Shot on location in Beijing’s Forbidden City—the first time ever for a Western film— Bertolucci’s lush, sumptuous biopic tells of a deeply sheltered man’s personal transformation, while examining the tumultuous ...

“Buck” is a revealing and intimate portrait of one extraordinary human being, an authentic folk hero who embodies the ideals of strength and decency that we all associate with the American cowboy. Beyond presenting ...

In a career that practically spanned the history of motion pictures, Jack Cardiff became one of the most respected cinematographers in the business, with his most notable achievement the magic he worked with the early ...

Supported by an impressive array of well researched, thoughtfully arranged facts and hypotheses, “Sword” presents a persuasive and damning portrait of religious intolerance in the Catholic Church, particularly against ...

With its use of then cutting-edge portable camera and sound equipment, this historic doc achieves a rare and fascinating immediacy. Drew negotiated wide access for his camera operators (which included future filmmakers ...

Underrated sixties gem was produced by Tony Richardson, just off his success in “Tom Jones”. Directed with sensitivity and restraint by first-time helmer Davis, this touching tale runs on poignant, note-perfect ...

Considering how many of us fantasized about being an astronaut as kids, it’s hard not to be delighted and astounded by this in-depth look at the men who actually lived the dream of space exploration. “Shadow” exposes ...

This smart, dark psychological drama, Chabrol’s second film, turns a classic city mouse/country mouse fable into a devastating morality play. (Actors Blain and Brialy were reunited after appearing in the director’s ...

Pudovkin’s still vivid, powerful film leverages the innovative editing techniques of the time to convey an affecting human story. Images of a Russia in conflict come fast and furious, conveying the workers’ pent-up ...

Avoiding any hint of melodrama, director Riker builds immediacy and credibility for his stories via gritty black-and-white cinematography, compelling nonprofessional actors, and all-too-realistic story lines, which are ...

Today, as digital effects assault us at every turn, there’s something satisfying about a silent film that can still astound and amaze us with the simple use of fades, double exposures, and other tricks of early cinema. ...

Widely imitated but seldom equaled, Hooper’s low-budget, still petrifying horror classic richly earns its cult status. Recalling the savage villains in John Badham’s “Deliverance”, Hooper taps into our innate fears ...

Largely improvised by the two leads, this hilarious pseudo-doc provides a rich cinematic showcase for popular British comedians Coogan and Bryden. They’re in practically every shot, so there’s nothing to interfere with ...

First and foremost, “Crazy Heart” serves as a fabulous showcase for star Bridges, who snagged a well-deserved Oscar for his portrayal of a broken-down man who suddenly finds reason to seek redemption. Gylllenhaal is ...

One of the rare sequels that equals if not exceeds its distinguished predecessor, “The Godfather- Part II” stands as a work of enduring cinematic brilliance. Coppola skillfully interweaves two fascinating periods in ...

This searing indictment of a Romania then under the tyrannical rule of the Ceausescu regime won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, and the award was richly deserved. By choosing to focus on the friend of the girl who needs an ...

While most Americans have doubtless heard of the Freedom Riders, this meticulously researched, incisive work, presented by the acclaimed PBS series “American Experience”, provides a level of immediacy and detail that ...

The events depicted in this remarkable film seem improbable at best, yet they’re all true, recorded by the real Solomon Perel in his autobiography. Director Holland, who won an Oscar nod for her screenplay, balances a ...

Rossellini, who brought a devastating realism to the cinema with neo-realist like “Rome Open City”. Here he adopts a more polished look and style, with higher production values, but the results are just as compelling. ...

This gloriously over-the-top, compulsively watchable soaper was Huston’s follow-up to his smash hit debut, “The Maltese Falcon”. Though both the setting and genre of this film differ from its predecessor, both share the ...