The Shining: a histrionic epic horror film saved by its themes of control and alien manipulation
Stanley Kubrick, “The Shining” (1980) In most directors’ hands, a Stephen King horror novel of
Tag: Hollywood Films
Snowden: a riveting character study of personal transformation and commitment to personal ideals
Oliver Stone, “Snowden” (2016) Surprisingly even though I’m familiar with the story of National Security
Cold Souls: a dull, flat and unsatisfying comedy about materialism and the nature of identity and existence
Sophie Barthes, “Cold Souls” (2009) In the vein of Charlie Kaufman’s “Being John Malkovich” but
Italian and Italian-language Films | North American Films
The Last Man on Earth: still retaining the power to shock and horrify with a message of post-apocalyptic despair and existential angst
Ubaldo B Ragona and Sidney Salkow, “The Last Man on Earth” (1964) Over 50 years
Dial M for Murder: entertaining and witty murder mystery shows Hitchcock on a creative roll
Alfred Hitchcock, “Dial M for Murder” (1953) A clever and witty murder mystery with fine
A cheap production and crude narrative make “Batman: the Killing Joke” very unfunny
Sam Lim and Bruce Timm, “Batman: the Killing Joke” (2016) That “Batman: the Killing Joke”
Under Capricorn: a psychological romantic melodrama of intense emotion, suspense and redemption
Alfred Hitchcock, “Under Capricorn” (1949) Set in the early days of the British colony of
New York, New York: a homage to and a subversion of Hollywood / Broadway glamour, fame and artifice
Martin Scorsese, “New York, New York” (1977) One of Martin Scorsese’s most under-rated films, in
Modern Times: sympathy for the underdog and horror at a machine society enforcing conformity and repression
Charlie Chaplin, “Modern Times” (1936) In its own way, “Modern Times” is significant as an
Freaks: a sympathetic work that pleads on behalf of its performers and turns normality on its head
Todd Browning, “Freaks” (1932) A unique cult film of the kind that can be said