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[/amazon_link]The Prey (“La Proie”, France, 2011)
Frank Adrien is serving his jail sentence for a heist attempt, but breaks out of jail when he perceives a threat to his family. Now he must fight off the police (the persistent Inspector Claire is in hot pursuit), a former cell-mate, and protect his family as well as some stashed loot.
This is a French thriller, not the best one out there, but still pretty well-done. It is well-paced, fairly gripping, with a few chases, some action, and a decently tension-filled plot.
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[/amazon_link]Robot & Frank (USA, 2012)
Frank is getting older, and he isn’t one for much house-keeping or taking care of himself. In frustration, his son gets him a robot which serves as a medical care-taker and does the messy stuff for him. Loner Frank then develops a rapport of sorts with the robot, and tries to teach him the tricks of his trade; Frank was once a jewel thief.
This is a slow-paced, heart-warming, gentle sort of film. It is well-directed and has some nice performances.
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[/amazon_link]Invasion of the Bodysnatchers (USA, 1978)
I was curious to see this film because I had listened to the Jack Finney book upon which it is based. In the film, Dr. Bennell and others are experiencing a curious phenomenon. They think that people around them are changing – they look the same physically, but they are not the same. Is this just a misapprehension, or mass hysteria? And what is causing it?
Since this was made in 1978, the sci-fi effects seem a little campy for today. Still it is a pretty interesting film, and stars Donald Sutherland, Jeff Goldblum and Leonard Nimoy among others.
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[/amazon_link]Mardaani (India, 2014)
Inspector Shivani Shivaji Roy of the Mumbai police begins to investigate the disappearance of a young orphan girl. What seemed to be a simple investigation, turns out to be the fight of her life against an evil mastermind, who doesn’t feel guilt, remorse or fear.
This is an unusual film to come out of Bollywood, because it features a strong, well-formed, independent female character, not that there aren’t any of those in Hindi cinema – there are; they are just rare. Full review here.
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[/amazon_link]Detachment (USA, 2011)
Adrien Brody stars as Henry Barthes, a substitute teacher, who teaches where he feels the need is great. He ends up teaching then at many inner city schools, and we see him at one of these in the film. In his one month there, Henry meets fellow teacher Sarah Madison, and influences student Meredith. Then there is teenage prostitute Erica, whom Henry is trying to get off the streets.
Adrien Brody is superb as the thoughtful, introspective Henry, managing to give us a glimpse of his troubled past, and the angst and depression he dogs.
