Films: March 8 - 14

Diabolique (1996)

The Day The Earth Stood Still (2008) 

Smash-Up The Story Of A Woman (1947) 

Rope Of Sand (1949) 

A Star Is Born (1934) 

Istanbul (1957) 

The People We Hate At The Wedding (2022) /// 

Diabolique (1996) Trashily involving thriller twists through murder and manipulation as abused wife Isabelle Adjani and mistress Sharon Stone take revenge on cruel Chazz Palminteri while casual detective Kathy Bates suspects. Mild diversion with anonymous visuals that never establish needed tension or distinctive atmosphere.

The Day The Earth Stood Still (2008) Visuals effects sparkle against shiny design yet emotion and narrative consequences remain cold as implacable Keanu Reeves learns about humans through scientist Jennifer Connelly. Always watchable without gravitas the storytelling reaches for.

Smash-Up The Story Of A Woman (1947) Overwrought morality tale focuses on successful singer Susan Hayward promoting husband Lee Bowman before marriage & career stagnation sees her descend into alcoholism. Strong self-destructive lead turn though character development never gains depth.

Rope Of Sand (1949) Dark characters seek revenge and wealth in desert wastelands of Africa with muscular Burt Lancaster facing up to snarling Paul Henreid in search for missing diamonds.  Moody lighting and scheming support from Claude Rains, Peter Lorre and Corinne Calvet.

A Star Is Born (1937) Gorgeously produced, archly staged, innocent Janet Gaynor finds fame in Hollywood after fading Frederic March helps her become star. Doomed love story includes amusing industry bitterness even as sentimental strength of reaching for dreams manipulates emotion.

Istanbul (1957) Mild intrigue follows beaten pilot Errol Flynn's plan to avoid criminals and retrieve hidden diamonds in title city where he also encounters lost love Cornell Borchers. Accent equally on romantic especially with extensive use of song When I Fall In Love and performances from Nat King Cole.

The People We Hate At The Wedding (2022) Generous appeal of family leads enlivens humor and drama, even as storytelling flails with both and secondary characters are unconvincing. Allison Janney travels with American children Kristen Bell and Ben Platt to London for wedding of English daughter. Good-looking locations.