Solaris (1972)

Solaris (1972)

Something has gone wrong at the Soviet space station around the planet Solaris. The planet has a sentient ocean that may be creating hallucinations and that idea frighten those in charge. Kris Kelvin (Donatas Banionis), an unpleasant and simple man who is supposedly a psychologist, but never displays that in any way, has been chosen

The Misfits (1961)

The Misfits (1961)

Recent divorcée Roslyn Taber (Marilyn Monroe) and her divorce-enabling friend Isabelle Steers (Thelma Ritter) run into Gay Langland (Clark Gable), an aging and bitterly nostalgic he-man cowboy, and Guido (Eli Wallach), a lost widower. The men immediately start competing for her. Though neither of them exhibit any qualities she’s interested in, she moves in to

Spartacus (1960)

Spartacus (1960)

Gladiatorial-trainee slave Spartacus (Kirk Douglas) inadvertently kicks off a slave rebellion when Varinia (Jean Simmons), the girl he’s fallen for, is sold to a Roman senator. Spartacus leads a growing army that eventually includes Cixus (John Ireland), David (Harold J. Stone), Antoninus (Tony Curtis) and an escaped Varinia. Their goal is to reach the coast

An American in Paris (1951)

An American in Paris (1951)

American expatriate painter Jerry Mulligan (Gene Kelly) is picked up by a wealthy divorcée (Nina Foch).  She becomes his patron, with an eye to becoming his lover, but he falls for Lise (Leslie Caron), an anonymous young shop girl. However, she has a secret: She’s engaged to a successful singer (Georges Guétary) who also happens to

Cat People (1942)

Cat People (1942)

Irena Dubrovna (Simone Simon), a Serbian immigrant, falls in love with Oliver Reed (Kent Smith), and they quickly marry. Irena refuses to consummate the relationship, believing that arousal would turn her into a panther. Eventually, Oliver persuades her to see psychologist Louis Judd (Tom Conway), but he is more interested in getting his hands on

Contact (1997)

Contact (1997)

Faithless, and therefore unhappy, astronomer, Dr. Eleanor Arroway (Jodie Foster), searches for years for signs of extraterrestrial life.  Along the way, she is thwarted by shortsighted scientist Dr. David Drumlin (Tom Skerritt), and she meets  man-of-faith, Palmer Joss (Matthew McConaughey), who will later become an advisor to Bill Clinton.  Finally, she discovers a broadcast from space

Hamlet (1948)

Hamlet (1948)

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (Laurence Olivier), upset that his mother, Queen Gertrude (Eileen Herlie) has married his uncle Claudius (Basil Sydney) just two months after the death of the old king, is informed by his father’s ghost that Claudius murdered him. Hamlet vows revenge, but moves slowly, feigning madness, rejecting and abusing the young Ophelia (Jean

Mildred Pierce (1945)

Mildred Pierce (1945)

It’s not the mystery, or the emotional impact, or the philosophical theme that make this film a pleasure, as it has none of those. It’s the humor. This is a movie to laugh at (not with), and occasionally just to stare at in disbelief.

Rosemary's Baby (1968)

Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

Housewife Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow) and her self-absorbed husband Guy (John Cassavetes) move to an apartment next to a strange old couple (Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer). Rosemary becomes pregnant, but this happy event is also the beginning of her paranoia and fear that witches want her baby. Along with The Omen and The Exorcist, Rosemary’s

Touch of Evil (1958)

Touch of Evil (1958)

In 1958, Film Noir was no longer original. Either by design (like Sunset Blvd.) or by mistake (like  Touch of Evil) Noirs had been reduced to parodies. And this parody documents the fall of Orson Welles. Few have fallen farther.