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Men In Black 3

It’s not a sequel that needed to be made, but thanks to the charm of its leads and a tone that harks back to the wit and humour of the original, it’s a pretty enjoyable trip.

Bel Ami

The excellent female support cast saves this patchy effort, which is let down by its leading man and a flat screenplay.

The Dictator

A disappointing, often repulsive and mean-spirited mess of a film with seemingly only one real criterion on its agenda: to shock and offend.

The Woman In Black

Packed with atmosphere, this old-fashioned but deftly told ghost story delivers ample chills and thrills.

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Dealing With Destiny (Film)

by Catherine Brown | August 29, 2011 15:05 | Edited August 29, 2011 15:06

While it never transcends its sitcom-level antics, this is a refreshing stab at a university-set comedy.

It's quite an oddity to see an Australian film chronicle the infamous university years, and if nothing else, writer/producer Paul Condoleon should be applauded for tackling a genre that is rarely attempted here at home.

 

In the final days before graduation, Blake (The Tunnel's Luke Arnold in a likeable performance) is informed by his parents that they will no longer financially support his scholarly endeavours should he wish to continue his education. This means that Blake must now compete for the University scholarship medal with his best friend Lloyd. To further complicate matters, Lloyd's tarot card wielding girlfriend Zara begins to channel her cosmic powers, predicting future pathways and confusing present ones...

 

Perhaps the film's biggest flaw is that it plays out more like the pilot of a sitcom, lacking the substance required to make its relatively short eighty-minute running time seem justified. The narrative also lacks focus, too often diverting from the main action to showcase the juvenile gags of side characters Vinnie and Ricky, which do nothing to advance the story.

 

However, there are laughs to be had, including an uproarious gym sequence that contains the best use of a leotard since Flashdance and is sure to make every red-blooded male sprint to their nearest workout room. The film is also worth a look to scope out Australia's emerging acting talent including Clayton Moss, Steve Maresca and Catherine Jermanus.