Films: June 7

Sicario (2015)

The Lazarus Effect (2015)

The Imitation Game (2014)

Demon Seed (1977)

Bang Bang Baby (2014)

The Woman In The Window (2021) 

Mary, Queen Of Scots (2018) /// 

Sicario (2015) Dark, cynical and bloody, the clinical, searing imagery matches the cool, detached tone and suppressed violence that will infect and consume. Emily Blunt provides a glimpse of humanity amid brutal border fights, Benicio del Toro a jaundiced assassin out for revenge.

The Lazarus Effect (2015) Made with efficiency rather than inspiration, scientists create a serum to bring the dead back to life. Not unexpectedly, it doesn't turn out well. The attractive cast are unable to brin humanity to sketchy characters and narrative never builds tension.

The Imitation Game (2014) Clean, evocative visuals and restrained approach elevate tension as oddball Benedict Cumberbatch and undeterred Keira Knightly leads efforts to break Germany's enigma code. Triumph of outsiders is crowd pleasing, the eventual tragedy provides more substantive.

Demon Seed (1977) Told with artful control and a chilly aesthetic that confronts genre conventions, a compassionate Julie Christie finds home AI has taken control and needs to impregnate her. An uneasy mix of thoughtful scifi and techno horror, always intriguing, even if not always compelling.

Bang Bang Baby (2014) Though cast is appealing and musical scifi concept has potential, final realization proves stilted and confusing rather than offbeat and involving. Jane Levy infuses customary spark, songs lack punch and design and lighting is forced. Misses a singular voice.

The Woman In The Window (2021) While tension simmers and a physically and mentally reclusive Amy Adams suspects murder, the narrative remains involving. Then the third act kicks in with predictable implausibility and numbing action. The fine cast is left floundering amid polished visuals.

Mary, Queen Of Scots (2018) Pierced with historical and political revisionism, a darkly immersive retelling of Saoirse Ronan's Mary returning from France to conflict with Margot Robbie's Elizabeth. Impeccably made and confidently performed without anything truly original to say.