The Green Cockatoo (1937) ***

Nifty early Brit noir with a Cagney-esuqe turn by a young John Mills. Looks great, breakneck pace, witty script.

Coup de Chance (2023) **

It's Woody in Paris with his long takes, colorful lighting and philosophical musings on the role of luck in all our lives. A pleasant 90 minutes.

Bad Boy Bubby (1993) **

It's a wild, meandering trip that often hits some high marks. Funny, horrifying, macabre but always interesting.

Teorema (1968) **

Just this side of heavy-handed, a well acted fable about a rich family destroyed by the all too alluring Terry Stamp.

Alexander Payne on What's Wrong With Modern Films

You’re planning on making a Western as a possible future project.

I’m moving to Denmark in the Fall. I’m going to make a proper European art film. I got European citizenship about four years ago. I’m Greek. I don’t care that much about Greek citizenship, per se, but I got it with a very practical goal in mind, which was to make films in Europe and qualify for state funding, and the Film Gods brought me this project in Danish [“Somewhere Out There”]. Renate Reinsve is going to be in it. When I finish that, then I’m going to start work on a sequel to my film “Election,” that I made 25 years ago, and then I’ll get to the Western. The one I’m really most interested in doing. And I’m about 30 or 40 bad pages into it.

Italian Studies (2021) ***

Resoundingly answers the question "Can Vanessa Kirby carry a film?" in the affirmative. Nicely photographed essay about a writer in a fugue state or is she just lost inside her own stories?

Cassandra's Dream (2007) ***

At times the seams are showing in this neo-noir but the two leads are terrific and worth watching.

Caught by the Tides (2024) **

Cleverly constructed, well paced study of life and love in modern China. Almost a silent film with some startling images particularly at the finale.

The Plot Against Harry (1971) ***

This peek into late 60's NYC Jewry and the city itself is a low budget gem that proves talent is better than dollars. Top notch production. Funnier and more insightful than other big budget films of the day.

After Dark, My Sweet (1990) ***

Terrific neo-noir has a taut script and a stellar cast. Some slight directorial missteps but beautifully shot and produced. Peak Rachel Ward.