Echo9-71

"Becky" is an awesome revenge film. This kind of film is not for everyone, and it's 6.0 rating on IMDB comes as no surprise. But don't let that fool you. This is no run-of-the mill 6/10 film. This has cult classic written all over it.

The plot, tone and direction of "Becky" pay wonderful homage to the B-film gore-fests of the 70s and 80s which defined the genre. And the soundtrack, especially the forboding synth motif, is another great nod to 80s slasher flicks.

But amid the nostalgia and gore, "Becky" surpasses its roots. It also draws, subtly and effectively, cinematic elements from 80s kids adventures like "Goonies" and "Home Alone", without losing focus on the raw nerve that was struck at the end of the opening act, and which lasts until the cathartic denoument.

The acting is excellent, especially by tween Lulu Wilson - our antihero - and (remarkably) Kevin James, who delivers real gravitas as the ruthless villain.

This is an off-beart, edgy and surprisingly well-crafted little movie. It's what you might get if the Duffer Brothers teamed up with Joss Whedon to make a slasher flick. Genre fans will welcome it and it also holds appeal to 80s nostalgists. Unexpectedly fun. It warms my little pre-internet heart to think there is a sequal yet to enjoy.

After a ground-breaking first season (excuse the pun), the Time Team returns with a classic episode.

In this instalment they expand their scope, both geographically and professionally. Whereas during the first season they responded to requests from common citizens for help with local archeological mysteries and advice, here they join forces with a team of professionals from the National Museum of Scotland, to help advance an important project in Scotland's Outer Hebrides islands.

Not only is the archeology fascinating and important, some of the team's delightful and emblematic quirks, which would come to be so beloved, can be traced to this episode:

1. First appearance of Phil Harding's hat. Yup, that right, he went the whole first season bare-headed.

2. First appearance of Mick Aston's stripey jumper. For the next 19 seasons you'd think he slept in it.

This is a role-reversing action/romance. It's been done before (think Mr. And Mrs. Smith, True Lies, etc.) but perhaps never with a better overall cast. The leads - Evans and De Armas - are charming as usual, and have moments of genuine chemistry. However, it's the roster of supporting actors that is truly outstanding, and each delivers their little slice of the story with ease. (Tim Blake Nelson is the first to appear and nearly steals the show.)

I wonder how such a truly stellar ensemble of actors was assembled for this underwhelming little movie? Because, frankly, beyond the cast, there is little of substance here. The script, the action, and the drama: all are dull as dishwater.

I wonder if De Armas might work as an action lead with a better script, fight choreography and/or direction. I suspect not. But we'd need a better vehicle than this to say for sure.