Films: September 2 - 8

Maudie (2017) 

Seraphim Falls (2007) 

Lucky Them (2014) 

Innocence (2014) 

Western Union (1941) 

They Were Sisters (1946) 

Gunpowder Milkshake (2021) 

Fairhaven (2012) ///

Maudie (2017) Told with distinct, painterly images and a sure, often hostile sense of place, a spirited Sally Hawkins and damaged Ethan Hawke provide depth and edge to the bio of Canadian artist Maude Lewis. Alternately joyous and disturbing, intimate and open, the emotional heft is genuine.

Seraphim Falls (2007) An initially lean pursuit western turns from gritty, harsh realism to ponderously metaphysical with diminishing results.Obsessive Liam Neeson chases down weary trapper Pierce Brosnan across transforming natural landscapes captured with feeling and texture.

Lucky Them (2014) Toni Collette is an amiably cynical and wearied music journalist and muse who manages to rope in eccentric Thomas Hayden Church in the search for an ex-boyfriend and influential rocker who disappeared presumed dead. A shaggy tale told with quirky charm and humor.

Innocence (2014) Teen melodrama collides with supernatural horror as withdrawn teenager Sophie Curtis finds herself plagued by nightmares and real-life suicides at her exclusive prep-school. Initially aiming for creepily believable before flying off the rails to reveal Kelly Reilly leads immortals who need virgin's blood.

Western Union (1941) Vivid colors and open landscapes elevate a prosaic narrative structure as battles amid the 1861 construction of telegraph wires contrast with Randolph Scott and Robert Young vying for the affection of Virginia Gilmore. Brisk and dynamic, always involving, fine filmmaking.

They Were Sisters (1946) Never reaching the glorious excesses of period Gainsborough melodramas, the thematic concerns still echo as Phyllis Calvert, Anne Crawford and Dulcie Grey capture the contrasts of freedom and subservience for women in post war Britain. Solid rather than inspired. 

Gunpowder Milkshake (2021) Thematically and narratively confused and disjointed, cast potential is sadly misplaced with an emphasis on self-conscious style, cartoon violence and bright art direction that sucks the life out the action. Karen Gillan is the assassin reclaiming a feminist family.

Fairhaven (2012) Distinct slice of contemporary American life in a coastal Massachusetts town as old friends reunite for a funeral and past and present anxieties surface. Scenes drift without the anchor of a strong narrative, enhancing the easy naturalness of the humor and personal drama.

Films: August 26 - September 1

Boyhood (2014)

Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020) 

Celeste And Jesse Forever (2012)

La Vie d'Adèle (2013) 

Take Me Out To The Ball Game (1949) 

Million Dollar Mermaid (1952) 

The Magic Of Ordinary Days (2005) 

Innocent (2011) ///

Boyhood (2014) Beyond the process of creating narrative film over a 12 year period, a finely etched portrait of growing up and fragmented lives, built around a series of moments that create an immersive reflection of family. The open, natural style allows performances to shine.

Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020) Wistful teen Sidney Flanigan is accompanied by tenacious cousin Talia Ryder to New York to find an abortion. Alternately quiet and deliberate, scorching and impassioned, a story of silences and looks, captivatingly framed and movingly told.

Celeste And Jesse Forever (2012) Ambitious Rashida Jones and undemanding Andy Samberg are drifting out of marriage, even as they cling to being friends. The appealing central couple and assorted friends are well drawn, styling a winning blend that successfully earns laughs and emotion.

La Vie d'Adèle (2013) Intimate, exhausting epic of youthful passion and vast amounts of food. Vulnerable Adèle Exarchopoulos and Léa Seydoux share an explicit, searing relationship that captures the rush of desire and crush of broken emotions. Soulful and enveloping performances.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game (1949) Colorful and energetic, if somewhat uneven in mood and storytelling as no-nonsense Esther Williams inherits the Wolves baseball team and needs to whip Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Jules Munchin into shape. Frothy song and dance remains enduring.

Million Dollar Mermaid (1952) Gorgeous Technicolor design and lush production values highlight the winning presence of a determined Esther Williams in her signature role as real life swimmer / swimwear pioneer / movie star Annette Kellerman. Wildly uneven, always watchable.

The Magic Of Ordinary Days (2005) Though narrative schematics are entirely predictable, finesse of production and aching emotion of cast is a potent combination. During World War II, shamed, expectant mother Keri Russell is ostracized to marry principled farmer Skeet Ulrich. Observant and textured.

Innocent (2011) A fine cast keeps legal wheels involving even if the sequel story feels underwhelming and dramatic undertow less gripping. Bill Pullman is the judge accused by nemesis Richard Schiff of murdering unstable wife Marcia Gay Harden. The past reverberates darkly.