Films: September 9 - 15

Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid (1967) 

Blackthorn (2011) 

The Last Castle (2001) 

Uncle Silas (1947) 

The Woman In The Hall (1947)

High Treason (1951) 

The Secret Of Convict Lake (1951) 

Authors Anonymous (2014) 

State Secret (1950) ///

Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid (1967) Buoyed by the charm and chemistry of Paul Newman and Robert Redford, a carefully calibrated, winningly etched buddy movie / pursuit narrative. The accent on humor and memorable set pieces, allied to a hummable score, is enduring.

Blackthorn (2011) Sumptuous images and striking Bolivian landscapes, along with a commanding lead turn from Sam Shepherd, can't overcome an undernourished narrative. Out of hiding 20 years after presumed dead, Butch Cassidy is dragged back into adventure. Lacks humor and an ending.

The Last Castle (2001) Sturdily entertaining without realizing any thematic or personal resonance as principled army major Robert Redford turns tables on corrupt military prison warden James Gandolfini. The psychological and claustrophobic pressure builds well, the action finale less authentic.

Uncle Silas (1947) Gorgeously mounted and designed production, with striking Robert Krasker photography, as innocent Jean Simmons is abused by malicious guardian Derrick de Marnay. Uneven tone veers from broad comedy to Gothic thriller. When it clicks together, enormous fun.

The Woman In The Hall (1947) Minor drama sees unaffected Jean Simmons face the courts after forging a cheque, a way of life learned from scheming mother Ursula Jeans. The story tends to drift, lacking a character or audience focus despite the cast's efforts. Blandly efficient.

High Treason (1951) Shot with a semi-documentary efficiency and making smart use of atmospheric London locations, a persuasive thriller with police on the track of Soviet saboteurs seeking to blow up power plants and bring down government. Well drawn characters amid paranoid times.

The Secret Of Convict Lake (1951) Escaped convicts find themselves in a rural town run by women, with Glenn Ford out for revenge and Gene Tierney and Ethel Barrymore repelling the male threat. Crisply photographed and designed, engaging melodrama that keeps the storytelling lean.

Authors Anonymous (2014) An amiable cast are left floundering by a damp script and flat pacing, and certainly not helped by the faux documentary setup that observes a talentless writers group slowly unraveling when artless Kaley Cuoco finds sudden success. Nothing rings true.

State Secret (1950) Innocent doctor Douglas Fairbanks Jnr. and reluctant showgirl Glynis Johns are on the run across the European state of Vosnia, chased down by a cynically efficient Jack Hawkins. Breezy thriller with solid use of locations and a sense of humour. A diverting entertainment.