The Year My Voice Broke (1987)

Danny is an Aussie boy in love with his childhood friend Freya, but she's keen on his douchebag friend Trevor instead. Meh. I can still feel those same pangs of jealousy, clear as day. The unrequited yearning of never getting what you truly want. The ache and longing are part and parcel of growing up. This is a very good movie, but it always makes me sad for a long time afterward, which I guess means it's effective in its messaging. The pain of first love never goes away. Even as the memories distance themselves, it stays with you forever.

4½ telepathic messages out of 5

Roofman (2025)

An escaped convict makes his home at a Toys 'R' Us store where he lays low during the day and comes alive at night. Meanwhile, he develops a relationship with an employee there and must juggle two separate lives while keeping on the down-low. Channing Tatum makes the performance, in a sometimes sad and wistful comedy, which I also found quite charming. Based on a true story.

3 peanut M&Ms out of 5

Freaky Tales (2024)

A loose anthology of four interconnected morality tales that take place in Oakland, California in 1987. The first has to do with neo-Nazis, the second with misogyny, et cetera. The third story features Pedro Pascal (with a fun cameo from Tom Hanks) that should have been expanded into its own feature film because it was by far the most interesting and ended just as it was getting good. The fourth one that links it all together was just eye-rollingly obtuse.

It tries really hard to be Pulp Fiction, but ends up being straight up poop.

1½ green glows out of 5

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY [2016]

Taking a slight detour from the established Skywalker family Star Wars stories, director Gareth Edwards' Rogue One remains in the same universe but delivers a far darker and violent tone.
In what is essentially a footnote in the original saga, the film tells the story of the scoundrels rebelling against the Rebels, as they go on a dangerous mission to retrieve the plans of the infamous Death Star.
Filled with all sorts of familiar faces, bridging the gaps between the two sets of trilogies, the film clearly panders to it's fans and with a quality film like this it's easy to take in.  Edwards relishes in playing in an already well-established series but he gives it his own stamp of gritty chaos that feels fresh to the universe.  There's a bit much going on in the beginning but once the action starts up it all swiftly comes together as a damned fine pulpy sci-fi thriller.

4 not very nice days on the beach out of 5

EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS [2014]

Director Ridley Scott takes it upon himself to retell the biblical story of The Amazing Adventures of Moses & The Jews in Exodus: Gods and Kings.
Uber-broody Christian Bale is cast as a sword-wielding Moses who leads 600,000 Jewish slaves out of Egypt to freedom and along the way they meet all sorts of zany characters and exciting hijinks ensue  Visually, the film is pretty damned spectacular, in both scenery and special effects, never denying itself the chance of a sweeping CGI overhead shot of the ancient lands and cities.  Elsewhere like in the heart and brains department, Exodus lacks a great deal.  Scott tries to scientifically explain all the biblical events like the parting of the Red Sea or the different plagues and in turn, he sucks all the magic out of what is actually a pretty amazing story and turns it into dazzling dullness.

2½ Godly kids out of 5

THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES [2013]

The Place Beyond The Pines is a hypnotizing, slow-burning crime drama from director Derek Cianfrance.  

These are the characters Bruce Springsteen writes about in his songs.  Troubled Americans backed into a corner facing moral dilemmas and despair on the wrong side of the tracks.  The three lead actors, Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper and Dane DeHaan deliver some haunted and effective performances as always, while the cinematography, eerrie music courtesy of Mike Patton and wonderful narrative provide a memorably melancholy backdrop.   It will probably deter audiences simpy looking for a good time but comes highly recommended for lovers of great cinema.  

4 tastes of ice cream out of 5

KILLING THEM SOFTLY [2012]

Director Andrew Dominik reteams with Brad Pitt for Killing Them Softly, a screen adaptation of George V. Higgins' crime novel Cogan's Trade.

Dominik uses dry, dark humour and bleak, brutal violence to do a intricate character study wrapped around American political allegories that is stylish, absorbing and well-acted.  All that aside, it never completely comes full circle and leaves a bit to be desired once the credits start rolling.  

3½ businesses (not countries) out of 5

KILLER ELITE [2011]

When I first saw that Jason Statham and Clive Owen had done a film together I dookied in my pants a little...seeing that DeNiro was in it as well confirmed that dookie.
It's violent, filled with plot holes, it's violent, filled with magically healing wounds, it's violent, not particularly original and it's violent.
I loved it.
Seeing Statham and Owen duke it out something fierce, definitely takes the cake from Fast Five's Vin Diesel and Rock as 2011's ultimate showdown. DeNiro gets into the action himself which is an absolute squeal-worthy delight.
It's unpredictable enough to keep you entertained till the end and the enticing performances hold your interest during the non-action scenes. If you're an action-buff who likes to see it done right, then this is it served to you on a silver platter.

3 ½ Funny British Guy Curses out of 5