Jabaek (Confession) (2022)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
Eileen (2023)
Dead Reckoning (1947)
Fear Street 1978 (2021)
Fear Street 1666 (2021)
Yiwootsaram (The Neighbors) (2012)
Saturday Night (2024)
Seems Like Old Times (1980) ///
Jabaek (Confession) (2022) Intriguingly set up 'locked-room' murder mystery relies on shifting perspectives to discern unreliable truth as top lawyer Kim Yunjin tries to find out what happened in hotel where executive So Ji-sub is accused of former lover Nana's murder. Smooth style relies on appealing cast as remake's cold plot mechanics are revealed.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) Ostentatious visual flair informs expansive production and propulsive action as bland 007 George Lazenby falls for contrary Diana Rigg while infiltrating Telly Savalas' plan to utilize hypnotized band of women. Aided by John Barry's score, thrills resolved with uncompromising tragedy.
Eileen (2023) Engagingly established, bleakly damaged Thomasin McKenzie's life in 1960s small town is invigorated by arrival of glamorous psychiatrist Anne Hathaway. Noirish descent sees narrative and characters crafted with care, yet bruised themes lack provocative wit and feel coldly anemic.
Dead Reckoning (1947) Solidly staged noir has terse Humphrey Bogart uncover tangled background to fellow war hero and friend death, including role of typically unpredictable Lizabeth Scott. Maintains mystery with plainly effective visuals and narrative reveals without elevating drama.
Fear Street 1978 (2021) Continuing story treads water, winding back to reveal summer camp massacre and leaning on primal slasher beats while uncovering more of witch's town curse. Revved-up Marco Beltrami score joins sympathetically bickering sisters Sadie Sink and Emily Rudd to underpin gruesome shocks.
Fear Street 1666 (2021) Gutsy Kiana Madeira's vision of town's colonial origins features dubious Irish accents before folding back to 1994 survivors as they look to break violent curse. Though fudges potential social themes, persuasive three film story resolution features a smudge of humanity amid blood-soaked horror action.
Yiwootsaram (The Neighbors) (2012) Establishing uneasy atmosphere with wicked ease, grungy serial killer Kim Sung-kyun lives in unremarkable apartment complex, as gradually suspecting residents have various reasons for being hesitant in accepting gruesome truth. Remorseful Kim Yunjin and young Kim Sae-ron in dual role provide brittle emotion.
Saturday Night (2024) Enjoyably chaotic behind the scenes energy as Gabriel LaBelle's creative self-confidence battles network reluctance and rebelliously unreliable collection of young comedians to get first live show on air. Generous Rachel Sennott, involving 70s atmosphere and comic tension rather than convincing comedy.
Seems Like Old Times (1980) Generally appealing, light humor occasionally sustaining prolonged comedy, as unconvincing setup sees casual writer Chevy Chase accused of bank robbery and seeking ex-wife and optimistic public defender Goldie Hawn's help even as her anxious husband Charles Grodin plans to become Los Angeles DA. Plain style exposes strained pace.
