Romeo and Juliet (1954) ***

Beautifully produced and the cast is good. It's a little too faithful to the play and could have used some trimming. Well composed, interesting shots for the most part, many with the actors turned away from the camera as they speak.

The Maltese Falcon (1941) ****

Classic noir, superbly made.

Cold Turkey (1971) ****

Possibly the best satire on film thanks to a nonpareil ensemble cast of comedy legends, character actors and non-actors, sharp as nails script and superb editing, production design, you name it. One of the greats.

Viy (1967) **

Superb visuals are the attraction in this well done Russian folk tale.

Night Shift (1982) **

Wildly uneven attempt at screwball succeeds only when Mike Keaton is on screen.

What Price Hollywood? (1932) **

Some clever dialog keeps this behind the scenes melo afloat but the denouement is a bit too pat.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) **

Disappointing to see Tim Burton succumb to the same photographic sins as other contemporary flicks (too dark, backlit) in a mainly underwhelming sequel save for the inspired extended musical sequence that uses almost the entire 7.5 minute original Macarthur Park intact.

The Tenth Man (1988) **

Strong cast and nice production values keep this strained fable afloat.