The Hurt Locker (2008)

 

Arrival (2016)

 

When twelve mysterious spacecraft appear around the world, linguistics professor Louise Banks is tasked with interpreting the language of the apparent alien visitors.

Satisfyingly intelligent sci-fi drama with great production and a good cast of characters emphasizes the science aspect (linguistics) and avoids which otherwise would have been another alien invasion and even offers some food for thought. 

On re-watching: fully worth repeated viewing.

Wind River (2017)

 

A veteran hunter helps an FBI agent investigate the murder of a young woman on a Wyoming Native American reservation.

Finely directed crime mystery with a convincing story, excellent cast and great landscape cinematography; unfortunately, the ending celebrates an act of vigilantism.

On re-watching: great crime story wonderfully set in wintry landscapes; the ending is understandable but ambiguous.

 

Wind River (2017)

A veteran hunter helps an FBI agent investigate the murder of a young woman on a Wyoming Native American reservation.

Finely directed crime mystery with a convincing story, excellent cast and great landscape cinematography; unfortunately, the ending celebrates an act of vigilantism.

A Little Trip to Heaven (2005)

A husband and wife tangle with an investigator over her dead brother's million-dollar insurance policy.

Highly construed crime drama with a nice touch of noir and watchable for its atmosphere and good performances.

Arrival (2016)

When twelve mysterious spacecraft appear around the world, linguistics professor Louise Banks is tasked with interpreting the language of the apparent alien visitors.

Satisfyingly intelligent sci-fi drama with great production and a good cast of characters emphasizes the science aspect (linguistics) and avoids which otherwise would have been another alien invasion and even offers some food for thought. 

The Immigrant (2013)

1921. An innocent immigrant woman is tricked into a life of burlesque and vaudeville until a dazzling magician tries to save her and reunite her with her sister who is being held in the confines of Ellis Island.

Wonderfully realized period piece rich in details and atmosphere and offering a great cast, but in the end it doesn't manage to give emotion to the inherent melodrama.

Maltin**1/2: "Ambitious and complex period piece, exquisitely realized but emotionally off-putting at times. Cotillard is convincing, even when speaking in Polish."