Yellowbeard (1983) **

It's got a great cast that tries very hard and there are several very funny one liners but the second half drags an awful lot and sinks the picture. Cleese is very funny and great to see James Mason get silly in one of his last roles. Would have liked more of the lovely Ms. York.

11 Harrowhouse (1974) **

Disbelief must be not only suspended but thrown out the window in order to stick with this comic heist flick but the reward is a stellar cast enjoying themselves and a luminous Candi Bergen.

Village of the Damned (1960) ***

Sharp little horror flick shot in gorgeous b/w still packs a nihilistic punch.

Hammett (1982) **

Well produced Maltese Falcon wanna be is too self aware to be engaging. Fred Forrest is nowhere near as commanding as Bogie which doesn't help. Watchable.

Charulata (1964) ***

Chaste Victorian India chamber drama relies quite heavily on the face of the lovely Madhavi Mukherjee and some superb photography.

Iphigenia (1977) ***

Brings the great tragedy to life with superb cinematography and a terrific performance by Irene Pappas. A little too long, but worth it.

The Tailor of Panama (2001) **

High quality production doesn't quite hit it out of the park. Maybe at the time we could laugh at the notion of selling fake intel and those with the guns acting on it anyway, but Gulf War II quashed all such jocularity. (A similar fate befell Our Man In Havana.)

Days and Nights in the Forest (1970) ***

Subtle(?) examination of Indian social dynamics via a middle class weekend in the country scenario. Expertly paced, nuanced script, beautifully shot.