Films: August 25 - 31

Young Woman And The Sea (2024) 

Monty Python's Life Of Brian (1979) 

Liú Làng Dì Qiú 2 (The Wandering Earth II) (2024) 

23 Paces To Baker Street (1956) 

The Other Love (1947) 

Shaun Of The Dead (2004) 

Rust Creek (2018) ///

Young Woman And The Sea (2024) Polished production benefits from solid cast and determined lead as Daisy Ridley battles establishment prejudice as well as physical demands to pioneer swim across English Channel. Gutsy characterization allies to standard sports triumph with equally dogged focus.

Monty Python's Life Of Brian (1979) Unapologetic, unrelenting swipe at social, religious and political idiocies mixes with bawdy physicality for tale of innocent Graham Chapman, alternately hailed as messiah or naughty boy. Dusty design ensures grounded stupidity hits comic targets more often than not.

Liú Làng Dì Qiú 2 (The Wandering Earth II) (2024) Expansive sci-fi establishes global effort to prevent destruction by using massive engines to break from orbit as well as blow up the moon. Bloated, unwieldy narrative touches on digital futures while delivering on ambitious visuals and fluid staging.

23 Paces To Baker Street (1956) Smooth widescreen visuals match leisurely paced mystery as blind, depressed playwright Van Johnson overhears suspicious conversation in London pub and sets out to prevent potential crime. Hopeful ex Vera Miles and seductive Leigh Harline score help maintain involvement.

The Other Love (1947) With focus on fiery, frustrated pianist Barbara Stanwyck, maudlin aspects of illness that sends her to resolute doctor David Niven's Swiss sanitorium are mainly kept in check. Romantic complications with racing driver Richard Conte and conventionally stoic resolution less persuasive.

Shaun Of The Dead (2004) Fostering atmosphere at once playfully loose while technically structured, London zombie apocalypse forces slacker friends Simon Pegg and Nick Frost into last ditch defence at local pub with wit, stupidity and genre affection. Energetic staging and performances overcome any miscues.

Rust Creek (2018) Robust, controlled visuals and determinedly physical Hermione Corfield maintain interest even when pacing and genre conventions stifle narrative surprises. Lost in remote Kentucky woods, student must evade criminals and corrupt police involved in meth distribution. Moderate thrills.