A documentary about revival cinema (and the need for there to be 35mm prints of movies), focusing on the New Beverly cinema in Los Angeles. A straightforward but charming little film about cinema, the communal experience of watching together, and about movie-going. Recommended.
Here’s the trailer.
A US space vehicle suffers a failure prior to re-entry: NASA works on solving the problem. Stolid SF drama trying to present a realistic version of an Apollo-ish space race-era disaster possibility. Slow and serious, and not especially dramatic as a consequence.
Here’s the trailer.
Attacks on Starfleet propel Kirk and crew into a manhunt in Klingon territory. Second of the alt-timeline reboot film series works fine as a pacy SF adventure with plenty of comedy to counterpoint the action, though struggles – as before – with its villainy and a need to over-reference its predecessors. A third movie followed.
Here’s the trailer.
A Tai Chi student is lured into an underground fighting circuit. And a very solid martial arts actioner this is too. As old-school as you like, with plenty of well-choreographed fighting and wirework, and a sense of respect for both the subgenre and the traditions it relates to.
Here’s the trailer.
Larry and friends fight a reanimated pharaoh intent on conquering the world. Second and best of the family adventure flicks, not being saddled with set-up, and having confidence to play with its premise in fun and inventive ways. Highlights include Amy Adams and Hank Azaria, both revelling in their roles.
Here’s the trailer.
A new San Francisco skyscraper catches fire on opening: a firefighter and the building’s architect work together. About the best of the 70s cycle of disaster movies: Inferno is star-packed, properly spectacular and hubris-tastic – if slightly po-faced – showcasing fun practical effects and stunt work.
Here’s the trailer.
With the Soviets poised to reach the moon first, the US scrambles to respond by sending a Gemini astronaut into space. Talky and somewhat passive Cold War-era basic training/mission flick enlivened by NASA access, and by getting earlier to material explored by later, better films. No classic, despite interesting credits.
Here’s the trailer.
A crew is assembled to pull a vault heist against the clock in a zombie-infested Las Vegas. High-concept, messy, bloated and undisciplined action-horror. There’s a tight 95 minute flick in the material: while this is undemanding genre fun while it’s on, it’s second-hand stuff all the way.
Here’s the trailer.
A teenager is involved in the death of a peer: his life begins to unravel. Lo-fi 90-set indie psychological horror. Stronger on teenage loneliness and on lower-middle class lives than on storytelling: its inexorable pace works, but artier elements come across as pretentious rather than intriguing. Worth your attention, nevertheless.
Here’s the trailer
A blind Vietnam veteran believes his new retirement community is a werewolf hunting ground. Quirky, ambitious werewolf pic with a fondness for 80s-style practical effects. Better in moments than in its overall storytelling, but there’s some fine stuff here, and a great cast of character actors led by Nick Damici.
Here’s the trailer.
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