Crime Wave

Film Noir
5 stars

A great find. This noir has a strong story, a young Charles Bronson, an on-his-game Sterling Hayden, wonderful footage of old-school Los Angeles and outstanding cinematography.

Double Indemnity

Noir
5 stars

An all time classic, baby.

The Seventh Seal

50s Drama
Existential
5 stars

This is great highbrow cinema. Existential cinema. I could imagine Woody Allen watching this and coming up with humorous situations based on it. Set in the 14th century, but pertinent to eternal questions. Wonderful filmmaking.

The Devil and Daniel Johnston

Music Doc
5 stars

A fascinating look at a young musician with manic depression. Here's another film I showed to my students at UCSC. This film pulls the veil back on the notion of celebrity and is blessed with such a wealth of personal archival material. See this film.

36th Chamber of Shaolin

Martial Arts
Existentialist
5 stars

Whoa! This is a great kung fu movie, existential, political, funny and exciting. Highly recommended.

The Woman in the Window

Noir
5 stars

Edward G. Robinson stars in this noir about a man taking up with the wrong woman. Robinson carries the day, as usual.

I Am Cuba

Cuban-Russian
60s Drama
5 stars

Awesome, awesome cinematography. 4 short stories celebrating Cuban independence and revolutionary spirit (with some American bashing to boot), but the amazing cinematography really carries the day. Totally impressive and inspirational. Some of the shots are so unbelievable, I was getting fidgety on the sofa. Deep stuff.

Elevator to the Gallows

Ascenseur pour l'echafaud
French Noir
5 stars
Amazing Louis Malle French film noir. Two doomed couples at different stages in their lives, caught up in a murder. The cinematography is exciting, the story is compelling, and the score by Miles Davis is unmatched. Stands as high as any noir.