Films: May 10 - 16

I'm Your Woman (2020)

Éperdument (Down By Love) (2016)

Goodnight Mommy (2022)

The Predator (2018) 

Predators (2010) 

Crazy Rich Asians (2018) 

Those Who Wish Me Dead (2022)

Red Sparrow (2018)

The Dark Corner (1946) ///

I'm Your Woman (2020) Controlled approach carefully builds situation and character, visual design allied to developing layers for fleeing Rachel Brosnahan with her baby when shady husband disturbs gangster politics. Sporadic bouts of violence and threat swirl amid growing, emotional resilience.

Éperdument (Down By Love) (2016) Committed performances illuminate affair between discouraged prisoner Adèle Exarchopoulos and increasingly obsessed warden Guillaume Gallienne. Character and confined space create dramatic tension unraveled by floundering emotion and damp final act.

Goodnight Mommy (2022) Two young brothers visit strict Naomi Watts, who is recovering from cosmetic surgery, and start to doubt if she's actually their mother. Cruelly inventive plotting is slickly produced, yet curiously lacking in energy and wit, never quite taking a needed icy grip.

The Predator (2018) Unwavering scientist Olivia Munn is saved by gritty Boyd Holbrook and band of army misfits when aliens wreck bloody havoc on earth. Gory B-movie narrative driven by wicked ensemble humor and lively action, enjoyably disposable even if suspense and horror is lacking.

Predators (2010) Terse Adrian Brody and practical Alice Braga are among ragged group of mercenaries and killers unknowingly parachuted to remote jungle planet to be hunted for sport.  Initial atmospheric threat and pacy action eventually runs out of steam with undernourished story and characters.

Crazy Rich Asians (2018) Lush design and expansive locations provide dazzling backgrounds for clash of money and values as independent Constance Wu is whisked to Singapore by loyal Henry Golding to visit his unexpectedly wealthy family and protective mother Michelle Yeoh. Told with energy and final sugar rush of romance.

Those Who Wish Me Dead (2022) Daring yet emotionally scarred smokejumper Angelina Jolie finds redemption in helping young boy on run from assassins who successfully killed his father. Fiery visuals and bloody violence pump up action. Character and story tend to be constricted by engulfing flames.

Red Sparrow (2018) After injury ends ballet career, vengeful Jennifer Lawrence is trained as seductive Russian spy and pushed to discover CIA Joel Edgerton's mole. Bitter violence, sexual manipulation and mounting double crosses allied to unrepentant, intense lead performance maintain energy though drama becomes muddled.

The Dark Corner (1946) After meandering start, fiendish noir plot ensnares PI Mark Stevens when he's framed for murder with only resourceful secretary Lucille Ball left to help unravel jealous Clifton Webb's scheming. Mild thrills, wittily played by a solid cast, building atmosphere on a minor scope.