Films: March 3 - 9

Kiseki (I Wish) (2012)

Umi yori mo Mada Fukaku (After The Storm) (2016)

Criminal Law (1988)

The Philadelphia Experiment (1984)

The Philadelphia Experiment II (1993)

Inferno (2016)

Captain Marvel (2019)

Sandome no Satsujin (The Third Murder) (2017)

Something Wild (1986)

Terminator Dark Fate (2019) ///

Kiseki (I Wish) (2012) Gorgeously observed view of childhood dreams and friendship that sings in its detail and humanist view of everyday life. Two brothers split by their parents' separation decide the new bullet train will unify their world. Natural and emotional, facing realism and hope with grace.

Umi yori mo Mada Fukaku (After The Storm) (2016) The typhoon threatening to strike is a flavour that sees broken parents and their son spend the night with poignantly wise grandmother Kirin Kiti. Family dynamics, of life's imperfections and dreams, is expertly, affectingly captured.

Criminal Law (1988) Shiny visuals provide cosmetic interest for convoluted plot featuring unlikeable leads, as brash lawyer Gary Oldman realizes he's helping assured sociopath Kevin Bacon get away with murder. Menacing, obsessive performances can't compensate for flaws in tone and logic.

The Philadelphia Experiment (1984) Enjoyably daffy time travel action as regular sailor Michael Paré is thrown from 1943 into the hands of practical Nancy Allen in the 1980s. Brisk tempo and balanced tone maintain interest, spirited score and bright visuals drive effective narrative twists.

The Philadelphia Experiment II (1993) Sporadically engaging, routinely inventive, stoic sailor Brad Johnson is thrown into an alternative timeline where Germany won WW2 and Nazi control stifles society. Budget and narrative strains exhaust attempted adventure and emotional sweep.

Inferno (2016) Overheated, convoluted, a blur of images in search of a plot with drugged Tom Hanks on the run and nurse Felicity Jones with her own secrets.  Plot mechanics creak amid plush production values and expansive locations, a blunt series of puzzles lacking in tension.

Captain Marvel (2019) Away from VFX driven action, Brie Larson provides a human touch and spirited humor with Samuel L Jackson and a deceptive tabby. Origin tale is spurred by a textured, energetic Pinar Toprak score, bright design and ironic 90s setting, despite anonymous style.

Sandome no Satsujin (The Third Murder) (2017) Framed within a court trial procedural, assured lawyer Masaharu Fukuyama peels away the truth of blunt client Kōji Yakusho's murderous actions to reveal a thoughtful take on morality and human emotion. Gripping in detail and human motive.

Something Wild (1986) Stiff Jeff Daniels is whisked from dry routine by uninhibited Melanie Griffith. Initial breezy, sexy, quirky tone and characters are wickedly deceptive, especially when ex-boyfriend Ray Liotta barrels onto screen. Brutal violence, sharp laughs, bracingly fresh.

Terminator Dark Fate (2019) Reunion of bitter survivor Linda Hamilton and reformed android Arnold Schwarzenegger provides isolated sparks. Mackenzie Davis and Natalia Reyes kick in with energy. Story remains doleful retread with stifling action, lack of humor and customary time travel twists.