Brainstorm (1965) **

The script is pretty hokey but the performers are good and watchable.

MK Ultra (2022) *

Being based on a true story does not mean it's worth seeing. Takes sordid to a new level.

Sahara (1943) ***

Nifty actioner condenses WWII (Hollywood style) down to its essentials with a solid Bogie in control.

A Study in Terror (1965) **

Watchable, thanks to Mr. Neville and some decent photography. Interestingly, it doesn't have anything of a '65 vibe to it.

The Naked Dawn (1955) **

Art Kennedy does a good job in brown face as a Mexican Robin Hood type in a low budget but effective morality play.

3-Iron (2004) ***

Enigmatic fable about a golfer who wants to be a ghost and seems to succeed? Interesting cinematic koan.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1982) **

Stellar cast and a good looking production.

Catchfire (1990) **

Goofy hitman-with-a-heart-of-gold flick fails to figure out a consistent tone. All star cast including Ms. Foster who was never photographed better. Disappointing but interesting.

Curse of the Demon (1957) **

Tourneur was right: it would have been best not to show the demon. Despite that he made a well paced decent little horror flick.

The Deadly Affair (1967) **

Superbly photographed and a top notch cast marred by curiously prosaic direction.

The Happy Thieves (1961) *

It's a good script but the direction is way off course. Should have been a tight heist flick instead of a not funny comedy.

Insignificance (1985) **

Interesting historical fiction with a few thought provoking bits of dialogue. Doesn't always work.

Cold Heaven (1991) **

Nic Roeg tries the faith based route with some success since he's a skilled director and smart enough to cast the terrific Ms. Russell.

The Haunted Palace (1963) *

It's nicely produced and photographed but the story takes way too long to get going and isn't very compelling. Watchable.

Heart of Stone (2023) *

Lame spy v. spy actioner has a few nifty set pieces but is mostly forgettable.

The Premature Burial (1962) **

Lushly photographed creepy tale of obsessive, though not unfounded, fear and its consequences.

A Quiet Place in the Country (1968) *

It's watchable because the leads are two of the most attractive people on the planet at the time and decent actors, but the story is incoherent.

Dance with a Stranger (1985) **

It's a well made film, and I understand it is based on real facts, but it feels contrived and illogical.

The Visitor (1979) *

Probably the greatest cast of a truly awful film. A handful of decent scenes, but the rest is ineptly directed.

Nothing But the Night (1973) *

Boffo finale fails to redeem the 85 minutes of tedium which precedes it. Terrible waste of Chris Lee and Pete Cushing who are playing the good guys for once.

White Noise (2022) **

Unsuccessful attempt at surrealism is nevertheless watchable with a few nifty scenes and an appealing cast.

Lost in Translation (2003) ****

Superb cinematic exploration of ennui, dislocation and melancholy. A triumph for Sofia, Scarlett and Bill.

Rancho Notorious (1952) **

You gotta suspend a lot of disbelief, but it's rewarded with an entertaining Hollywood Western with star power and sure handed direction.