Films: January 29 - February 4

Bottoms (2023)

The Strange Affair Of Uncle Harry (1945) 

Caché (Hidden) (2005) 

Wild Things 2 (2004) 

Pirates Of Tortuga (1961) 

Micki And Maude (1984) 

Agnes Of God (1985) ///

Bottoms (2023) Exuberantly unfiltered high school comedy skewers prejudice with satiric edge and absurdist physicality as squabbling friends Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennott lust after two gorgeous cheerleaders and accidentally establish empowerment through fight club. Solid laughs and winning cast.

The Strange Affair Of Uncle Harry (1945) Darkly humorous, noir-tinged drama sees staid, small town George Sanders bewitched by sophisticated Ella Raines, until possessive sister Geraldine Fitzgerald undermines romance. Unhealthy relationships and murder punctured by limp resolution.

Caché (Hidden) (2005) Told with rigorous formalism, extended, precisely designed visuals create an unnerving atmosphere as comfortable Juliette Binoche and Daniel Auteuil are threatened by the past. Superficial thriller concerns peel back to ambiguity of distrust and reveal eroding guilt.

Wild Things 2 (2004) Forlornly unadventurous sequel plays more like remake with spoilt Susan Ward losing inheritance to trashy Leila Arcieri even as insurance investigator Isaiah Washington senses trickery. Bewildering succession of murderous, sweaty twists exposed with bland visuals.

Pirates Of Tortuga (1961) Colorful widescreen visuals and jaunty, thematic score fail to rouse inert staging of standard adventure as lively Letícia Román stows away on bland Ken Scott's boat, as he sets sail to defeat Caribbean pirates. Minor comic and action diversions barely sustain interest.

Micki And Maude (1984) Forced premise posits family orientated bigamist Dudley Moore racing between career lawyer Anne Reinking and artful cellist Amy Irving when both are pregnant. Appealing cast and fluid set pieces build momentum to hospital farce, solid laughs without lasting affect.

Agnes Of God (1985) Filmed with polished, icy naturalism and highlighted by strong performances, intense psychiatrist Jane Fonda investigates death of guileless nun Meg Tilly's dead newborn and conflicts with mother superior Anne Bancroft. Involving drama, muddled spiritual themes.

Films: January 22 - 28

Stagecoach (1939) 
No Highway In The Sky (1951) 
This Above All (1942) 
Le Salaire de la peur (The Wages Of Fear) (1953) 
Wild Things (1998) 
Quick Change (1990) 
I Give It A Year (2013) ///

Stagecoach (1939) Charismatic, revenge-minded John Wayne joins disparaged Claire Trevor and diverse travelers on hostile trail, all with urgent motives to risk Apache territory. Despite some clunky exposition, evocative visuals and spirited action combine with fine cast for exciting, and dramatically charged adventure.

No Highway In The Sky (1951) Solidly cast, quietly suspenseful drama centres on sympathetic, eccentric mathematician James Stewart, convinced metal fatigue in plane tail will cause catastrophe. Careful, controlled characterization enhances support from Marlene Dietrich and Glynis Johns.

This Above All (1942) Richly designed visuals embrace love story between principled Joan Fontaine and damaged Tyrone Power, drawing on themes of class and duty in face of war's violent scars. Often schematic propaganda doesn't diminish appeal of leads and stirringly ambivalent resolutions.

Le Salaire de la peur (The Wages Of Fear) (1953) Parched, desperate Central American village provides background for four losers to seek financial salvation by driving trucks packed with insecure explosives across untamed land. Expertly tuned, sweaty suspense cranked up to bitter end.

Wild Things (1998) Enjoyably twisted and lurid, deceitful storyline makes potent use of manipulative quartet Neve Campbell, Denise Richards, Matt Dillon and Kevin Bacon waging charged power struggles amid Florida wealth. Devilish, unrepentant revelations continue through end credits.

Quick Change (1990) Spirited performances match story twists as Bill Murray, Geena Davis and Randy Quaid successfully rob New York bank but are unable to escape city. Plain telling allows situations to build comic momentum without personality or style to elevate overall material.

I Give It A Year (2013) Game cast enlivens slim characters as whirlwind marriage for polished Rose Byrne and casual Rafe Spall struggles to last first anniversary. Generous Anna Faris and smooth Simon Baker provide amorous distractions. Regular laughs even if emotion remains elusive.