SusanMayWriter

Veronica Roth, author of the Insurgent series, was one of the top-selling authors last year, with the Divergent series rarely out of the Amazon top ten. Of course, the films are going to do well on the back multi-million copy book sales. I wasn't a fan of the book series, having read them long before they became bestsellers. I found them a touch tedious and lacking pace, and I couldn't shake the feeling they were a copy of The Hunger Games. However, the films are an entirely other beast, in that they neatly condense the books, thus creating a far more exciting watch than a read (at least for me).

Even though these films haven't been on my must-see list, the latest episode Divergent has changed all that for me. It's an exciting mix of action, romance, and politics, well put together by the writers, and even if you haven't seen the first movie or read the books, you will still enjoy this thrilling ride.

The film opens throwing us right into the middle of the action, following on from Divergent. Tris (Shailene Woodley), Four (Theo James) and the gang are now outlaws and on the run from Jeanine (Kate Winslet), leader of Erudite faction. They are holed up at Amity faction, where the code is to remain peaceful and forgiving. It doesn't take long for the small Dauntlet group to find themselves at odds with the nature of the Amity villagers and to be discovered by Eric (Jai Courtney) and the guards hunting them down on behalf of Jeanine.

Tris is, also, dealing with the guilt of the slaughter of her mother and her friends in the raid, which wiped out Tris's old faction, Abnegation. She discovers her mother was protecting a secret for which she was prepared to die; the same secret for which Jeanine will kill. A little more is revealed about Eric, which adds a twist to the story. Some old friends will betray Tris, but she will, also, find new allies. In Insurgent, the world is revealed as bigger than we imagined in Divergent, and you will be left panting for the next film.

This series has turned me around on the book series, and I now see why it's done so well. These are interesting characters and the angst and fight in Tris makes her a great protagonist. In fact, I don't think I can wait for next year's film Alligient (which incidentally is being split into two parts) to discover what happens; I may have to read the book. More reviews at http://www.susanmaywriter.com

The first thirty minutes of this is certainly no Bourne movie. It's slow and tedious and I defy anyone to understand what they are talking about. Eventually it swings into action and it turns out its pretty much the same as every other Bourne movie. The chase scenes are exhilarating but cranky husband reminded me that we've seen it all before in recent Bond movies. Renner is a dull Bourne and not a patch on Matt Damon. In fact, I haven't liked him in anything so far. However, despite a limp beginning and ending it was an okay thriller. Don't go looking for substance or anything nearly as good as the earlier versions and you will be happy.

Prepare yourself to be very angry. As a parent I identified very strongly with the enormous pain endured by the families and the children involved in the bullying. It would be nice to think this is just an American problem. However, having had a child harassed at school all through Grade Three and having had pretty similar conversations with the authorities at the school who offered little help, I must say it is universal. We moved our child to another school this year because of the lacklustre attitude of the school. This movie should be seen by every parent and every child over the age of twelve. (I say twelve because there is swearing and the suicide concepts are heavy hitting.) It is confronting but it will open up a topic of conversation that needs discussion urgently. It enjoys five stars not for the quality of the filmmaking—although it is reasonably well-made—but for the topic and the courage of those involved. Please see it.

Holocaust movies are not easy viewing. However, they are usually uplifting dramas telling stories of incredible human courage and endurance, alongside horrific cruelty. I see everyone that I can, not because I need to know any more about the holocaust but because I feel we need to bear witness to this tragedy in our history. There are still stories to be told and we should honour those stories by listening, reading and watching.

The children in this German language film are fabulous and the friend who attended the preview with me said that she had to keep repeating to herself that it wasn't real, so she didn't break down. It is also a fascinating story of friendship and courage.

How refreshing to see a movie starring aboriginal girls, who aren't portrayed as drunken, drug taking hopeless cases. I'm not denigrating those films—some are world-class—but its wonderful to skip out of a movie that shines with positivity telling a unique aboriginal story.

The four girls who play The Sapphires are real gems (excuse the pun). Deborah Mailman as the tough-nosed big sister is a true talent and, of course, Jessica Mauboy fans will enjoy her fabulous voice and she can really act too. All the minor actors are a treat. Chris O'Dowd, most famous for his recent hit "Bridesmaids" has chemistry but he seems to portray the same character in every film. Time for him to move on to a psychopath before he is typecast. Please go see this and support quality Australian cinema. This one is very deserved of your dollar.

I was a surfie chick for about six months at the age of seventeen, heading to Surfers Paradise Qld every weekend and reading all the magazines. Then I realised it was boring sitting watching surfers waiting to catch waves.

However, there is nothing boring about watching these two surfing legends Ross Clarke-Jones and Tom Carroll search for the un-surfed wave. The 3D is fabulous and the huge waves they surf mark quite remarkable achievements for two men in their middle to late forties. Despite the fact they were clearly having a ball chasing waves around Australia, I did wonder how their poor suffering wives felt about it. A solid documentary made with true Aussie larrikin passion. It made me proud to be an Aussie. See it even if you aren't into surfing. It's about following your dream and keeping the passion no matter your age. Thank you to Ace Cinemas Subiaco for the screening.