The Six Triple Eight (2024)
Pursuit (1972)
The Bad News Bears (1976)
Quiz Lady (2023)
American Fiction (2023)
Pared con pared (Love, Divided) (2023)
Sungnan Byeonhosa (The Advocate A Missing Body) (2015) ///
The Six Triple Eight (2024) Carried by storytelling conviction and committed performances, unfussy, anonymous staging progresses struggles of only US black female battalion to serve in World War II Europe. Overcoming prejudice and racism, symbolic and emotional resonance of mail delivery proves potent combination.
Pursuit (1972) Definition of ticking clock plot brazenly places on-screen countdown to crazed political millionaire EG Marshall's plot for release nerve agent and decimate San Diego as President visits convention. Stellar cast features controlled agent Ben Gazzara; momentum maintained with bare visuals.
The Bad News Bears (1976) Raucous comedy sees washed-up minor league player Walter Matthau coach youth baseball team of foul-mouthed losers, turned winners with cynical pitcher Tatum O'Neal and rebel Jackie Earle Haley. Sharp observation exposes darker side of competitive sport; damaged characters in search of family touch provoke genuine emotion.
Quiz Lady (2023) Lively, well-matched sisters, conservative Awkwafina and carefree Sandra Oh, become part of benevolent Will Ferrell's long-running TV show to win money for kidnapped pug. Unsurprising character dynamics and uneven tone, compensated by endearing comedy and affecting central chemistry.
American Fiction (2023) Finely tuned mix of personal drama and broadly funny satire rests on assertive Jeffrey Wright turn as respected yet unread writer whose pseudonymous, stereotypical black experience novel is acclaimed. Obvious artistic targets balanced by refined character portrait and vulnerable brother Sterling K. Brown.
Pared con pared (Love, Divided) (2024) Familiar adaptation sees unsure pianist Aitana Ocaña seeking independence in new apartment until confronting reclusive game creator and neighbor Fernando Guallar through paper-thin wall. Appealing characters yet anonymous approach lacks scrappy, romantic sweep.
Sungnan Byeonhosa (The Advocate A Missing Body) (2015) Snappy pacing and sufficient twists see arrogantly successful lawyer Lee Sun-kyun defend murder suspect, only to find corrupt links back to powerful pharmaceutical company. Legal associate Im Won-hee provides comic touch and prosecutor Kim Go-eun sparks conflict amid nimbly handled action.
