Di 36 ge gu shi (Taipei Exchanges) (2010)
Adventure In Manhattan (1936)
The Great Escape (1963)
Milada (2017)
The Gentle Sex (1943)
Berlin Express (1948)
Somewhere In The Night (1946)
House Of Games (1987) ///
Di 36 ge gu shi (Taipei Exchanges) (2010) Charming and affectionate tale of youthful dreams as hopeful Gwei Lun-mei opens a coffee shop with skeptical sister Zaizai Lin, and creates a hub for swapping personal belongings rather than money. Delicately made, winning humor and whimsical drama.
Adventure In Manhattan (1936) Briskly enjoyable, entirely forgettable and fragmentary, coasting with confident reporter Joel McCrea's uncanny ability to divine future robberies. Hopeful actress Jean Arthur provides confounding support and romance, sporadic moments of humor and drama.
The Great Escape (1963) Memorably driven by Elmer Bernstein's powerful themes, starry cast embody indomitable spirit of Allied POW escape through tunnels and across Europe. Solidly handled, bittersweet final section remains gripping and Steve McQueen's motorbike charisma shines.
Milada (2017) Solidly produced, tone and style awkwardly tells true story of Milada Horáková, outspoken social champion and part of resistance to Nazi occupation, finally tortured and executed by Communist Czechoslovakia. Lack of filmic inspiration doesn't diminish inspirational character.
The Gentle Sex (1943) Fascinating as social history, gently involving as drama, seven women join ATS and prove worth for war effort as truck drivers and operating anti-aircraft guns. Despite florid, ironic narration, affecting cast engender close sense of camaraderie and plain style favours naturalism.
Berlin Express (1948) Careful, atmospheric visuals make full use of broken German locations in wake of World War II and setup brisk, intriguing tale of assassination and kidnapping. Merle Oberon and Robert Ryan are among unified allies in noir-tinged narrative on the verge of Cold War hostility.
Somewhere In The Night (1946) Amnesiac John Hodiak returns from war and is drawn into noir memories as well as real life intrigue of murder and stolen Nazi money. Nancy Guild provides tart support, Richard Conte is suitably suspicious, solidly told narrative keeps dark momentum.
House Of Games (1987) As deceptive and twisting as its engaging con artists, an enjoyably sly narrative provides sharp characters and surprises as psychiatrist Lindsay Crouse becomes intoxicated by Joe Mantegna's manipulative games. Dark hues and dark minds feed bracing conclusion.
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