Gregory's Girl (1980) **

The Scottish setting and a winning cast provides the charm and interest in this coming-of-age flick that's not in the Hollywood mold.

Mona Lisa (1986) ***

Brit noir character study, well played and directed.

Secret of the Incas (1954) *

Chuck does a good job playing a cad in an Indiana Jones outfit but the rest of the picture is deadly dull.

Countess Dracula (1971) *

It's well photographed and mounted and has the lovely Ms. Pitt in her prime, but it's rather dull. Disappointing.

Appointment with Death (1988) **

Disappointing whodunnit despite the semi-star cast. Nice location shots.

The Clouded Yellow (1950) **

Well done chase flick with a lovely Ms. Simmons in her prime.

Marnie (1964) **

Possibly the goofiest film in Hitchcock's repertoire. Colorful, and some interesting sequences but the last third really drags as the "odeur" of Freud becomes unbearable.

Foreign Intrigue (1956) **

Colorful, globe trotting whodunnit leans heavily on Bob Mitchum's star power and Ms. Thulin's looks. A bit convoluted.

The Set-Up (1949) **

Goes a bit overboard with the cutesy, but delivers in the ring. Nice to see Bob Ryan in a lead for a change.

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) ***

Upon repeated viewings this thriller becomes more of a portrait of an unhappy marriage near collapse. Hitch relies a little too much on the obvious rear projection shots, but still some masterful sequences of near silent cinema.

Rachel and the Stranger (1948) **

Pleasant enough Hollywood western features a couple of stars having fun and a brisk pace.

Easy Rider (1969) ***

Despite some laughable "experimental" editing and a rare awful Nicholson performance, this is a thoughtful, well made road movie with some meat to it. Superlative cinematography by the great Lazlo Kovacs, and an unflinching script.

Michael Clayton (2007) ***

Excellent cast in a well written Mamet-esque legal whodunnit. Clooney was never better.