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+