Films: December 9 - 15

Never Let Go (1960)

The Final Cut (1995)

Gypsy (2015)

Burying The Ex (2014)

Embers (2015)

Untamed (1955)

No Love For Johnnie (1961)

Silent Fall (1994) ///

Never Let Go (1960) Vibrant crime melodrama, sharply told with a suitably sadistic, overblown Peter Sellers pushed over the edge by desperate salesman Richard Todd. Cracking John Barry score sets the tone, with swing and swagger, as a brutal urban morality tale spins lives out of control.

The Final Cut (1995) With emphasis on periodic explosions and mayhem, character background and narrative depth take decided backseat, coasting on bomb squad experts Anne Ramsay and Sam Elliott's blunt charms. Visuals and production smooth enough, lacking tension and originality.

Gypsy (2015) Blistering turn from Imelda Staunton, as driven stage mother living out frustrated vaudeville dreams through daughters, provides the emotional ballast for classic Styne-Sondheim musical to shine. Fine cast, basic film of West End production, witty, emotional telling.

Burying The Ex (2014) A suitable showcase for Joe Dante's fondness of pulp cinematic culture and comedic sleight of hand, undermined by lack of style, energy and internal logic, as drifting Anton Yelchin finds controlling girlfriend Ashley Greene is back from the dead. Lacks bite in comedy and horror.

Embers (2015) Isolation and loss, visually and mentally, skewer various characters suffering without memory in the aftermath of a global illness. Meditative and understated, the separate studies never quite coalesce, yet precise technique produce moments of effective unease and release.

Untamed (1955) Told with a sweeping, epic scale, production and visuals remain impressive. However, fragmented narrative and soggy period melodrama lack resonance despite unshakeable Susan Hayward and dauntless Tryone Power, as they seek land, independence and romance in South Africa.

No Love For Johnnie (1961) Though Cinemascope visuals tend to be a distraction and tangential love interests become wearying, sombre political cynicism and manipulation remains effective. Peter Finch leads an impressive cast, coolly peeling away backroom deceptions in a resigned atmosphere.

Silent Fall (1994) Lapses in logic and plausibility would be less serious if tone weren't so earnest, pulp revelations that need more propulsive narrative energy. Intriguing cast lost in smooth production values as reluctant therapist Richard Dreyfuss uncovers secrets behind autistic child's witness to murder.