Birdcage (1996)
Without A Clue (1988)
Otherlife (2017)
Moon (2009)
The Iron Curtain (1948)
Tomorrow We Live (1943)
Numb (2015)
The Eye (2008)
Two Night Stand (2014)
The Gymnast (2006)
Open Range (2003)
The Man From Laramie (1955) ///
Without A Clue (1988) Dim-witted actor Michael Caine provides the front as Sherlock Holmes while Ben Kingsley's intuitive Dr Watson solves the cases and prints the legend. Despite the casting and atmospheric design, laughs and thrills are scattershot, unable to transcend the premise.
Otherlife (2017) Enjoyably twisty and twisted virtual reality thriller as obsessive Jessica De Gouw develops a mind-bending biological serum that expands time, only to find herself fighting for control of the invention. Sleekly produced, neatly combining the personal with genre thrills.
Moon (2009) An engaging Sam Rockwell plays multiple leads in chamber piece sci-fi, clinically visualized and paced, as his lone astronaut finishes a 3-years of space mining but finds reality upended by strange visions. Always intriguing, tension simmers, a thoughtful genre exercise.
The Iron Curtain (1948) Told with unfussy visuals, by the book Russian spy Dana Andrews is sent to wartime Ottawa but starts to see a better future when wife Gene Tierney opens their minds to Western values. Thick slice of anti-communist propaganda, with solid use of locations.
Tomorrow We Live (1943) Solidly produced, languidly told, the French underground in a coastal village undermines the German occupants as well as aiding British escapes. Predictable plot twists, but the cast is good, the emotional balance nicely judged and the ending suitably sombre.
Numb (2015) Though the narrative machinations required to strand the protagonists in a frozen wilderness strain credulity, and the characters remain frustrating cyphers, the icy and deadly conditions are convincingly realized. The lust for stolen treasure doesn't add the potential dramatic depth.
The Eye (2008) Violin virtuoso Jessica Alba has eye transplant operation to enable sight, but is soon plagued by horrific visions of the original owner. Unfortunately neither the narrative nor the visuals take advantage of the potential, fashioning a solidly professional if unremarkable thriller.
Two Night Stand (2014) When it strands its attractive couple in a snow-bound apartment, the actors and script shine with a smart mix of laughs and insight. The wraparound is far less convincing, especially the curious coda. Rooted by conventional rom-com boundaries with fresh spins.
The Gymnast (2006) Discouraged Dreya Weber drifts through the routine of life, until the chance to perform aerial acrobatics awakens previous gymnastic dreams ruined by injury. Nothing remarkable in terms of character empowerment or romantic development, but convincingly made and performed.
Open Range (2003) Solidly involving, old fashioned western that misses the mythic while delivering on the emotional as Robert Duvall and Kevin Costner's cattle drivers seek a place to call home. Evocative visuals and score, controlled and expansive, with a dynamic shoot out.
The Man From Laramie (1955) Set against Anthony Mann's customary mastery of rugged locations and open space, vengeful James Stewart finds himself caught in a cattle family's dynastic dispute. Finely tuned characters, bouts of violence, rousing narrative and assured widescreen visuals.
