The Fall Of The House Of Usher - 1955 - 6/10
Terribly obscure version of the Poe tale, helmed by Horror mainstay, Basil Copper.
This is black and white, silent, bordering on experimental, and stops after Madeline’s internment.
Photography slightly jumpy, but effective, and the narrative doesn’t mess around.
Score by In The Nursery is quite good, adding to but not dominating proceedings.
There are numerous Usher shorts, this would be in the upper third.
Gravity - 2013 - 7/10
Space junk destroys a shuttle making repairs to the Hubble scope.
Two survivors make for the International Space Station, only to find that situation almost as bad.
The astronauts work without a safety net, trying to survive and – maybe – return to Earth.
Despite the outer space tropes, this hews closer to adventure survival.
Nevertheless, the effects are outstanding, the plotting well-thought out.
A great one for science majors who don’t demand a lot of magical explanations.
Dazzling cinema.
The Intruder - 2025 - 6/10
AKA - L’intruse
Ma, late 40’s, unexpectedly pops out another kid.
She works! What to do? Hire a nanny!
Tess is hired, adored by the teenage kids and Dad, while Paula suffers doubts.
Paula is a weak hinge, behind at work, out of touch in the house, and guilty of an affair.
Tess is manipulative, cunning, and quite dangerous.
Has makings of a good thriller, especially since I disliked the mother and began rooting for the bad.
Always a viewing mistake to side with the villain.
Loose Ankles - 1930 - 5/10
Ann, now a wealthy heiress, does not want her inheritance. (please!)
Codicil: If she is “compromised” or discovered that way, she loses her inheritance.
As do all the other relatives.
So, she hires a cad – until it transpires they both like each other.
Depression era nonsense flirts with Pre-Code and Screwball.
Comedy is slapstick and farce. Screen presence by leads is low.
The insane circus cafe a highlight.