Radioactive (2019)

 

The story of Marie Sklodowska-Curie and her Nobel Prize-winning work that changed the world. 

Mediocre and cursory bio-pic suffers from a loveless direction and a dubious and in some details simply offensive indifference to the historical facts; Pike's performance is blameless, though.

Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)

 

A psychiatrist searches the globe to find the secret of happiness.

Simon Pegg does a good job in this well-intentioned comedy-drama, which remains obvious and predictable despite its meandering narrative and the humor doesn't quite work.

 

A Private War (2018)

One of the most celebrated war correspondents of our time, Marie Colvin is an utterly fearless and rebellious spirit, driven to the front-line of conflicts across the globe to give voice to the voiceless.

Well-observed biographical drama reveals the perils of front-line journalism, but also a single journalist's passion for her job, remarkably portrayed by Rosamund Pike.

Rosamund Pike

Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosamund_Pike

Hostiles (2017)

In 1892, a legendary Army Captain reluctantly agrees to escort a Cheyenne chief and his family through dangerous territory.

Intense Western with splendid performances and cinematography has some harrowing scenes of violence; the anti-racist message, however, is presented without much depth and is quite predictable.

Doom (2005)

Space Marines are sent to investigate strange events at a research facility on Mars but find themselves at the mercy of genetically enhanced killing machines.

Another movie adapted from a game; the synopsis is enough to know what it is, nothing more.

On rewatching: unexciting action without much plot - and photographed in constant darkness.

Maltin BOMB: "Brainless, high-testerone sci-fi-horror drivel...Unimaginative ALIEN clone is all special effects, gore, and noise; a dumb script and leaden pacing don't help."

What We Did on Our Holiday (2014)

A couple takes their kids on a family vacation, and, surrounded by relatives, the kids innocently reveal the ins and outs of their family life and many intimate details about their parents.

More bickering among adults than humor this comedy is only fairly entertaining, but does offer an uplifting ending.

Gone Girl (2014)

With his wife's disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it's suspected that he may not be innocent.

Produced with the usual excellence in all departments one would expect by the director, the highly complex and irreal, dreamlike story seems to have something to say about gender relations, but actually doesn't - and it outstays its welcome.

Surrogates (2009)

In a futuristic world where humans live in isolation and interact through surrogate robots, a cop is forced to leave his home for the first time in years in order to investigate the murders of others' surrogates.

Fairly entertaining sci-fi tale with an amusing premise (war is fought by surrogate soldiers while the real ones rest in a building full of cots) doesn't quite live up to its existentialist implications.

Maltin***: "Smart science-fiction tale...Slick entertainment has some provocative ideas behind it."

Wrath of the Titans (2012)

Perseus braves the treacherous underworld to rescue his father, Zeus, captured by his son, Ares, and brother Hades who unleash the ancient Titans upon the world.

Silly fantasy action film with a drifting plot; the effects and creatures, however, will entertain an adolescent audience.

Maltin**: "Ho-hum, grim-faced action film relies heavily on CGI effects but isn't supported by a decent script, so it's hrad to get involved. The result: a lot of sound and fury, signifying nothing."