Persuasion (1995) ****

One of the finest Austen adaptations and an exceptionally well made film from top to bottom despite the television origins.

Hotel du Nord (1938) **

Stagey melodrama has its moments but not enough of them.

Endless Night (1972) **

Faithful Christie adaptation could have used a more assured hand at the controls.

Mr. & Mrs. Bridge (1990) **

Paul and Joanne playing against type, she overcomes it superbly, he cannot. The picture is well made and enjoyable but the ending, while artistically successful, makes the film fall flat on its face.

Summer with Monika (1953) ***

Young love turns sour when reality bites. Some iconic scenes from Bergman and a blazing performance by Ms. Andersson.

Doctor Faustus (1967) **

Nicely shot and produced, with a fine performance by Dick Burton, this faithful adaptation of the Marlowe play comes across as an academic exercise rather than an involving film. Still, it's colorful, watchable and Liz looks great.

Caught on a Train (1980) ***

Dame Ashcroft is superb in this two-hander that captures the horrors of overnight transport in Europe at the time.

Castle in the Air (1952) **

The lead is just not up to the task as the marvelous Ms. Rutherford steals the show yet again. More watchable than other Brit-coms of the time.

The Swimmer (1968) ****

Supremely atypical Hollywood flick is an engrossing character study and an example of how far humans go with delusions when reality hurts. The only other actor besides Burt who could have possibly pulled this off is Chuck.

Ministry of Fear (1944) **

Entertaining spy thriller with a smidgen of Greene left intact. Carried well by a top notch cast.

Toys in the Attic (1963) ***

Well made southern gothic tragedy, this time NOT by Tennessee. Ms. Hiller is superb and Dino acquits himself well.

Journey Into Fear (1975) *

Inept direction sinks a stellar cast.

Radio Days (1987) ***

Woody strolls down memory lane with funny dramatizations of his family life growing up in Rockaway.

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939) **

Sturdy version of the famous whodunnit with an energetic Basil Rathbone as Holmes.

Shock (1946) **

The most shocking thing about the picture is what passed for state of the art psychiatric care in 1946. Nevertheless, as usual, Vinnie keeps it interesting.

Thank You, Jeeves! (1936) *

The only link to Wodehouse are the character names "Jeeves" and "Wooster".

Arabesque (1966) **

Sophia in her prime can make any movie watchable, but this one gets tiresome halfway through, wasting a game Greg Peck.

The Missionary (1982) ***

Funny satire of Victorian manners and mores with a terrific cast of British character actors. Trev Howard is a hoot.

The Dressmaker (2015) **

It tries too hard to be quirky without finding the humanity underneath it all. Fine Aussie cast, well photographed.

84 Charing Cross Road (1987) **

Fine cast giving fine performaces let down by ham fisted direction that cops out at the end.