B Cut (2022)
Blandly conceived and realized thriller sees former actress Jeon Se-hyun seek out insular technician Kim Dong-wan to repair cellphone which he discovers contains photos of her powerful politician husband's controlling, violent abuse. Bouts of action and nudity never reach beyond genre conventions.
The Babadook (2014)
Gnawing paranoia grips horror setup of mythical monster in suburban house of fractured widow Essie Davis and unstable young son Noah Wiseman while compelling character study unravels suffocating struggle with grief. Strong visuals and assured pacing pierces grounded and fantastical threats.
Baby Driver (2017)
The car action is propulsive, the fluid camera and choreography well attuned to the songs, and a vibrant Lily James sparks beyond the stereotype. While the colorful design elevates the sense of a musical, the violence and elongated final face off are not so persuasive.
Bachelorette (2012)
Schoolfriend's marriage sees New York reunion of Kirsten Dunst, Lizzy Caplan and Isla Fisher. Fueled with raucous humor and raw awareness, breezy pace builds laughs, physical and verbal, and leads convincingly deliver persuasive drama. Unfussy production effectively concentrates on the personal.
Back In Action (2025)
Breezy action comedy benefits from engaging leads as former agents Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx are forced from suburban parenthood to retrieve valuable electronic controller and protect kids. Glossy production, variable visual effects, total lack of suspense.
Back Roads (1981)
Scrappily plotted road trip for damaged, street smart prostitute Sally Field and caustic, untrusting ex-boxer Tommy Lee Jones, encountering various misadventures on way to California. Despite charm of leads and occasionally effective sequences, gritty drama never really gels and misses more leavening humor.
Back To The Future (1985)
The breezy fun of the story and characters shouldn't disguise the meticulous narrative design, a canny combination of laughter and thrills that never grows tiresome. Propelled by a sublime score, dramatic and technical skills keep the adventure buoyant.
Back To The Future Part II (1989)
Lively reimagining and twisting of original film's plot propels Michael J Fox into future as well as past to rectify family destiny and space-time continuum, peppering action and comedy with fluid VFX. Technique tends to dominate coherence, though spirited cast sustain energy.
Back To The Future Part III (1990)
Rousing finale to the trilogy fuses time travel consequences with sweeping Western setting, celebrating genres as Michael J Fox seeks home and Christopher Lloyd finds romance with Mary Steenburgen. Exuberant mix of comedy, action and Alan Silvestri score.
Backcountry (2014)
Brutally effective and handled with controlled visuals, a young couple find themselves lost in the wilderness and face a ferocious bear attack. After building an ominous atmosphere, survival mode kicks in with vicious gore while characterization remains minimal.
Backdraft (1991)
Family and political melodramatics swirl through an uneven narrative, accentuated by visual histrionics. However, its all about the seductive powers of the fire, combining thrilling FX and stunts with a defining Hans Zimmer score that's exciting and finally moving.
Bad Boys (1995)
Slickly assembled visuals and easy chemistry between playboy and family man cops Will Smith and Martin Lawrence barely compensates for bludgeoning fury of explosions, chases and bullets. Flimsy narrative sees flinty Téa Leoni as murder witness while international drug smugglers shoot up Miami.
Bad Influence (1990)
Entrenched data analyst James Spader gradually seduced into dark anarchy of Rob Lowe's Machiavellian designs in a pursuit for thrills that's mirrored by narrative twists and dramatic stylings. Apt leads deliver thin motivations in slick package as bitterly superficial as its characters.
The Bad Lord Byron (1949)
Dennis Price is a fittingly mannered poet without quite managing to persuade as a passionate seducer of Sonia Holm, Mai Zetterling and Joan Greenwood, a reflection of post war women within a historical setting. Glistening visuals and swirling melodrama.
The Bad News Bears (1976)
Raucous comedy sees washed-up minor league player Walter Matthau coach youth baseball team of foul-mouthed losers, turned winners with cynical pitcher Tatum O'Neal and rebel Jackie Earle Haley. Sharp observation exposes darker side of competitive sport; damaged characters in search of family touch provoke genuine emotion.
Badland (2019)
Solid, slow-burn storytelling of a troubled, weary avenger in post Civil War America, with beats as predictable as they are effective. Deliberately old fashioned thematically as well as cinematically, the locations and cast are attractive if fleeting in the memory.
Baekdusan (Ashfall) (2019)
Maintaining a giddy intensity, earthquakes on the eve of Korean unification sends reluctant Ha Jung-woo north to release spy Lee Byung-hun and blowup volcano before total destruction. Dynamic star duo shine winning humor amid insane thrills and gaudy VFX.
Baesimwondeul (Juror 8) (2019)
Enjoyable, involving mix of courtroom drama, broad comedy and social message as South Korea's first jury trial sees reluctant Park Hyung-Sik gradually turns prejudices of fellow jurors and impatient judge Moon So-Ri. Solid production and narrative.
Bai Ri Yan Huo (Black Coal, Thin Ice) (2014)
Controlled visuals and design establish biting, icy atmosphere in which tortured detective Liao Fan becomes obsessed with damaged Gwei Lun-mei in hunt for killer. Self-conscious detachment tempers narrative thrills, yet oblique nature weaves disquieting spell.
Ball Of Fire (1941)
Gorgeously confounding Barbara Stanwyck schemes temporary refuge with staid linguist Gary Cooper and his seven fellow encyclopedia professors to evade cops and gangster Dana Andrews. Energetic staging and consummate cast keeps comedy buzzing with touch of romance.
Balle perdue (Lost Bullet) (2020)
Slick stunts and uncomplicated characters power enjoyably streamlined actioner as imprisoned Alban Lenoir is released for skills as a mechanic in souping up cop cars, before being framed for boss' murder. Emblematic police precinct fight spirals comically, bruisingly over the top.
Balle perdue 2 (Lost Bullet 2) (2022)
Continuation of obsessed Alban Lenoir's hunt for crooked cops that killed his brother keeps concentration on blistering fights and pulverizing car chases. Some allowance for blunt character conflict, though not enough to detract from added corruption, an electrified car and equally uncompromising Stéfi Celma.
Balle perdue 3 (Last Bullet) (2025)
Fitting conclusion to trilogy of action films maintains formula while amping scale of fights and car chases as moody Alban Lenoir and steely Stéfi Celma seek revenge on rotten Nicolas Duvauchelle and retribution on corrupt police superiors. Enjoyably adrenaline-fuelled nonsense with a touch of grit.
Ballerina (2023)
Vigorous revenge action slyly infuses grungy, severe atmosphere with neon-hued visuals as reclusive bodyguard Jeon Jong-seo is propelled on violent crusade after exploitation of friend and hopeful dancer Park Yu-rim. Bruising mood piles up sequences of blistering violence.
Ballerina (2025)
Gleaming visuals and Ana de Armas' fearlessly vulnerable assassin energize revenge narrative as she tracks down group that killed her father. Origin story mythologizing sets up increasing number of opponents for succession of elaborately violent set pieces, providing visceral thrills if minimal tension.
De Ballonvaarder (The Balloonist) (2025)
Initial ironic tragedy leaves practical, stifled Sallie Harmsen caring for son and mother on traditional chicken farm until swaggering new neighbour Pieter Embrechts crash lands into her life. Earthy visuals match layered characters, without emotions catching fire.
Balota (Ballot) (2024)
Anchored by genuine, vigorous Marian Rivera as trusted provincial schoolteacher who's caught amid violent corruption during local election, drama is solidly styled yet remains unwieldy mix of political thriller and satire. Lead character's resilient arc overcomes clash of tones.
Balshinjehan (Hard Hit) (2021)
Tight, propulsive thriller as negligent father and bank manager Jo Woo-jin finds a bomb strapped to his car on the school run with cold Ji Chang-wook out for revenge. Slick visuals tied to precise narrative beats make for highly entertaining package.
Banchangkko (Love 911) (2012)
Romantic comedy veers from tonal extremes of broad slapstick to wrenching drama via fire fighting action, as distrustful doctor Han Hyo-joo and mourning rescuer Go Soo initially spar and inevitably fall in love. Emotional investment maintained by appealing stars.
Bang Bang Baby (2014)
Though cast is appealing and musical scifi concept has potential, final realization proves stilted and confusing rather than offbeat and involving. Jane Levy infuses customary spark, songs lack punch and design and lighting is forced. Misses a singular voice.
Bank Holiday (1938)
The slight narrative focuses on a variety of people heading down to the coast for a long weekend. Its success derives from the detail and the portrayal of British society, a fascinating blend of docu style observation and human empathy. Solidly made and performed.
Baramnan Gajok (A Good Lawyer's Wife) (2003)
Seriously dysfunctional relationship and serial affairs consume unsatisfied Moon So-ri and her cold husband Hwang Jung-min. Bleak social reflections, abundant sex scenes and bitter, final tragedy remain confronting amid intriguing ideas.
Barbara (2012)
Precise, low-key storytelling enhances the veracity of situation and characterization, as a degraded, hardened doctor is banished to the country by East German authorities in the 1980s. Nina Hoss anchors the isolation, hope and raw emotion, shards of humanity amid the cold.
Barbarian (2022)
Cunningly constructed thriller strands wary Georgina Campbell at rental home that's been double-booked, gradually discovering real threat comes from horrors beneath the cellar. Narrative misdirection and midpoint switch enhance themes of abuse and control amid potent scares.
Barbie (2023)
Canny mix of social satire, sci-fi fantasy and individual empowerment, brightly hued detail and unflappable energy maintain entertainment value as optimistic Margot Robbie and lonely Ryan Gosling venture to real world in search of melancholy America Ferrara. Breezy critique amid plush production values.
Basic Instinct (1992)
Glossy, trashy thriller luxuriates in twisted brutality and sex, bordering on parody as bewitching, swirling Jerry Goldsmith score fuels broken detective Michael Douglas' obsession with elusive murder suspect Sharon Stone. Teasingly provocative with whiplash kicks.
The Batman (2022)
Constructed with brutal skill and care, as well as an atmosphere that drips with menace and intrigue, noir-doomed narrative ensnares agonized cloaked hero Robin Pattinson's battle with Riddler and edgy relatioship with Zoë Kravitz's Catwoman. Bleak visuals accentuate exhausting corruption.
The Battle At Apache Pass (1952)
Resilient Apache chief Jeff Chandler contends with government duplicity and tribal conflict while attempting to keep peace with cavalry captain John Lund. Stolidly staged on expansive locations, uncomplicated narrative and characters benefit from brisk running time.
The Battle Of Britain (1969)
Logistically impressive, succession of British stars make fleeting impression amidst exhausting series of aerial dogfights. In telling of 1940 resistance that stifles German plans, technique remains solid and scope inclusive even while storytelling lacks inspiration.
The Battle Of The Sexes (1960)
Gently ironic clash of modern business strategies and obstinate tradition as mild accountant Peter Sellers clashes with assertive Constance Cummings when she advises Robert Morley on his inherited Scottish textiles company. Adroit mix of verbal and physical comedy.
Baywatch (2017)
Game cast left spinning as confusion of knowing tone, crude comedy and flat action struggles to achieve engaging balance. Principled Dwayne Johnson and conceited Zac Efron are among lifeguards uncovering local drug ring, though story remains peripheral to character stupidity.
Bbaengban (Hit-And-Run Squad) (2019)
Screeching cars dominate tale of corruption as displeased officer Gong Hyo-jin is demoted to traffic work with instinctive Ryu Jun-yeol. Lengthy run time features glossy action and surface melodrama over character, though cruel villain Jo Jung-suk entertainingly chews scenery.
The Beach House (2019)
Contained, generally gripping eco horror evolves gradually with strained young couple Liana Liberato and Noah Le Gros waking in vacation home to discover nature contamination producing progressively grisly body invasion. Intimate intensity blends well with apocalyptic theme.
Bear Island (1979)
Robustly staged action on vast, icy landscapes punctuate more mundane murder-mystery where everyone on artic expedition to study climate change could be killer after Nazi gold. Solid cast struggle with clunky exposition while numbing plot twists fail to engage.
Beast (2022)
Fluid technical expertise and bold visuals impress rather than elevate suspense as Idris Elba attempts to reconcile with daughters on African trip and faces terror of revenge-minded lion. Briefly sketched characters and mounting implausibility relies on pulpy, violent scares.
Beastmaster 2 Through The Portal Of Time (1991)
Fitfully amusing with a thunderous Robert Folk score as Marc Singer and animals transport to modern Los Angeles, dealing with culture clash as well as evil brother Wings Hauser, witch Sarah Douglas and spoilt rich girl Kari Wuhrer.
Un beau dimanche (Going Away) (2013)
Finely crafted and performed, wandering narrative sees uncommitted substitute teacher Pierre Rochefort meet flailing mother Louise Bourgoin. As his broken family background is revealed, involving story reaches for dramatic meaning that never quite crystallizes.
Un beau soleil intérieur (Let The Sun Shine In) (2017)
Emotional fragility, creative strength and physical longing provide rich textures for Juliette Binoche's wounded artist navigating minefield of relationships. Obliquely constructed drama of intellect, spiced with comic observation and unresolved detachment.
Beauty And The Beast (2017)
A spirited and fluidly handled opening captures character and provides setup amid lush production values. Gorgeous Alan Menken score still prevails, though frenetic CGI visuals eventually dampen emotions for Emma Watson's initially progressive Belle.
Beckett (2021) After girlfriend Alicia Vikander dies in car accident, unnerved John David Washington finds himself expendable part of political conspiracy and on the run across Greece. Distanced approach and obtusely minimal plotting defined with distinct seventies styling that intrigues rather than excites.
Becoming Jane (2007)
Initial setup of Anne Hathaway's burgeoning creativity is tonally awkward, yet developing love story with James McAvoy finds surer sense of wit and drama. Agreeable cast amplify character detail and Jane Austen’s literary voice. Style meshes historic and modern sensibility.
Bedelia (1946)
Margaret Lockwood discovers rich material at the centre of this melodramatic thriller, an emotionally wrecked human falling apart with murderous results. Yet the film never finds the visual style to mirror the emotions and the tale is unfortunately flat.
The Bedroom Window (1987)
Studiously adhering to Hitchcockian structure and tone, pliable Steve Guttenberg acts as witness instead of manipulative Isabelle Huppert when resourceful Elizabeth McGovern is attacked. Detail works better than story momentum, involving rather than thrilling.
Bedtime Story (1941)
Acclaimed actress Loretta Young's hope for comfortable retirement confounded by artful playwright husband Fredric March's dream of next production. Storytelling provides few surprises, though quickfire farce delivered by skilled cast sells solid laughs.
The Beekeeper (2024)
Starting off more as a meditation on honey production and online scams PSA, revenge plot eventually lets retired killer Jason Statham run amok to pulverize enemies and blow up buildings. Brooding style just avoids parody, yet remains devoid of actual thrills, unable to embrace furious action potential.
Before I Fall (2017)
Shot in cool tones, a serious-minded Groundhog Day setup sees empathetic Zoey Deutch re-live the day of her death until she can put herself right. High school situations feel predictable and emotions manipulative, yet film-makers deliver a heartfelt final act.
Before I Wake (2016)
Skillfully assembled and styled tale of grief and literate horror with a young boy's dreams creating fear and wonderment for Kate Bosworth and Thomas Jane. Precise visuals allied with the aching sense of loss provides for intelligent, bracing if uneven storytelling.
Before Sunrise (1995)
Infused with romantic spontaneity and generous spirit, Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke are two hopeful souls who find a connection during a long night in Vienna. Unaffected style accentuates the earthy intelligence, gentle humor and sense of fresh possibilities.
Before The Fire (2020)
Escaping a rapidly engulfing viral pandemic, edgy Jenna Lyng Adams returns to her rural family home, where past tensions quickly arise and finally explode into violence. Grim and intense with a quiet style and a committed lead, the resolve lacks a needed audience release.
Begin Again (2013)
Meandering tale of music and artistry straddles attuned romanticized urban realism with melodramatic family relationships as songwriter Keira Knightley and producer Mark Ruffalo create New York album. Charming manipulation provides appealing characters and music.
The Beguiled (2017)
Composed with a painterly eye and deliberate pace, injured Union soldier Colin Firth is nursed by Southern teachers Nicole Kidman and Kirsten Dunst and their young students. Heavy on atmosphere and detail, lacking involving drama, care turns to desire and murder.
Behave Yourself (1951)
Flat-footed screwball comedy never builds comic momentum, undermined by bland visuals and unconvincing Farley Granger, who accidentally brings home a dog chased by criminals. Killings and confusion mount, Shelley Winters and solid support cast provide energy.
Being The Ricardos (2021)
Designed with soft hues and enjoyable detail, a spirited Nicole Kidman and artful Javier Bardem convincingly bring to life Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Biting dialogue and generous support have tangible sense of truth, even if collapsed, forced events ultimately undermine.
Belén (2025)
Committed, true-life Argentinian legal case takes on cruelty of establishment prejudice and misogyny as unknowing Camila Pláate suffers miscarriage only to be imprisoned for illegal abortion. Unrelenting lawyer Dolores Fonzi stirs national movement, yet storytelling never quite compels.
Belfast (2021)
Good-natured family drama tends to flatten emotional edges within gleaming, precisely framed images, as struggles through personal, economic and political turmoil of 1969 Northern Ireland seen though eyes of young boy. Able cast and sharp detail within warm story beats maintain involvement.
The Believers (1987)
Increasingly hysterical and grisly, polished production values accentuate the narrative descent into child murders and satanic sacrifice as bereaved psychologist Martin Sheen tries to protect his son while Helen Shaver sees spiders break out of face boils. Fitfully involving.
Bell Book And Candle (1958)
Unremarkable publisher James Stewart falls under the spell of bored witch Kim Novak with predictably chaotic and romantic results. Attractive production and spirited cast maintain breezy comic involvement even as storytelling remains frustratingly stilted.
A Bell For Adano (1945)
Snappy mix of Italian and American comedy types and melancholic reflections on war's loneliness and losses as considerate John Hodiak commands Sicilian town after US invasion, contending with army bureaucracy and prejudice. Quietly effective with impressively staged reunion sequence.
La Belle Noiseuse (The Beautiful Troublemaker) (1991)
Bewitching meditation on art and inspiration as spiky Emmanuelle Beart poses for jaundiced Michel Piccoli and spurs conflict that examines their lives. Precise, intense use of sound and visuals delineate the intimacy of creation over four hours, even if ending feels rushed.
Belle Starr (1941)
Never quite liberates Southern sweep of archetypal independent belle, and jettisons any semblance of historical truth, as spiky Gene Tierney turns into rebel outlaw. Colorful production, stirring Alfred Newman score, solid Randolph Scott follows, principled Dana Andrews tracks them down.
Bend Of The River (1952)
Masterfully staged against expansive, rugged locations, conflicted James Stewart seeks redemption from violent past by guiding pioneer settlers to frontier Oregon. Fractured relationships with impulsive Arthur Kennedy and gutsy Julie Adams filtered through gold fever greed and rush of action set pieces.
De Bende van Oss (The Gang Of Oss) (2011)
Caught between violent gangs and corrupt politics, factory worker, prostitute and bar owner Sylvia Hoeks gradually asserts independence to dream of escape from 1930s poverty. Brutality and oppressive design grinds tension and audience hope.
Beneath The 12-Mile Reef (1953)
Minor Floridian melodrama sees love between arrogant Robert Wagner and rebellious Terry Moore threatened by their rival sponge-diving families. Widescreen visuals afford enticing gloss and Bernard Herrmann is transcending, though passions and underwater danger never rise beyond simmering.
Beneath The Planet Of The Apes (1970)
Produced with rugged professionalism, rerun of original sees incredulous James Franciscus chased by violent gorillas while uncovering human doomsday cult with telepathic powers. Intriguing post-apocalyptical setting informs brutal, action-orientated story with surprisingly bleak ending.
Benedetta (2021)
Unrepentant nun Virginie Efira provides confounding, volatile presence to realize lust for both newcomer Daphné Patakia and power in abbess Charlotte Rampling's 17th century, plague-threatened convent. Bracing themes meet provocative excess amid keenly designed visuals.
Beoning (Burning) (2018)
Mesmirising and masterfully paced, both intense emotional drama and cutting social commentary, as drifting Yoo Ah-in re-connects with playful Jeon Jong-seo until wealthy, suspicious Steven Yeun intervenes. Grounded in character, surpising and effecting.
Berlin Express (1948)
Careful, atmospheric visuals make full use of broken German locations in wake of World War II and setup brisk, intriguing tale of assassination and kidnapping. Merle Oberon and Robert Ryan are among unified allies in noir-tinged narrative on the verge of Cold War hostility.
Bertie And Elizabeth (2002)
An intelligent script spins a generous view of romance and the accidental reign of George VI. Succinct storytelling, unfussy visuals and a commendable cast maintain involvement and empathy, with a smart mix of personal, political and social history.
Best Sellers (2021)
Effortlessly irascible and reclusive novelist Michael Caine is forced on final book tour by desperate publisher Aubrey Plaza. Road trip clash is ripe for character and thematic journey yet tone and visual storytelling remains fuzzy, sporadic scenes hinting at something more compelling.
The Best Years Of Our Lives (1946)
Emotionally intense and socially vivid, Dana Andrews, Frederic March and Harold Russell, hurt mentally and physically, return from war to search for identity in changed America. Structure and visuals charged with lasting, intimate relevance, matched by sublime Hugo Friedhofer score.
Betrayed (1988)
Caught between political warning and pulp thriller, undercover agent Debra Winger provides compelling heart as racist paranoia and violence in resolute Tom Berenger's rural community is exposed. Despite strong performances, uneasy balance is only bluntly effective.
Beulraindeu (Blind) (2011)
Crafty, sleek thriller, with cruel streak unafraid to bloody its leads as serial killer Yang Young-jo comes up against blind Kim Ha-neul and rebel Yoo Seung-ho. Occasional tonal lapses don't dampen tension, grounded by performances and tight rhythm.
Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
While plot goes through the motions, smart, impulsive, wise-cracking Detroit detective Eddie Murphy provides winning comic energy as he collides with wealthy West Coast liefstyle in pursuit of friend's murderer. Supported by game cast and diverting soundtrack.
Beverly Hills Cop Axel F (2024)
Replicating original formula, Detroit detective Eddie Murphy retains fish out of water energy in California, this time to protect estranged daughter Taylour Paige and find old friend Judge Reinhold. Familiar story beats and characters, without fresh spark.
Beyond A Reasonable Doubt (2008)
The visuals and design are slick, yet a lack of atmosphere and energy only muddies the convoluted plot and can't develop empathetic characters. A reporter sets out to prove shady DA Michael Douglas is corrupt, but even final twist feels flat.
Beyond Desire (1995)
Hard-boiled 90s desert noir with unhinged William Forsythe out of jail and on a mission for revenge, while lust and love with edgy Kari Wuhrer complicates as well as provides salvation. Mildly diverting genre exercise with standard twists and spirited performances.
Beyond Mombasa (1956)
Unrepentant Cornell Wilde chases murdered brother's African fortune, accompanied by gutsy anthropologist Donna Reed, principled missionary Leo Genn and suspicious hunter Christopher Lee. Pulpy narrative allows for colorful locations and uninspired adventure.
Beyond The Curtain (1960)
Broken ruins of cold war Berlin sustains ominous backdrop while family dynamics for Eva Bartok's forced return to Eastern control are edgily uncertain, yet low budget imagination and Richard Greene heroics feel forced. Marius Goring and Lucie Mannheim provide solid support.
The BFG (1974)
All the elements are present, yet somehow none of them coalesce. Where there should be emotion and magic, instead it feels tired and flat. Beautiful visuals, and the sequence with the Queen delivers humour and wonder, yet there's no tension. An opportunity lost.
The Big Clock (1948)
Structured and executed with tense precision, noir shadows gradually close on arrogant crime journalist Ray Milland, assigned to murder case by sleazy newspaper boss (and killer) Charles Laughton. Strong cast and increasingly claustrophobic action while production shines with gleaming visuals.
The Big Combo (1955)
Compelling crime drama, cop Cornel Wilde's obsessive drive to bring down mob boss Richard Conte expressively realized by taut script and expressive visuals. Sparse, gritty action compensates for meandering storyline. Jazz infused score highlights dark suspense.
The Big Lift (1950)
Contemporary post-war Berlin locations and society provide underlying cold war tension to curious Montgomery Clift and prejudiced Paul Douglas' experiences as part of air force breaking blockade with relief supplies. Practical Cornell Borchers and enthusiastic Bruni Löbel ensure bittersweet resolutions.
The Big Short (2017)
Bitterly comic indictment of the financial crash, a scattershot view that cleverly ties together different stories and frequently (and effectively) breaks the fourth wall. The intelligent design, visuals and editing have a rough reality and the script creates equal laughs, outrage and poignancy.
The Big Sick (2017)
Loose, appealing romantic comedy mines true-life origins and cultural confusions, as aspiring standup Kumail Nanijani realizes he cares for uncomplicated Zoe Kazan when she falls into a coma. Brisk storytelling and sterling support create sympathetic characters, even if end feels rushed.
The Big Sleep (1946)
Family blackmail and troublesome sisters results in Humphrey Bogart's caustic private detective Philip Marlowe following trail of dead bodies in seedy, corrupt Los Angeles. Dense plotting and dry humor affords a keen edge to atmospheric noir, with stylish cast and unpredictable Lauren Bacall.
Big Trouble In Little China (1986)
Disarming Kurt Russell is drawn into mystical evil seeking green-eyed Kim Cattrall for wife in genre blast that whips through comedy and action with gleeful disregard. Casual narrative barely hangs together even as individual moments shine.
Bijeongkyujik Teuksuyowon (Part Time Spy) (2017)
Despite spirited performers, lack of cohesive tone prevents broad comedy or action thrills from delivering as clumsy Gang Ye-Won and fiery Han Chae-Ah are forced to work together investigating phishing scam company. Flimsy entertainment.
The Bikeriders (2023)
Gutsy cast and redolent visuals inhabit period detail to provide snapshot of Chicago motorbike gang's close-knit, violent code during 1960s and 70s. Sparks of dry humor alleviate oppressive, always intriguing drama yet narrative sequence never quite coheres into compelling whole..
A Bill Of Divorcement (1940)
Independent-minded Maureen O'Hara rebels against family convention until father Adolphe Menjou returns after fifteen years in mental institution and anxiety of inherited condition provokes changed life decisions. Theatrical origins creak, though solid cast enables character empathy.
Bin-jip (3-Iron) (2004)
Told with beguiling stillness, wordless relationship between abused wife Lee Seung-yeon and benign drifter Jae Hee touches on social and cinematic themes of status and visibility while rooted as tender love story. Deliberate pacing and mood can be both testing and arresting.
Binteumeotneun Sai (My Worst Neighbor) (2023)
Smart visuals and appealing leads accentuate comedy and romance as aspiring singer-songwriter Lee Ji-hoon and reclusive designer Han Seung-Yeon are new neighbors with paper-thin walls. Uneven rhythms overcome with thematic and narrative sincerity.
Bird Box (2017)
Sandra Bullock is the dynamic, compulsive heart at the centre of a post-apocalyptical horror which hides its alien predator yet doesn't deliver on the character emotions the space provides. Individual set pieces provide suspense, though the ending never delivers.
Birdcage (1996)
Without quite the warmth of the original "La Cage Aux Folles", a strong cast deliver enough jokes to provide solid entertainment as gay couple Robin Williams and Nathan Lane try to act straight before conservative senator Gene Hackman. Finely tuned, effective farce.
Birds Of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation Of One Harley Quinn) (2020)
Bold design creates suitably anarchic world for broken, manic Margot Robbie, seeking vio;ence and momentary respite with equally crazed gang. Vibrant style and humor keep pace fresh, even if excess finally feels tiring and anonymous.
Bisangsuneon (Emergency Declaration) (2022)
Finely crafted and tensely structured, a terrorist boards plane impregnated with virus that quickly contaminates. Deft surprises keep authorities guessing on ground and claustrophobic decisions in air, ae well as thrills visually tight, even if resolution snaps narrative effect.
Black And White (1999)
Routine thriller with rookie cop partnered with caustic veteran as a series of killings throw suspicion on a police avenger. Plenty of red herrings and moderate tension which tempers the potential of Gina Gershon's twisted detective, a character with rich darkness.
Black Adam (2022)
Initial promise of sharp anti-superhero antidote fumbles with appeal of reawakened Dwayne Johnson learning empathetic reason to defend nation from oppression and defend son's legacy. Individual quirks and humor deflated by pummeling action that struggles to build tension or provide resolution.
Black Angel (1946)
After her husband is sentenced to execution, dependable June Vincent convinces alcoholic pianist Dan Duryea to help find true killer of his ex-wife, posing as musical act in snarling Peter Lorre's nightclub. Moody atmosphere eeks out ticking-clock suspense, with suitably doomed resolution.
Black Bear (2020)
A shifting take on artistic and personal control, as charged emotions follow edgy actress Audrey Plaza stirring marital conflict between Christopher Abbott and Sarah Gadon, until narrative switch takes characters behind camera on production of low budget film. Playfully unsettling.
Black Box (2020)
Engaging rather than pulsating, insecure Mamoudou Athie undergoes suspicious Phylicia Rashad's experimental treatment to overcome amnesia caused by car accident that killed his wife. Themes of identity and family are intriguingly positioned, ultimately consumed by sentimental, bone-cracking scares.
Black Crab (2022)
Some striking imgary as resilient Noomi Rapace and desperate soldiers skate across frozen landscape, facing dangers of nature and enemy attacks in bleak, post-apocalyptic world. Swift pace adds excitement to individual scenes, though lack of context leads to muted conclusion.
Black Jack (1950)
Though George Sanders makes a fittingly ambiguous hero, his unconvincing action dynamics and affection for morally defined Patricia Roc tend to flatten involvement. Evocative Mediterranean locations and equivocal, shady characters provide some interest, amidst floundering narrative.
Black Mama, White Mama (1972)
Calculating prostitute Pam Grier and righteous revolutionary Margaret Markov break from tropical island prison chained together. Accidental themes of personal and political emancipation beneath crude exploitation surface that lacks persuasive style despite gutsy leads.
Black Narcissus (1947)
Ravishing photography and design create a sultry, intoxicating atmosphere, as a group of nuns become unhinged in remote Himalayan mountains. Rich and sensual, past ghosts and future desires build a feverish intensity, in this glorious dream-like melodrama.
The Black Phone (2021)
Imbued with sense of dread and styled with evocative visuals, cruel Ethan Hawke's abduction of reticent Mason Thomas effectively entwines supernatural elements through teen's communications with ghosts of previous victims and link to sister Madeleine McGraw. Fraternal bond provides persuasive foundation.
Black Rain (1989)
A peculiarly annoying Michael Douglas stomps over cultural courtesy to avenge the murder of cop partner Andy Garcia. Osaka becomes an oppressive lead character, design and atmosphere far more involving than violent thrills and standard narrative and character beats.
The Black Rose (1950)
Handsomely mounted, overly solemn and bloated adventure as indignant Saxon Tyrone Power abandons Norman England to find fortune with playful Orson Welles' dream of Asian invasion. Polished supporting cast and colorful visuals can't overcome dreary narrative involvement.
The Black Stallion (1979)
Suffused with lyricism amid simple narrative framework, a boy and horse form formidable bond when shipwrecked. Teri Garr and Mickey Rooney provide able emotional support as a horse racing legend is born. Evocative visuals, exciting adventure, movingly told.
Black Sunday (1977)
Intense, urgent terrorist thriller with vengeful Marthe Keller planning attack on Super Bowl crowd through disturbed Goodyear blimp pilot Bruce Dern. Grim Robert Shaw is the Mossad agent uncovering plot, though characters remain subjugated to intelligent, storytelling.
The Black Swan (1942)
Reformed pirate Tyrone Power kidnaps Maureen O'Hara while seeking to trap wily George Sanders and blunt Anthony Quinn for notorious governor Laird Cregar. Vigorous action told with sweeping colors and brash score, cast supply spirited humor to predictable yet immensely enjoyable tale.
Black Widow (1954)
Wasting a fine cast, an inert and stagey crime melodrama where the apparent suicide of a young writer soon turns out to be murder forcing Van Heflin to desperately prove his innocence. Cinemascope tends to accentuate the dry atmosphere. Only a few one liners break through.
Black Widow (1987)
Darkly subversive characters and themes match sleek, suggestive visuals as frustrated FBI researcher Debra Winger becomes intrigued and tempted by seductive husband killer Theresa Russell. Controlled air of menace edgily maintained with compelling leads despite more mundane conclusion.
Black Widow (2021)
Appealing, pointed sisterhood between wary Scarlett Johansson and caustic Florence Pugh as socially compromised assassins tearing down past while facing up to fake parents and spies Rachel Weisz and David Harbour. Passing comedy and thrills allied to more grounded narrative.
Blackthorn (2011)
Sumptuous images and striking Bolivian landscapes, along with a commanding lead turn from Sam Shepherd, can't overcome an undernourished narrative. Out of hiding 20 years after presumed dead, Butch Cassidy is dragged back into adventure. Lacks humor and an ending.
Blanche Fury (1948)
Driven by Valerie Hobson's eponymous heroine, who evolves from steely and calculating to passionate and caring, a superbly, evocatively photographed and designed melodrama. It builds a heady, noirish atmosphere as murder is planned before resolving with brute tragedy.
Blazing Saddles (1974)
Parody of Westerns, satire on racism, crude and smart at the same time, a structural mess that endures. Uninhibited by taste or correctness, Mel Brooks throws a non-stop succession of verbal and visual comedy at the screen, ably supported by a terrific cast.
Blink Twice (2024)
Rush of hedonistic excess consumes aspiring nail artist Naomi Ackie when she's spontaneously invited by disgraced billionaire Channing Tatum to party with friends on private island, until paranoid edginess builds to brutal revelations. Thrills and theme of abusive power effectively played, though uneven rhythms diminish bloody revenge.
Blithe Spirit (1945)
Frothy collaboration of Noel Coward's perennial wit and David Lean's elegant visuals, a delightfully batty medium Margaret Rutherford upends cynical Rex Harrison and Constance Cummings' life by calling up dead wife, Kay Hammond. A sprightly score adds energy.
Blitz (2024)
Solidly crafted visuals conjure revisionist view of life during wartime bombardment of London as gritty Saoirse Ronan send young son to safety until he jumps train to embark on dangerous return home across city. Strong performances and well staged, yet misses intensity and emotional core.
Blockers (2018)
Enjoyably raucous and persuasively endearing, energetic pace prevents messy narrative spinning out as diverse parents John Cena, Leslie Mann, and Ike Barinholtz band together to disrupt plan of respective daughters Geraldine Viswanathan, Kathryn Newton and Gideon Adlon to lose virginity on prom night. Solid laughs with committed cast.
Blood Red Sky (2021)
Effectively pulpy setup sees violent plane hijackers discovering that sickly passenger Peri Baumeister is actually vampire ready to unleash fury in order to protect young son Carl Koch. Serious-minded approach sometimes limits energy and thrills, though character tension builds to suitably explosive finale.
Blow Out (1981)
Framed and designed with intoxicating skill, conflation of US political assassination with noir thriller sees repentant John Travolta uncover conspiracy involving reluctant escort Nancy Allen. Despite bleakly apposite ending, a playful, striking view of filmmaking sleight of hand.
Blowup (1966)
More a state of mind than a cohesive narrative, the composition of visuals and rhythm of the edit are gradually, giddily intoxicating as a photographer searches London for meaning to his images. Emerging from the decadence is the struggle for art and illusive reach for relevance. Compulsive viewing.
Blue Beetle (2023)
Breezy pace and appealingly established family accentuates comic flavors as optimistic graduate Xolo Maridueña returns home to frustrated opportunities until ancient, alien amulet gives him superpowers. Polished visuals yet narrative devolves into visual effects confusion..
Blue Steel (1990)
Told with dynamic visual flair and layered atmosphere, impulsive cop Jamie Lee Curtis is tormented by psychotic Ron Silver amid blasting guns and bloody squibs. Narrative and character make increasingly little sense, though individual sequences provide thrills.
The Bluff (2026)
Agile Priyanka Chopra Jonas finds idyllic family life ripped apart by booming Karl Urban, seeking stolen gold and revenge, and reawakening her past as brutal pirate. Spirited cast inform violent action, yet stylized approach minimizes jeopardy and misses opportunity for earthy rush.
Blush (2019)
As Wendi McLendon-Covey's suburban life inexorably comes off the rails when she becomes involved with a dysfunctional family's twisted lives, so too does story and character involvement. A fearless lead and mordant social and sexual observations maintain interest.
Boarding Gate (2007)
A meandering series of dialog-driven scenes interspersed with visual sequences of dry motivation finally jolts into action when Asia Argento makes the hit and finds herself betrayed in Hong Kong. Made with a cold precision that prevents character empathy.
Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)
Blackly ironic thriller throws group of privileged, back-biting friends into storm-battered home and revels in chaotic paranoia of mounting deaths. Ensemble energy and invasive style keep situations lively, yet can't compensate lack of character empathy or visual intensity.
Body Double (1984)
Tale of voyeurism and obsession in a trashily enjoyable provocation of violence and nudity as bland Craig Wasson gets involved in murder and porn films. Melanie Griffith supplies energetic support, insider industry irony adds texture, though ending fizzles despite technical polish.
Body Heat (1981)
Seductive John Barry score weaves through stylish noir with susceptible John Hurt caught in grasp of shameless Kathleen Turner. Steamy atmosphere feeds twisting narrative of lust and murder, as grasping characters provide pulpy and hugely enjoyable moral descent.
Body Snatchers (1993)
A military base provides increasingly oppressive setting for alien pod invasion, with rebellious teen Gabrielle Anwar uncovering secrets and Meg Tilly proving a malevolent step-mother. Effectively creepy and nervy without quite delivering a lasting resonance.
Boîte noire (Black Box) (2021)
Solidly crafted paranoia thriller as haunted air safety investigator Pierre Niney becomes obsessed there's more to fatal plane crash than terrorist attack, even as he estranges practical girlfriend Lou de Laâge. Slow-burn intensity envelops detailed procedural with suitably chilling results.
Boku wa Ashita, Kinou no Kimi to Date Suru (My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday) (2016)
Confounding love story of time running in parallel strands and opposite directions, means Sota Fukushi and Nana Komatsu's relationship has only one true day. Concept and comic touches tend to creak, yet detail gradually weaves affecting romanticism.
Bølgen (The Wave) (2015)
Told with fluid, clinical style, disaster conventions of natural wiping out Norwegian town are embraced while emotional investment smartly concentrates on more intimate experience of family survival. Picturesque mountain locations and persuasive devastation.
Bombshell (2019)
Produced with admirable sense of purpose, and performed with intensity by Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie and extensive supporting cast. Yet tale of politics and abuse at Fox News never connects message with dramatic and comic effect, limiting appeal.
Bonjour Tristesse (1958)
Immaculate visuals conjure black and white reality against Technicolor freedom of French Riviera summer, as embracing Jean Seberg's coming of age finds her frivolous schemes with playboy father David Niven result in cruel fate for traditional Deborah Kerr. Cold empathy feeds on staid melodrama.
Borderlands (2024)
Glimpses of humor and moments of visual momentum can't compensate for unfocused myth building and blandly eccentric characters as cynical bounty hunter Cate Blanchet returns to desolate home planet in search of caustic teen Ariana Greenblatt. Numbing action maroons potent cast.
Boss Level (2020)
Pulverized by comically styled, gratuitously realized violence, former soldier Frank Grillo is hunted by crack assassins and reboots to a new morning when he's killed, gradually uncovering loop relates to ex-wife Naomi Watts' experiments for brutal Mel Gibson. Blandly devoid of thrills or laughs.
Boston Strangler (2023)
Quietly evocative study of persevering journalists Keira Knightly and Carrie Coon feeds on prejudice and corruption as they struggle with authorities to find truth behind serial killings of women. Polished thematic and character strength enhances true life drama.
Botany Bay (1952)
Colorfully produced adventure sees unjustly prosecuted medical student Alan Ladd confronting sadistic captain James Mason on convict ship to Australia while sparring amorously with fellow prisoner Patricia Medina. Engaging studio-bound drama lacks romantic sweep.
Bottoms (2023)
Exuberantly unfiltered high school comedy skewers prejudice with satiric edge and absurdist physicality as squabbling friends Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennott lust after two gorgeous cheerleaders and accidentally establish empowerment through fight club. Solid laughs and winning cast.
Boulevard (1994)
Queasy confusion of sisterhood independence and sleazy exploitation as battered Kari Wuhrer is taken in by streetwise prostitute Rae Dawn Chong. Lou Diamond Phillips and Lance Henriksen are among the men ready to exploit. Rough stylings match grim atmosphere.
The Boy (2016)
Until it all unravels with a final act that jettisons the creepy setup and reveals a twist to make the threat too mundanely physical, a solidly intriguing tale of a china doll that might be inhabited by an evil force. Lauren Cohan grounds our reactions despite implausibilities.
Boy On A Dolphin (1957)
From prologue establishing Greek Islands, richly realized visuals dominate ambling story of hunt for titular antiquity, as enthusiastic diver Sophia Loren is caught between principled Alan Ladd and conniving Clifton Webb. Lush Hugo Friedhofer score stands out.
The Boy Who Could Fly (1986)
Affecting, generous family drama as spiky teen Lucy Deakins moves in beside uncommunicative neighbor Jay Underwood, both suffering from loss and finding escape through friendship and fantasy. Tender and emotional, textured characters and richly thematic Bruce Broughton score giving physical and metaphorical flight to future hope.
The Boys In The Boat (2023)
Solid production takes time to find rhythm as student outsiders during the Depression make it the Olympics, forging personal and national identity as rowing team. Involving visuals and bright soundtrack elevate final emotions with unsurprising sense of achievement.
Boyhood (2014)
Beyond the process of creating narrative film over a 12 year period, a finely etched portrait of growing up and fragmented lives, built around a series of moments that create an immersive reflection of family. The open, natural style allows performances to shine.
The Boys From Brazil (1978)
Smartly produced and visualized, with intelligent and atmospheric production design, even as the plot to clone Hitler veers from drama to parody. Over-stuffed with stars and lost for a clear tone, though Jerry Goldsmith's thrilling score is a classic, embodying all the film reaches for.
Brad's Status (2017)
Insecure Ben Stiller becomes fixated by the material success of old friends and how youthful dreams have washed away as he visits with his son for a future college. Humor is cutting and observant, performances persuasive and narrative resolution unexpectedly moving.
The Bravados (1958)
Avenging Gregory Peck hunts down criminals who have escaped from being hanged, but finds he is blinded by hatred and prejudice. Sedate, elegantly composed western drama, with a smart, conflicted view of its intense central character and a bleak sense of justice.
Breakfast At Tiffany's (1961)
Structured and performed with spirit and charm, seductively insecure Audrey Hepburn is forced to question life of chaotic partying with arrival of aspiring writer George Peppard. A potent romance carried on Henry Mancini's lilting score and featuring a pivotally affecting Cat.
The Breakfast Club (1985)
Smart script takes five teenage, high school types and fleshes out characters with compassion and humor, revealing their stories during all-day Saturday detention. Even when structure feels forced, sharp cast seize their roles with appealing, raw energy.
The Break-Up (2006)
Effort to portray relationship fracture which descends into desperate hostility, and material need for valued Chicago apartment, never quite balances humorous intent despite efforts of exasperated Jennifer Aniston and self-absorbed Vince Vaughan. Fitfully involving.
Breathless (2012)
Brash, confrontational Texas friends Gina Gershon and Kelli Giddish are trapped in trailer with untrustworthy bank robber Val Kilmer's dead body and suspicious cop Ray Liotta waiting outside. Gratuitous visuals mirror all-in, unsubtle performances and unconvincing story twists.
The Bribe (1949)
Glistening, melodramatic noir sends weary agent Robert Taylor to Central American island to uncover post-war racketeering, tempted by financial corruption while falling for charms of jaded nightclub singer Ava Gardner. Despite sweaty atmosphere and devilish villains Charles Laughton and Vincent Price, story runs out of steam before final shoot out.
Brick (2025)
Despite hesitant opening, once work consumed Matthias Schweighöfer and unhappy Ruby O. Fee wake to find apartment building walled in by impenetrable future tech barrier, storytelling builds layers of satisfying mystery involving ragged collection of neighbours desperately seeking way out. Undone by flat resolution.
The Bricklayer (2023)
With journalists being assassinated, reluctant CIA turns to maverick Aaron Eckhart, brought out of retirement to uncover conspiracy and seek revenge. Flashy sets align to defiant lack of character and plausibility as action hurtles across screen. Practical Nina Dobrev wasted; events instantly disposable.
Bridesmaids (2011)
Winning blend of appealing character study and broad, raucous comedy, as jittery Kristen Wiig's life unravels when she tries to organize best friend Maya Rudolph's wedding and faces the scheming perfection of Rose Byrne. Energetic ensemble sparks empathy and laughs.
The Bridge On The River Kwai (1957)
Gripping, expansive adventure with captured British in Japanese POW camp and honourable British colonel Alec Guinness becoming obsessed with building enemy bridge. Symbolic futility of war adds depth, while fine cast and vibrant visuals provide dynamic storytelling.
A Bridge Too Far (1977)
A grim epic, with expansive, expertly crafted action sequences suffused with a sense of loss amid the blood and bullets. The all-star cast are grounded though the narrative of Allied mistakes and daring in Holland stretches endurance despite the spectacle.
Bridget Jones Mad About The Boy (2025)
Infused with melancholic sense of loss, Renée Zellweger provides a winning appeal to the joys and regrets of single motherhood while forging new romantic beginnings with youthful Leo Woodall and strict Chiwetel Ejiofor. Astute blend of broad comedy and potent emotion.
Brief Encounter (1945)
Noel Coward and David Lean's aching love story combines literate writing, strong performances and mesmerizing style. Despite the sense of inherent parody, the 'flames of passion' embodied by Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard maintain a perennial truth.
Brightburn (2019)
Origin story for an evil superhero with spiky, twisted potential that unfortunately is neither blackly comic enough nor stages its action and horror with sufficient style and energy. Instead the set pieces resolve in abundant gore, without delivering on the wildness of the concept.
Bringing Up Baby (1938)
Unfiltered heiress Katherine Hepburn and stumbling paleontologist Cary Grant perfectly matched for gorgeously constructed and staged comic mayhem, featuring leopards, a priceless dinosaur bone and chaotic romance. Committed cast keep energy levels high to deliver joyous fusion of verbal and visual jokes.
Broadcasting Christmas (2016)
Low stakes, by the numbers comedy has ex-lovers Melissa Joan Hart, local TV reporter, and Dean Cain, city newsreader, compete for national morning show position. Fleeting self-aware humor and wholesome themes consumed by predictability and awkward staging.
Broken Arrow (1950)
Learning human side of Apache enemy, retired army captain James Stewart strives to make peace with leader Jeff Chandler and finds love with Debra Paget. Robust staging highlights both politics and action, while committed leads provide intensity for final tragedy.
Broken Lance (1954)
Out of jail, conflicted Robert Wagner recalls late, overbearing father Spencer Tracy who controlled ranching empire with iron discipline, until legal taming of the West enabled older son Richard Widmark's betrayal. Informed by expansive visuals, story remains dramatically and thematically gripping, with solid support from Katy Jurado and Jean Peters.
Bronco Billy (1980)
Warm-hearted comedy with touch of mis-matched romance lands self-centered heiress Sondra Locke on tour with principled Clint Eastwood and his threadbare wild west show. Affectionately detailed troupe of dreamers provide generous emotions to fittingly uplifting finale.
Brooklyn (2015)
Anchored by aching, riveting Saoirse Ronan, Irish immigration to 1950s New York is distilled into affectionate love story laced with humour. Particularly successful in poignant sense of family, of lost and future homes, third act contrivance diminishes effect. Solidly unadventurous.
The Brothers (1947)
Imbued with the mystical spirit of rugged, remote Scottish shores, beauty and cruelty entwine with raw desire, as beguiling Patricia Roc's arrival provokes family and community conflict. Stark visuals illuminate the conflict of overtly suggestive, wild melodrama and edgy realism with bracing effect.
Brothers (2024)
Concept of minor criminal Peter Dinklage persuading twin brother Josh Brolin away from upcoming wedding normality for last heist with estranged mother Glenn Close strives too hard for comic eccentricity. Brief pleasures and sterling performers amid cartoon confusion and predicted reconciliations.
A Brush With Christmas (2022)
Brightly lit and anonymously constructed, initial comic sparks fast lost as frustrated Jillian Murphy remains chef in family-owned restaurant rather than fulfill painterly ambitions, until disillusioned architect Joseph Cannata shows up. Character development as flat as storytelling technique.
The Bubble (2022)
Initially amusing satire of Covid filmmaking and US studio politics in producing mindless genre sequels, yet gags rapidly turn flat. Without acidic bite, ensemble cast flail and scattershot set pieces feel stuffed into overlong narrative. Unfortunately bland.
Buffaloed (2019)
Carried with commanding energy by fearlessly vulnerable Zoey Deutch, dark comedy of debt collection tends to flounder dramatically even as it drives home social theme with relish. Consistently effective performers and solid production conjure greed and desperation.
Bullet Train (2022)
Ramming home coarsely explicit violence, brightly stylized approach can't disguise paucity of thrills and comedy as unlucky Brad Pitt is trapped on speeding train across Japan with bloody assassins. Technically adept, bludgeoning action and self-aware quips fast become dulled by lack of invention.
Bulletproof Heart (1994)
Unsettling, blackly comic chamber piece with weary hitman Anthony LaPlaggia accepting last job, until obsession with willing victim Mimi Rogers makes him reconsider. Effective cast includes edgy Peter Boyle. Intermittent entertainment suggests more than it delivers.
Bumblebee (2018)
Despite requisite visual effects carnage between warring robots and imminent invasion of earth, narrative soul remains developing friendship between hurting teen Hailee Steinfeld and damaged titular VW Beetle. Warm balance of humor and emotion makes astute, nostalgic use of 80s setting.
Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo (The Good, The Bad And The Ugly) (1966)
Buoyed by expansive visuals and impressive scale, dismissively confident Clint Eastwood, emotional Eli Wallach and cruel Lee Van Cleef chase buried treasure amid blasted, hostile towns and savagery of Civil War America. Maintains heightened sense of drama and humor while Ennio Morricone's music soars.
The Burial (2023)
Enjoyable, solidly fashioned true-life courtroom drama as principled funeral home operator Tommy Lee Jones finds legal support from extrovert lawyer Jamie Foxx in battle against corporate lenders consuming business. Central relationship remains rousing, though political and social issues feel fumbled.
Burn (2019)
Unstable, unpredictable nightshift worker Tilda Cobham-Hervey provides compulsive spark for twisting thriller when petty criminal Josh Hutcherson tries to rob her gas station. Unshowy and confidently handled, narrative eventually slackens and frays, yet never without interest.
Burn Your Maps (2016)
Straining to make quirky setup of young Jacob Tremblay's conviction he's a Mongolian goat herder into linchpin for grieving family resolution, character focus remains fuzzy. Hurting Vera Farmiga provides pierced, messy soul amid creaking narrative strictures.
Burying The Ex (2014)
A suitable showcase for Joe Dante's fondness of pulp cinematic culture and comedic sleight of hand, undermined by lack of style, energy and internal logic, as drifting Anton Yelchin finds controlling girlfriend Ashley Greene is back from the dead. Lacks bite in comedy and horror.
Busanhaeng (Train To Busan) (2016)
Blistering zombie adventure as passengers on a speeding train must evade infection from screaming, flesh-rending hordes. Designed like a disaster movie with the lead characters picked off one by one, thrills and emotion are well spaced, and visuals are bold.
A Business Proposal (2025)
Flimsy concept not aided by unsteady staging as food analyst Ariel Tatum finds date she's paid to go out with is her company boss Abidzar Al Ghifari. Broad comedy fails to mix with chaste romantic complications and family dysfunction, though spoilt best friend Caitlin Halderman provides appealing energy.
Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid (1967)
Buoyed by the charm and chemistry of Paul Newman and Robert Redford, a carefully calibrated, winningly etched buddy movie / pursuit narrative. The accent on humor and memorable set pieces, allied to a hummable score, is enduring.
The Butterfly Effect (2004)
Time travel and time altering storylines have such an inherent fascination that jettisoned logic and narrative cohesion is forgiven. As unbalanced Ashton Kutcher finds he can alter past events, but find no happy endings, a swift, enjoyable table without lingering in the mind.
Byooti Insaideu (The Beauty Inside) (2015)
Stimulating setup creates cursed life where protagonist wakes each day as a different person, man or woman, young or old. Though it sidesteps more textured thought, production is stylish and heartfelt as Han Hyo-joo compellingly sees beyond surface.