The Marvels (2023)
The Cheap Detective (1978)
The Last Voyage Of The Demeter (2023)
Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)
Brothers (2024)
The Nun II (2023)
Challengers (2024)
Jambokgeunmu (She's On Duty) (2005) ///
Theater Camp (2023) Fresh and funny summer escape for precocious kids and failed adults consumed by dream of stage success. Loose, improvisational style extends from ensemble cast to jittery visuals, as putting on show against odds threatens to run out of steam but comes up strong in final act.
The Marvels (2023) Comic interplay of forging sisterhood between invincible Brie Larson, conflicted Teyonah Parris and hero worshipping Iman Vellani provides earned empathy and jells with wittier and sillier story elements. Remainder of comic book VFX action is affectionate mess, despite strong Laura Karpman score.
The Cheap Detective (1978) Parody of 40s film noir centers on alternately bemused and cynical Peter Falk's detective dealing with nonsensical murders as well as array of spirited femme fatales. Accent is on hit and miss affectionate silliness that enjoys solid production values and enthusiastic cast.
The Last Voyage Of The Demeter (2023) Handsomely mounted and atmospherically realized, concept of haunted house at sea has mysterious crates loaded on titular boat for ocean trip to England revealed as containing beastly vampire. Murky exposition and staging suffocates tension as crew are violently picked off.
Hot Tub Time Machine (2010) Committed to narrative and characters that remain deliriously dumb, broad and coarse comic intent overrules any logic of bruised men returning to 80s high school for life changing lessons. Brightly realized and paced, more works than it should as engaging cast embraces the inanity.
Brothers (2024) Concept of minor criminal Peter Dinklage persuading twin brother Josh Brolin away from upcoming wedding normality for last heist with estranged mother Glenn Close strives too hard for comic eccentricity. Brief pleasures and sterling performers amid cartoon confusion and predicted reconciliations.
The Nun II (2023) Rich Gothic atmosphere generously applied to determined Taissa Farmiga's continued combat with evil spirit, loosely structured round succession of disorientating sequences. Enjoyable scares ratcheted up with girls' boarding school setting and fiery climax, though chills are transitory.
Challengers (2024) Dynamic, seductive visual style and time-jumping structure ensures tangled relationship between injury-broken retired tennis star Zendaya, her jaded champion husband Mike Faist and burnt out maverick Josh O'Connor remains vibrant. Yet physical heat on and off court never convinces despite playful performers.
Jambokgeunmu (She's On Duty) (2005) Exaggerated comedy eventually collides with brute action as eager detective Kim Sun-a is forced undercover at high school to track down student Nam Sang-mi's father and bust criminal operation. Patchy humor amid wild swings of tone makes for passing entertainment.
