Saint Jack

Peter Bogdanovich, 1979, 112 minutes

A tremendous performance by Ben Gazzara.

The Trial of Joan of Arc

Robert Bresson, 1962, 65 minutes

A stronger Joan than Dreyer's, yet still very human.

As the Earth Turns

Richard Lyford, 1938, 46 minutes

Neglected until its release in 2019, a philosophical silent that features striking camerawork.

Crazy Joe

Carlo Lizzani, 1974, 100 minutes

Cashes in on the Mafia craze with Peter Boyle as an unlikely Italian. Good location scenes from 1970s New York City.

Hypernormalization

 2016, Adam Curtis, 166 minutes

Wide-ranging and ambitious doc about how we got to the point were politics and truth are meaningless.

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Tom Gormican, 2022, 107 minutes

Nic Cage vehicle is occasionally amusing.

Barney's Version

 Richard J. Lewis, 2010, 134 minutes

A fitting tribute to the Mordecai Richler novel. Giamatti and Hoffman shine.

Caché

Michael Haneke, 2005, 118 minutes

A concrete theme (guilt) set into an ambiguous thriller frame. Effective and engrossing.

Symbiopsychotaxiplasm

William Greaves, 1968, 75 minutes

A film, a film about that film, and a film about those other two films. Enormously entertaining.

Léon Morin, Priest

Jean-Pierre Melville, 1961, 117 minutes

An astute character study in which religion is taken seriously.

Incident by a Bank

Ruben Östlund, 2010, 12 minutes

Outstanding choreography in a 12-minute unbroken take of a botched bank robbery.

Double Indemnity

Billy Wilder, 1944, 107 minutes

Perfect noir, with the possible exception of Fred MacMurray's too-many "baby"s.

In the Soup

Alexandre Rockwell, 1992, 93 minutes

Offbeat and very funny, with winning performances all around.

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

Alex Gibney, 2007, 118 minutes

A doc that when it focuses on the writing is excellent.

Tobacco Road

John Ford, 1941, 84 minutes

Highly sanitized from the novel, but beautifully photographed and with an affecting performance by Charley Grapewin as Jeeter Lester.

All the Old Knives

Janus Metz Pedersen, 2022, 101 minutes

Incessant dramatic soundtrack can't breathe life into this turkey.

Seven Beauties

Lena Wurtmüller, 1975, 115 minutes

Comic, tragic, at times both, anchored by Giancarlo Giannini's magnetic performance.

War and Peace: Part 4

Sergei Bondarchuk, 1967, 100 minutes

A philosophical and sweeping conclusion to a great film.

Benjamin Franklin

Ken Burns, 2022, 230 minutes

Compelling portrait of an astounding life. 

War and Peace: Part 3

Sergei Bondarchuk, 1967, 84 minutes

Stirring battle scenes combined with poignant intimacy.

Electric Boogaloo

Mark Hartley, 2014, 106 minutes

Enormously entertaining doc about Cannon Group movie hustlers Golan and Globus.

International House

A. Edward Sutherland, 1933, 70 minutes

Goofy pre-Code all-star vehicle is stolen by W.C. Fields and Gracie Allen.

Across 110th Street

Barry Shear, 1972, 102 minutes

Top-notch cop/blaxploitation flick with grimy New York exteriors and interiors.

Heist

David Mamet, 2001, 109 minutes

Tight, exciting caper pic with the Mamet touch.