It is that time of year again when 2022 releases start popping up on the Sky Movies Premiere channel. Most of these have not had any sort of cinema release, so my expectations are pretty low…

After Yang
In the future, a family’s AI robot breaks down. Jake (Colin Farrell) looks into whether it can be repaired. That is the bare bones of the plot but Kogonada’s movie is more of a meditation on loving technology more than family and more generally about what love means. Unfortunately, it is extremely stilted and has little real insight. The director’s vision of the future does not extend beyond the privileges of the wealthy and mistakes mumbled, sparse, dialogue with profundity.
Rating: 4 out of 10

Shark Bait
There has been something of a glut of shark films this year, and I have two more on my Amazon watch list. In the meantime, Shark Bait can be seen on Sky Movies. It is stripped down stuff. A group of unlikeable American tourists soon become stranded in the ocean after a jet ski crash. There is a certain amount of fun to be had as a shark picks them off but there is nothing we have not seen before.
Rating: 5.5 out of 10

The Immaculate Room
Emile Hirsch and Kate Bosworth play a couple who attempt to win a $5 million prize by isolating themselves in an empty white room for 50 days. It feels like writer/director Mukunda Michael Dewil was so pleased with that set-up that he forgot to come up with a story that engages in any way. The great M. Emmet Walsh pops up in one scene though.
Rating: 2.5 out of 10

The Accursed
Elly (Sarah Grey) agrees to look after Ms Ambrose (Meg Foster), an elderly, strange, woman in a remote cabin for a few days. What could possibly go wrong!? Director Kevin Lewis manages to conjure a reasonably creepy atmosphere, but this is otherwise horror-by-numbers.
Rating: 4.5 out of 10

Umma
Sandra Oh stars as Amanda, living on a farm with her daughter. When her recently deceased’s mother’s ashes are sent to her, Amanda starts to become convinced that she is turning into her mother. This is deadly dull stuff, raising no shivers in this Halloween season.
Rating: 2.5 out of 10

Book of Love
Director Analeine Cal y Mayor’s film assiduously follows the romcom template. Unsuccessful author Henry (Sam Claflin) is sent to Mexico to promote his romance novel that has become a surprise hit. When he arrives, he meets translator Maria (Verónica Echegui) and discovers that she has spiced up his story by adding sex scenes. The pair take a dislike for each other, then, of course, fall in love, before a misunderstanding breaks them apart. Will they reconcile for a happy ending…well, what do you think!? Although hugely predictable, Henry and Maria are very likeable and with David Quantick amongst the writers, some chuckles are guaranteed.
Rating: 6 out of 10

Out of the Blue
Newly out of prison, Connor (Ray Nicholson) is trying to make a fresh start. But when he meets, and falls for, unhappily married Marilyn (Diane Kruger), he agrees to a dangerous plan… This is clearly harking back to classic film noir, with Marilyn a typical, scheming, femme fatale. Whilst director Neil Labute has written a screenplay that keeps you guessing, it does not have the sizzle that the classics of the genre do. Hank Azaria is fun as Connor’s probation officer, though.
Rating: 6 out of 10

Wickensburg
Celine Lucas and her son, Elliott, move to a new town and finds that it is hiding a dark secret. Although listed as 2023 release, this is now available to view but that fact is the most notable thing about it. It is an unsuccessful mix of a kids film and horror that never really engages. Denise Richards, who plays Celine, has had some really bad plastic surgery that is also very off putting! Caterine White, who plays a local girl who befriends Elliott, however, shows promise for the future.
Rating: 3 out of 10

18½
In 1974, Connie (Willa Fitzgerald), a White House transcriber obtains the only copy of a missing 18½ minute gap in Nixon’s tapes. With the Watergate scandal in full swing, and the tape certain to cement Nixon’s guilt, Connie sets up a meeting with a New York Times reporter Paul Marrow (John Magaro). The missing audio footage is real. It is believed that the president’s secretary, Rose Mary Woods, (probably) inadvertently (we think) erased some the 18 ½ minutes of a recording made on June 20, 1972.

The rest of the story written by Daniel Moya and Dan Mirvish, who also directs, is pure fiction. With All The President’s Men featuring in my top three favourite films and books, I cannot get enough of the scandal. Whilst this is pretty silly at times, and can’t rank amongst the best of the films dealing with Nixon’s downfall, it is an enjoyable watch. Paul and Connie hole up in a sparsely populated motel and the various characters there are richly drawn. It is a particular joy to see Richard Kind as the owner of the establishment. Fitzgerald is also impressive.
Rating: 7 out of 10