Bad Day at Black Rock (1955) **

Stunningly photographed western/noir is fairly ludicrous but thanks to a top notch cast and a tight running time also fairly effective.

A Tale of Two Cities (1935) ***

Ron Colman is the draw here and he's never been better. The storming of the Bastille is an impressive sequence but overall the film techniques are rather dated and heavy-handed. Still, an enjoyable flick.

Pygmalion (1938) ****

The great Wendy Hiller and the actually pretty good for once Les Howard in Shaw's greatly entertaining play.

5 Against the House (1955) **

Top notch photography, a nifty heist sequence and the lovely Ms. Novak are the pluses, a lame amd annoying screenplay the major detriment.

The Dresser (2015) ***

A great play, two great leads, fine support. (Still partial to Al Finney in the 1983 film though.)

Woman of Straw (1964) ***

Nicely produced twisty murder thriller with some gorgeous shots of Majorca. Sir Ralph is very good here.

A Perfect Murder (1998) **

A sloppy ending mars an otherwise nifty thriller that is gorgeously produced. Top notch cast delivers the goods.

Mademoiselle (1966) ***

The great Jeanne Moreau is good at being bad and the great David Watkin shoots it beautifully in this fable of desire and prejudice in rural France.