Films: February 3 - 9

Yeonae Bbajin Romance (Nothing Serious) (2021)

Tower Heist (2011) 

Carry-On (2024) 

Plane (2023) 

Dark Cloud (2022) 

The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024) 

Red One (2024) ///

Yeonae Bbajin Romance (Nothing Serious) (2021) Cynical approach to sex and romance collides with relationship loneliness and sparks of emotion, as brash Jun Jong-seo and uneasy Son Suk-ku meet through dating app. Breezy tone matched by energetic performances; provocative humor provides balance to traditional impulses.

Tower Heist (2011) Solid cast largely wasted on fitful comic potential while narrative only picks up pace in later stages during titular event, as luxury apartment building employees seek revenge on condescending businessman Alan Alda who has lost their savings. Easily forgettable even while Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy and Téa Leoni add enjoyable zest.

Carry-On (2024) Staged with fluid confidence and enough twists to maintain engagement, unenthusiastic TSA officer Taron Egerton is blackmailed by snarling Jason Bateman to allow suspicious bag on Christmas Eve flight. Flags in final act, despite mounting action sequences and fun sparring between well matched opponents.

Plane (2023) Unironically blunt title leaves little doubt for principal focus, as veteran captain Gerard Butler is forced to crash land storm damaged passenger jet on lawless Asian island and hold off violent bandits until airline mercenaries arrive. As blandly dumb and indiscriminately violent as imagined, solid production lacks zip and sense of fun.

Dark Cloud (2022) Setup promises sinister thrills as damaged Alexys Gabrielle agrees to rehabilitation in remote home operated by all pervasive AI which naturally develops own controlling ideas. Considered pace and undeveloped characters hamper tension with narrative strands frayed, though resolution is pleasingly dark.

The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024) Handsome visuals and snappy Chris Benstead score propel old fashioned World War II heroics, Henry Cavill leading violent misfits by water, Eiza González undercover at African port, as they look to destroy vital German U-boat supplies. Undemanding action strangely devoid of any suspense.

Red One (2024) Attempt to balance Christmas emotion with self-aware irony results in confused action comedy of disillusioned North Pole security Dwayne Johnson and cynical hacker Chris Evans attempted rescue of JK Simmons' kidnapped Santa. Muddled visuals and confusion of characters leave only isolated moments of amusement.