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.

 

Knives Out (2019)

 

 

A detective investigates the death of a patriarch of an eccentric, combative family. 

 

Agatha Christie-like crime mystery, complete with a large cast of stars with little chance to show their talents, is nicely set and mildly entertaining, although the Trump-era allusions are so slight that they are hardly noticeable.

I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020)

 

 

Full of misgivings, a young woman travels with her new boyfriend to his parents' secluded farm. Upon arriving, she comes to question everything she thought she knew about him, and herself. 

 

Beautiful photography and set pieces, stellar performances and an increasingly surreal plot make this film an intriguing watch, although it asks more question than giving answers, and the ending is a bit disappointing.

Hitchcock (2012)

Filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock and wife Alma have a little marriage crisis during the filming of Psycho in 1959.

Although it has a more serious topic at its core this movie manages it be a lighthearted and loving homage to the master and presents some enjoyably stellar performances from its cast.

On rewatching: Light-weighted, but quite entertaining depiction of the making of Psycho.

Maltin***: "As an account of the making of PSYCHO this is evocative and fun to watch. As an exploration of what made Hitchcock tick it must be taken as pure entertainment and not literal truth."

Unbelievable (2019)

When a teen reports being raped, then recants her story, two female detectives follow evidence that could reveal the truth.

Heart-wrenching, enraging and powerful crime investigation drama not just unravels a criminal case, but reveals the incredulity and bias abuse victims are confronted with; enhanced further by strong performances. 

 

Velvet Buzzsaw (2019)

A satire set in the contemporary art world scene of Los Angeles, where big money artists and mega-collectors pay a high price when art collides with commerce.

This quite cynic satire has good direction and a well-cast ensemble obviously at ease in their roles, but loses perspective and its seriousness somewhere along its way into a horror tale.

Mary and Max (2009)

A tale of friendship between two unlikely pen pals: Mary, a lonely, eight-year-old girl living in the suburbs of Melbourne, and Max, a forty-four-year old, severely obese man living in New York.

Quirky and heartfelt tale about true friendship also has some sparks of black humor, but in the end it is quite endearing.

Fright Night (2011)

After a new neighbor moved into the house next door, Charley discovers that he is an ancient vampire and goes in search for the help of Peter Vincent, a famous "vampire killer" to save his neighborhood from the creature.

OK remake of the 1985 horror flick of the same name is aimed more for laughs than scares, Farrell does a nice job playing the vampire.

Maltin***: "Agreeable remake lacks the 1985 original's fond use of a TV horror-movie host, but Tennant is so good in his role and Farrell has so much fun as the clever, arrogant vampire you're not likely to care."

Hereditary (2018)

After the family matriarch passes away, a grieving family is haunted by tragic and disturbing occurrences, and begin to unravel dark secrets.

Standard horror yarn uplifted by professional direction and a good cast - and by generously alluding to the better classics of the genre.

Krampus (2015)

A boy who has a bad Christmas ends up accidentally summoning a festive demon to his family home.

Routinely made, but not quite original Christmas horror tale; folkloristically a very tall tale at that.

 

Velvet Goldmine (1998)

In 1984, a British journalist investigates the career of 1970s glam superstar Brian Slade, who was heavily influenced in his early years by hard-living and rebellious American singer Curt Wild.

Using a plot modeled after Citizen Kane this movie offers some great period details and music and succeeds in recreating the 70s glam rock scene; the story, however, remains negligible in comparison.

Halliwell**: "A camp account of a camp phenomenon, flamboyantly revelling in the fakery and the androgynous appeal of it all."

Maltin**1/2: "Opulent, glittery paean toearly '70s glam rock (and youth-culture head movies like QUADROPHENIA and PERFORMANCE) is such a triumph of style and excess it's easy to overlook the film's clinky CITIZEN KANE narrative structure and emotionally aloof characters. Rhys Meyers is effectively snotty as a bisexual David Bowie-esque pop star, but Collette is a standout as his negelcted party-girl wife..."

The Dead Girl (2006)

The clues to a young woman's death come together as the lives of seemingly unrelated people begin to intersect.

Intense, complex and harrowing study of the various lives involved or affected by a horrific crime; direction is speckless and the cast is superb.

Maltin***: "Intriguing if downbeat vignettes are linked by an overall rumination about violence toward women in our society. Writer-director Moncrieff offers her actors a superior showcase, and they're all terrific."