The Spanish Prisoner (1997) ****

It's thrilling when from the opening sequence you know you are in the hands of a director in total control. Mamet is firing on all cylinders in this signature style con game flick.

Barcelona (1994) ****

Whit Stillman is like Wes Anderson without the baroque art direction. As Martha would say "That's A Good Thing".

The Europeans (1979) **

Another well made Merchant-Ivory flick but it fails to engage. Lovely to look at.

Crooked House (2017) *

Annoyingly photographed like a modern police procedural (dimly AND overly backlit), tries to make this simple Christie tale seem more complex than necessary.

Eye of the Devil (1966) *

Seriously un-thrilling thriller wastes a superstar cast and fine b/w cinematography.

Heat and Dust (1983) **

Well made late British Raj flick is too long and doesn't succeed in expressing the character nuances necessary to make the tale relevant. Still, nice to look at.

The Power (1968) **

Goofy sci-fi "thriller" has lots of movie-logic moments and interesting shots of late 60's SoCal. Good cast and well made on a shoestring.

I Could Never Be Your Woman (2007) ***

Delightful blend of rom-com and movie/tv insider satire is sharply written, deftly directed and the cast is terrific. Killer soundtrack too.

Quartet (1981) **

Well produced period piece is nice to look at but confusingly underwritten and directed.

Intermezzo (1939) **

Ms. Bergman is luminous in this well shot soaper, better than the original even with the burden of Leslie.

The End of the Affair (1955) **

The lovely Ms. Kerr was never lovelier, Pete Cushing is fine in support, but the dud Van Johnson sticks out like a sore thumb. He's not a bad actor, it's just when he's on screen you keep wondering "Why is he a romantic lead again?"

After Hours (1985) ***

Stellar cast and tight, inventive direction enliven this comic urban nightmare.