STACK #164 June 2018

DVD & BD

REVIEWS

Nothing trivial about this pursuit. GAME NIGHT

Seductive. Deceptive. Deadly. RED SPARROW

Release Date: 06/06/18

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Release Date: 06/06/18

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Game Night yanks a bunch of suburbanites out of the comfort zone of pub trivia and couch charades and into a madcap murder mystery. Married couple Max (Jason Bateman) and Annie (Rachel McAdams) host a weekly game night for a bunch of friends, which is taken up a notch when Max’s wealthy brother, Brooks (Kyle Chandler), arranges an elaborate mystery evening. Once it begins, the line between what’s real and staged becomes increasingly blurred, with the group dodging bullets and bad guys in a

Red Sparrow is the story of Dominika Egorova (Jennifer Lawrence), a Russian prima ballerina who is thrust into a world of covert missions and suspicion after an accident ends her dancing career. Her future continues to become bleaker as she enters the Sparrow School and is trained to use her mind and body as weapons for the state. Her first assignment: win the trust of Nate, an American CIA agent (played by Australia's own Joel Edgerton). But will she succeed, or will

dangerous game that doesn’t play by the rules – or pause for breath. To say more would spoil the fun, and Game Night is tremendous fun – a playful and propulsive action-comedy that zings with movie trivia, as well as perfect comic timing from the ensemble cast. SH

she fall deep into her own mind games? This gripping spy thriller is directed by Francis Lawrence ( The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Mockingjay, as well as I Am Legend ) and will keep you on edge as Dominika learns who she can trust and who is in her way. SB

Fly away home. LADY BIRD

Rascal. Rebel. Rabbit. PETER RABBIT

Release Date: 13/06/18

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Release Date: 27/06/18

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Christine (Saoirse Ronan) – or ‘Lady Bird’, as she likes to be called – is the antithesis of the status quo of high school; a senior who doesn’t want to pursue the subjects she is heavily encouraged to follow, doesn’t want to apply for the colleges her parents endorse, and, above all else, doesn’t want be categorised into a particular clique. Writer- director Greta Gerwig’s honest coming-of-age tale about an individual trying to find her place in the world – as well as the repercussions it has

Generations of kids have grown up on Beatrix Potter’s classic tales of fluffy creature hijinks. But how will such jolly polite japes fare when it comes to 21st century children’s attention spans? Cue a modern makeover... Peter Rabbit (voiced by James Corden), his cousin, sisters and many friends live happily in the English countryside, tormenting old Mr. MacGregor in the name of satiating their vegetarian cravings. But when Mr. Mac passes and his uptight, city- bred nephew Thomas (Domhnall Gleeson) arrives,

on her mother’s attempts to support her – perfectly balances drama with comedy, and brings to life a cast of characters that are complex, charming and relatable. Nominated for five Academy Awards this year, including Best Picture, Actress, Director and Original Screenplay, Lady Bird comes highly recommended. Gage Pendergast

things take an abrupt turn for the worse – for all involved. Amongst the mayhem and classic slapstick there are genuinely sweet moments, and it’s all surprisingly faithful to the legacy of Miss Potter – the nods to her wondrous illustrations are particularly delightful. Plus there’s an ace Aussie voice cast that includes Sia, Margot Robbie and Bryan Brown. AF

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