Little Women (1994)

The completion of Jo’s romantic arc doesn’t sit quite right but that’s about the only thing that feels off (well, that and Bale’s goatee) in this cohesive and cozy (but still poignant and emotional: see the gift for Beth) family journey through life and love and the blasted patriarchy (“You should have been a lawyer, Miss March” “I should have been a great many things, Mr. Mayer”). Dunst’s adorable Amy and Ryder’s moody Jo (“I just know I’ll never fit in anywhere”) are two standout turns.

6

Alien: Resurrection (1997)

Two centuries after her death, Ellen Ripley is revived as a powerful human/alien hybrid clone who must continue her war against the aliens. (IMDb)

It’s not terrible, it’s just hard to like. Case in point, our protagonist Ripley now looks straight out of an 80s hair metal band and is as creepy throughout as her alien offspring (which she fondles affectionately before it gets sucked out into space through a fist-sized hole in a vomit-inducing climax). Other gross-out moments are certainly effective, with good CGI, but they just don’t sit well when considering the film’s meh plot, lack of likable characters, and often cheesy dialogue.

6/10 (Mediocre)

The Age of Innocence (1993)

A tale of nineteenth-century New York high society in which a young lawyer falls in love with a woman separated from her husband, while he is engaged to the woman’s cousin. (IMDb)

A beautifully composed film, with its exquisitely detailed sets and costumes, that, along with a swirling orchestral score, gracefully sweep you up into 1870s New York. Striking visual edits complete this cinematic package that brings life to what is a very introspective story heavy on narration and light on outward conflict. It’s a unique combination that sits nicely in the end but feels a tad too mild and insubstantial at times throughout, despite strong performances from the three leads.

7.5/10 (Really Good)