Happy Death Day 2U (2019) / Ingrid Goes West (2018) / Hello I Must Be Going (2012) / Helena From The Wedding (2010) / 6 Underground (2019) / The Way Back (2020) / Dune Drifter (2020) ///
Ingrid Goes West (2018) Aubrey Plaza just about keeps the story from spinning out of control as her obsessive, unwell social media addict pursues Elizabeth Olsen's empty lifestyle influencer. The dark humor is progressively more corrosive and the characters less empathetic, a cold view of modern society that remains coldly diverting rather than compelling.
Hello I Must Be Going (2012) Suffering after a divorce, aimless Melanie Lynsky is forced to move in with her parents but finds unexpected rejuvenation in an affair with a college student. Built from small moments, a carefully told and tender study with a beguiling lead performance.
Helena From The Wedding (2010) A group of friends gather at a remote cabin to celebrate New Year. Alcohol, drugs and frayed emotions ensue. Even with the arrival of the titular interloper nothing much interrupts the empty lives and emotions. Bland visuals match insecure characters.
6 Underground (2019) Two hours of trailer visuals in search of a real narrative as Ryan Reynolds leads an anonymous band seeking redemption and revenge. The rich production values are undeniable, explosions and violence non-stop, empathy and involvement empty. Some glossy thrills break through.
The Way Back (2020) Ben Affleck is an effective drunk, battling the cruelty of the past and seeking a form of redemption through the opportunity of coaching high school basketball. Though nothing is particularly original, the style is gritty, the characters well drawn and the empathy earned.
Dune Drifter (2020) With controlled visuals and a layered sound mix that features an effective score, a low key scifi survival tale that's enjoyably tense. The opening space battle threatens to drag, but once crash-landed on an alien planet, pacing and storytelling is solid.
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