Films: February 24 - March 2

Three Little Words (1950)

Last Christmas (2019)

Back To The Future Part III (1990)

Orage (A Stormy Summer Night) (2015)

The Hot Spot (1990)

Lore (2012)

The Suspect (1944)

Nightfall (1956) ///

Three Little Words (1950) Astute blend of comedy sketches, joyous dance numbers and succession of melodic songs, knitted around biopic of songwriters Kalmar (Fred Astaire) and Ruby (Red Skelton). Gorgeous Technicolor evocations of vaudeville and a high kicking Vera-Ellen add to the flavor.

Last Christmas (2019) Despite Emilia Clarke's elfish energy and isolated moments of charm, synthetically manufactured tale of self-realization never rings true even within own strange logic and character stunt plot twist. Concept driven George Michael song celebration lacks feeling.

Back To The Future Part III (1990) Rousing finale to the trilogy fuses time travel consequences with sweeping Western setting, celebrating genres as Michael J Fox seeks home and Christopher Lloyd finds romance with Mary Steenburgen. Exuberant mix of comedy, action and Alan Silvestri score.

Orage (A Stormy Summer Night) (2015) Atmospheric, strongly performed drama of identity and belonging never quite delivers emotional punch as conflicted Marina Foïs escapes stifling normality with murderer on the run Sami Bouajila. Social and narrative concerns remain unresolved.

The Hot Spot (1990) Bleached, small town noir, told with sweaty ease, as amoral and doomed Don Johnson plans bank job to run off with fragile Jennifer Connolly but can't escape clutches of designing Virginia Madsen. Gratuitous nudity, blackmail and murder unfolds with sleazy style.

Lore (2012) Unflinching, composed, lyrical, a sorrowful and awakening journey for indoctrinated teen Saskia Rosendahl and her siblings as they journey across the brutal remnants of Nazi Germany. Pain and artistry burn through images and narrative that reach beyond prejudice for compassion.

The Suspect (1944) Quietly involving, noirish drama with Charles Laughton driven to murder when he enjoys the company of innocent Ella Raines and is threatened by aggrieved wife Rosalind Ivan. Paced with evocative menace and dark humor, suspense and morality are finely balanced.

Nightfall (1956) Gritty performances, meandering narrative, suspense menacingly built, with tense Aldo Ray on the run to prove his innocence and escape vicious Brian Keith. Enjoyable twists, cynical motives and a persuasive Anne Bancroft combine with evocative sense of location.

Films: February 17 - 23

Styx (2018)

Robocop (1987)

Robocop 2 (1990)

Robocop 3 (1993)

The Adventures Of Marco Polo (1938)

Equals (2015)

Angels In The Outfield (1951)

Valdez Is Coming (1971)

Rollerball (1975)

Rollerball (2002) //

Styx (2018) As meticulous in detail as Susanne Woolf's solo sail from Gibraltar to the Galápagos, rigid technique collides with ethical dilemma when she comes across refugees lost at sea. Told with increasing tension and humanity, a magnetic lead performance soars when a desperate boy swims for safety.

Robocop (1987) Propulsive violence and caustic humor underpin thrilling set pieces as Peter Weller is fused with AI tech into future cop while corporate greed maintains grip on dystopian city. Exciting, dense Basil Poledouris score fleshes out impressive sci-fi visuals and themes.

Robocop 2 (1990) Functional rather than inspired, an unrepentantly bleak view of humanity coupled with standard action dystopia as Peter Weller's abused future cop becomes a one man force while combating political corruption. Bluntly effective, energy and humor subdued.

Robocop 3 (1993) Unfocused story plays loose with central character's mythology to encompass softer tone with central enemy now property developers. Lacking personality and vision, narrative grinds through the motions, gutsy Nancy Allen the only common thread of the trilogy.

The Adventures Of Marco Polo (1938) Witty, sexual melodramas spun against extravagant sets as genial, wily Venetian explorer Gary Cooper trades and seduces his way across China. Fantastical view of history and meandering structure veers to the static rather than needed sweep.

Equals (2015) Clinical, sterile design reflects life as well as ponderous misery of central characters' awakening emotions in cold future. Technically robust, oppressive atmosphere contaminates narrative without relief and deadens Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult's relationship.

Angels In The Outfield (1951) Broadly enjoyable comedy told and performed with unfussy schmaltz as prim reporter Janet Leigh demands better behavior from belligerent Pittsburgh Pirates coach Paul Douglas who also hears a heavenly voice promising to reverse the team's losing run.

Valdez Is Coming (1971) Weary, principled Mexican lawman Burt Lancaster is abused & left for dead. Tough visuals and strong score propel revenge as brisk running time encompasses confrontation with prejudice and corruption as well as vigorous action amid rugged, dusty landscapes.

Rollerball  (1975) Dry, mean treatise on corporate controlled world where violent sport is fed to voracious fans, with bitter James Caan facing forced retirement as he peels back historical truth. Cold, keen design brings a blunt veracity, brutal messaging without needed humor.

Rollerball (2002) Near incomprehensible narrative jams together succession of jagged action sequences sucked dry of tension as Chris Klein rollerskates around cheap sets in Eastern Europe. Rebecca Romijn and Jean Reno are lost amid empty technique that misses point of original film.