Hitchcock (2012)

Filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock and wife Alma have a little marriage crisis during the filming of Psycho in 1959.

Although it has a more serious topic at its core this movie manages it be a lighthearted and loving homage to the master and presents some enjoyably stellar performances from its cast.

On rewatching: Light-weighted, but quite entertaining depiction of the making of Psycho.

Maltin***: "As an account of the making of PSYCHO this is evocative and fun to watch. As an exploration of what made Hitchcock tick it must be taken as pure entertainment and not literal truth."

The Two Popes (2019)

Behind Vatican walls, the conservative Pope Benedict and the liberal future Pope Francis must find common ground to forge a new path for the Catholic Church.

An imagined look at the two popes' relationship has some fascinating moments in the dialogues and is at times not without humor, but avoids - though skillfully - the more questionable aspects of the Catholic Church; a great showcase for the two leads' talents.

The Wolfman (2010)

Upon his return to his ancestral homeland, an American man is bitten, and subsequently cursed by, a werewolf.

Nicely produced homage to the original horror classic, concerning atmosphere and the creature's appearance, offers great cinematography and period detail and a star cast, although it's a far cry from the original's impact.

Maltin**1/2: "Sober remake of the 1941 classic isn't bad but insists on expanding the story , to no good end. Del Toro's character is underwritten, while Hopkins (as his father) gets to chew the scenery. Still, Rick Heinrich's production design is handsome, Rick Baker and Dave Elsey's Oscar-winning makeup is effective, and the scare scenes are well staged, so it's not a total loss." 

All the King's Men (2006)

In the 50's, in Louisiana, a smart populist, manipulative and wolf hick is elected governor with the support of the lower social classes and erects his own corrupt regime.

Great direction, visuals and performances add up to a good movie that still can't surpass Robert Rossen's 1949 classic adaptation of the same novel.

On rewatching: still a good movie - that could have been better, but Penn's excessive performance seems true, now that we have a similar person as US president.

Maltin**: "Penn's histrionics never ring true, and his talented costars are wasted in this disappointing production...Zaillian wrote the ineffectual screenplay."

Howards End (1992)

A businessman thwarts his wife's bequest of an estate to another woman.

A successful adaptation of E.M. Forster's novel about moral hypocrisy thanks to a wonderful cast and tasteful production.

On renewed viewing: a classic of its own kind; always worth a rewatch.

Halliwell***: "The best of the adaptations of Forster's novels, in which the nostalgia is undercut by an examination of the moral bankruptcy of the ruling class."

Maltin****: "Sumptuous, stimulating adaptation of E.M Forster's novel of class distinction...Extraordinarily good on every level." 

Solace (2015)

A psychic works with the F.B.I., in order to hunt down a serial killer.

A good cast and some directorial expertise help, but can't quite redeem the nonsensical story of two clairvoyants in battle with each other.

 

Go With Me (2015)

An ex-logger comes to the aid of a woman who returns to her hometown in the Pacific Northwest and finds herself harassed and stalked by a former cop turned crime lord.

Well-made adaptation of the Castle Freeman Jr. novel has an excellent cast and beautiful landscape photography, but is told like a slow-paced, but unremarkable modern-day Western abandoning the more complex and ambiguous plot of the book.

The Elephant Man (1980)

On the set: David Lynch and Anthony Hopkins

The Elephant Man (1980)

A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man who is mistreated while scraping a living as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous facade, there is revealed a person of intelligence and sensitivity.

Extremely moving and tasteful rendition of a tragic story; masterfully created in all departments (performances, b/w cinematography, period detail) it exemplifies what commercial cinema is capable of, when it's made with an artistic vision.

Halliwell***: "A curious story which happens to be true; the film sets its scene superbly, has splendid performances and a fascinating make-up. Yet it fails to move quite as it should, perhaps because the central figure is treated as a horrific come-on, like the hunchback of Notre Dame."

Maltin***1/2: "Moving dramatization...Fine performances by all; rich Victorian atmosphere created by Lynch and veteran cameraman Freddie Francis - in beautiful black and white."

Noah (2014)

Noah is chosen by his world's creator to undertake a momentous mission before an apocalyptic flood cleanses the world.

Idiosyncratic, risky and not fully successful artistic attempt to reinterpret the Biblical Flood narrative; it has great visuals, some moving moments and even suspense, but can also be plain silly - not that far advanced to Cecil B. DeMille's movies.

Maltin***: "Inventive expansion of the biblical tale...Disparate elements don't blend seamlessly - the rock creatures, known as Watchers, seem to come from a Ray Harryhausen picture - but there is much to admire. The building of the ark and the coming of the flood are truly impressive. Crowe has never been better, Hopkins adds an unexpected light touch as Methuselah, and Winstone is a formidable villain."

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

A young F.B.I. cadet must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer to receive his help on catching another serial killer who skins his victims.

A masterpiece of clever filmmaking and a formidable cast turning otherwise routine serial killer schlock into a fascinating of straightforward art; also a game changer that nearly instantly stopped the video nasties debate.

Halliwell***: "Tense, exciting and sometimes gruesome thriller, suspenseful enough to make you overlook its essential absurdities. Hopkins plays the role of the devious Lecter with lip-smacking relish."

Maltin***1/2: "Almost unbearably intense, brilliantly acted (by Foster and Hopkins), and cannily put together - though the subject is at times repellent."