Films: February 19 - 25

Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941) 
Safari (1956) 
Avenging Angel (1985)
Black Mama, White Mama (1972)
Risky Business (1983)

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

Henry's Crime (2010) /// 

Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941) Imbued with rare wit and faultlessly constructed characters, comedy shines through tale of confident boxer Robert Montgomery mistakenly brought to heaven too early and returned to new body by calm Claude Rains. Optimistic view of life's destiny provides for emotional conclusion with believing Evelyn Keyes.

Safari (1956) Attractive locations and fluid staging attempts to compensate convoluted mix of expert hunter Victor Mature's personal revenge tale, cruel British millionaire's obsession with killing mythical lion and drifting Janet Leigh's journey to romantic freedom, all set against Mau Mau rebellion. Fitfully involving.

Avenging Angel (1985) Ex-prostitute and studying lawyer, blandly determined Betsy Russell returns to the street for revenge on her cop mentor's killer. Clumsy jumble of strained comedy and crude exploitation makes little sense, with deficiencies of storytelling and visuals reaching absurdist levels.

Black Mama, White Mama (1972) Calculating prostitute Pam Grier and righteous revolutionary Margaret Markov break from tropical island prison chained together. Accidental themes of personal and political emancipation beneath crude exploitation surface that lacks persuasive style despite gutsy leads.

Risky Business (1983) Pitched in disorientating world that fuses fantasy and satire, sensuous visual stylings with broad teen comedy, high schooler Tom Cruise lives American dream with canny Rebecca De Mornay. Intoxicating atmosphere and score elevates narrative twists and striking set pieces.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) Leisurely drama of art's inspiration and emotional entanglement as friends Rebecca Hall and Scarlet Johansson are intoxicated by painter Javier Bardem during heady Spanish summer. Marked with a melancholy wit and sparked by the intensity of an embracing Penélope Cruz.

Henry's Crime (2010) Uneasily levering heist drama with backstage theatre comedy, deliberate pacing and stuttering narrative nullifies character as Keanu Reeves eyes same bank he was wrongly imprisoned for robbing. Absorbed actress Vera Farmiga and charming conman James Caan provide zest amid solid visuals.