Film Screening 14th February, 2015

Poster for Big Hero 6

Big Hero 6 

7:00 PM, 14th February, 2015
No Guests

  • PG
  • 108 mins
  • 2014
  • Don Hall, Chris Williams
  • Jordan Roberts, Daniel Gerson, Robert L. Baird
  • Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, James Cromwell, Genesis Rodriguez

Disney is on a roll at the moment with Wreck-It Ralph, Frozen and now Big Hero 6.

Big Hero 6 is a comedy-adventure about the bond that develops between Baymax, a plus-sized inflatable robot, and young prodigy Hiro Hamada. Basically, when a devastating event happens, Hiro is catapulted into danger so he turns to Baymax and his close friends to help him uncover the mystery and save the day. The best way to do that, of course, is to transform your friends into a band of high-tech heroes and give them a name… so, taa daa, we have Big Hero 6.

This isn’t the most creative Disney film out there, but it is an entertaining story and there are some pretty cool characters here. For my money, Baymax is the new Olaf (“Do you wanna build a giant-inflatable-super-hero-who-looks-a bit-like-a-big snowman?”) and the villain is one of the best in recent Disney history, which is saying something given he doesn’t sing, dance or speak in monologues!

The film does get pretty dark at times and there are other times where it feels a bit like it's a kids movie (?!), but the total package was great. Actually I hear that kids really like the film but I didn't really notice as
I was too busy laughing and enjoying it myself to notice what the kids were up to.

So let Frozen go, and come along for the next Disney adventure. Oh, and do yourself a favour and stay for the after-ending credits sequence.

Tamara Lee

Poster for Obvious Child

Obvious Child 

8:58 PM, 14th February, 2015

  • MA
  • 84 mins
  • 2014
  • Gillian Robespierre
  • Gillian Robespierre
  • Jenny Slate, Jake Lacy, Gaby Hoffmann, Richard Kind

Way back in 2010 I saw an excellent short film titled Obvious Child (named after the Paul Simon song). Five years later, I was delighted to find out it has been extended into a feature film that more than lives up to its predecessor. The ‘elevator pitch’ is it’s ‘a rom com about abortion’ but it’s so much more than that.

Jenny Slate stars as Donna, an up-and-coming comedian whose life as a twenty-something provides ample material for her stand up. But then, right after she gets dumped and loses her job in quick succession, a drunken night out results in an unexpected (and unwanted) pregnancy. As Donna contemplates an uncertain future, she finds support from a surprising source. A quirky rom com for the “Girls” generation, this is a story about a woman who makes her living out of awkwardness learning how to be truly vulnerable.

Jenny Slate gives a breakout performance in this raw, energetic comedy which is poignant and honest in its portrayal of one of life’s unspoken realities. Writer/Director Gillian Robespierre handles the subject matter with frankness and sympathy for her characters. This is a refreshing comedy for adults that doesn’t shy away from the messiness of life and finds humour in the humanity of its characters. Don’t miss out on this hidden gem.

Emma Petrie