Germinal

Claude Berri, 1993, 160 minutes

Powerful and beautifully photographed adaptation of the Zola novel.

Donbass

Sergei Loznitsa, 2018, 122 minutes

A grim look at the precursor war to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Belfast

Kenneth Branagh, 2021, 97 minutes

Branagh shows that, like Bruce Beresford, he is a director who is not afraid of emotion.

Eyewitness

John Hough, 1970, 92 minutes

Competent thriller with great location shots of Malta.

Born to Win

Ivan Passer, 1971, 88 minutes

Gritty, dark (literally, the lighting is poor) New York story.

California Split

Robert Altman, 1974, 108 minutes

A detailed character piece that is the best film about gambling ever made.

Lucky

John Carroll Lynch, 2017, 88 minutes

Tonally erratic but heartfelt. David Lynch and Harry Dean Stanton are superb.

The Yellow Sea

Na Hong-jin, 2010, 140 minutes

Top-notch actioner.

The Plot Against Harry

Michael Roemer, 1971, 81 minutes

Curiosity with a leaden lead.

No Time to Die

Cary Joji Fukunaga, 2021, 163 minutes

Bloated and ripe.

Shogun Assassin

Robert Houston, 1980, 90 minutes

Stylish and exciting.

Death Takes a Holiday

Mitchell Leisen, 1934, 79 minutes

Eerie atmosphere and engaging premise.

The Wild Angels

Roger Corman, 1966, 93 minutes

Drags.

The Intruder

Roger Corman, 1962, 84 minutes

Skillful portrayal of the mass mind.

Secret Honor

Robert Altman, 1984, 90 minutes

Intriguing premise, unforgettable performance by Philip Baker Hall.

L'Argent

Robert Bresson, 1983, 83 minutes

Cold-eyed and effective.

Game 6

Michael Hoffman, 2005, 87 minutes

Worth watching for Don DeLillo's script.

The Ice Man

Ariel Vromen, 2013, 105 minutes

Empty calories.

My Night at Maud's

Éric Rohmer, 1969, 110 minutes

Blend of intellect and heart, beautifully acted.

Suzanne's Career

Éric Rohmer, 1963, 60 minutes

An indictment, perhaps unintentional, of repellent male behavior.

The Bakery Girl of Monceau

Éric Rohmer, 1963, 26 minutes

A bracing tale of self-delusion and chance.

Thief

Michael Mann, 1981, 123 minutes

Bloated caper pic.

Bad Company

Robert Benton, 1972, 93 minutes

Beautifully photographed anti-Western.

Gold Diggers of 1937

Lloyd Bacon, 1936, 101 minutes

Busby Berkeley plus Joan Blondell: can't miss.

La Collectionneuse

Éric Rohmer, 1967, 86 minutes

Much to chew on, but a long 86 minutes.

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

Tom Tykwer, 2006, 147 minutes

Creepy and visually rich.

Nobody

Ilya Naishuller, 2021, 92 minutes

Tremendous fun.

The Automat

Lisa Hurwitz, 2021, 79 minutes

Nostalgic in the best sense.

Something Wild

Jonathan Demme, 1986, 113 minutes

Genre-bending, with great music.