A murder occurs during a performance of The Mousetrap: an investigation begins. Ever-so-slightly pleased with itself mashup of allsorts – The Real Inspector Hound, Noises Off, Agatha Christie, even a Brian de Palma moment or two – that’s nevertheless brisk, funny, well-played, and looks great.
Here’s the trailer.
An inadequate security guard becomes the focus of an FBI terrorism enquiry. A stately based-on-a-true-story drama which – despite some clunky telescoping of its story – delivers in character study terms, as well as acknowledging an unconventional hero. Not perfect, but recommended, and with a startling central performance from Paul Walter Hauser.
A satirical biopic of GW Bush’s vice-president Dick Cheney. Soberer than The Big Short, this thematic sequel offers an accessible overview of Cheney’s rise to silent power and his ultimate betrayal of himself. The film doesn’t get inside its protagonist, but is revelatory nevertheless.
The former stars of a Star Trek-like TV show are mistaken for genuine space heroes by an alien race searching for saviours. Three Amigos! / A Bug’s Life redux, perhaps, but with excellent casting, a sense of fun, and affection for genre and conventions (of both kinds) throughout.
A woman pursues justice for her murdered daughter. Offbeat black comedy-drama with little concession to likeability or straightforwardness. Hugely enjoyable, though, with great performances, and keeps always on the right side of quirky.
Want a second opinion? Here’s Lemonsquirtle’s.
Decent-enough adaptation of the Douglas Adams radio series/book/TV show which suffers – inevitably – from over-familiar source material; the new stuff works best. The cast works hard, production design is great, and there’s a sense of affection for the material and Adams throughout.
A gawky 14-year-old gets a summer job at a water park to escape his dysfunctional family. A charming offbeat comedy-drama very much of two parts: a crumbling new family unit, and the escapism of the park. Highly recommended.
Two wannabe screenwriters try to get their heads together in the countryside. Shambling indie comedy-drama which doesn’t really go anywhere – which is kinda the point – though is at least mercifully brief.
A young woman falls for a hitman trying to redeem himself. Kooky black comedy which hits pretty much all the right notes in delivering on action, jokes, romance, and some surprising moments. Great performances and fine dancing. Recommended.
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