Michael Review

Michael

Release Date: April 22nd 2026 - Australia

Production Companies

Universal Pictures (presents)

Lionsgate (in association with)

GK Films

Optimum Productions

Distribution

Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Musical/Drama

Rating: PG

Runtime: 127 minutes

Budget: $200,000,000

Box Office Gross:

$1,022,317,988 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Explore the life and times

of pop legend Michael

Jackson. This film

explores his remarkable

talent, from his early

days as the lead singer

of the Jackson 5 to his

transformation into a

trailblazing artist. It

highlights his creative

vision and unwavering

ambition to become the

world's greatest entertainer,

as well as his life

offstage and some of

the most legendary

performances from his

early solo career.

Cast

Jaafar Jackson - Michael Jackson

Juliano Krue Valdi - Young Michael

Colman Domingo - Joe Jackson

Nia Long - Katherine Jackson

Miles Teller - John Branca

Laura Harrier - Suzanne de Passe

KeiLyn Durrel Jones - Bill Bray

Jamal R. Henderson - Jermaine Jackson

Jayden Harville - Young Jermaine

Tre Horton - Marlon Jackson

Jaylen Lyndon Hunter -

Young Marlon

Rhyan Hill - Tito Jackson

Judah Edwards - Young Tito

Joseph David-Jones - Jackie

Jackson

Nathaniel Logan McIntyre - Young Jackie

Jessica Sula - La Toya Jackson

Kendrick Sampson - Quincy Jones

Larenz Tate - Berry Gordy

Liv Symone - Gladys Knight

Kevin Schnick - Dick Clark

Mike Myers - Walter Yetnikoff

Deon Cole - Don King

Asia Fuqua - Ola Ray

Jono Petrie - John Landis

Paul Hipp - Bob Giraldi

Crew

Executive Producer/Director -

Antoine Fuqua

Writer - John Logan

Executive Producer/Unit

Production Manager - David B. Householter

Executive Producers - Jackie,

Jermaine, La Toya Jackson,

Marlon, Prince Michael &

Tito Jackson, Hayley King,

Karen Langford, Jordan Schur

and Lydia Silverman

Producers - John Branca,

Graham King and John McClain

Casting Director - Victoria Thomas

Production Designer - Barbara Ling

Supervising Art Director - Eric

Sundahl

Set Decorator - Amy Wells

Costume Designer - Marci Rodgers

Makeup Designer - Bill Corso

Special Makeup Effects

Artists - Howard Berger,

Kenneth Calhoun, Mark

Garbarino, Bart Mixon,

Ve Neill, Christopher Allen

Nelson and Dominie Till 

Prosthetics Designer -

Christen Tinsley 

Director of Photography -

Dion Beebe

Unit Production Manager -

Mika Saito

First Assistant Directors - Jon Mallard and Liz Tan

Animal Wrangler - Paul 'Sled' Reynolds

Supervising Stunt Coordinator - Chris O'Hara

Choreographers - Anthony & Richmond Talauega

Special Effects Coordinator - Eric Cook

Special Effects Supervisor - J.D. Schwalm

Visual Effects Supervisor - Louis Marin

Visual Effects Supervisor: ILM - Ivan Busquets

Visual Effects Supervisor: Cinesite - Holger Voss

Visual Effects Supervisor: Lola VFX - Edson Williams

Visual Effects Producer - Greg Baxter

Additional Animation Supervisor: ILM - Steve Nichols

Compositing Supervisor: Proof - Theresa Ellis Rygiel

Editors - Conrad Buff IV, Tom Cross,

John Ottman and Harry Yoon

Additional Editors - John Lee and Matt Friedman

Supervising Sound Editor/Music Supervisor -

John Warhurst

Re-Recording Mixer - David Giammarco

Re-Recording/Music Mixer - Paul Massey

Sound Mixer - Ed Novick

Supervising ADR Editor - Anna MacKenzie

Executive Music Producer - Harvey Mason Jr.

Review

As you know, Michael Jackson is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Known as the "King of Pop," he is a groundbreaking artist who undeniably dominated the music scene in the 1980s and early 90s. People admire him not just for his music, including his best-selling album Thriller, music videos, and concert tours, but also for his voice and dance moves. Even after his death, his popularity and influence remain undiminished among fans, as his legacy lives on.

For as long as I can remember, I've heard a lot about Michael and how the public viewed him during his fall from grace, but that was before I started watching his music videos and listening to his songs in either 2007 or 2008. However, I learned much more about the singer after his untimely passing in 2009 and came to appreciate him much more.

As a diehard Michael Jackson fan, I have waited a long time for this biopic, ever since the success of Bohemian Rhapsody led Hollywood to flood the market with musical biopics. It's not entirely unexpected that both Bohemian Rhapsody and Michael have the same producer, Graham King. Many critics were unkind, labelling it "sanitised" and "playing it safe" because Michael Jackson's family and estate endorsed the biopic, and it didn't fully deconstruct his mythos. Fans, however, didn't care; they enjoyed it more than non-fans and critics did.

MICHAEL is a faithful yet honest portrayal of the late pop singer in his early years, celebrating his creative musical genius, bravado, artistry, and showmanship. Unfortunately, it lacks substance and doesn't explore the darker aspects of his personal life. It doesn't portray him as deeply troubled, though it presents him as almost entirely perfect, with only hints of his eccentricities. Another problem with this movie is its pacing; it should have been longer. The film has some historical inaccuracies, but I won't discuss them in detail. After all, that's common in musical biopics. It glossed over some significant parts of Michael's life, including his relationship with Diana Ross.

Additionally, Janet Jackson is noticeably absent, as she declined to participate, but that's her decision. Michael's other siblings, Rebbie and Randy, are also missing. Aside from Rebbie, Randy, and Janet's absence, the other Jacksons barely register and receive any attention, except for Joe and Katherine. The ending is abrupt because of legal issues led to reshoots, which further complicated things. It did, however, cover a few details, such as his complicated relationship with his tyrannical and abusive father and the infamous Pepsi commercial accident. Hopefully, the next part will delve deeper into more of Michael's backstory and address the legal side.

Antoine Fuqua's direction was spectacular. He incorporated some jaw-dropping scenes that pulsate with energy and atmosphere. In a bold casting move, Michael's real-life nephew, Jaafar Jackson, played the King of Pop. Since he had never acted in a film before, this was his debut. He delivers an often uncanny but spectacular performance, mirroring his late uncle by nailing the voice, mannerisms, and signature dance moves, including the moonwalk. He embodies his famous relative's spirit.

Colman Domingo stands out in a detestable role as Joseph. He portrays Joe Jackson as genuinely monstrous and despicable, seeing his children as a ticket to fame and fortune and a way to escape his job at the steel mill. Special mention must go to the makeup department for making Domingo look almost identical to the real man, which is impressive given his imposing presence. Nia Long brings maternal warmth as Katherine, Michael's supportive mother and Joe's complete opposite. Juliano Krue Valdi is sensational as young Michael, and he really shines in the scenes. Mike Myers makes a special appearance as a CBS Records executive, similar to his role in Bohemian Rhapsody.

Technically, many aspects are worth admiring. The production design, costumes, and sound mixing clearly show great care and attention to detail. The musical sequences flourish as they recreate the iconic moments from Michael's career, from his music videos to his live performances, including "Thriller" and the Motown 25th anniversary special, capturing the larger-than-life energy that made Michael Jackson who he is. The film features original recordings by the legendary singer integrated throughout.

In retrospect, MICHAEL is a fitting tribute to the King of Pop, though it offers a somewhat predictable yet incomplete narrative. While it has its issues, particularly in its limited exploration of Michael Jackson, it is still a worthy addition to the King of Pop's legacy. Overall, I give it a 7 out of 10 because the film stays true to its core theme. However, if you're a Michael Jackson fan, you'll want to see this movie on the biggest screen possible. If you don't care about the late King of Pop or haven't gotten over the controversy surrounding his personal life, just beat it!

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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Greenland Review

Greenland

Release Date: 18th December 2020 - Australia (Amazon Prime)

Production Companies

STX Films (present)

Anton (present)

Thunder Road Pictures

G-BASE

Riverstone Pictures (in association with)

Elwick Media (produced in association with)

Laura Macara (produced in association with)

Hassik Films (developed in association with) 

Genre: Action/Thriller

Rating: M

Runtime: 119 minutes

Budget: $35,000,000

Box Office Gross: $52,300,000 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

As a planet-killing comet

hurtles towards Earth,

one family struggles to

survive. John Garrity and

his family - his estranged

wife, Allison, and his

young son, Nathan -

embark on a dangerous

journey to their only

hope of refuge. The

Garritys experience the

best and worst of humanity

as they battle growing

panic and lawlessness,

amid chilling reports that

the comet's fragments

flattened the cities

worldwide. As the clock

ticks down to the world's

doomsday, their incredible

journey concludes with

a desperate, last-minute

flight to a possible 

sanctuary.

Cast

Gerard Butler - John Garrity

Morena Baccarin - Allison Garrity

Roger Dale Floyd - Nathan Garrity

Scott Glenn - Dale

Randal Gonzalez - Bobby

Rick Pasqualone - National News Anchor

Nicola Lambo - Morning Show Host

Alan Pietruszewski -

Morning Show Host

Scott Poytress - Kenny Jones

Claire Bronson - Debra Jones

Madison Johnson - Ellie Jones

Gary Weeks - Ed Pruitt

Tracey Bonner - Peggy Pruitt

Merrin Dungey - Major

Breen

Brandon Miller - Security Forces Sergeant 

Mike Senior - Staff Sergeant Ruiz

Hayes Mercure - Young Airman

Esosa Idahosa - Military Escort

Keegan G. Boos - Military Escort

Anissa Matlock - Robins AFB Airman

Andrew Huntoon - Robins AFB

Airman

Jarrett Spencer - Security

Forces Airman

Kurt Yue - C-17 Loadmaster

Kermit Rolson - Man with Gun

Brandon Quinn - Passenger on C-17 

Okea Eme-Akwari - James - Nice Looter

Gabriela DeNardo - Looter

Hope Davis - Judy Vento

David Denman - Ralph Vento

Andrew Bachelor - Colin 

Joshua Mikel - Lucas

James Logan - Micah

Randall Archer - Brian

Jay Amor - Blue-Collar Man 

Thomas Rosales Jr. -

Hispanic Driver

Rose Bianco - Matriarch

Aaron Gillespie - McGhee Tyson Soldier

Cate Jones - McGhee Tyson Soldier

Tanya Ballinger - F.E.M.A. Worker

Kendrick Cross -  F.E.M.A. Worker

Suehyla El-Attar Young -

Rebecca

Leeann Tweeden - Regional

News Anchor 

Al Mitchell - Ben

Marc Gowan - Paul

Carlos Lopez - Xavier

Holt McCallany - Twin Otter Pilot

Adam Cronan - Twin Otter

Co-Pilot

Jamie Andrews - Mother on Plane

Susan Williams - Passenger

Otis Winston - Snow Soldier

Danielle Williams - Bunker Airman 

Crew

Director - Ric Roman Waugh

Writer - Chris Sparling

Executive Producers - Nik Bower,

Brendon Boyea, François Callens, Adam Fogelson,

John Friedberg, Jonathan Fuhrman, Deepak Nayar,

Danielle Robinson, Robert Simonds and John Zois

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Carsten H.W. Lorenz

Producers - Gerard Butler, Alan Siegel,

Basil Iwanyk and Sébastien Raybaud

Co-Producer - Bill Wohlken

Co-Producer/First Assistant Director - K.C. Hodenfield

Casting Directors - Mary Vernieu and

Michelle Wade Byrd

Production Designer - Clay A. Griffith

Supervising Art Director - Cathy Maxey

Set Decorator - Frank Galline

Property Master - Curtis Akin

Costume Designer - Kelli Jones

Director of Photography/"A" Camera Operator -

Dana Gonzales

Second Unit Director (Uncredited)/Stunt

Coordinator - Brad Martin

Special Effects Coordinator - Joe Pancake

Visual Effects Supervisor - Marc Massicotte

Editor - Gabriel Fleming

Additional Editor - Rowan Maher 

Supervising Sound Designer - Victor Ray Ennis

Re-Recording Mixers - Beau Borders

and Scott Millan

Music - David Buckley

Music Supervisor - Laura Katz

Review

It's been years since I last saw a good disaster movie, but GREENLAND is a welcome return to form. Originally scheduled for a mid-2020 theatrical release, the film missed its date because of the global pandemic. Instead, it found a new home on Amazon Prime. Truth be told, I've never reviewed a movie on that streaming service, as I normally watch them on Netflix or Disney+. Before GREENLAND's release, disaster films were nothing to write home about, as they tended to prioritise spectacle over substance, featuring implausible scenarios, stilted dialogue, and one-dimensional characters. Thankfully, it avoided the stereotypical cliches that plagued other disaster films, such as 2012 and Geostorm, reinventing the genre with its personal storytelling and human drama.

The movie is more grounded than other asteroid-themed disaster flicks, such as Armageddon and Deep Impact. It follows a family's harrowing journey to survive the coming extinction as circumstances tear them apart amid chaos and destruction. It also serves as an apology to lead actor Gerard Butler, who previously appeared in the disaster movie Geostorm, which did him no favours. With director Ric Roman Waugh, who has previously collaborated with the Scottish actor on Angel Has Fallen, they brought a movie that's both intriguing and impressive. While other disaster films focus solely on spectacle, Waugh relies on emotional intensity and authenticity to create GREENLAND, shunning the traditional approach. It was a bold choice to reveal humanity's darker side, including panic, desperation, and moral dilemmas, but it adds depth and makes the film more compelling.

The cast did a wonderful job, particularly Butler and Morena Baccarin. The former is crucial to the film's success, delivering a spectacular performance as a desperate father grappling with tough decisions to keep his family safe. Baccarin excels as Allison, the mother, infusing the role with genuine emotion and inner strength. Their chemistry is spectacular. Roger Dale Floyd's performance as the deeply traumatised young Nathan Gerrity is captivating, especially during tense family moments. Scott Glenn's brief but impactful late appearance is a highlight. At 81, Glenn's performance proves he still has it.

The comet impacts feel genuinely terrifying thanks to restrained yet effective CGI that doesn't overshadow the human story. However, those expecting Emmerich-style action will be disappointed that this film features little large-scale destruction.

While it conforms to all the clichés of a disaster film at first glance, it is absolutely worth watching. However, GREENLAND offers much more once it reveals itself.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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Gran Turismo Review

Gran Turismo

Release Date: 3rd August 2023 - Australia

Production Companies

Columbia Pictures (presents)

PlayStation Productions

2.0 Entertainment

Michael De Luca Productions

Trigger Street Productions

TSG Entertainment (made in association with)

Distribution

Sony Pictures Releasing Australia

Genre: Action/Drama

Rating: M

Runtime: 134 minutes

Budget: $60,000,000

Box Office Gross: $122,101,055 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

After winning a series of

Nissan-sponsored video

game competitions, a

Gran Turismo player gets

his chance to become a

professional race car

driver.

Cast

Archie Madekwe - Jann Mardenborough

David Harbour - Jack Salter

Orlando Bloom - Danny Moore

Darren Barnet - Matty Davis

Geri Halliwell - Lesley

Mardenborough

Djimon Hounsou - Steve

Mardenborough

Josha Stradowski - Nicholas Capa

Daniel Puig - Cody Mardenborough

Maeve Courtier-Lilley - Audrey

Pepe Barroso - Antonio Cruz

Niall McShea - Frederik Schulin

Nikhil Parmar - Persol

Takehiro Hira - Kazunori

Yamauchi

Thomas Kretschmann -

Patrice Capa

Akie Kotabe - Akira Akiba

Sadao Ueda - Skeptical

Nissan Board Member

Wai Wong - Senior Nissan Executive

Jamie Kenna - Jack Man Jones

Royce Cronin - Capa Team Leader

Harki Bhambra - Avi Bhatt

Emelia Hartford - Leah Vega

Lindsay Pattison - Chloe McCormick

Mariano González - Henry

Evas

Maximilian Mundt - Klaus

Hoffman

Sang Heon Lee - Joo-Hwan Lee

Théo Christine - Marcel Durand

Joanne Heywood - Clothing

Customer

Cavan Jones - Kid Playing

at Gamer Cafe

Lloyd Meredith - Percy

Hannah Hornsby - Audrey's

Friend

Bence Bauer - Bonfire Guy

Ciarán Joyce - Ciaran

Cochrane

John Carter - James Wallace

Niki Faulkner - Instructor

Rina Saito - Kaz's Translator

Peter Lundie - Race Coordinator, GT Academy

Andrea Vasiliou - Dubai

Racing Fan

Yoojin Lee - Dubai Racing Fan

Matthew Hirsch - Race Marshall

(Le Mans) (Cameo)

Jacques Jouffret - Race

Official

(Le Mans) (Cameo)

Eszter Zavaros - Female Chef

Daijiro Yoshihara - Nissan

Corporate Driver (Japan)

Maya Murofushi - Nissan

Desk Clerk

Bianca Bridge - Germany Reporter

Selin Cuhadaroglu - Sarah Eaton

Frédéric North - Helicopter

Pilot, GT Academy (Cameo)

Crew

Director - Neil Blomkamp

Story/Screenplay/Executive Producer - Jason Hall

Story - Alex Tse

Screenplay - Zach Baylin

Executive Producers - Matthew Hirsch, Herman Hulst and Kazunori Yamauchi

Producers - Carter Swan, Asad Qizilbash, Dana Brunetti and Doug Belgrad

Co-Producer/Stunt Driver: Archie Madekwe

(Uncredited) - Jann Mardenborough

Co-Producer - Darren Cox

Casting Directors - Raylin Sabo and Mary Vernieu

Production Designer - Martin Whist

Supervising Art Director - Justin O'Neal Miller

Set Decorators - Lauree Martell

and Adam Polgar

Costume Designer - Terry Anderson

Makeup Department Head - Tracey Wells

Director of Photography - Jacques Jouffret

Supervising Location Manager - Naomi Liston

First Assistant Directors - Martin Krauka

and James Bitonti

Stunt Coordinators - Steve Kelso

and Andrew Gill

Stunt Coordinator: HU - Domonkos Pardanyi

Supervising Picture Vehicle Coordinator -

Alex King

Picture Vehicle Coordinator - Dennis McCarthy

Picture Vehicle Supervisor - Elia Popov

Special Effects Supervisor - Gabor Kiszelly

Visual Effects Supervisor - Viktor Muller

Editors - Austyn Daines and Colby Parker Jr.

Co-Editor - Eric Freidenberg

Supervising Sound Editors - Kami Asgar

and Erin Oakley

Sound Designers - Charles Deenen,

James Evans and Nick Spradlin

Sound Recordists - John P. Fasal,

Bryan Watkins, Travis Prater,

Ed Walker, Watson Wu and Dustin Troyan

Re-Recording Mixers - Beau Borders

and Kevin O'Connell

Supervising Foley Artist - Gary A. Hecker

Music - Lorne Balfe and Andrew Kawczynski

Review

I vividly recall when Gran Turismo (GT) was a video game series for the PlayStation. I'm not sure if I played GT. Then again, I might have played it only once (unless it was a different racing game), since I didn't have a PlayStation. While loosely based on the GT video games, this film retells the true story of a young gamer who transitioned from virtual racing to a professional racing career. Neil Blomkamp is one step ahead in his directorial comeback after taking a downturn with movies such as Elysium and Chappie, as he breaks the mould of his preferred sci-fi genre. He has never directed a video game film adaptation, though he attempted a Halo movie that never materialised.

Although it may seem unconventional to adapt a racing game into a Hollywood feature (unless you count Need for Speed), GRAN TURISMO has a typical underdog story with an engaging setup. Admittedly, the film has flaws, including a predictable narrative and slow pacing. Even the dialogue is slightly weak in the first half, with many lines feeling cheesy and unoriginal. The editing could have been tighter if they had trimmed a few scenes and removed the unnecessary romantic subplot. However, things improved as the film progressed, particularly the emotional moments near the end.

The actors delivered first-class performances, with Orlando Bloom returning to the limelight as an idealistic motorsport executive who recognises the gaming community's potential. Archie Madekwe, a relatively inexperienced actor, shoulders much of the film's burden, sharing the screen with some of Hollywood's biggest names. His character embodies a carefree, youthful spirit that mirrors Jann Mardenborough's real-life persona. David Harbour delivers a commanding performance as a former racing driver who coaches Jann.

The chemistry between Madekwe and Harbour is strong, capturing the mentor-trainee dynamic. However, Djimon Hounsou's performance as Jann's father emerges as the emotional centrepiece, despite his limited screen time. Also worth noting, Geri Hariwell, one of the Spice Girls, plays Jann's mum. Interestingly, the real-life Mardenborough did all of his screen counterpart's driving stunts.

The racing sequences in GRAN TURISMO are spectacular, not to mention the stunning drone camerawork and engaging visual style. The latter ranges from CGI recreations of the game's user interface to real-time vehicle breakdowns. It'll make you believe you're playing a video game. The sound design is superb throughout, with roaring engines, screeching tyres, and thunderous crashes that create an immersive experience.

GRAN TURISMO is an adrenaline-fueled combination of gaming and real-world motorsports culture. Although it doesn't offer anything new to the sports-drama subgenre, its heart-pounding race sequences and moving performances make it a worthy addition for fans of racing and inspirational stories alike. Anyone who has played the game or is a massive motorsport enthusiast should check it out.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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Kangaroo Review

Kangaroo

Release Date: 18th September 2025 - Australia

Production Companies

Cultivator Films

Bunya Productions (in association with)

Brindle Films (in association with)

Screen Australia (presents)

StudioCanal (presents)

Screen Territory (in association with)

Screen NSW (in association with)

Distribution

StudioCanal Australia

Genre: Family/Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 107 minutes

Box Office Gross: $3,916,306 (Australia)

Plot Summary

Chris Masterman, a former

TV personality, becomes

stranded in a town in the

Australian Outback near

Alice Springs. There,

he meets a 12-year-old

Indigenous girl named

Charlie. An unlikely bond

as they work together to

save and rehabilitate

orphaned joeys in a remote

yet spectacular Outback

settlement. This undertaking

proves life-changing for

both of them.

Cast

Ryan Corr - Chris Masterman

Rachel House - Jesse

Lily Whiteley - Charlie

Brooke Satchwell - Liz

Deborah Mailman - Rosie

Rarriwuy Hick - Brenda

Rick Donald - Trap

Ryan Clark - Lifeguard Jacko

Wayne Blair - Ralph

Trisha Morton-Thomas - Gwennie

Emily Taheny - Dorinda

Ernie Dingo - Dave

Genevieve Lemon - Bernadette

Salvatore Coco - Phil

Shaun Martindale - Joel

Matt Burton - Trap's Mate #1

Warren H Williams - Warren

Catherine Mazur - Studio Assistant

Lucy McLeod - ABC Reporter

Anthony Ritossa - Host

Steve Kidd - Neil the Butcher

Yalyal Hick - Casper

Phoenix Cunningham - Freddy

Lene Clarsen Walters - Ruby 

Luke Follayttar - Silver Gum Kid

Jaimee Morettti - Studio Employee

Charlotte Walters - Grace

Luca Saunders - Lifeguard #1

Zoe Walters - Bowling Lady #2

Sam Follayttar - Silver Gum Kid

Kristina Kidd - Bowling Lady #1

Crew

Director - Kate Woods

Writer - Harry Cripps

Additional Material - Peta-Lee Cole-Mandolis and Danielle Maclean

Additional Writing - Melina Marchetta

Executive Producers - Aaron Ensweiler,

Marcus Gillezeau, Ron Halpern,

Marian Macgowan, Anna Marsh,

Louise Smith and Elizabeth Trotman

Producers - Rachel Clements,

David Jowsey, Angela Littlejohn,

Tristan Morton-Thomas and Greer Simpkin

Casting Director - Anousha Zarkesh

Production Designer - Sam Hobbs

Art Director - Jodie Whetter

Costume Designer - Edie Kurzer

Makeup Supervisor - Helen Magelakis

Hair and Makeup Designer - Sheldon Wade

Director of Photography - Kieran Fowler

First Assistant Director - Danielle Blake

Second Unit Director - Warwick Thornton

Stunt Designer/Coordinator - Dean Gould 

Editor - Chris Plummer

Visual Effects Supervisor - Jonathan Hairman

Supervising Sound Editor - Angus Robertson

Sound Designer and Re-Recording Mixer -

Sam Hayward

Music -  Josie Mann and Matteo Zingales

Review

In 2000, Kate Wood launched her directorial career with the film adaptation of Looking for Alibrandi, which won critical acclaim and box-office receipts. Since then, her work has taken her overseas, directing episodes of television series such as Law & Order, Without a Trace, Person of Interest, and The Lincoln Lawyer. The motion picture that has prompted her return to Australia and the silver screen is KANGAROO, a heartfelt family comedy loosely based on the true story of Chris "Brolga" Barns, a one-time tour guide who established a kangaroo reserve near Alice Springs in 2011.

Although the film's narrative arc is somewhat predictable, it remains captivating. The film navigates its emotional themes with sensitivity, while maintaining the comedic charm and friendly atmosphere of small country towns. Kieran Fowler's cinematography brings KANGAROO to life. His warm, bright approach captures the grandeur of the Northern Territory's spectacular landscapes and conjures up the fictional town of Silver Gum.

Woods has enlisted a talented cast to lend their characters weight. Ryan Corr delivers an outstanding performance as an egotistical weatherman who transforms into a kangaroo conservationist. However, Lily Whiteley, who plays Charlie, stands out. Despite her inexperience, the first-time actress delivers an engaging performance that defies her age. Deborah Mailman brings warmth and sympathy to her role as Rosie, Charlie's grief-stricken and struggling mother.

The other actors also perform well. Wayne Blair, Ernie Dingo, Rachel House, Genevieve Lemon, Trisha Morton-Thomas, and Roy Billings play some of Silver Gum's strange people. While the film features real joeys, many adult marsupials come to life through minimal yet impressive CGI, showing how far we have come since 2003's Kangaroo Jack.

KANGAROO is one of those family-friendly films with cute animals that local audiences tend to love, similar to Babe, Red Dog, and the classic Storm Boy. I recommend it to anyone who wants to see it, especially if you're taking your kids.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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F1 Review

F1

Release Date: 26th June 2025 - Australia

Production Companies

Apple Studios (present)

Warner Bros. Pictures (present)

Monolith Pictures

Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Plan B Entertainment

Dawn Apollo Films

Distribution

Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Action/Drama

Rating: M

Runtime: 156 minutes

Budget: $300,000,000

Box Office Gross: $633,742,436 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Sonny Hayes, often called

"the greatest that never

was", was Formula 1's 

most promising talent of

the 1990s until a near-

fatal accident on the track

threatened to end his

career. Now a freelance

racer-for-hire, he is

approached thirty years

later by his former

teammate, Ruben

Cervantes, who owns

a struggling Formula 1

team on the brink of

collapse. Ruben convinces

Sonny to return to Formula

1 for one final attempt

to save the team and

become the best in the

world. He'll drive alongside

Joshua Pearce, the team's

rookie sensation, who is

determined to set his own

pace. However, as the

engines roar, Sonny's

past dreams come back

to haunt him. He realises

that in Formula 1, your

teammate is your fiercest

competitor, and you

cannot travel the road to

redemption alone.

Cast

Brad Pitt - Sonny Hayes

Damson Idris - Joshua Pearce

Javier Bardem - Ruben Cervantes

Kerry Condon - Kate McKenna

Tobias Menzies - Peter Banning

Kim Bodnia - Kaspar Smolinski

Sarah Niles - Bernadette Pearce

Will Merrick - Nickleby

Joseph Balderrama - Rico Fazio

Abdul Salis - Dodge Dowda

Callie Cooke - Jodie

Samson Kayo - Cash

Simon Kunz - Don Cavendish

Liz Kingsman - Lisbeth Bampton

Simone Ashley - Herself (Cameo)

Ramona Von Pusch - Liesl

Smolinski

Barney Smith - Kaspar's Son

Poppy Smith - Kaspar's

Daughter

Luciano Bacheta - Luca Cortez

Rosie Dwyer - Pippa Leguin

Martin Brundle - Himself

David Croft - Himself

Leigh Diffey - Daytona Race Broadcaster

Shea Whigham - Chip Hart

Patrick Long - Himself (Cameo)

Will Redmond - Young Engineer

Michael Aaron Milligan - Strategy Director

Kyle Rankin - Cale Kelso

Rachel Walters - Molly,

Sonny's Assistant

Steven Sean Garland - BMW

Driver

Avis-Marie Barnes - Diner

Waitress

Will Buxton - Himself

Rachel Brookes - Herself

Natalie Pinkham - Herself

Maria Thoma - Presenter

Tom Clarkson - Las Vegas Press Conference Presenter

Martin Savage - Las Vegas FIA Race Director

Zoe Oedekerk - Las Vegas

Fun Loving Clubber

Tiësto - Himself

Elena Rivers - Supper Club Hostess

Nancy Carroll - Abu Dhabi

Corporate Executive #1

Ankur Bahl - Abu Dhabi

Corporate Executive #2

Mohammed Alkhoori - Abu Dhabi Trophy Presenter

Salwa Al Hadhrami - Abu

Dhabi Podium Dignitary

Sal Lopez - Baja Old Timer

Darius De La Cruz - Baja

Mechanic's Son

Gabriel Rivas - Baja

Teenage Grandson

Alexander Albion - Himself (Cameo)

Fernando Alonso - Himself

(Cameo)

Oliver Bearman - Himself (Cameo)

Valterri Bottas - Himself (Cameo)

Franco Colapinto - Himself

(Cameo)

Nyck de Vries - Himself

(Cameo)

Jack Doohan - Himself (Cameo)

Pierre Gasly - Himself (Cameo)

Zhou Guanyu - Himself (Cameo)

Lewis Hamilton - Himself (Cameo)

Nico Hülkenberg - Himself (Cameo)

Liam Lawson - Himself

(Cameo)

Charles Leclerc - Himself

(Cameo)

Kevin Magnussen - Himself

(Cameo)

Lando Norris - Himself (Cameo)

Esteban Ocon - Himself (Cameo)

Sergio Pérez - Himself (Cameo)

Oscar Piastri - Himself (Cameo)

Daniel Ricciardo - Himself (Cameo)

George Russell - Himself (Cameo)

Carlos Sainz Jr. - Himself (Cameo)

Logan Sargeant - Himself

(Cameo)

Lance Stroll - Himself (Cameo)

Yuki Tsunoda - Himself (Cameo)

Max Verstappen - Himself (Cameo)

Zak Brown - Himself (Cameo)

Christian Horner - Himself (Cameo)

Guenther Steiner - Himself (Cameo)

Lawrence Stroll - Himself (Cameo)

Frédéric Vasseur - Himself (Cameo)

James Vowles - Himself (Cameo)

Toto Wolff - Himself (Cameo)

Stefano Domenicali - Himself (Cameo)

Roscoe - Himself

Crew

Story/Producer/Director - Joseph Kosinski

Story/Writer - Ehren Kruger

Casting Directors - Lucy Bevan and

Emily Brockmann

Executive Producer/First Assistant Director -

Toby Hefferman

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Daniel Lupi

Executive Producers - Tim Bampton,

Stefano Domenicalli, Ian Holmes

and Toto Wolff

Producers - Dede Gardner, Lewis Hamilton,

Jeremy Kleiner, Chad Oman and Brad Pitt

Co-Producers - John K. Campbell,

Emily Cheung, Melissa Reid and Penni Thow

Co-Producer/Unit Production Manager - Ben Piltz

Consultant - Will Buxton

F1 Consultants - Bernie Collins and Ruth Buscombe

Daytona Racing Consultant & Stunt Driver - Patrick Long

Production Designers - Ben Munro and

Mark Tildesley

Concept Artist - Charlie Cobb

Art Directors - Oliver Benson, Edd Cross

Hugh McClelland and Ketan Waikar

Art Director: U.S. Units - Daytona, Pismo &

Las Vegas - Timothy Moen

Car & Livery Design - Daniel Simon

Set Decorators - Reynan Castro Del Rosario,

Andrew McCarthy and Véronique Melery

Property Master: Pismo & Las Vegas Units -

Chris Call

Costume Designer - Julian Day

Hair & Makeup Designer - Denise Kum

Director of Photography - Claudio Miranda

A Camera Assistant - Dan Ming

Supervising Location Manager - Charlie Hayes

Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator - Adam Kirley

Action Vehicles Supervisor - Graham Kelly

Supervising Stunt Coordinator - Gary Powell

Lead Sequence Choreographer - Luciano Bacheta

Additional Sequence Choreographer - Craig Dolby

Aerial Coordinator/Helicopter Pilot: U.S. Units -

Daytona, Pismo & Las Vegas - Kevin LaRosa II

Special Effects Supervisor - Keith Dawson

Special Effects Supervisor: U.S. Units - Daytona,

Pismo & Las Vegas - Elia P. Popov

Visual Effects On-Set Supervisor - Edward Price

Visual Effects Supervisor - Ryan Tudhope

Visual Effects Supervisors: Framestore -

Nicolas Chevallier and Robert Harrington

Supervisor: BLIND Ltd - Andrew Booth

Editors - Stephen Mirrione and Patrick J. Smith

Supervising Sound Editor/Sound Designer - Al Nelson

Supervising Sound Editor - Gwendolyn Yates Whittle

Re-Recording Mixers - Juan Peralta and

Gary A. Rizzo

Production Sound Mixer - Gareth John

Original Score/Score Producer/Synth Programming -

Hans Zimmer

Additional Score/Score Producer - Steve Mazzarro

Music Mixer - Alan Meyerson

Review

Hollywood risks losing its audience due to its recent reliance on remakes, reboots, cash-grab sequels, and unsuccessful attempts to build franchises, all of which threaten to undermine its standing. Thankfully, that's about to change with the blockbuster release of F1, which embraces the classic storytelling conventions Hollywood has forgotten. As you know, Formula One is the world's most popular motorsport. It has experienced a resurgence during the pandemic, thanks to the Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive. However, I was never a fan of this huge racing event, as I only watched the Bathurst 12 Hour and Supercar races at Mount Panorama.

Riding the wave of success from Top Gun: Maverick, Joseph Kosinski returns to deliver another thrilling spectacle in F1. Kosinski expressed interest in directing a racing film after the one about the 1966 Le Mans event, which was to feature Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, fell through due to budget constraints. That movie later became Ford v Ferrari, directed by James Mangold and starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale. His regular collaborators from the previous film, including writer Ehren Kruger and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, return to help with this latest outing, reassembling the dream team. But one question remains. Will this movie offer a cinematic experience similar to Kosinski's 2022 offering? The answer is yes.

While the film is similar to the director's previous movie, it reminds me of Days of Thunder, as both films live up to the description of "Top Gun on wheels." Interestingly, Bruckheimer and legendary composer Hans Zimmer worked on that film before F1. Unfortunately, the biggest issue within F1 is its plot, which relies on familiar narrative beats from other inspirational sports movies, making it formulaic and predictable. However, its complex character moments, depth, and themes of resilience, redemption, the pursuit of greatness, and the power of teamwork make up for it. Lewis Hamilton's involvement as a producer is evident, and his guidance is pivotal in ensuring the racing scenes feel authentic. This commitment to accuracy extended even to subtle details, such as the gear changes made during cornering.

Acting legend Brad Pitt headlines the cast, bringing magnetic charm and effortless charisma as veteran race driver Sonny Hayes. The two-time Oscar winner's passion for racing is evident in his character, whose enthusiasm for the sport is infectious. Like Tom Cruise before him, he is one of the last movie stars of his generation. Although he was 61, he still kept his rugged good looks for the part. Damson Idris excels as the overconfident young driver, Joshua Pearce, adding depth with precise facial expressions and an air of confidence that matches Sonny's. The chemistry between him and Pitt is explosive, with a "veteran versus rookie" dynamic that evokes the intensity of a high-speed race.

Javier Bardem shines as struggling team owner and former Formula 1 driver Ruben Cervantes, a role that could have amounted to mere bravado. Kerry Condon steals the show as technical director Kate McKenna, the team's voice of reason. Additionally, the Irish actress shares on-screen romantic chemistry with Pitt. Formula One fans will recognise Hamilton and his peers, including Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Lando Norris, in brief cameos during the off-track scenes.

The movie stands out for its consistently exhilarating racing scenes, which provide an adrenaline rush for racing fans and propel the narrative forward at top speed. Claudio Miranda's cinematography establishes the film's realistic visual style. Whereas the cockpit camerawork in Top Gun: Maverick is impressive, F1 takes it to the next level, delivering an immersive, highly impactful viewing experience. The editing and sound design are top-notch, enhancing the racing sequences, and the film's striking visuals do, too. Hans Zimmer, who incidentally composed the score for Rush, another Formula One movie, delivers a killer, heart-pounding, electric score featuring songs by Queen, Led Zeppelin, Ed Sheeran, and others.

Arguably, F1 is a full-throttle sensation for audiences, capturing the visceral thrills of the motorsport, and is close to dethroning Ford v Ferrari as the best racing movie. It's an absolute reminder of why I love popcorn movies. Whether you're into cars or not, this is a must-see film.

Star rating: (9/10) Excellent Movie

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