Films: February 22 - 28

Meet Cute (2022) 

Jurassic World Dominion (2022)

The Manor (2021)

Gloria (1980)

Lethal Weapon (1987) 

Algiers (1938) 

Movie, Movie (1978) ///

Meet Cute (2022) Enjoyable playfulness of leads and easy feel becomes rapidly wearying as desperate Kaley Cuoco relentlessly time travels to repeat the same night and win affection of Pete Davidson. Concept strains character rather than illuminates, coasting on amusing segments and lacking resonance to deliver dramatic punch.

Jurassic World Dominion (2022) Luxuriating in visual effects expertise and expansive production values, leaden pace only accentuates reliance on set pieces rather than compelling narrative. Character reunions feel crow-barred into customary escape from unleashed dinosaurs and scientific naivety, without needed sense of awe and invention.

The Manor (2021) Caught between social relevance of care for the elderly (and personal fears of aging) while delivering moody Gothic scares and genre horror of witches' covens, narrative never sets a compelling tone. Barbara Hershey keeps interest bubbling though twists feel subdued.

Gloria (1980) Gritty New York locations provide tense backdrop as unrepentent Gena Rowlands goes on the run with 6-year old when the mob kills his family. Messy melodrama and gangster face offs make for riveting action, plausability on hold through powerhouse and humane star turn. 

Lethal Weapon (1987) Increasingly preposterous action retains fresh energy tinged with dark character edge as suicidal maverick Mel Gibson and weary family man Danny Glover are mismatched cops on trail of mercenaries smuggling drugs. Casual humor adds appeal to kinetic polish.

Algiers (1938) Lively, atmospheric tale set in the shadowy backstreets and shady clubs of the Casbah, where imperious thief Charles Boyer finds his French exile spin out of control when he falls for Parisienne tourist Hedy Lamarr. Minimal exposition and characterization in favor of menacing set pieces. 

Movie, Movie (1978) Love letter to 30s Hollywood sees boxing melodrama and Broadway musical (and wartime aviation preview) told with affection, indulging in gentle parody and energetic wordplay. Attractive design and spirited performers though knowing tone misses on innocent conviction.

Films: February 15 - 21

Total Recall (1990)

Total Recall (2012)

Wildcat (2022)

Angels Over Broadway (1940)

Fire On The Amazon (1998)

Rio Conchos (1964)

Lionheart (1987) ///

Total Recall (1990) Told with blunt, propulsive style, craftily twisting plot manipulates and dazzles viewer as much as construction worker Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose dreams of Mars might be real. Future tech and ragged violence heightened by explosive Jerry Goldsmith score with ironic spins on identity and memory resolving with planetary rebellion.

Total Recall (2012) Technically immaculate and delighting in detailed world building, both gleaming and dystopian, yet character and narrative remain anemic copies. Glum Colin Farrell is on the run with Jessica Biel from glowering wife Kate Beckinsale as twists fall flat and sustained tension deflates.

Wildcat (2022) Damaged young American establishing animal sanctuary in Peruvian Amazon is helped by equally disturbed young British veteran, suffering PTSD from service in Afghanistan. Meticulous detail and consuming atmosphere, even if on screen therapy ultimately feels relentless.

Angels Over Broadway (1940) Heavy on New York atmosphere and characters finding redemption, Douglas Fairbanks Jnr. is the smooth conman taking aim on a suicidal embezzler and finding love with young Rita Hayworth. Affecting visuals and occasionally arresting scenes, though overly schematic structure softens dramatic effect.

Fire On The Amazon (1998) Atmospheric setting and ecological themes has intriguing potential, with opportunist photojournalist Craig Sheffer uncovering corruption while principled Sandra Bullock seeks to protect Amazon forest. Murky production matches muddled story and sketchy characters.

Rio Conchos (1964) Patchy setup forces Richard Boone, Stuart Whitman and Tony Franciosa together on search for source of Apache rifles with increasingly edgy set pieces, opening out to reveal plan of renegade Southern colonel still fighting Civil War. Solidly crafted and produced.

Lionheart (1987) Jerry Goldsmith’s epic score, rousing and thematic, reaches for heart of what could have been as young knight Eric Stolz seeks redemption leading children to safety in medieval France. Muddled storytelling and awkward staging allied to unfocused characters, with expansive visuals only emphasizing unfulfilled end result.