Films: January 8 - 14

Délicieux (Delicious) (2021) 
Red Dawn (2012) 
Trapped In Paradise (1994) 
Les têtes de l'emploi (The No-Job Agency) (2016) 
Par instinct (Out Of Instinct) (2017)
While You Were Sleeping (1995) 
Destination Wedding (2018) ///

Délicieux (Delicious) (2021) Democracy of first restaurant mirrors personal change as reluctant chef Grégory Gadebois and surprising apprentice Isabelle Carré find independence amid murmurs of French revolution. Lack of substantial drama compensated with ravishing detail, compassionate characters, and rousing finale.

Red Dawn (2012) Empty-headed action makes no pretense at subtlety as North Korean invasion of US leaves grim marine Chris Hemsworth and unlikely group of teens as last resistance. Solidly handled action struggles to compensate for flimsy logic, clumsy politics and dull characters.

Trapped In Paradise (1994) Strenuously unfunny Christmas tale strands crooked brothers Nicolas Cage, Jon Lovitz and Dana Carvey in small town, softened by eccentric community after bank robbery. Never lacking in energy, equally never finds tone or character, leaving isolated gags floundering.

Les têtes de l'emploi (The No-Job Agency) (2016) Balance between ironic social commentary and broader character gags never quite clicks as dysfunctional trio Franck Dubosc, Elsa Zylberstein and François-Xavier Demaison are sacked from employment agency for too successfully clearing unemployed. Spirited performances lack cohesion.

Par instinct (Out Of Instinct) (2017) Brutal tragedy of sex trafficking collides with controlled lawyer Alexandra Lemy's life when she miscarries in Morocco and finds herself in same hospital as pregnant rape victim and refugee Sonja Wanda. Heartfelt performances undermined by ragged narrative.

While You Were Sleeping (1995) Embracing the concept of mistaken identity, finely tuned mix of romance and comedy features endearing Sandra Bullock saving self-absorbed Peter Gallagher and falling for his sympathetic brother Bill Pullman. Affectionate storytelling, charming cast, beguiling emotion.

Destination Wedding (2018) Biting, controlled two-hander throws together caustic, judgmental loners Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves in remote California setting to both contradict and accept genre conventions. Amid reserved visuals and cynical sparring, easy leads find twisted emotion.