Holland’s adaptation of Robert Marshall’s book “In The Sewers Of Lvov” is a worthy addition to the pantheon of Holocaust cinema. Out of the chaotic early scenes and the darkness of the underground locations, distinct ...

Gremillon’s keen attention to location and social milieu belies his early work as a documentarian. Watching these films in succession, you’re struck by the contrast between the gloomy, claustrophobic atmosphere of ...

Pacino’s directorial debut is much like the man himself; a slightly scattered but wildly entertaining inquiry into Shakespeare’s continued relevance in today’s world. Jumping from New York to Stratford, from cerebral ...

With a reputation as a serious actress, Dunne’s first comedic role rewarded her with an Academy Award nomination and a successful future in the genre (just the following year, she’d go on to appear opposite Cary Grant ...

Culled from about 90 hours of raw material spanning a quarter century, Soderbergh evokes the essence of a highly complex man. Gray was at once a quirky genius, incisive wit and troubled family man. He talks candidly ...

With “Children”, veteran director Cuaron delivers a pulsating, futuristic thriller that engages the brain as much as it stirs the senses. Adapted from the dystopian novel by P.D. James, the film makes biblical ...

We all know the story of the Beatles, but here director Scorsese recounts their rise through the prism of guitarist Harrison’s own experience. The first half of this extensive work reveals new facets of the Fab Four’s ...

Director Danny Boyle brings a Dickensian rags-to-riches story to vibrant life, with cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle earning extra credit (and an Oscar) for his kinetic camerawork. Seven additional Oscars were handed ...

Sautet’s second feature (released just weeks after Godard’s “Breathless”) was initially a box-office failure, but has since climbed the ranks of France’s noir canon. Ventura’s world-weary face alternately expresses ...

Music video director Capotondi’s first feature skillfully mixes romance with chilling suspense and ominous psychodrama. Indeed, “Hour” effectively evokes Hitchcock with its cool twists and subtly played themes of random ...

This film’s original title “I Compagni” (“The Comrades”) was changed to “The Organizer” for the English language release to avoid any whiff of communist leanings in the subject matter. Star Mastroianni, in an atypical ...

Bergman’s recurring preoccupation with our darker impulses and the absence of God is on full display in “Spring”, a stark retelling of a 13th century Swedish ballad. This story of a pious, peaceful man forced to ...

The title for this groundbreaking piece of observational cinema comes from a musical revue that the guards perform each year. As that bizarre performance is shown intermittently during the film, the singing, smiling ...

Young’s first feature film is informed by his prior work as a social documentarian: he spent a full year living among migrant workers in the Southwest to gain insight into the plight of illegal immigrants. As a result ...

Kiarostami’s first film to be shot and produced outside of Iran is a provocative mind-bender saved from impenetrability by exceptional performances from the two leads and a subtle, cerebral script. Binoche, who won the ...

This poignant love story was the first film to be produced under the newly formed MGM banner and the first one to feature Leo the lion in the opening logo. Chaney is heartbreaking as the sad clown, affecting a ...

French New Wave director Chabrol executes yet another fascinating variation on his favorite theme: murder among the bourgeoisie. His sleek, detached filmmaking style is just right for this cerebral thriller. Bouquet ...

With no voiceover narration, no talking heads, and no on-screen titles, Wiseman’s artful visual essay about art lets the audience bask in the aesthetic beauty of creation, while also exposing the nuts and bolts of how a ...

Hazanavicius’ joyous, mostly silent film is both an ode to 1920’s filmmaking and a celebration of the art of cinema. Applying most all the conventions of silent movies, this comic romance proves that dialogue still ...

Oplev’s stylish, ultra-violent thriller mainly succeeds due to Rapace’s Salander, a fascinating creature who prowls across the screen much like the reptile tattooed on her back. Salander is one of the great movie ...