The Girl With All The Gifts (2016) / Tamara Drewe (2010) / Persona (1966) / Bertie And Elizabeth (2002) / The 5th Wave (2016) / Riding The Bullet (2004) / Warlock (1991)
Tamara Drewe (2010) Slight and undemanding, Gemma Arterton's budding writer returns to her sleepy childhood village and throws lovers into turmoil over the course of a year. With its characters living in a curious bubble, humour bubbles on the surface, while emotion never quite breaks through.
Persona (1966) On the surface, an uncomfortable, edgy character study as conflicted nurse Bibi Andersson looks after actress Liv Ullman whose breakdown has made her mute. Beneath the surface, provoking ideas swirl. Powerfully designed, it borders on horror. Not for the faint hearted.
Bertie And Elizabeth (2002) An intelligent script spins a generous view of romance and the accidental reign of George VI. Succinct storytelling, unfussy visuals and a commendable cast maintain involvement and empathy, with a smart mix of personal, political and social history.
The 5th Wave (2016) Teen survivors fight off continuing alien attacks in a decimated world where adults turn out to be part of the infiltration. Production and cast are attractive, yet the narrative has no impetus and feels like an extended setup for part two. Glum and humourless.
Riding The Bullet (2004) Scattershot, 70s set Steven King adaptation as a dark minded college student hitchhikes home to his hospitalized mother and faces increasingly sinister rides. Apart from a few shocks and isolated, eerie moments, the lack of cohesion and empathy defeats involvement.
Warlock (1991) Bonkers genre mashup as Julian Sands' warlock and Richard E Grant's witchfinder time travel to 80s LA, with Lori Singer's ditzy waitress caught in their apocalyptical fight. Without quite the conviction to embrace the potential, still entertainingly paced with hammy leads and humor.
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