Films: November 24 - 30

Tramps (2016)

7beonbangui Seonmool (Miracle in Cell No. 7) (2013)

Laura (1944)

The Forbidden Street (1949)

Out Of Time (2003)

Black Angel (1946)

Red Rock West (1993) ///

Tramps (2016) Innocently urban romantic drama with eager Callum Turner losing the package low-key criminal brother persuaded him to deliver and setting out to find it with disillusioned driver Grace Van Patten. Outcome for lost souls unsurprising, telling primed with energy and smartly attuned visuals. Endearing leads.

7beonbangui Seonmool (Miracle in Cell No. 7) (2013) Wild tonal shifts eventually work manipulative spell as fanciful narrative sees mentally disabled Ryu Seung-ryong wrongly convicted and imprisoned until young daughter Kal So-won is smuggled inside. Testing comedy, acute emotion, fine support cast of inmates prove effective.

Laura (1944) Controlled mystery, pierced with an elegant lyricism, as various obsessive men fall under spell of ambitious Gene Tierney. Suspicious detective Dana Andrews investigates Clifton Webb and Vincent Price, with surprises carefully revealed and David Raksin’s score gorgeously seductive.

The Forbidden Street (1949) Often strangely enticing, sometimes awkwardly incohesive, melodrama turns to death and blackmail when impulsive Maureen O’Hara falls for penniless Dana Andrews (twice) and clashes with gnarly Sybil Thorndike. Conjures an effectively theatrical atmosphere.

Out Of Time (2003) Small town Florida chief of police Denzel Washington becomes entangled in corruption and murder, trying to hide evidence from estranged wife, tolerant detective Eva Mendes. Attractive locations and performers allied to tight, polished rhythm maintains interest even when credulity is snapped.

Black Angel (1946) After her husband is sentenced to be executed, dependable June Vincent convinces alcoholic pianist Dan Duryea to help find true killer of his ex-wife, posing as musical act in snarling Peter Lorre's nightclub. Moody atmosphere eeks out ticking-clock suspense, with suitably doomed resolution.

Red Rock West (1993) Gorgeously realized, twisting desert noir with drifter Nicholas Cage unable to escape greedy clutches of killer Dennis Hopper, crooked sheriff JT Walsh and unrepentant femme fatale Lara Flynn Boyle. Tense construction and devilish characters maintain gleeful humor and dark surprises.

Best Of British (66-70)

The Wicked Lady (1945)

Madonna Of The Seven Moons (1945)

Madeleine (1950)

The Winslow Boy (1948)

Whistle Down The Wind (1961) ///

The Wicked Lady (1945) Stagy setups and pacing undermines the potential of Margaret Lockwood's gender playfulness as a highwayman chasing physical and emotional release. Design and costume, as well as the wedding party and James Mason hanging sequences, deliver more persuasive pleasures.

Madonna Of The Seven Moons (1945) Suffused with religious imagery, a mesmerizing, heady brew of costume melodrama, aided by a fervent Hans May score. Frustrated Phyllis Calvert leads split life, demure housewife and wild gypsy, while Stewart Granger and Patricia Roc glide amid the lush silver and black visuals.

Madeleine (1950) Sublimely made, intelligently revealed drama, with impressively ambiguous Ann Todd scandalizing society after being accused of lover Ivan Desny's murder. Visually and aurally intoxicating, culminating with a gripping, claustrophobic trial and an everlasting stare.

The Winslow Boy (1948) Solidly told and performed, literate and tasteful adaptation benefits enormously from emotional nuance and conviction of Robert Donat allied with assured resilience of Margaret Leighton. Family's fight for son's innocence extols individual rights, despite personal sacrifices, on eve of war.

Whistle Down The Wind (1961) Stark humanity of relationships and sense of community is conjured through evocative photography, Malcolm Arnold's insightful score and natural performances, as innocent Hayley Mills believes fugitive Alan Bates is Jesus. Low-key and movingly conceived.