The Marseille Contract (1974) **

Terrific 70's France location shooting and Sir Mike make this otherwise hokey bad cops with good intentions murder for hire thriller watchable. Liked this exchange: SHE: I can read you like a book. HE: Don't tell me how it ends.

Misericordia (2024) ***

Beautifully shot and designed with fine performances, it plays like a Highsmith novel adapted by Lanthimos. Very offbeat and bizarre picture.

The Phoenician Scheme (2025) **

Gorgeously designed (of course) and Wes has slowed the pace a bit which helps. But it's very difficult to follow and care about what happens on first viewing. Del Toro seems miscast.

Il Grido (1957) **

I'm sure film critics and students consider it a masterpiece and it is certainly well made and acted. As a movie going experience however it is soporific.

Ten Little Indians (1974) *

Watchable for the unusual and well photographed settings and Ms. Sommer and Ms. Audran. Ineptly directed otherwise.

The Satan Bug (1965) **

A gorgeously filmed "B" thriller has an astounding pedigree from writers Alistair Maclean/James Clavell to director/dp the greats John Sturges/Robert Surtees and a capable cast of character actors. It needs to be trimmed to 90 minutes and it sure could have used a star in the lead role. The title is terrible.

Gun Crazy (1950) ***

Outstanding direction lifts this low-rent lovers-on-a-crime-spree flick to cinematic heights it might not deserve. A number of long POV takes are stunning.