Films: September 16 - 22

The Card (1952) 

Looper (2012) 

Rings On Her Fingers (1942) 

She's Funny That Way (2014) 

Extinction (2018) 

The Meddler (2016) 

Before The Fire (2020) 

The Bad Lord Byron (1949)

Unfaithfully Yours (1948) ///

The Card (1952) William Alwyn's playful, cunning score is a delicious accompaniement Alec Guinness' often devious, sometimes poignant chancer whose rise up social and financial ladders is complicated by wily Glynis Johns. Lightly satiric and visually rich, as enticing as its lead.

Looper (2012) Fluidly told, richly detailed, an enormously enjoyable time travel conundrum as intense hitman Joseph Gordon-Levitt must deal with killing older self Bruce Willis and untangle the future of gritty Emily Blunt and her son. Propulsive action, confounding logic, darkly satisfying.

Rings On Her Fingers (1942) Even after accepting the setup of innocent Gene Tierney swept up in con games before falling for victim Henry Fonda, continuing investment snaps with ongoing implausibility. Genial leads provide fitful humor while flat production values reflect lack of energy.

She's Funny That Way (2014) An engaging, scatty Imogen Poots is the new Broadway star as an equally scattershot narrative weaves backstage stories of an appealing cast with a mostly potent succession of jokes. At times too self-aware and without focus, the genial tone is winning.

Extinction (2018) An often awkward combination of styles that piles on various twists that highlights concept rather than convincing, empathetic characters. The action of an alien invasion is efficient enough and family dynamics create tension, even if emotions are subdued and set pieces relentless.

The Meddler (2016) An intrusive, isolated Susan Sarandon and bruised, contrary Rose Byrne create a sympathetic mother daughter relationship dealing with loss and new futures. The telling is unfussy, the humor gentle, the drama effectively felt. Moments in time with a strong cast.

Before The Fire (2020) Escaping a rapidly engulfing viral pandemic, edgy Jenna Lyng Adams returns to her rural family home, where past tensions quickly arise and finally explode into violence. Grim and intense with a quiet style and a committed lead, the resolve lacks a needed audience release.

The Bad Lord Byron (1949) Dennis Price is a fittingly mannered poet without quite managing to persuade as a passionate seducer of Sonia Holm, Mai Zetterling and Joan Greenwood, a reflection of post war women within a historical setting. Glistening visuals and swirling melodrama.

Unfaithfully Yours (1948) Renowned conductor Rex Harrison is suspicious of wife Linda Darnell's fidelity and fantasizes revenge during a concert, before his real-life plans go awry. A blackly dexterous blend of slapstick and sharp dialog, told with immaculate narrative design and aided by a fine cast.

Films: September 9 - 15

Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid (1967) 

Blackthorn (2011) 

The Last Castle (2001) 

Uncle Silas (1947) 

The Woman In The Hall (1947)

High Treason (1951) 

The Secret Of Convict Lake (1951) 

Authors Anonymous (2014) 

State Secret (1950) ///

Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid (1967) Buoyed by the charm and chemistry of Paul Newman and Robert Redford, a carefully calibrated, winningly etched buddy movie / pursuit narrative. The accent on humor and memorable set pieces, allied to a hummable score, is enduring.

Blackthorn (2011) Sumptuous images and striking Bolivian landscapes, along with a commanding lead turn from Sam Shepherd, can't overcome an undernourished narrative. Out of hiding 20 years after presumed dead, Butch Cassidy is dragged back into adventure. Lacks humor and an ending.

The Last Castle (2001) Sturdily entertaining without realizing any thematic or personal resonance as principled army major Robert Redford turns tables on corrupt military prison warden James Gandolfini. The psychological and claustrophobic pressure builds well, the action finale less authentic.

Uncle Silas (1947) Gorgeously mounted and designed production, with striking Robert Krasker photography, as innocent Jean Simmons is abused by malicious guardian Derrick de Marnay. Uneven tone veers from broad comedy to Gothic thriller. When it clicks together, enormous fun.

The Woman In The Hall (1947) Minor drama sees unaffected Jean Simmons face the courts after forging a cheque, a way of life learned from scheming mother Ursula Jeans. The story tends to drift, lacking a character or audience focus despite the cast's efforts. Blandly efficient.

High Treason (1951) Shot with a semi-documentary efficiency and making smart use of atmospheric London locations, a persuasive thriller with police on the track of Soviet saboteurs seeking to blow up power plants and bring down government. Well drawn characters amid paranoid times.

The Secret Of Convict Lake (1951) Escaped convicts find themselves in a rural town run by women, with Glenn Ford out for revenge and Gene Tierney and Ethel Barrymore repelling the male threat. Crisply photographed and designed, engaging melodrama that keeps the storytelling lean.

Authors Anonymous (2014) An amiable cast are left floundering by a damp script and flat pacing, and certainly not helped by the faux documentary setup that observes a talentless writers group slowly unraveling when artless Kaley Cuoco finds sudden success. Nothing rings true.

State Secret (1950) Innocent doctor Douglas Fairbanks Jnr. and reluctant showgirl Glynis Johns are on the run across the European state of Vosnia, chased down by a cynically efficient Jack Hawkins. Breezy thriller with solid use of locations and a sense of humour. A diverting entertainment.