The Conspirator (2010)

 

 

Mary Surratt is the lone female charged as a co-conspirator in the assassination trial of Abraham Lincoln. As the whole nation turns against her, she is forced to rely on her reluctant lawyer to uncover the truth and save her life. 

Made in good taste and excellent period detail and with a capable cast ensemble, this historical drama focuses on an interesting aspect of the Lincoln assassination, but without much suspense or giving the story the importance it actually has. 

Maltin**1/2: "'Historical drama never achieves the urgency it should, but McAvoy's impassioned performance is worth seeing."  

Julie Christie, Ursula Andress and Catherine Deneuve

Julie Christie, Ursula Andress and Catherine Deneuve attend a Royal Film Performance of ‘Born Free’ at the Odeon, Leicester Square, 14th March 1966

Idiocracy (2006)

 

Joe's life changes when he is chosen to be the guinea pig for a secret hibernation experiment, but when he wakes up from 500 years of slumber, he realises that he is the smartest man on the planet.

Sci-fi satire has a great premise (and seems quite prescient today) doesn't give much depth to its criticism of American society, but nonetheless is quite entertaining, albeit on a more simple level.

Maltin**1/2: "Smart, funny ideas by Judge and cowriter Etan Cohen can't keep this scattershot movie afloat, but it's got some laugh-out-loud moments." 

The Tennessee Theatre, Knowxville

Wikipedia:

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

Everything and Nothing (2011)

Two-part documentary which deals with two of the deepest questions there are - what is everything, and what is nothing?

Compelling and inquisitive investigation of current's science's knowledge (and open questions) on the essential aspects of our universe, but mainly aimed at an audience still unaware of this science.

Diana Barrymore

Bio:

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

Casablanca (1942)

A cynical American expatriate struggles to decide whether or not he should help his former lover and her fugitive husband escape French Morocco.

A true masterpiece of Hollywood cinema has perfection in all departments putting together a heartfelt and moving melodrama of its time and yet has become timeless work of cinematic art.

Halliwell****: "Cinema par excellence: a studio-bound Hollywood melodrama which after various chances just fell together impeccably into one of the outstanding entertainment experiences of cinema history, with romance, intrigue, excitement, suspense and humour cunningly deployed by master technicians and a perfect cast."

Maltin****: "Everything is right in this WW2 classic of war-torn Morocco...Rains is marvelous...and nobody sings "As Time Goes By" like Dooley Wilson...Our candidate for the best Hollywood movie of all time."  

The Narrow Margin (1952)

Une rencontre (2014)

 

A family man's encounter with a beautiful woman develops into a mutual fascination. 

Slight romantic drama is mainly remarkable watchable for the good performances by its two stars.

Gene Tierney