Films / September 25

The Upturned Glass (1947) / El guardián invisible (2017) / The Satan Bug (1965) / Bedelia (1946) / Bird Box (2017) / The Passionate Friends (1949) / The Lady Vanishes (1938)

The Upturned Glass (1947) Bleak and cold-hearted tale of revenge and descent into madness, confidently if unimaginably made, which doesn't build tension until the end. James Mason's grim conviction peels away brutal layers with effective cruelty.

El guardián invisible (2017) Sleek visuals, evocative locations and a pregnant atmosphere seek to elevate the story beyond its procedural backbone. The infusion of mythical beliefs doesn't really provide additional depth, but Fernando Velázquez's score is as potent as ever.

The Satan Bug (1965) Gleaming widescreen production values partly compensate for glacial and convoluted storytelling, with occasional visuals mirroring the dread of a manmade, killer virus. Jerry Goldsmith provides a snarling, propulsive score.

Bedelia (1946) Margaret Lockwood discovers rich material at the centre of this melodramatic thriller, an emotionally wrecked human falling apart with murderous results. Yet the film never finds the visual style to mirror the emotions and the tale is unfortunately flat.

Bird Box (2017) Sandra Bullock is the dynamic, compulsive heart at the centre of a post-apocalyptical horror which hides its alien predator yet doesn't deliver on the character emotions the space provides. Individual set pieces provide suspense, though the ending never delivers.

The Passionate Friends (1949) Beautifully crafted tale of love, longing and conformity, narrative design mirrors the fragmentary concern with memories and dreams. Cast and characters are aligned with a technical precision that draws the viewer in and subverts original thoughts.

The Lady Vanishes (1938) Beautifully realized comedy/thriller, brimming with detail that rewards repeat viewings and shot through with Hitchcock's devilish wit. Script and cast bring humanity to the narrative and enclosed train setting ramps up tension and fun. Genuine classic.