It is time for my monthly round up of new films seen on streaming services other than Netflix, this month.

Starting with Amazon Prime:

You’re Cordially Invited
A bride, Jenni (Geraldine Viswanathan) and her widowed father, Jim (Will Ferrell) discover their dream wedding venue on a small island has been double booked for another bride, Neve (Meredith Hagner) by her sister, Margot (Reese Witherspoon). Nicholas Stoller’s comedy starts really badly. Jim comes across and very cringey and Jenni is extremely annoying. In fact, their borderline inappropriate relationship and her ghastly friends threaten to derail the whole movie. However, Witherspoon’s natural charm and comic sensibilities rescue it. Also, once we have both wedding parties vying for use of the facilities, there are quite a few decent set pieces. Those are mostly slapstick, but I also enjoyed some of the dialogue, especially the skewering of how the younger generation overuse and misuse the term ‘gaslighting’. The romantic relationship that emerges between Jim and Margot feels tacked on, though.
Rating: 6 out of 10

Elevation
Here we have yet another post-apocalyptic thriller. Three years prior to the events of the film, mysterious insects called Reapers emerged from sinkholes underground and exterminated humanity, with 95% killed in the first month. The remaining few must stay above an 8,000ft line to avoid the creatures. One of the survivors, Will (Anthony Mackie) has to go on a hazardous mission below the line to obtain medicine for his son Hunter (Danny Boyd Jr). Two people from his community, Nina (Morena Baccarin) and Katie (Maddie Hasson) decide to go with him. Director George Nolfi and writers Kenny Ryan and Jacob Roman deserve credit for bringing some fresh ideas to this genre. The lives of the survivors is not entirely grim for a change, the creatures are unusual and there are some good action set pieces.
Rating: 6.5 out of 10

My Fault: London
This romantic drama is released in time for Valentine’s Day and is a remake of a 2023 Spanish film balled My Fault. Noah (Asha Banks) is a teenage girl who moves with her mother Ella from Florida to London to live with her new stepfather William. Upon arrival, Noah meets her stepbrother Nick (Matthew Broome), and although they initially hate each other, an attraction grows. I suppose that particularly undiscerning teenage girls may lap this up but I found it unwatchable. All the English characters are insufferable snobs and the message that it does not matter how rude and arrogant someone is, it is worth pursuing them if they are hot is dubious at best.
Rating: 1.5 out of 10

The following can be bought or rented on the usual services:

Werewolves
A year ago, a super moon event triggered a latent gene in every human. Anyone who went out at night turned into a werewolf, resulting in a billion people dying. With another super moon due, scientists Wesley and Amy played by Frank Grillo and Katrina Law try to stop the same thing happening, whilst Wesley’s widowed sister-in-law and her daughter try to survive the night. The set up and opening half hour is decent enough and the scientists make a believably resourceful pair. But the supporting cast, particularly Betzaida Landin as their colleague, are quite poor. The level of preparation by all concerned is laughably inadequate and the ending is horrible.
Rating: 4 out of 10

Jazzy
The wonderfully named Jasmine Bearkiller Shangreaux stars as the title character in Morrisa Maltz’s indie drama. The screenplay was written by Maltz with Vanara Taing, Andrew Hajek and Lainey Bearkiller Shangreaux, so I am guessing that it is a family affair! Set in South Dakota, Jazzy navigates the challenges of growing up. When her best friend moves away, she experiences feelings of loss and independence. Films centred on kids almost always live or die based on the child performances, and Shangreaux is wonderfully natural. The script is slight but that just adds to the poignancy and believability. Both the original score by Neil Halstead and Alexis Marsh and the songs by the band Future Islands are excellent.
Rating: 8 out of 10

On Apple TV+

The Gorge
Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy star as elite snipers who are assigned a mission to guard either side of a deep and impenetrable gorge, without knowing what actually lies beneath them. I can see how easy it was to pitch this very simple idea and it is pretty well executed. With the two stars on screen on their own for nearly the whole film, it was important that they convince in their roles and they do. The action is pretty well staged though the FX get a bit shaky at times, and the ending is a little too neat.
Rating: 6.5 out of 10

Finally, on Paramount Plus

Lola
This drama about a young woman struggling with poverty and drug addiction was written by, directed by and stars Nicola Peltz. I am sure that the fact she is a daughter of a billionaire and is married to the hilariously untalented but very wealthy Brooklyn Beckham, had nothing to do with her securing the funding! It is probably for the best that the money came from mega rich people, as it managed to gross $648 worldwide, though it did not get a cinema release here. Whatever Peltz’ talents are, they are not on display in this leaden poverty porn and her portrayal of a deeply unlikable character.
Rating: 2 out of 10