The Invisible Man (2020)

Director: Leigh Whannell
Stars: Elisabeth Moss, Aldis Hodge, Storm Reid, Harriet Dyer, Michael Dorman, Oliver Jackson-Cohen
Runtime: 124 minutes
Viewed at: Alamo Lakeline

Whannell establishes himself as a sci-fi body horror talent with his new, universal spin on an old Universal monster. But this Invisible Man is no ordinary monster movie, instead using its sci-fi conceit to show the horror of abusive partners, both visible and invisible. Moss puts in an absolutely terrific performance as Cecilia, a woman who thinks she escaped from her abusive partner, uber-rich optics scientist Adrian Griffin, but isn’t so sure he’s dead. Like the Universal movies of old, the scares come on gradually; unlike them, Whannell’s unique talents of horror mixed with social relevance are clearly visible. (99 words/A)

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

Director: Céline Sciamma
Stars: Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel
Runtime: 120 minutes
Viewed at: Oklahoma City Museum of Art – Noble Theater
In French with English subtitles

Sciamma blazes the screen with this 18th-century romance, documenting the torrid affair between painter Marianne and her subject, an aristocrat named Héloïse stuck in an arranged marriage after leaving a convent. Between lovely artistry and period detail lies delightfully subtle sexual tension, culminating in pure unrequited love. Merlant and Haenel are simply perfect in those chemistry, and every shot of Claire Mathon’s stellar cinematography looks, naturally, like a painting. They truly don’t make romantic films like this anymore. With its classic feel and modern sensibility, this Portrait will remain timeless for generations to come. Basically, this Lady’s on Fire. (99 words/A PLUS PLUS PLUS)

Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of one Harley Quinn) (2020)

Director: Cathy Yan
Stars: Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Rosie Perez, Chris Messina, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong, Ewan McGregor
Runtime: 109 minutes
Viewed at: AMC Quail Springs Mall 24 – Dolby Cinema

Emancipating itself from Suicide Squad’s wasted potential, Harley Quinn’s solo outing is nothing short of Fantabulous. Robbie outdoes herself with this character, going the extra mile with her breakup with Joker and getting caught up in a bounty hunt set by Black Mask, integrating a cast of characters including songstress Black Canary, detective Renee Montoya, crossbow killer Huntress, and young Cassandra Cain. But DC’s varied cast of characters isn’t the only thing BoP has going for it – the candy-colored action is among DC’s best ever, and Harley’s hilarious narration adds to the fun. Worth flying in for. (97 words/A PLUS)