a constant focus on the personal and life challenges of a man of the cloth. Ethan Hawke is nothing short of outstanding from the first scene to last in a puzzle-box movie that ultimately leaves you with far more questions than it seeks to answer. If First Reformed isn’t front and centre this awards season, it would be criminally remiss of both Bafta and The Academy.
The Workshop
Laurent Cantet’s latest film offers a complex and at times unnerving exploration of literature, free speech, political extremism, and the rise of polarised views in France. This is not a uniquely French subject, and while watching it, I also found myself thinking about our polarised political system, where many young people are pushed to the margins of belief. The Workshop deftly navigates the line between understanding, anger, family, and teen identity, never offering the audience easy answers.
Slaughterhouse Rulez
If your parents, no matter how well-meaning, decide to send you to a boarding school named ‘Slaughterhouse’, they plan to rent your room permanently. And if that school, no matter how posh, has a colossal fracking site next door, run!
If only someone had told young Don Wallace (Finn Cole) that, he would have never spent his term fighting monsters with a taste for human flesh. But then he also wouldn’t have met snuff-loving roommate Willoughby Blake (Asa Butterfield), posh girl Clemsie (Hermione Corfield) or the innocent, bullied Wootton (Kit Conner). Meanwhile, the headmaster (Michael Sheen) supplements the school’s finances with dodgy dealings and kickbacks, while housemaster Meredith (Simon Pegg) turns to the bottle.
Ultimately, this creates a highly dysfunctional school environment long before its hidden horrors are revealed. So buckle up for a night of schoolyard terrors, rotten smells, snappy monsters and bloody mortarboards. Just don’t forget the snuff, cricket bats and shin guards; the new school term was never meant to be this mad!
The Wife
Character drama doesn’t get much better than Björn Runge’s expertly directed tale of secrets, love and unspoken pain, with Glenn Close giving an Oscar-worthy performance alongside the outstanding Jonathan Pryce. This is a drama in which a mere look or gesture speaks a thousand words, as long-suppressed internal thoughts scream for release and recognition. The Wife isn’t just sublime drama; it’s filmmaking and performance at their rawest, most affecting, and most engaging.
Cinerama Capsule 2018 (reviews)
Robin Hood
Robin Hood adaptations seem to have a knack for falling into the same cinematic holes as countless King Arthur flicks. This one may not be as bad as last year’s King Arthur, but its modern, muddled take on folklore is just as tedious. Here, a stellar cast, including Taron Egerton and Ben Mendelsohn, is left little room to develop their characters, due to a one-dimensional screenplay in which even the lighter moments amid the tiresome action fall flat. With little emotional connection to its characters, this version of Robin Hood sadly never finds its meaning or heart.
Aquaman
Can Aquaman save the DCEU? Well, not quite, but he does offer us some damn fine popcorn entertainment in a movie that is slightly bonkers, and visually stunning with some cracking performances and far too much CGI. Aquaman never intends to provide us with a full origin story for our fishy muscle-toned sea god (Jason Momoa), and it’s all the better for avoiding the origin trap. Despite the underwater fun, one can’t help but wonder where this DCEU is headed. My bet is that it’s about to sink like a stone to the bottom of a watery grave, unless someone can save it, and I am not sure James Wan has. Let’s hope I’m wrong.
Follow Us