Films: June 9 - 15

Baekdusan (Ashfall) (2019)

Chak daan juen ga (Shock Wave) (2017) 

Chak daan juen ga 2 (Shock Wave 2) (2020)

Caught (1949)

Old Henry (2020)

A Night To Remember (1958) 

Almost Famous (2000) ///

Baekdusan (Ashfall) (2019) Maintaining a giddy intensity, earthquakes on the eve of Korean unification sends reluctant Ha Jung-woo north to release spy Lee Byung-hun and blowup volcano before total destruction. Dynamic star duo shine winning humor amid insane thrills and gaudy VFX.

Chak daan juen ga (Shock Wave) (2017) Unfussy storytelling and gleaming technique places emphasis on explosive setups as crazed criminal brings Hong Kong to a standstill and wants revenge on Andy Lau. Well-handled scale disguises blandly entertaining action. Ending provides punch.

Chak daan juen ga 2 (Shock Wave 2) (2020) Variant on Andy Lau's bomb disposal officer who turns vengeful terrorist seeking final redemption. Glossy production, efficient visuals and bookended with encompassing VFX, central dynamics with determined Ni Ni provide unlikely, entertaining twists.

Caught (1949) Seeking comfortable life with marriage to wealthy Robert Ryan, too late Barbara Bel Geddes finds he's dangerously unstable. Amid luscious visuals and twisted developments, dedicated doctor James Mason is her last hope. Acid flavored melodrama pierces social dreams.

Old Henry (2020) Low key character study framed with open space, widescreen visuals as the appearance of a stranger forces reflective farmer Tim Blake Nelson to confront his past and legacy. Anchored by commanding lead, simmering tension unsurprisingly explodes into violence.

A Night To Remember (1958) Told with clean visuals and clinical sense of restraint, officer Kenneth More leads ensemble cast of passengers and crew on ill-fated maiden voyage of Titanic. Finely detailed, sober accumulation of events establishes tightening grip and affecting final tribute.

Almost Famous (2000) Fresh and observant coming of age road trip imbues its 1970s music setting with a warm glow as teenage journalist falls under the spell of charismatic Billy Crudup and his band, as well as seasoned groupie Kate Hudson. Balanced humor and drama provides irresistible charm.