Speak No Evil (2024)

Two couples -- each with a child -- hit it off while staying at the same resort during vacation. When the "city" couple is invited by the "country" couple to come out to stay with them for a weekend, they accept. Though city wife is immediately on her guard (mostly because the country husband seems to delight in creating an uncomfortable atmosphere), they're determined to go with the flow in order to have a nice time.

It's one of those "what are you doing? RUN, for god's sake, you idiots" stories, which the trailer made pretty clear. So, I wasn't really ever surprised, but the mood was oppressive and it's done well. Basically, you already know if this is your type of movie.

B

Catherine Called Birdy (2022)

Birdy, a young teen in medieval England, has become a woman (i.e. gotten her period) and -- despite her attempts to hide it -- her father finally knows. This means that she can be sold married off, which should provide some relief for her family. But Birdy has other ideas...

Though it's little more than a trifle, I was charmed.

B-

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (2024)

After receiving a "goodbye" note in the mail from a former colleague now in hospice, reserved Harold struggles with the appropriate words with which to respond. So, instead, he seizes on a tossed-off anecdote from a girl ringing up his groceries and decides to walk 500 miles or so to visit his friend in person. He leaves then and there without preparation or even checking in with his wife.

Though things make a lot more sense once the entire story is revealed, we spend so much time in the dark that Harold comes off as almost simple-minded. I have definitely indulged in "magical thinking" more than a few times, but having to wait until the script decided that we'd earned the answer to why he'd go to such lengths... especially for someone he'd not seen in at least a decade (?) was frustrating -- especially because the reveal forced my sympathies to "change sides."

C+

Lee (2024)

Former model Lee is working as a photographer for British Vogue during World War II when she decides to go to the action as a war correspondent. It takes some creative thinking to even get there and then some thick skin and balls to actually get the job done, but Lee is up to the task. Her sense of duty to make sure those "back home" understood the gravity of the sacrifice being made is something to be lauded and, in my opinion, her gender only aided her in seeking out some private moments that could've been overlooked otherwise.

Despite the interesting woman and subject, the film just felt like homework -- like I could've easily been reading this in a book as the drama never quite came alive onscreen. The bookending device of Lee, now elderly, recounting her story in an interview also didn't work. Though I now understand why that device was employed, during the watch I was annoyed as it seemed to add nothing.

C+

Drop Zone (1994)

A pair of US Marshals (who happen to be brothers for no reason at all) are transporting an important witness/criminal hacker by plane to a more secure location. While in flight, a hole is blown in the side of the plane and the witness is presumed to be among the casualties, as is one of the Marshals. But the surviving Marshal Pete believes that the witness is still alive and has been snatched by the parachuting attackers.

It never gets any more sane which, honestly, is probably the right call here. If you're trying to make a serious movie about a ring of parachuting criminals, you just might be delusional.

C-

Babe (1995)

Piglet Babe catches a lucky break when Arthur Hoggett wins him at the county fair. Though he's longing for the mother from whom he was separated, he is accepted into the litter of puppies by their mom Fly (much to the chagrin of the puppies' sire, Rex). He's such an affable little presence that he makes friends with all of the farm animals, even the sheep.

It's one of the most charming movies ever made. It's got some truly tense moments, a few sad ones, and some that are full to bursting with joy. I've seen it several times now and it has never failed to make me cry. James Cromwell plays it completely straight, which only adds to its effectiveness. 

What a treasure.

A+

The Efficiency Expert (1992)

Efficiency consultant Errol is in the middle of a rough patch. He and his partner are facing backlash from the union at a large factory due their recently-submitted report advising significant layoffs. His marriage is also unsteady due to his well-honed pragmatism and long hours. His new client Mr. Ball has called him in to assess his moccasin factory, which feels like a workplace in a cartoon. The messy and unfocused employees (most of whom come to work in the company's moccasins) barely spare a thought for speed or optimal practices.

As Errol gathers the data he needs, the employees welcome him. No one other than a young salesman grasps what his presence there portends -- least of all Mr. Ball. The assumption seems to be that he's there to make their work easier, which means that no one's ashamed of being caught taking a long lunch or dancing a jig while working machines. Is it any wonder that these lovely people manage to break open Errol's heart?

It's a gentle, life-affirming story reminding us that people should be at least as important as the bottom line. Plus it's amazing seeing Russell Crowe, Ben Mendelsohn and Toni Collette with such baby faces!

B+

R.I.P.D. (2013)

After growing a conscience about the gold they took, cop Nick gets shot by his partner and gets a new job in the afterlife: tracking "deados" masquerading as live people. His new partner died in the Old West, so there's an opportunity for funny friction. And, hehehe, Nick now looks like an elderly Chinese man while his partner appears as a sexy blonde going to the club. 

Though the CGI sucks, it's the lack of soul that really ruins this. Although I generally advocate for shorter rather than longer run times, I think this could've benefited from a couple more pre-death scenes of Nick and his wife -- maybe add a dog who can sense who the elderly Asian actually is? This just needed something to make me care at all.

C-

Champions (2023)

Hothead assistant coach gets fired from his minor league basketball job, gets a DUI, and is assigned to 90 days of community service as the coach for a team with intellectual disabilities. The cast is comprised of actors who actually have the disabilities their characters do, which is commendable. But, with Harrelson in the lead, I expected there to be more of an edgy storyline as he learns how to coach in a different way. Instead, he's almost effortlessly patient with this demographic even though he dropped the the r-word at sentencing. 

Feel-good? Yep. Believable in any way? Nope.

C+

Indiscreet (1958)

Stage actress Anna meets suave banker Philip and they are drawn to each other immediately. He discloses up front that that he's married and cannot divorce, but both are willing to move forward with the relationship anyway. Soon they're either with each other daily or on the phone when they can't be. 

I'm not sure why this left me so cold. It's based on a stage play and kind of feels that way: lots of talk and many, many scenes in Anna's living room. I had trouble feeling any sparks between the pair -- perhaps it was that they were a tad too old for me to believe either would allow themselves to fall head over heels when there's no future. Also, the comedy here is more of the "polite chuckle" variety (though I don't think I ever even cracked a smile).

It's not terrible, but there are just so many films that do romance, comedy and chemistry better, there's just no reason to bother with this one.

C

Send Help (2026)

Despite her social awkwardness and frumpy appearance, Linda is really, really good at her job. But when the owner of her company dies and his frat-bro son Bradley takes the helm, she's passed over for a promised promotion and is tasked with proving her worth on a business trip... which is interrupted by a plane crash killing everyone on board except Linda and Bradley.

On the island, Linda's survivalist skills help her turn the tables on her useless boss. It's basically like a dumbed-down Triangle of Sadness.

C