What Happened to Monday (2017)

 

 

In a world where families are limited to one child due to overpopulation, a set of identical septuplets must avoid being put to a long sleep by the government and dangerous infighting while investigating the disappearance of one of their own. 

 

Above average dystopian sci-fi makes the best out if its original, if not quite far-fetched premise with lots of  thrilling action and Noomi Rapace entertainingly impersonating all seven siblings.

Albert Nobbs (2011)

Posing as a man so she can work as a butler in Dublin's most elegant hotel, Albert Nobbs meets a handsome painter and looks to escape the lie she has been living.

Heart-wrenching period drama, overall well made in all departments, with sensationally good performances by Close and McTeer.

Maltin***: "Lovingly rendered period piece is exceptionally well cast, with Close's tour de force matched by McTeer's."

The Girl With All the Gifts (2016)

A scientist and a teacher living in a dystopian future embark on a journey of survival with a special young girl named Melanie.

Unusual take on the zombie doomsday genre, well-made with some atmosphere and a capable cast, in which, however, Sennia Nanua steals the show.  

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

A group of intergalactic criminals are forced to work together to stop a fanatical warrior from taking control of the universe.

Basically another sci-fi actioner with a motley crew of superheroes and good effects, but made more likable by adding some humor; however, the raccoon steals the show.

Mars Attacks! (1996)

Earth is invaded by Martians with unbeatable weapons and a cruel sense of humor.

Fairly enjoyable sci-fi spoof works only to a degree, since it's thoroughly tongue-in-cheek, so that, ironically, the more straight-faced Indepedence Day from the same year was actually more fun.

Halliwell*: "The film begins brilliantly, with a stampede of flaming cows, but then is content to recycle, at great expense, the style of 50s sci-fi films while its cast parody their more serious roles; despite its occasional antic charm, it is not as enjoyable as it ought to be."

Maltin**1/2: "Overly self-satisfied spoof of  '50s alien-invasion movies (and '50s attitudes)...Great effects and animation (of the Martian characters) but awfully broad and one-note in tone, spoofing something that's already funny in the straight-faced originals of the period. One can't completely dislike a film in which Slim Whitman figures so prominently, however."