Normal (in theaters)

Action movies are one of the hardest genres to pick up thematic undertones. Is all the violence trying to say something about the world, or is it just trying to look cool? Does the answer really matter, as long as it’s entertaining?

These are questions you might find yourself asking during “Normal,” the latest entry in the Bob Odenkirk action universe. Screenwriter Derek Kolstad possibly says something interesting here about the depths to which the economy has pushed small towns trying to survive, at least if you squint (Odenkirk shares story credit). It’s also possible the “John Wick” and “Nobody” writer simply needed another venue for his violence, one where he could mix gore and comedy with a healthy dose of darkness. 

If you like action movies that get a little darker than average, the answer doesn’t really matter. “Normal” isn’t the most perfect action movie in the world, but the action scenes come thick and fast and there’s a great twist that kicks them off. The fight choreography isn’t nearly as nuanced as “John Wick,” but they make full use of their small-town Americana settings and creative accidents. Odenkirk is a great action lead, able to pull a believable toughness out from underneath his average-guy demeanor. 

You do have to watch out for the darkness, though. It’s not darker than some of the later “John Wick” movies, but the inherent goofiness of a small-town free-for-all means you’re not prepared for it. There’s also the gore factor to consider, which is definitely higher than “Wick” and veers into horror movie territory at times.  

But for action movie fans who aren’t squeamish, there’s plenty here to keep you entertained. 

Grade: Three stars

You, Me & Tuscany (in theaters)

If you desperately needed more 90s romantic comedies in your life, then “You, Me & Tuscany” is for you. 

The movie is a frothy mass of romance tropes from that era, from ridiculously complicated set-ups to charming cabbies and sassy best friends. You know the main couple will get together from the moment they first look at each other, but that’s OK because you’re not there for mystery. You’re there to watch pretty people stare deeply into each other’s eyes, and Halle Bailey and Regé Jean Page are definitely pretty enough to qualify. You’re there to watch Bailey discover some sort of inner direction for herself, and she does. You’re possibly even there for absurdly complicated mishaps, of which there are plenty. 

A sequence of those mishaps gets poor, out-of-work Anna (Bailey) to Italy, staying in the villa of a man she talked to once and who isn’t actually there at the moment. When his family discovers her, she pretends to be the man’s fiancée and ends up charming the whole family. This is a problem only when it comes to the man’s cousin (Page), who is fighting not to fall in love with a woman he thinks is engaged to his cousin. 

In addition to being attractive, both Page and Bailey are charming and/or winsome enough to smooth over some of the more groan-inducing moments. There’s also plenty of scenery to look at, from Page’s bare, glistening wet chest to beautiful Italian vistas. 

It’s a silly little fantasy of a movie, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. 

Grade: Two and a half stars

Jenniffer Wardell is an award-winning movie critic and member of the Denver Film Critics Society and the Utah Film Critics Association. Drop her a line at [email protected].