Adam Fresco

Adam eats, sleeps and dreams movies (often simultaneously).

Bill Nighy’s a tour-de-force of downbeat comedy in Sometimes Always Never

Bill Nighy’s a tour-de-force of downbeat comedy in Sometimes Always Never

The idiosyncratic script, direction and style are all very English.

06 Jun

Kenneth Branagh’s Shakespeare drama All is True rings false

Kenneth Branagh’s Shakespeare drama All is True rings false

Shakespeare scholars will not be pleased.

06 May

The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir delivers a fun European feel-good trip

The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir delivers a fun European feel-good trip

Proves optimistic and full of enough feel-good humanity.

01 May

We celebrate the one billion reasons to watch Billions

We celebrate the one billion reasons to watch Billions

Money, Metallica, Malkovich, more money – and more.

24 Apr

Expertly produced The Heart Dances is fascinating for all the wrong reasons

Expertly produced The Heart Dances is fascinating for all the wrong reasons

It’s more than just another peek behind-the-scenes.

03 Apr

Despite some letdowns, Dumbo is still Tim Burton’s best family movie in ages

Despite some letdowns, Dumbo is still Tim Burton’s best family movie in ages

There’s plenty of family fun to be had along.

28 Mar

Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly are a perfectly matched pair in Stan & Ollie

Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly are a perfectly matched pair in Stan & Ollie

Simultaneously sad, funny, melancholy and celebratory.

08 Feb

Clint Eastwood’s solid direction in The Mule deserves a better script

Clint Eastwood’s solid direction in The Mule deserves a better script

Long-time Eastwood fans may enjoy his latest/last.

21 Jan

With hints of Spielberg, The Kid Who Would Be King keeps all ages entertained

With hints of Spielberg, The Kid Who Would Be King keeps all ages entertained

Provides just enough CGI, chills, spills, laughs and thrills.

14 Jan

This all-male synchronised swimming comedy delivers formulaic fun

This all-male synchronised swimming comedy delivers formulaic fun

When the feel-good clichés kick in, it’s hard not to grin.

18 Dec

Can’t stand ponderous and pretentious films? Don’t touch At Eternity’s Gate

Can’t stand ponderous and pretentious films? Don’t touch At Eternity’s Gate

Slow, ponderous and pretentious, or deep, insightful and meditative?

18 Dec

Creed II packs a solid sequel punch but has a rather muddy moral

Creed II packs a solid sequel punch but has a rather muddy moral

It lacks the knockout blow of Ryan Coogler’s first.

28 Nov

Illumination’s The Grinch whizzes by pleasantly but forgettably

Illumination’s The Grinch whizzes by pleasantly but forgettably

Little ones will love it. Kids over 8 may be less forgiving.

23 Nov

Rami Malek’s performance as Freddie Mercury lifts Bohemian Rhapsody

Rami Malek’s performance as Freddie Mercury lifts Bohemian Rhapsody

Reality reimagined as a highly entertaining, bombastic fairy tale.

29 Oct

Elderly romantic drama Together is excruciating mental torture

Elderly romantic drama Together is excruciating mental torture

Poor Adam Fresco…

04 Oct

Joaquin Phoenix immerses himself in Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot

Joaquin Phoenix immerses himself in Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot

The film eschews Hollywood triumph-over-disability clichés.

03 Oct

Smallfoot ain’t no Pixar marvel but it will keep young’uns entertained

Smallfoot ain’t no Pixar marvel but it will keep young’uns entertained

It’s no small feat that Smallfoot delivers fun.

25 Sep

Johnny English Strikes Again and so do the spy spoof clichés

Johnny English Strikes Again and so do the spy spoof clichés

Adam Fresco reviews the trilogy-maker.

17 Sep

McKellen: Playing the Part is a captivating insight into the life and times of Sir Ian

McKellen: Playing the Part is a captivating insight into the life and times of Sir Ian

“We are treated to a lively and engaging celebration”

05 Sep

Luis and the Aliens has the feel of a movie put together by a committee

Luis and the Aliens has the feel of a movie put together by a committee

It reaches for mediocrity and succeeds.

29 Aug

If crazy, kooky, Kiwi comedies get you giggling, watch Mega Time Squad

If crazy, kooky, Kiwi comedies get you giggling, watch Mega Time Squad

A delightful comedy centred on dim-witted crooks.

27 Aug