The Core (2003)
iHostage (2025)
Freaks You're One Of Us (2020)
Captain from Castile (1947)
Venom The Last Dance (2024)
The Swimmers (2022)
La caída (Dive) (2022)
La virgen roja (The Red Virgin) (2024)
The Craft (1996)
Licorice Pizza (2021) ///
The Core (2003) Christopher Young's towering score and some striking visuals accentuate both pleasures and absurdity of plot that sends solid cast burrowing towards Earth's center in order to restart rotation. Principled Aaron Eckhart and commanding Hilary Swank among team spouting scientific nonsense.
iHostage (2025) Solid technique underlines understated approach to true-story basis of gunman Soufiane Moussouli taking Admir Sehovic hostage at Amsterdam store and authority reaction. Initial interest never develops compelling drama, characters left without shading and stakes subdued.
Freaks You're One Of Us (2020) Enjoyably grounded visuals establish downbeat life for struggling Cornelia Gröschel. gradually transformed when she finds lifelong medicines are suppressing superpowers. Conflict with authorities and similarly afflicted encourages more than narrative and tone delivers.
Captain from Castile (1947) Strong visuals and epic scale of production support Spanish nobleman Tyrone Power's escape from the Inquisition to join adventure with imperious Cesar Romero's New World expedition. Blurry historical politics and final narrative uncertainty compensated by vital Jean Peters and rousing Alfred Newman score.
Venom The Last Dance (2024) Confused narrative mechanics provide excuse for wearied Tom Hardy's schizophrenic comedy double act to embark on road trip from Mexico to Area 51, chased down by alien and human forces. Eccentric, self-conscious laughs and barrage of visual effects fail to compensate for lack of genuine involvement or tension.
The Swimmers (2022) While true-life events remain undeniably effective, collision of desperate refugee drama with inspirational sports underdog triumph never really meshes. Nathalie Issa and Manal Issa deliver authentic intimacy as sisters enduring hardship and exploitation to escape Syria for Germany, before determination to compete in 2016 Olympics.
La caída (Dive) (2022) Bruising character study of Karla Souza's competitive diver, barely keeping life together while struggling to make Olympics, when arrival of eager new teen partner Dèja Ebergenyi stirs accusations of abuse against dominant trainer Hernán Mendoza. Compelling lead illuminates suffering and final release.
La virgen roja (The Red Virgin) (2024) Potent drama of manipulation and identity finds mirror of Spanish society in 1930s, as obsessive Najwa Nimri molds daughter Alba Planas as a modern, free-thinking woman with sexual revolution in the air. Distinctive design and gripping performances conjure disquieting, surprising tale.
The Craft (1996) New high school outsider Robin Tunney falls in with misfits and rumored witches Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, and Rachel True, discovering she is their coven's needed complement to unleash vengeful magic. Darkly amusing bonds of female empowerment eventually devolve into messy effects.
Licorice Pizza (2021) Engaging, easy view on 1970s California through generous prism of developing friendship between aimless 20-something Alana Haim and eager teen actor Cooper Hoffman. Hazy comic romanticism maintains enveloping looseness with sense of the personal and satiric.
