Films: September 2 - 8

Maudie (2017) 

Seraphim Falls (2007) 

Lucky Them (2014) 

Innocence (2014) 

Western Union (1941) 

They Were Sisters (1946) 

Gunpowder Milkshake (2021) 

Fairhaven (2012) ///

Maudie (2017) Told with distinct, painterly images and a sure, often hostile sense of place, a spirited Sally Hawkins and damaged Ethan Hawke provide depth and edge to the bio of Canadian artist Maude Lewis. Alternately joyous and disturbing, intimate and open, the emotional heft is genuine.

Seraphim Falls (2007) An initially lean pursuit western turns from gritty, harsh realism to ponderously metaphysical with diminishing results.Obsessive Liam Neeson chases down weary trapper Pierce Brosnan across transforming natural landscapes captured with feeling and texture.

Lucky Them (2014) Toni Collette is an amiably cynical and wearied music journalist and muse who manages to rope in eccentric Thomas Hayden Church in the search for an ex-boyfriend and influential rocker who disappeared presumed dead. A shaggy tale told with quirky charm and humor.

Innocence (2014) Teen melodrama collides with supernatural horror as withdrawn teenager Sophie Curtis finds herself plagued by nightmares and real-life suicides at her exclusive prep-school. Initially aiming for creepily believable before flying off the rails to reveal Kelly Reilly leads immortals who need virgin's blood.

Western Union (1941) Vivid colors and open landscapes elevate a prosaic narrative structure as battles amid the 1861 construction of telegraph wires contrast with Randolph Scott and Robert Young vying for the affection of Virginia Gilmore. Brisk and dynamic, always involving, fine filmmaking.

They Were Sisters (1946) Never reaching the glorious excesses of period Gainsborough melodramas, the thematic concerns still echo as Phyllis Calvert, Anne Crawford and Dulcie Grey capture the contrasts of freedom and subservience for women in post war Britain. Solid rather than inspired. 

Gunpowder Milkshake (2021) Thematically and narratively confused and disjointed, cast potential is sadly misplaced with an emphasis on self-conscious style, cartoon violence and bright art direction that sucks the life out the action. Karen Gillan is the assassin reclaiming a feminist family.

Fairhaven (2012) Distinct slice of contemporary American life in a coastal Massachusetts town as old friends reunite for a funeral and past and present anxieties surface. Scenes drift without the anchor of a strong narrative, enhancing the easy naturalness of the humor and personal drama.