Sian
Sian's love for movies spawned from having a tight mother whose generosity stretched only to hiring movies once a week for entertainment. As a pre-teen Sian spent more pocket money then she earned on cinema tickets and thus sought a job at the cinema. Over the next decade she rose to be one of the greats in her backwater, six-screen cinema complex, zooming through the ranks from candy bar wench with upselling superpowers, to pasty projectionist, to a manager rocking a pencil skirt. Sian went on to study Journalism at university though feels her popcorn shovelling days were far more educational
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore Review
It’s been a four year wait for the third Fantastic Beasts instalment. Delays due to COVID, the Depp-debacle and script fine-tuning pushed the flick back nearly a year. Is it worth the wait? Is four years long enough to ‘obliviate’ the many unimpressed critics that panned the Crimes of Grindelwald? Does The Secrets of Dumbledore bring the magic required to ‘accio’ a mask-wearing, vax certificate-c...
Black Widow Review
It’s been over 10 years since Natasha Romanoff first appeared kicking Tony Stark’s butt in the boxing ring in Iron Man 2 (2010). They’ve had a decade to craft her story, so how does it stand up in the franchise? With little more than passing comments hinting at her dark past in previous Marvel flicks, BLACK WIDOW is one of the stand alone Avenger flicks I was most excited to see....
Minamata Review
I’ll admit, I knew nothing about MINAMATA (the film or the Japanese city) when I signed on to do this review. I just heard “there’s Johnny Depp in a beret” and said “I’m in!” As such, I wasn’t quite ready for the emotional true story that followed. MINAMATA tells the heartfelt real-life story of renown – but troubled – war photographer, W...
Cruella Review
When I first heard a Cruella origin story was in the pipeline, I was admittedly intrigued. “You think you can make me ‘understand’ an evil puppy killer, Disney?” I declared to anyone who would listen – which was no-one – “Goodluck!” So has Disney succeeded at humanising one of the most unforgivable Disney villains? Has this flick done for Cruella d...
While at War Review
The Moro Spanish Film Festival presented by Palace kicks off in Perth on April 28, with a curated selection of 29 films offering movie lovers a cinematic journey across Spain and Latin America. Accessreel’s Sian shares her thoughts on one of the flicks making its Australian debut at the festival; WHILE AT WAR. With WHILE AT WAR, Writer/Director Alejandro Amenábar (best known internationally ...
The Little Things Review
Serial killer crime thrillers. These films are a dime a dozen. So what does John Lee Hancock’s new offering, THE LITTLE THINGS, contribute to the genre? Read on to find out… The synopsis may sound familiar: A serial killer preys on beautiful young women. An obsessive, washed up detective with a mysterious personal investment in the case takes it upon himself to do all he can to help th...
A Christmas Gift from Bob Review
Had “Bob” been a dog, I would have been first in line to see this flick. However, Bob being a cat, meant the film inspired a little less pre-viewing excitement in me. Hang on! Put down the knives cat ladies; I’m no feline-hater! But they just don’t stir the same warm and fuzzies in me that a pooch does…perhaps it’s the fact that I can’t seem to pat any cat...
Honest Thief Review
At 68 years old, Liam Neeson is one lucky bugger to still draw audiences as an “action hero”. Despite his [gracefully] advancing years, he still manages to pull it off with a certain silver style – be it thanks to a great personal trainer, creative editing or a rash of stunt doubles (probably all of the above!) After stating publicly that COLD PURSUIT (2019) would be his last act...
Made in Italy Review
Pasta and Liam Neeson? Don’t mind if I do… As a lover of pasta and of Liam Neeson, I “dibbed” tickets to MADE IN ITALY despite my usual indifference to romcoms. I was also keen to watch a new release – as there’s only so much COVID Netflix binging one can endure… MADE IN ITALY is a formulaic flick following an alternative artist, Robert (Liam Neeson), and ...
The Lion King Review
While Disney’s decision to remake its classic animations as “live-action” flicks may be criticised as a lazy money making venture, I admit I’ve been super excited to revisit my favourite childhood films. Us 90’s kids have had to be flexible; there have been modifications to our beloved movies. Some changes have pleased, others peeved, but all offer interesting insight...
Toy Story 4 Review
Nine years after we blubbered bittersweet tears at the near-perfect “conclusion” to the TOY STORY saga, we are given an extra instalment. Necessary? Not really. Enjoyable? Read on to find out… In a lovely opening montage, we recap the ever-loyal Woody’s transition from his beloved Andy to his new “kid” Bonnie. Woody may be just as loyal, but he has fallen from the lofty favourite toy status ...
Velvet Buzzsaw Review
Many artists pour their soul in to their creations…what if these souls could bite back? Satire meets the supernatural in VELVET BUZZSAW – a welcome reunion of writer/director Dan Gilroy and actor Jake Gyllenhaal after the electric NIGHTCRAWLER (2014). Released by Netflix, BUZZSAW is available on member’s screens now. Fans of NIGHTCRAWLER may have been surprised upon seeing the BU...