"Send Help"

 2026 * R * 1h 53m  The movie starts out as a workplace drama. I had to check to make sure I was actually watching a Sam Raimi movie. Then things begin to get a bit weird and I knew it was going to get good. Rachel McAdams plays Linda Liddle, a sharp analyst who works her butt off. However, due to an undermining co-worker, she doesn't get credit for all she does. Then she gets passed over for a promotion she richly deserves thanks to the bro-politics at the office. 

Well, that's all about to change. On the way to a business meeting in Bangkok, the plane she's on crashes and the only survivors are her and her arrogant, obnoxious boss Bradley, played to perfection by Dylan O'Brien. The couple wash ashore on a remote jungle island off the coast of Thailand, and it's here that Linda comes into her own. It turns out she's an expert at survival. She hunts wild boar, catches fish, knows what fruits and vegetables are edible, and even builds a shelter--much to the consternation of her boss.

The film takes a number of plot twists and has an ending I never saw coming. I've never seen McAdams play a total bad-ass before and she does a great job here. If you're looking for something fun, be sure to check this one out. 

4 out of 5 stars

Streaming on Hulu and to rent on Apple TV, Fandango, Youtube, Prime, and other services.

"Language Lessons"

 2021 * Not Rated * 1h 31m This is an indie gem from the Duplass brothers that came out during the early stages of the pandemic. I think, partly by necessity, there are only two actors, each pretty much confined to their living spaces. But it isn't due to Covid, it just happened that way. The film stars Mark Duplass and Natalie Morales who co-wrote the film. Morales did the directing and what a fine film she produced. 

Adam (Duplass) has been gifted Spanish lessons for his birthday by his husband. The lessons are to be given via Zoom and are taught by Carino (Morales). Soon after the lessons begin, Adam's partner dies. So the lessons are put on hold for a bit. When they resume, it's like an awkward first date--they're both uncomfortable talking about themselves. Eventually, they begin opening up about their personal lives and a true friendship develops. 

Adam's Spanish is pretty good right from the start--he earned it when he was a child. And at one point, Carino wants to improve his grammar, while he wants to learn more about her. There's a split second scene where she accidently turns on her camera to reveal some bruises on her face. Adam just can't let it go and he makes some assumptions about how she got the bruises. 

The two actors did an amazing job and I was sucked in right from the beginning. You sort of know where the movie is heading, but it's such a joy to watch, you don't mind it a bit. After watching this fine film, I'm definitely going to search out more movies by the Duplass brothers. 

4 out of 5 stars

Streaming for free on Kanopy (with your library card), Tubi, and Plex, and to rent on Apple TV, Prime, YouTube, and other services. 

"Searching"

2018 * PG-13 * 1h 42m  Talk about a nail biter! This thriller will have you on the edge of your seat right until the very end. It's a well made drama that's been compared to the film "Missing". 

The movie starts out with a series of home movies that tell the story of the Kim family--mom, dad, and their daughter. We begin with happy times and follow them through the mom's cancer and eventual death. This leaves the dad David (John Cho) to raise his daughter. Everything seems to be pretty normal until his daughter Margot doesn't come home one night. At first David makes excuses for her. Eventually, after doing some digging, he discovers she's missing. She hasn't gone to her weekly piano lessons and has withdrawn a bunch of money. 

The more he searches on line, the more mysterious things become. He's aided by Detective Vick (Debra Messing) who's very sympathetic to his case. Then, slowly things take a dark turn. Like I said, it sure keeps you guessing and there are a couple plot twists I sure didn't see coming. If you're in the mood for a good thriller, check this one out. About the only negative comment I can make is, due to the nature of the film, a lot of screen time is spent reading texts and screens. It gets hard on the eyes after a while. 

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Netflix and Paramount. And to rent on Apple TV, YouTube, Fandango, and Prime. 

 

"Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice"

 2026 * R * 1h 47m  When Vince Vaughn started out, he played in a lot of goofy, comedic movies. He was perfect for the part. But lately he's been cast in more sinister roles. Like the evil character in "True Detective." And he's pretty nasty in this quirky film as well--but he ends up having some good qualities too.

This is what I'd call a time-travel/gangster film. It's hard to follow at times but it's very entertaining. Nick (Vaughn) is a hit man for a crime syndicate. One day he discovers a time machine that Symon (Ben Schwartz) has created. He fiddles around with some controls and ends up 6 months in the past. This is perfect because he can work on helping his friend Mike (James Marsden) avoid getting bumped off. He also knows Mike is having an affair with his wife Alice (Eiza Gonzalez). To further complicate matters, there are two versions of Nick, the present day Nick and the Nick from the near future.  

The film also has a great cast of supporting actors including Jimmy Tatro, Stephen Root, and Keith David. All in all, it's a whacky, fun movie that'll keep you guessing right until the end. If you're up for a couple hours of zaniness, check this one out! 

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Hulu.

"The Silent Twins"

 2022 * R * 1h 53m If you're in the mood for something unusual, be sure to check this film out. It's one of those haunting films that'll you think about, days after seeing it. I can't say I loved it, but it did make me ant to learn a little bit more about the main characters. 

Apparently "The Silent Twins" is based on a true story about a couple of very different twin girls. It takes place in England in the mid 1970's, and the Gibbons girls June (Letitia Wright) and Jennifer (Tamara Lawrance) have a problem communicating with anyone but each other. They're totally silent to the outside world. But between themselves, they're open and free. They're both very creative and write poetry, fiction,  songs, and more together. 

After getting caught stealing and setting fire to a building, they're sentenced to life in a mental institution. There they continue their silence. The film is interlaced with little claymation vignettes, based on their writings. It adds an extra bit of weirdness to an already odd tale. It's a hard film to describe. Let's just say you'll have to see it for yourself and draw your own conclusions.

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Streaming on Netflix and to rent on Prime, Apple TV, and YouTube. 

"Holy Days"

 2026 * Not Rated * 1h 41m I think the film industry from Australia and New Zealand are quite underrated and definitely deserve more attention. This little Kiwi indie gem should be better known. It's a fun, well-crafted road trip movie that I really enjoyed. The three principals did a great job, and you get the feeling they all had a great time making this movie.

Three older nuns, played by Judy Davis, Jacki Weaver, and Miriam Margolyes live together in a big, rundown home. They own the building but one day, a developer decides he can have the property condemned and build a resort on the property. The nuns find out that the deed to the property is in the hands of one of the nun's sister. However they need to drive to the southern island of New Zealand to get it. They head out with a young boy, who's grieving from the loss of his mother.

What ensues is your typical, wacky road trip adventure that'll put a smile on your face. It's a little bit formulaic and there aren't a ton of surprises. But sometimes, that's the perfect medicine! 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Currently streaming for free with your library card on Hoopla and to rent on Apple TV, YouTube, Fandango, and Prime. 

"Apex"

2026 * R * 1h 35m  I thought I knew going into watching this film, I knew what it was going to be about. Another daredevil on a mountain peak. Well I was totally wrong. The movie starts out with Sasha (Charlize Theron) and her beau Tommy (Eric Bana) climbing a dangerous cliff in Norway. I'm not a big fan of heights and I must say, watching some of the shots made me a bit queazy. Then when you least suspect it, Tommy falls to his death. 

Cut to a few years later.  Sasha travels to Australia to do some solo hiking. At a gas station she comes across a bunch of macho types who hassle her. But she also encounters a nice gentleman Ben (Taron Egerton) who gives her directions to the best hiking spot. She ends up encountering him a bit later on the trail. Well, as it turns out, he's not a nice guy after all. He's pure evil and he gives her a head start and then he's going to hunt her down with his trusty crossbow! Can you say "The Most Dangerous Game"? 

The next hour or so are pure nail-biting action. As usual, Charlize is a total badass, but so is her hunter. The film takes a few twists and turns (literally) and there's a surprise I sure didn't see coming. If you're up for an intense, frightening movie with some fine acting, and some incredible scenery, you owe it to yourself to check this one out!

3 1/2 out of 5 stars. 

Currently streaming on Netflix.