Harvey (1950)
Seminole (1953)
Hwacha (Helpless) (2012)
Sweet Liberty (1986)
The Small Back Room (1949)
Swamp Water (1941)
Road House (2024)
Rebel Moon The Scargiver (2024)
Life (2017)
Falling Inn Love (2019)
Mother Of The Bride (2024) ///
Harvey (1950) Irresistible, soulful comedy as James Stewart and his six foot invisible rabbit overcome prejudice to beguile initially skeptical characters, who all need something to believe in. Sparkling performances capture emotion as well as farce, while pacing maintains playful touch. An enduring classic.
Hwacha (Helpless) (2012) Solidly produced and slickly told, uncomplicated vet Lee Sun-kyun becomes increasingly obsessed after fiancée Kim Min-hee disappears at highway service station and disgraced detective cousin Jo Sung-ha starts to uncover her shifting identity. Cloudy structure diminishes dark thrills.
Sweet Liberty (1986) Soft-centered satire of movie making features appealing cast, yet diffuses storytelling with undeveloped characters and blurry conclusion. Rakish Michael Caine and consumed Michelle Pfeiffer provide sharp relief, and genial comic situations spark enjoyable momentum.
The Small Back Room (1949) Expressionistic visuals penetrate the mental guilt of self-destructive scientist David Farrar, invalided from conflict to work on enemy weapons during World War II. Intensity climaxes with tense bomb disposal; solid cast highlighted by acute emotion of Kathleen Byron.
Swamp Water (1941) Atmospheric Georgia setting provides suitably oppressive background for small town prejudice, greed and violence to play out as eager Dana Andrews befriends accused murderer Walter Brennan and aids his abused daughter Anne Baxter. Involving rather than dramatically effective.
Road House (2024) Broad, uncomplicated storytelling driven by muscular action, dry humor and appealingly unflustered Jake Gyllenhaal, who is hired to clean up isolated bar in Florida Keys. Outlandish violence snaps bones as well as coherence by conclusion, though remains dumbly entertaining.
Rebel Moon The Scargiver (2024) Continuation of derivative space opera resolves into extended action sequences as remorseful Sofia Boutella and her band of warriors seeking redemption protect village from controlling empire's savagery. Dense, numbing visual effects
crush empty characters.
Life (2017) Gleaming visuals and persuasive cast elevate involvement as Mars organism retrieved by six-strong crew on space station proves unsurprisingly deadly. Smooth technique simmers tension without elevating thrills as story beats grind, though pacing is brisk and maintains incident.
Falling Inn Love (2019) Blandly forced set up sees ambitious San Franciscan Christina Milian's work and emotional life implode, before winning dilapidated rural New Zealand hotel. Romantic sparks with Adam Demos and small town culture clash play safely yet amiably, told with brisk, easy pace.
Mother Of The Bride (2024) Despite attractive locations and cast, stilted production and misfiring wedding narrative never persuades as jittery Brooke Shields finds that lost love Benjamin Bratt is father to her daughter's intended husband. Isolated pleasures amid strained comedy and romance.
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