Films: October 7 - 13

Wyatt Earp (1994) 

Oxygène (2021) 

The Curse Of The Cat People (1944)

The Ghost Ship (1943)

I Walked With A Zombie (1942) 

The Missing (2003)

The Adventures Of Tartu (1943)

Sand Trap (1997) ///

Wyatt Earp (1994) Despite its length, lack of narrative and character focus results in little substance to elevate emotions. Production values are rich, the landscapes expressive, yet a fine cast including Kevin Costner and Dennis Quaid can't bring life to the clunky exposition.

Oxygène (2021) A groggy Mélanie Laurent grows increasingly desperate as oxygen fast runs out in the tomb-like cryogenic unit she finds herself trapped in. A tight thriller that plays on themes of memory and individuality with a fiercely focused solo performance, diminished by soft ending.

The Curse Of The Cat People (1944) Delicate, lyrical, eerie fantasy of childhood and loss, as the spectral presence of Simone Simon permeates a young child's imagination and unnerves adult logic. A sense of sadness suffuses the gleaming visuals, casting a melancholy spell.

The Ghost Ship (1943) Layered with ominous mystery, the corrosive mind of increasingly unhinged captain Richard Dix leads a new officer to doubt recent crew deaths are accidental. Sharp characterization adds edge, while moody visuals aid the tension and culminate with a savage finale.

I Walked With A Zombie (1942) Imbued with foreboding conjured by elegantly composed visuals and sure sense of pace and design, a play on Jane Eyre sees determined nurse Frances Dee travel to a Caribbean island where the shadows of slavery and voodoo linger. Intensity builds to horror.

The Missing (2003) Robustly produced and skillfully scored, with committed performances enhanced by fluid visuals. Yet the basic narrative and characters never elevate beyond a primary impulse to rescue the kidnapped daughter. Without the mythic, tension and interest flattens.

The Adventures Of Tartu (1943) Lively wartime adventure, packed with blunt propaganda as playful agent Robert Donat infiltrates a German  factory developing a deadly poison gas. Solid production values and action, while Valerie Hobson and Glynis Johns provide conflicted support.

Sand Trap (1997) Though story twists provide potential for a memorably amoral villain, execution never really delivers as sadistic wife Elizabeth Morehead plans husband's death, but finds the desert turns murder into revenge. Mostly predictable and without a distinctive style.