Chung Hing sam lam (1994)

 

Barbara (2012)

 

A doctor working in 1980s East Germany finds herself banished to a small country hospital.

Finely directed character study draws a well-observed, realistic depiction of Eat German society and life in the 1980s, a somber melodrama with a touching ending; Nina Hoss is fully convincing in the title role as a woman trapped in the restrictions, but also silently fighting against them.

Maltin***: "Quietly absorbing story...Not every questioned is answered in Petzold's intriguing character study, which also evokes the oppressive atmosphere of life under the watchful eye of the secret police at that time." 

Loin du Vietnam (1967)

 

On the set: Jean-Luc Godard

The Four Seasons (1981)

 

Three couples vacation together every season. After one divorces, feelings of betrayal and more spawn criticisms of each other. But the things that keep them together are stronger than those which otherwise might pull them apart.

From memory: Mildly amusing romantic comedy is centered on the vagaries of mid-life marriage; good cast and interesting premise, but otherwise not very exciting.

Halliwell**: "Rueful sexual comedy which maintains considerable momentum and actually makes us laugh at its sympathetic characters."

Maltin***: "As comedy it scores, with warmly winning cast, but like its main character, it prfesses to discuss serious issues while pulling back after just touching the surface." 

 

Aenigma (1987)

 

Missing (1982)

 

When an idealistic American writer disappears during the Chilean coup d'état in September 1973, his wife and father try to find him.

From memory: Costa-Gavras, loyal to his devotion of making politically relevant and explosive thrillers, successfully aims to a larger audience with this more mainstream film two competent Hollywood stars; Jack Lemmon is especially good in performing a transition from a 'normal' average guy to becoming a engaged political activist.

Halliwell*: "A further link in the chain of political thrillers from this director; well-wrought and compulsive but finally disappointing in its mixture of fact and fiction." 

Maltin***1/2: "A carefully manipulated drama that works, because of Costa-Gavra's convincing direction and Lemmon's emphatic performance..."

 

 

Pakeezah (1972)

 

New acquisition: L'aîné des Ferchaux (1963)

 

The Baron of Arizona (1950)

 

Garde à vue (1981)

 

A police inspector, suspecting an attorney of two child sex murders, has him held for a questioning session that goes on for hours.

From memory: Compelling psychological crime drama mainly consists of conversations enlivened by the excellent performances and reveals a fascinating and shocking mystery with a devastating ending.

Halliwell**: "Excellently acted, engrossing contest of wits."

Maltin***: "Tense, involving drama, with fine performances by all."

 

 

 

Animals (2019)

 

Urgh! A Music War (1981)

 

Live performances from leading early-1980s musical acts - rock, punk, ska, reggae.

Basically a compilation film of individual rock concert performances, this movie does present some of the most interesting and compelling artists of its time and lots of great music; now it's a fascinating historical document and a great music film.

 

 

Dominique Wilms

 

Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominique_Wilms

Neighbors (1981)

 

A quiet man's peaceful suburban lifestyle is threatened by the new, obnoxious couple that moves in next door.

From memory: Not quite as anarchic and wild as Blues Brothers, this James Belushi/Dan Aykroyd comedy does have its own charm and some quite amusing moments.

Halliwell*: "Hit-or-miss but generally quite funny comedy in a style familiar to viewers of American late night television."

Maltin BOMB: "Appallingly unfunny and tiresome "comedy"...; sadly, Belushi's last film."

 

 

 

 

Pâfekuto burû (1997)

 

Leatherface (2017)

 

A teenage Leatherface escapes from a mental hospital with three other inmates, kidnapping a young nurse and taking her on a road trip from hell, while being pursued by a lawman out for revenge.

Adequately made and well cast, this prequel to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre saga tries hard to come up with an interesting origin story - and fails.

Vicki (1953)

 

New acquisition: Sight & Sound

 

Joan Crawford

 

TRON (1982)

 

A computer hacker is abducted into the digital world and forced to participate in gladiatorial games where his only chance of escape is with the help of a heroic security program.

From memory: An imaginative and innovative sci-fi tale set as a thrilling sound-and-light show within the innards of a computer; all new and exciting to watch at the time, the plot itself, not so much.

Halliwell*: "Complicated science fantasy chiefly interesting for its computerized blend of live action and animation, which isn't always successful."

Maltin**: "State-of-the-art special effects are stunning, but the story runs out of steam too soon, with only Bridges' charisma to keep it afloat.. Disappointing Disney production." 

 

Lilian Gish

 

Mapplethorpe (2018)

 

A look at the life of photographer Robert Mapplethorpe from his rise to fame in the 1970s to his untimely death in 1989.

Perfunctorily well-made biographical drama with a good cast illustrates Robert Mapplethorpe's life and career, but never quite captures the enigma of his personality.

 

 

 

The Black Cat (1934)

 

Grave (2016)

 

A young woman, studying to be a vet, develops a craving for human flesh.

Provocative, violent and with a truly disturbing atmosphere, this unusual and highly imaginative coming-of-age drama is fascinating and surprises with a genuinely twist ending.

Strange Bedfellows (1965)

 

On the set: Gina Lollobrigida

Fukushima 50 (2020)

 

Workers at the Fukushima Daiichi facility in Japan risk their lives and stay at the nuclear power plant to prevent total destruction after the region is devastated by an earthquake an tsunami in 2011.

TV drama strives for authenticity in a semi-documentary style, but - although presenting many facts - it appears almost in its staging and with most of the performances (Ken Watanabe the only exception) and seems to have been made only half-heartedly.  

 

Marian Nixon

 

Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marian_Nixon

Jerichow (2008)

 

Trouble brews when a war veteran has an affair with a married woman.

Interesting variation of the The Postman Always Rings Twice story brings the tragedy realistically into a modern-day German setting, is suspenseful with a good cast, and comes up with its own new kind of twist) ending. 

 

Dracula (1992)

 

A Walk in the Woods (2015)

 

After spending two decades in England, Bill Bryson returns to the U.S., where he decides the best way to connect with his homeland is to hike the Appalachian Trail with one of his oldest friends, Stephen Katz.

Likeable, leisurely paced road movie has its amusing moments, some good landscape cinematography, and Redford and Nolte seem to be enjoying themselves, fully at ease with the characters they are playing.

 

The Killers (1946)

Undine (2020)

 

Undine works as a historian lecturing on Berlin's urban development. But when the man she loves leaves her, the ancient myth catches up with her. Undine has to kill the man who betrays her and return to the water.

Creative and intriguing take on the Undine myth takes its time to unravel its mystery, but keeps one intrigued by Paul Beer's alluring performance and some good underwater cinematography. 

 

Darkman (1990)

 

John Dies at the End (2012)

 

A new street drug that sends its users across time and dimensions has one drawback: some people return no longer human. Can two college drop-outs save humanity from this silent, otherworldly invasion?

This horror-comedy is wildly imaginative and made with evident talent, but it's hopelessly incoherent, unfunny and not really that exiting.