The Square - 2008 - Australia

The Square - 2008 - 7/10

 
Land developer Ray is building a recreation area for future, affluent punters.
A classic fiddle type, he extorts a kickback from a contractor.
And plays pole in the hole with a younger, fetching neighbor.
He’s married, she’s married, but if it feels good, what’s the harm?
Plenty.  Carla is wed to a violent man, with a huge stash of cash hidden in the house.
She urges Ray to “do something” so they can run away.
Australian Neo-Noir has a few innocents, but most are tainted souls.
As with most half-baked plans, when thing start to go wrong, events spread like brush fire.

Alibi For Murder - 1936 - USA

Alibi For Murder - 1936 - 6/10

 
Radio reporter Perry persistently tries to interview the world famous scientist.
He is even at the home of the extremely private man when Dr. Foster commits suicide.
Except Perry, and the scientist’s plucky secretary, Lois, suspect murder.
Police pooh-pooh his theory, until warning notes are sent, along with bullets.
Fast-paced programmer makes a diverting B-mystery.

Tower Of London - 1939 - USA

Tower Of London - 1939 - 6/10

 
Bold, historically inaccurate retelling of Richard III and his power grab.
Why wait for succession when one can murder the way to the throne?
Rathbone and Karloff as the evil usurper and his murderous henchman.
Elsewhere, there are plenty from Hollywood’s British colony (and Commonwealth).
Gothic sets and lightning, a tone bordering on Horror, treachery run wild.

I've Loved You So Long - 2008 - France

I've Loved You So Long - 2008 - 7/10
AKA - Il y a Longtemps Que je t'aime

 
Juliette sits in the airport lobby and waits, and waits.
Eventually her younger sister Léa arrives and drives Juliette to her home.
Throughout, Juliette remains sullen and non-communicative.
Even after meeting two adopted children, husband, grandfather.
Turns out, Juliette had been spending 15 years in prison.
Gradually, reasons and motives are teased out.
Character study of immense grief and heavy guilt.
Quietly avoids emotional outbursts and overacting.

Anchoress - 1991 - UK

Anchoress - 1991 - 7/10

 
Christine, working the English fields in the 1300’s stands transfixed, watching the Virgin Mary stature arrive.
Seemingly blessed, Christine agrees to be confined in a small dwelling attached to the church.
A holy anchoress, an intermediary between the flesh and the Divine.
The faithful seek her out, for answers, for guidance, for succor.
Conflict arises with the self-righteous priest, as her answers do not always align with dogma.
Greater conflict between her midwife mother, and the priest, who declares her a witch.

 
Extremely slow film, black and white arthouse, similar to Book Of Days.
Filled with arresting images, yet one never knows if Christine is truly visionary, or a simpleton.
English subtitles = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3362252

See No Evil - 1971 - UK

See No Evil - 1971 - 6/10

 
After an accident, Sarah is blind.
She returns to her aunt and uncle’s country estate and beings to navigate.
How to live sightless for the rest of her days.
Even when a psychopath invades the home, stealthily with deadly intent.
For the audience, all we see are the menacing boots, prized by the wearer.
Mia Farrow plays the blind Sarah.  Good use of rural locations and misdirection.
Slow pace, yet rewarding for patient fans of quiet thrillers.

Eye Of The Spider - 1971 - Italy

Eye Of The Spider - 1971 - 5/10
AKA - L'occhio del Ragno

 
Convict Paul is freed from a prison transport van.
He was part of a three-man jewel heist earlier, but abandoned by his mates.
The mastermind (a bored Van Johnson) gets him out to recover the jewels and loot.
Paul wants likewise, but also revenge, so he keeps getting sidetracked.
This one predates the era of Euro-Crime, so the violence, chases, energy are all pretty low.
Despite nudity and Kinski, this feels / looks like TV. The Sweeney or Starsky & Hutch.
There was one scene where Paul driving a Citroen was chased by baddies in a ‘64 Corvair.
One was a rally sports car, the other my grandmother drove.  I watched and laughed.