Captain Boycott (1947)
The Cruel Sea (1953)
So Well Remembered (1947)
Victim (1961)
Gran Torino (2008)
The File On Thelma Jordon (1950)
The Electrical Life Of Louis Wain (2021)
The Runaway Bus (1954) ///
Spider-Man No Way Home (2021) While maintaining humorous essence of previous films in series, final act involvement of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield alongside Tom Holland provides spark while end features surprising emotional heft away from persistent effects. Finely honed.
Captain Boycott (1947) Mildly diverting slice of social history, as controlled Stewart Granger leads Irish villagers in non-violent resistance to titular English landowner's extortionate rents and evictions. Robert Donat and Alastair Sim feature among fine cast with astute sense of political drama.
The Cruel Sea (1953) Bracing view of Royal Navy convoys in the Atlantic facing threat of German U-boats gradually strips away character conceptions even for terse, experienced captain Jack Hawkins. Tense, unshowy focus on cold balance between survival and death is bluntly effective.
So Well Remembered (1947) Gripping portrait of struggling industrial town in northern England underpins emotional melodrama of activist John Mills' relationship with callous mill owner's daughter Martha Scott. Strongest when accent is on socio-economic struggles. Evocatively conceived.
Victim (1961) Intense London crime drama sees vicious blackmailers target closeted gays including married barrister Dirk Bogarde. Beyond historical interest, acute sense of claustrophobia and societal pressure informs persuasively detailed characters, with strong production and performances.
Gran Torino (2008) Racism, family and redemption provide character strands to belligerent Clint Eastwood's eventual protection of neighbors and community from violent gang. Controlled, sparse style accentuates relationships, playing on Eastwood persona with wry humor. Highly entertaining and polished.
The File On Thelma Jordon (1950) Takes time to find its feet with self-absorbed DA Wendell Corey, yet once noir fatalism and melodramatic thrills see Barbara Stanwyck weave her tortured web to absolve her of murder, a darkly involving pleasure. Narrative contrivances balanced with character detail and encompassing, moody visuals.
The Electrical Life Of Louis Wain (2021) Enjoyably reveling in eccentricities of principled artist Benedict Cumberbatch and relationship with joyful governess Claire Foy, shift in emphasis reveals more self-consciously quirky attitude that stifles emotion. Attractive design beguiles the senses.
The Runaway Bus (1954) Flimsy comedy attempts to disguise meagre budget in British fog as hapless coach driver Frankie Howerd finds one of his passengers is mastermind of gold bullion heist. Mildly diverting, Petula Clark and Belinda Lee are appealing and Margaret Rutherford agreeably demanding.
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