Michael Adams

Michael Adams sbs.com.au Feb 22, 2015 5/5 Javier Bardem makes for a terrifying villain. He looks physically corrupt but seems every bit as relentless as the Terminator. He's also believably, psychotically human. Go to Full Review No Country for Old Men (2007) 93% 86%

Michael Adams sbs.com.au Aug 24, 2014 4/5 Pixar has become a brand name you can trust. Go to Full Review Ratatouille (2007) 96% 87%

Michael Adams sbs.com.au Mar 12, 2014 3.5/5 Anderson's gentle parody of westerners who lob into an ancient culture expecting to pick up enlightenment and peace as easily as a shoe shine or over-the-counter painkillers is very funny. Go to Full Review The Darjeeling Limited (2007) 68% 78%

Michael Adams Empire Magazine Australasia Jan 26, 2010 4/5 It's the end of the world as we know it and you won't feel fine, even though The Road is fine filmmaking. Go to Full Review The Road (2009) 73% 68%

Michael Adams Empire Magazine Australasia Dec 7, 2009 1/5 Little kids who've never seen this story before might get a kick out of it and its bold colours. Parents will be yawning and looking at their watches. At least G-Force dared you to hate it; this just dares you to stay awake. Go to Full Review Planet 51 (2009) 23% 40%

Michael Adams Empire Magazine Australasia Nov 22, 2009 4/5 The concept might not be as high as alien invasion or mouthy mammoths, nor the art on the level of Pixar or Miyazaki or Selick, but in terms of sheer fun, this is the one to beat in '09. Go to Full Review Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (2009) 85% 73%

Michael Adams Empire Magazine Australasia Nov 22, 2009 4/5 Smart and funny, it's an amusing showcase for a great idea and the terrific Giamatti. Go to Full Review Cold Souls (2009) 75% 54%

Michael Adams Empire Magazine Australasia Nov 15, 2009 5/5 For those who thought No Country For Old Men was too lightweight and resolved itself too neatly, behold the abyss that is A Serious Man. Go to Full Review A Serious Man (2009) 89% 68%

Michael Adams Empire Magazine Australasia Nov 8, 2009 4/5 Johnson's shaggy dog runs here, there, and everywhere, weaving joyous, confusing circles in exotic locations before romping home with an unexpected wallop. Go to Full Review The Brothers Bloom (2008) 69% 64%

Michael Adams Empire Magazine Australasia Nov 2, 2009 4/5 Emmerich supposedly spent $260m to give you the biggest experience for your ticket dollar and in this regard, he has succeeded tremendously, while, intentionally or otherwise, also delivering one of 2009's best comedies. Go to Full Review 2012 (2009) 39% 33%

Michael Adams Empire Magazine Australasia Sep 13, 2009 1/5 Sometimes those aren't choc-covered sultanas in your hand after all, and G-Force is one of those times. Go to Full Review G-Force (2009) 21% 40%

Michael Adams Empire Magazine Australasia Sep 1, 2009 2/5 With so many Aussie movies going out of their way to be depressing, it's tempting to hope local filmmakers might lay off the doom and gloom. But here comes Charlie & Boots to remind us to be careful what we wish for. Go to Full Review Charlie & Boots (2009) 58% 64%

Michael Adams Empire Magazine Australasia Sep 1, 2009 4/5 The flight -- especially in 3-D, which is the best way to experience Up -- is a marvel of art come to life Go to Full Review Up (2009) 98% 90%

Michael Adams Empire Magazine Australasia Jul 6, 2009 3/5 It's a worthy effort, and Woods pieces the parts together with skill and sensitivity. But, perhaps weighed down too heavily by its subject matter, Winged Creatures never takes flight. Go to Full Review Winged Creatures (2008) 45% 29%

Michael Adams Empire Magazine Australasia Jul 2, 2009 4/5 Hard but poignant, Last Ride is a haunting journey. Go to Full Review Last Ride (2009) 93% 65%

Michael Adams Empire Magazine Australasia Jun 10, 2009 3/5 Land Of The Lost is flimsy stuff, but in an appealing way. Its brainlessness and lightness of touch and ability to turn in a new direction in the blink of an eye keeps it ticking over and means it'd be churlish to say much bad about it. Go to Full Review Land of the Lost (2009) 28% 32%

Michael Adams Empire Magazine Australasia May 26, 2009 4/5 Funny, moving, tense and entertaining, it's a strong follow-up to the sublime Look Both Ways. Go to Full Review My Year Without Sex (2009) 93% 50%

Michael Adams Empire Magazine Australasia May 6, 2009 4/5 Beautifully made and acted, this is a wrenching portrait of young Aboriginal Australians at grave risk. Go to Full Review Samson & Delilah (2009) 95% 76%

Michael Adams Empire Magazine Australasia Nov 17, 2008 3/5 Fast, furious, but not much fun. Lighten up, James. Go to Full Review Quantum of Solace (2008) 63% 58%

Michael Adams Empire Magazine Australasia Jun 20, 2008 3/5 The visuals and performances make it worth it, but this is a wilfully oblique bit of warrior hagiography. Go to Full Review Mongol (2007) 86% 76%