The Screen Critic: The latest Avatar, a fun animation, a housemaid thriller and a hit bitter-sweet Christmas tale
Arriving with the subtlety we usually associate with uber-director James Cameron, Avatar: Fire and Ash is the third eye-popping spectacle in his world-conquering film franchise.
Costing a mere $400 million – that’s an estimate, of course; it could be higher – Cameron takes us back to Pandora, that beautiful planet where mountains float and the tall blue-tinted locals contend with the constant threat of colonisation from money-loving humans.
This time around, former human Jake Scully (Sam Worthington) and his Na’vi tribe not only have to fight against corporate greed but with a rival tribe, lead by fiery warrior queen Varang (Oona Chaplin) who is obsessed with Earth-made weapons.
Boasting a story that’s a tad more interesting than the first two Avatars, there’s some nicely drawn moral conflicts spicing things up.
As usual, the ultra-expensive wall-to-wall visual effects are impressive, though the look is now so familiar they offer nothing new. If you can be bothered, the film is also screening in 3D, a gimmick that never really took hold after the first film.
Just be cautioned that, at 197 minutes, the film is essentially a stress test on the average human bladder. So, avoid coffee and soft drinks two hours before heading in. You’re welcome.
For a big, juicy serving of delicious trash it’s hard to beat The Housemaid, a psychological thriller about a hapless parolee (Sydney Sweeney) who gets a gig as a live-in maid for a wealthy, slightly crazy woman (Amanda Seyfried).
Matters move quickly from the get-go as the sexual tension builds between the attractive young helper and her employer’s handsome husband (Brandon Sklenar).
Like all good thrillers – even cheesy ones like this – just when you think you know what’s going on things take a sharp turn to the left.
It’s huge fun and a great way to decompress after Christmas. Opens Boxing Day.
Speaking of Christmas, the season has long brought out the macabre side of filmmakers, a prime case being Silent Night, Deadly Night (a remake of the 1984 classic) in which a traumatised young man is driven by the voice inside his head to rid the world of bad people while dressed in a Santa suit.
Very well-directed with a lining of black humour, this is a joyride designed for hardcore horror fans.
A terrific animated family film, Pets on a Train is a high-speed action comedy about a group of pets get stuck on a runaway train as is hurtles towards certain doom.
While kids will enjoy the pace and visual humour, adult film buffs will love picking out the dozens of references to the great train films of yore.
Over on the arthouse circuit is The Golden Spurtle, the best documentary ever made about something we’ve all desperately wanted to know about – competitive porridge making.
Funny and full of charm, the international event takes place in Carrbridge, one of those timeless Scottish villages that seem designed to feature on the lid of shortbread tins.
And just a quick warning to steer clear of Ella McCay, an alleged comedy about a young woman who is suddenly thrust into political office.
Made by the esteemed James L. Brooks (Broadcast News; As Good As It Gets; The Simpsons), the film spends all its time looking for a storyline to focus on. It’s meant to be funny, but it’s a sad mess. Save your money.
In a fun take on the Home Alone premise, Oh. What. Fun. presents us with a good-hearted mother (Michelle Pfeiffer) who is left behind by her family as they attend an event she planned.
Angry at being ignored, she abandons them and heads to California where she crashes her favourite talk show and goes viral after spruiking the cause of under-appreciated mothers.
A warm and funny yuletide comedy, the film has received a critical drubbing yet has somehow proved a huge hit on Prime. Go figure.
It’s an upbeat hoot with a strong message and a lovely performance from Pfeiffer. Check it out.
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