The Adam Project (2022)
The Glass Onion (2022)
Troll (2022)
Where The Crawdads Sing (2022)
CODA (2021)
Pineapple Express (2008)
Old (2021) ///
The Adam Project (2022) Nimble staging and performances make most of spirited dialogue that resolves comic setups with emotionally involving father son(s) reunions as maverick Ryan Reynolds flips back in time to save future with younger self Walker Scobell and father Mark Ruffalo. Action more mundane, humor appealing.
The Glass Onion (2022) Elongated, shaggy whodunnit amps up eccentricities as intuitive Daniel Craig joins star influencers invited to megalomaniac innovator Edward Norton's Greek Island, where murder, betrayal and sun-bleached twists await. Flagging narrative buoyed with flashback reveals and playfully caustic view of modern wealth.
Troll (2022) Robustly conceived monster action as Norwegian folklore becomes modern reality when exploitation of mountain range awakes unhappy rock giant. Incredulous Ine Marie Wilmann is a resourceful paleontologist as political and national themes barely crack polished, monochrome VFX surface.
Where The Crawdads Sing (2022) Amid glossy visuals, initially intriguing tale of abusive isolation and small town prejudice sees wary survivor Daisy Edgar Jones' relationship with lush marshlands overcome broken love and murder court case. Diffused emotions linger amid unfocused narrative threads.
CODA (2021) Small scale coming-of-age drama provides endearing blend of conflict and humor, anchored by Emilia Jones, conflicted between duty to family fishing business and singing talent encouraged by uncompromising teacher Eugenio Derbez. Despite predictability, unfussy treatment of deaf community adds to emotional resonance.
Pineapple Express (2008) Uncommitted stoner Seth Rogan and genial dealer James Franco are on the run after witnessing gang hit. Breezy laughs, physical and verbal, fit somewhat uneasily with escalating, blunt violence and overblown finale, yet off-kilter buddy relationship and loose staging deliver agreeable distractions.
Old (2021) Enclosed sense of dread and comedy terror as time passes at an accelerated rate for tourist group stranded in idyllic cove, falters with thin characters and unsure pacing. Revelations and final twist neither enrich mystery or paper over holes, concept and narrative stretched beyond effective limits.
