Saturday, October 26, 2019
First Lines: Michelle Paver - Wolf Brother
Torak woke with a jolt from a sleep he'd never meant to have.
Friday, October 25, 2019
Still Alice (2014)
A linguistics professor and her family find their bonds tested when she is diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.
Good, but not very thorough look at the descent into Alzheimer's and its impact; great vehicle to showcase Julianne Moore's talent, together with a capable supporting cast.
Shed No Tears (1948)
A wife convinces her husband to fake his death so they can collect on the life insurance.
Above-average noir drama with an especially ruthless femme fatale; lively and entertaining for what its is.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Auf Einmal (2016)
Karsten apparently has it settled. However, in a provincial German town, a moment of weakness turns to disaster, disappointment soon fuels anger, justice hides behind hypocrisy, and evil gradually unfolds.
Intriguing, Chabrol-like plot is carefully told with good cast and stylish photographed, the ending, however, is slightly dissatisfying.
The Sadist (1963)
Three people driving into Los Angeles for a Dodgers game have car trouble and pull off into an old wrecking yard where they are held at bay by a bloodthirsty psycho and his crazy girlfriend.
Tough, mean-spirited and quite effective low-budget thriller with good editing and cinematography (Vilmos Zsigmond!); Arch Hall Jr. is remarkable as the terrifying psychopath.
Maltin**1/2: "Taut little B picture...Hall is distressingly believable as the psycho.Imaginatively shot by Vilmos (billed as William) Zsigmond."
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
First Lines: Susanna Clarke - Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Some years ago there was in the city of York a society of magicians.