An extraterrestrial ambassador arrives on Earth to determine humanity’s fate. Awkward remake of the 1950s SF classic which struggles to update Cold War paranoia with contemporary environmental threats. An over-reliance on CG spectacle and contrived family drama doesn’t help. Star Reeves is good, though.
Here’s the trailer.
Two petty criminals and a hairdresser go on a road trip/crime spree. An odd project – a US remake of Bertrand Blier’s Les Valseuses/Going Places retooled for Turturro’s Quintana character from the Coens’ The Big Lebowski – that inevitably feels like fan fiction. Some minor pleasures along the way; the actors seem to be having fun.
An ex-diplomat is recalled to Beirut to negotiate a hostage release. Generally smart thriller which downplays the geopolitics of the region and wisely focuses on multiple warring groups after the same prize. Solid direction and unshowy playing helps.
One night at a motel on the California/Nevada border, where no-one is who they appear to be. Twisty-turny self-conscious comedy-thriller; lots of fun if you go with it, though the movie’s stately pace may frustrate some.
![The Negotiator [AKA Beirut] (2018, dir. Brad Anderson)](https://255review.files.wordpress.com/2019/02/negotiator.png?w=382)
255 Review 