Four Men And A Prayer (1938)
Captain Blood (1935)
The Lost World Jurassic Park (1997)
The Sea Hawk (1940)
It Ends With Us (2024)
Suspicion (1941)
Dial M For Murder (1954) ///
Conclave (2024) Immaculately produced and mischievously structured, Vatican gathering to vote in new Pope splinters on progressive and traditional aims as intense, compelling cardinal Ralph Fiennes deals with corruptive secrets as well as own doubts of faith. Fine cast spins increasingly fanciful, melodramatic twists.
Four Men And A Prayer (1938) Brisk adventure sees titular brothers Richard Greene, George Sanders, David Niven and William Henry seek to restore disgraced and murdered father's honour. Clashing tones ricochet through light romance with Loretta Young and brutal South American massacre. Fitfully engaging.
Captain Blood (1935) Scrappily structured, excitingly spun seafaring adventure as principled doctor Errol Flynn escapes West Indies slavery to become titular pirate, before gaining revenge, British redemption and hand of contrary Olivia de Havilland. Despite stuttering drama, romantic spirit and energetic action is infectious.
The Lost World Jurassic Park (1997) Flimsy narrative relies on robustly tooled set pieces as caustic Jeff Goldblum and team explore second dinosaur island while company sends in Pete Postlethwaite's hunters to capture and exploit back on mainland. Dynamic John Williams score, yet dark approach lacks cohesion and sense of awe.
It Ends With Us (2024) Appealing, convincingly contrary Blake Lively maintains intimate immediacy beyond melodramatic contrivance, as truth of abusive relationship with intense Justin Baldoni is revealed when caring old boyfriend Brandon Sklenar reawakens past memories. Bland exposition and awkward staging undermines serious intent.
Suspicion (1941) Light, crafty drama centers on insecure heiress Joan Fontaine falling for charismatic playboy Cary Grant, too late learning his lack of prospects and rapidly suspecting he might be a killer. Bubbles with tension and maintains playful approach to identity even if resolution unravels.
Dial M For Murder (1954) Cramped London flat interior provides suitably squeezed drama yet also accentuates narrative's dry theatrics as jealous Ray Milland plots murder of wife Grace Kelly after discovering her affair with Robert Cummings. Murder scene and twists spark isolated moments of tension.
