Kahuninja’s Film Reviews

22 Films have been rated or reviewed by Kahuninja.

Away From Her (2007): A beautiful deft handling of Alzheimers without veering into over–sentimentalised territory. Powerful performances and aptly fitting soundtrack. Nice use of Neil Young. Kahuninja
Savages, The (2007): Linney and Hoffman are tour–de–forces of their generation and its good to see them in action, together in this story of family linked somewhat reluctantly by blood and obligation. Kahuninja; DVD ~~$20~~ $15
You Can Count On Me (2000): Linney and Ruffalo, what a combo! in a story about how siblings at times know us better than ourselves and can totally call us on our s#@$. Eat your heart out anal, overly adminstrative micro managing managers Broderick has your number. Kahuninja
In the Cut (2003): One word. Awful. Kahuninja
City of Angels (1998): It\'s all eyes and long lingering glances and even then, there is zero chemistry between Cage and Ryan. He\'s just too wooden for me in a story with so much potential but ruined through hollywoodising. Kahuninja.
Vintner's Luck, The (2009): Why would you take such rich material and minimise it to this? Self–indulgent and stupid. Kahuninja.; DVD ~~$24.95~~ $18.70
Australia (2008): Kidman should do comedies. She plays snooty quite well. This veers towards sickly feel–good and as with anything touching Australian history skims the indigenous/white relationship other than pinning all hopes on a little boy Feels manipulative Kahuninja
First Australians (TV Series) (2008): This should be complusory viewing. Difficult though it is at times. A well handled, compiled and in some parts beautifully put together documentary. New Zealand could benefit from something as honest. Kahuninja; DVD $39.95
Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner) (2001): The authenticity of Atanarjuat is aided by an inuit story handled by an inuit crew. And it shows. The indigenous heart isn\'t sacrificed or over explained. It just is, in this tale of betrayal, jealousy and redemption. Kahuninja; DVD ~~$29.95~~ $15
Very Annie-Mary (2001): Doesn\'t miss a beat from the socially awkward Annie Mary to her best friend, wee Bethen Bevan. Is a bit too tidy in some places but altogether a heartwarming tale of a small township and a woman breaking away from her fathers dominance. Kahuninja
Lovely Bones, The (2009): Talk about taking liberties with the story. Some serious miscasting here with Weiz and Wahlberg – please. Talk about zero chemistry. Tucci is suitably creepy. Jackson OTT special effects overwhelm what at its heart is a story of longing. Kahuninja; DVD ~~$14.95~~ $11.20 | Blu-Ray ~~$19.95~~ $14.95
Wild Target (2010): What saves this is Nighy. Oh and Blunts characters wardrobe. Still it\'s entertaining. Kahuninja
Zombieland (2009): From the outset this is full–on. Lots of laugh–out–loud moments. Clever dialogue, great cast chemistry. Double–tap! Kahuninja
Sucker Punch (2011): If a weak storyline, semi–naked school girl type characters, mindless laugh–out–loud unbelievable action scenes and a wasted in–this–role Scott Glenn is for you. See this. Goddamawful. Kahuninja
Being Human (TV Series) (2008): Very realistic, believable take on vampire, werewolf, ghost genre. Bit whiney and brooding in some places but true to its title as characters get to the heart of what it is to be human – Kahuninja
Misfits (TV Series) (2009): Brilliant! Well written, executed and friggin hard–out. C\'mon NZ on air start funding stuff like this. C\'mon NZ writers start writing like this. Sheehan is hilarious and chav character gives Catherine Tait a run for her money – Kahuninja.
Frozen River (2008): Heart–stopping moments. Solid, believable, nail–biting ride that all hinges on the haggard realities of life when you\'re on the bones of your arse. Awesome to see indigenous actors. Leo and Upham shine equally.Kahuninja
Winter's Bone (2010): Grim, realistic and held together by solid performances from Lawrence and Hawkes. This gives an unblinking look into a community I knew little about but recognise is very present here in New Zealand. Lawrence is one to watch. Kahuninja
Matariki (2010): I wanted to like this but it\'s hard work as just too many clunky factors–the body in the garden, the stereotypical asian, relevance to Matariki?. Ah Hi and Rawiri are standouts and when Wisemans character washes her husband it\'s beautiful.Kahuninja
Bright Star (2009): Self–indulgent. Campions hand is very present. Cornish is wonderful and the costuming and cinematography is breathtaking. Still, felt robbed of 2 hours of my life which wasn\'t helped by the cramped seats at The Embassy. Kahuninja
Treme - Season 1 (TV Series) (2010): Treme is a history lesson without a clobering and an insight into post Hurricane Katrina outside of a newsbyte sweetened by the sounds of blues, jazz and all its musical and cultural influences colliding in New Orleans. Makes you wanna go there. Kahuninja
Generation Kill (TV Mini-series) (2008): Before this my knowledge of marines was based on Aliens and Jarhead and I believed anyone serving during the Iraq war swallowed the WMD rhetoric unquestioningly. Not so. Generation Kill kicks all those prejudices in the ass. It\'s riveting – Kahuninja

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Kahuninja’s Film Reviews