**_Whodunit in a northern Italy hamlet_** After a girl goes missing in a remote village in the Italian Alps, a renowned detective that resorts to dubious methods to apprehend his prey (Toni Servillo) is brought in to solve the possible crime. Alessio Boni plays a teacher who falls under suspicion while Jean Reno is on hand as a psychologist. An Italian production, “The Girl in the Fog” (2017) is a psychological whodunit mystery reminiscent of films like “The Clovehitch Killer” (2018), “Lantana” (2001), “The River King” (2005) and “Snow Angels” (2007). While it’s good, it’s the least of these due to a TV-movie vibe where the northern Italy locations are rarely taken advantage of and the focus is on indoor sets with relative close-ups. Another issue is the last act’s explanation of everything that’s going on, which takes some serious suspension of disbelief (no spoilers). The motive of the antagonist is weak, the scheme too elaborate and the coincidence of a notable person living in that area, plus linked to the case, is simply not believable. Still, it’s dramatically compelling up to that point and I liked the emphasis on the media fleshing out clues & the culprit (or, just as likely, creating a witch hunt); even the climax is clever as long as you understand that you're watching an alternative reality. The film runs 2 hours, 8 minutes, and was shot Alto Adige, Italy. It was not dubbed in English so, if you don’t speak Italian and you’re an English-speaker, you’ll have to use the subtitles. GRADE: B-
Arms dealers from several companies vie to sell the most expensive and highest tech weapons to a South American dictator. There are complications; understanding the exact nature of how 'gifts' are used to grease the wheels of a sale, a religious conversion from one of the salesman and a romance that begins to grow between two competitors.
The life of Al Roberts, a pianist in a New York nightclub, turns into a nightmare when he decides to hitchhike to Los Angeles to visit his girlfriend.
A pair of young vacationers are involved in a dangerous conflict with treasure hunters when they discover a way into a deadly wreck in Bermuda waters.
Arsène Lupin decides to run a detective agency in addition to being a gentleman thief. As a detective he happens to cooperate with police in order to unveil the criminal activities of a villain. When he succeeds the villain returns the favour. The unmasked Arsène Lupin manages to escape with the villain's gangster moll as his new companion.
Set in 1961, Saengrawi Raemsawang lived with Luang Lung Janthakorn until he turns twenty-one and is sent to live at Sitthikornkan Castle in Phra Nakhon. The castle is owned by Phraphloeng, currently living abroad. Heading the words of a sage, Phloeng's parents urge him back to Thailand. About to turn twenty-five, a prophecy requires him to soon find his soulmate to secure his safety; they may not be a woman, nor born in Phra Nakhon. Throughout his stay with Phloeng's family, Rawi is plagued by nightmares and haunted by a spirit. When he begins staying close to Phloeng, however, the spirit is quiet. It soon becomes clear that whatever is haunting the house is focused entirely on Rawi.
"Described as 'Snow White meets Eyes Wide Shut,' Rouge is a horror-tinted gothic fairy tale about a lonely dress shop clerk whose mother’s unexpected death sends her down a treacherous path in pursuit of youth and beauty. Set in California, the story explores the cult-like nature of the beauty industry — as well as 'the danger of internalizing its pitiless gaze.' Set to be published in September this year by Simon & Schuster/Marysue Rucci Books, Rouge is the latest novel from [Mona] Awad, behind All’s Well, 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl and Bunny, which was listed among the best book of 2019 by Time, Vogue and the New York Public Library." (THR)
The film follows a laid-back private investigator Kyd Thomas who gets thrust into Hollywood's world of crime after he meets Laura Cassidy. Laura is a cocaine addict who Kyd saves from being beaten and raped.
A computer specialist is sued for sexual harassment by a former lover turned boss who initiated the act forcefully, which threatens both his career and his personal life.
When two married business executives having an affair are blackmailed by a violent criminal, they are forced to turn the tables on him to save their families.
Hedonist Frank Cotton finds a mysterious puzzle box that summons the Cenobites, who open the doors to a dominion where pain and pleasure are indivisible.