Films: March 11 - 17

The Girl In The Spider's Web (2018) 

Odds Against Tomorrow (1959) 

Sphinx (1981) 

Cover Girl (1944) 

White Dog (1982)

20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (1954) 

The Devil And Daniel Webster (1941) ///

The Girl In The Spider's Web (2018) Polished visuals provide surface energy yet anonymous interest as blandly vengeful Claire Foy faces disturbed sister Sylvia Hoeks and dangerous computer code. Robust Roque Baños score even as characters flounder amid bleakly generic set pieces.

Odds Against Tomorrow (1959) Cynical, bitter noir, as jaundiced ex-cop Ed Begley recruits edgy gambler and jazz musician Harry Belafonte as well as violent war veteran Robert Ryan to rob suburban bank. Racial tensions and gloomy desperation infuse expressive visuals & bleak tension.

Sphinx (1981) Production makes full use of expansive Egyptian locations, yet handles convoluted thriller narrative with staid seriousness rather than mystery or genre energy. Confused archaeologist Lesley-Anne Down falls for mysterious Frank Langella in pursuit of lost treasures.

Cover Girl (1944) Lush visuals and lively, fresh dance sequences with appealing leads overcome slim and ponderous narrative as striking chorus girl Rita Hayworth needs to choose between stardom and nightclub owner Gene Kelly. Though drama is unconvincing tuneful songs and comic touch add spice.

White Dog (1982) Framed as melodramatic thriller and conceived with a pulpish style, corrosive nature of snarling racism is seen through Paul Winfield's efforts to retrain dog corrupted to attack black people. Propulsive cinema, bleakly uncompromising in its tragic portrait of hatred.

20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (1954) Extravagantly designed and vigorously staged, mystery and adventure suitably conjured as mythical sea monster is revealed as fantastical submersible commanded by imperious, despairing James Mason. Set piece driven narrative held together by solid cast.

The Devil And Daniel Webster (1941) Evocative visuals and deliciously wicked Bernard Herrmann score accompany crafty, diabolic Walter Huston, promising riches for farmer James Craig's soul. Tempting Simone Simon claims victims' hearts, as dreamy style infuses playful storytelling.