Unstoppable (2010)
Romancing The Stone (1984)
Steirerblut (The Forest Killer) (2013)
Landkrimi Tirol: Das Mädchen aus dem Bergsee (Tightrope) (2020)
Georgia Rule (2007)
The Hand That Rocks The Cradle (1992)
Deja Vu (2006)
Into The Blue 2: The Reef (2009)
Atlas (2024)
Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Beverly Hills Cop Axel F (2024)
Extraction II (2024)
Falling For Christmas (2022) ///
Unstoppable (2010) Living up to title, fluid technique and propulsive rhythms ratchet up tension as seasoned engineer Denzel Washington and newbie Chris Pine chase after runaway freight train loaded with flammable cargo. Unsubtle politics and characterization carried by loud, gripping action.
Romancing The Stone (1984) Breezy adventure strikes hugely enjoyable balance of action and comedy as insular romantic novelist Kathleen Turner is forced to Colombia to save sister and join with cynical opportunist Michael Douglas. Spirited telling and engaging leads keep energy high.
Steirerblut (The Forest Killer) (2013) Small town secrets and political corruption confront edgy detective Miriam Stein as she returns home to investigate journalist's murder and face her own family's past. Moderately engaging and told with diligent polish, without style or narrative surprise to set pulse racing,
Das Mädchen aus dem Bergsee (Tightrope) (2020) Unpredictable, damaged detective Patricia Aulitzky proves a compelling presence, forgoing holiday to investigate murdered sex worker near childhood town that has uncomfortable echoes of the past. Generally tight telling reveals suitably dark family secrets.
Georgia Rule (2007) Formidable leads can't persuade, as wild teen Lindsay Lohan is taken by damaged mother Felicity Huffman to stay with disciplinarian grandmother Jane Fonda. Tonal whiplash attempts to mix broad laughs amid themes of sexual abuse and alcoholism with flat results, leaving only occasional emotional sparks.
The Hand That Rocks The Cradle (1992) Reveling in B-movie dynamics, Rebecca De Mornay is suitably seductive and unhinged as the nanny wrecking cool revenge on Annabella Sciorra's perfect suburban family. Never subtle, uneasy edge permeates with wicked mischief, resolving with satisfactorily violent showdown.
Déjà Vu (2006) Enjoyably convoluted, time-bending nonsense, with glistening, jittery visuals that seek to persuade there's logic for grounded agent Denzel Washington to flip into the past, prevent New Orleans ferry bomb and save Paula Patton. Runs out of steam and invention before clumsy end.
Into The Blue 2: The Reef (2009) Flimsy plotting sees Honolulu-based, treasure-seeking Chris Carmack and relaxed Laura Vandervoort rent out boat to suspicious clients, resulting in flimsily clothed cast alternate between beach, nightclub, and bloody dives. Empty, good-looking visuals and characters.
Atlas (2024) Action-orientated sci-fi delivers required technical polish and future concept of deadly humanoid AI, without developing concepts and dramatic tension. Antagonistic Jennifer Lopez provides admirable focus, revealing family regret and emotional focus at true heart of story.
Beverly Hills Cop Axel F (2024) Replicating original formula, Detroit detective Eddie Murphy retains fish out of water energy in California, this time to protect estranged daughter Taylour Paige and find old friend Judge Reinhold. Familiar story beats and characters, without fresh spark.
Extraction II (2024) Revived from certain death, brutally principled Chris Hemsworth is not retired long before being persuaded to save ex-wife's sister and children. Bare narrative strands provide excuse for series of often technically impressive action sequences, yet cynically devoid of affecting tension.
Falling For Christmas (2022) Blandly comforting Christmas tale of indulged heiress Lindsay Lohan losing memory in Aspen and learning life lessons from struggling, widowed Chord Overstreet and family. Minor amusements, with sentimental contrivance not aided by uneven staging and performance.
