The Palm Beach Story (1942)
A League Of Their Own (1992)
Le retour du héros (Return Of The Hero) (2018)
SAS: Red Notice (2021)
A Perfect Pairing (2022)
Twentieth Century (1934)
My Man Godfrey (1936)
House Of Strangers (1949)
A Woman Of Distinction (1950)
Bedtime Story (1941) ///
A League Of Their Own (1992) Seen through eyes of talented ball players and combative sisters Geena Davis and Lori Petty, evocative reflection on creation of true life wartime women's pro baseball league is charming, bittersweet and funny, as a winning cast delivers emotion with social and personal resonance.
Le retour du héros (Return Of The Hero) (2018) Enjoyable period diversion, a snappy comedy of identity and position, with deceitful Jean Dujardin exploiting the heroic image inadvertently created by exasperated Mélanie Laurent. Attractive visuals frame absurd comic situations and frothy characters.
SAS: Red Notice (2021) Solid production initially maintains fluid action as unflinching private military group takes command of London-Paris channel train until passenger and elite soldier Sam Heughan fights back. Murky mayhem ensues, story and character spinning out amid confounding, reactionary developments.
A Perfect Pairing (2022) Attractive visuals sell Australian sheep farm that determined Victoria Justice finds herself reluctantly working at in order to convince family she's right person to handle their wine brand. Unsurprising comic and romantic progression given spark by breezy lead.
Twentieth Century (1934) After manipulating unknowing Carole Lombard's acting talent, possessive theatre showman John Barrymore loses his touch when she escapes to Hollywood fortune. Inadvertent reunion on titular train reignites schemes, relations and gorgeous, breathless comedy.
My Man Godfrey (1936) Impulsive socialite Carole Lombard hires destitute William Powell as butler for her eccentric, dysfunctional family, unknowing of his true origins. Designed with glittering visuals, deft blend of rapid farce, romantic confusion and social satire of Depression era unrest is elevated by winning cast.
House Of Strangers (1949) Framed by return of intense Richard Conte after release from jail, conflict emanates from domineering financier Edward G Robinson's controlling disdain for family and business. Melodrama of revenge and redemption told with stylish edge, including a gutsy Susan Hayward.
A Woman Of Distinction (1950) Bright prolog establishes controlled Rosalind Russell as progressive post war heroine until she finds personal and professional confusion with arrival of British academic Ray Milland. Increasingly labored slapstick and character contrivance undermine any momentum
Bedtime Story (1941) Acclaimed actress Loretta Young's hope for comfortable retirement confounded by artful playwright husband Fredric March's dream of next production. Storytelling provides few surprises, though quickfire farce delivered by skilled cast sells solid laughs.
