Behind The Curtain

Concise Reviews for Movie Addicts Who Don't Have Time to Waste

Genre: Drama

Recent Reviews

Still of Tatsuya Nakadai and Rentarō Mikuni in ‘Harakiri’ (1962)

Harakiri (1962)

This tale of a destitute samurai seeking justice exposes universal truths about romantic myths of honor

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Still of Timothy Bottoms and John Houseman in ‘The Paper Chase’ (1973)

The Paper Chase (1973)

Watch John Houseman spar with Timothy Bottoms? Hang in there only if the early 70s is your thing

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Still of Peter Lorre in ‘M’ (1931)

M (1931)

Peter Lorre gives one of film's most masterful performances in this classic drama about a serial killer - and justice

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Still of Robert Mitchem, Jane Greer, and Kirk Douglas in ‘Out of the Past’ (1947)

Out of the Past (1947)

Robert Mitchem and Kirk Douglas are perfect foils in this classic Noir infused with atmosphere and snappy dialog

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Still of Gloria Grahame and Humphrey Bogart in ‘A Lonely Place’ (1950)

In a Lonely Place (1950)

Humphrey Bogart and Gloria Grahame in an agonized romance only Film Noir devotees can appreciate

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Still of Ben Gazzara and James Stewart in ‘Anatomy of a Murder’ (1959)

Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

If I were you, I’d skip this review and just watch Jimmy Stewart in this tense and noirish courtroom drama

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Still of Charlie Chaplin and Virginia Cherrill in ‘City Lights’ (1931)

City Lights (1931)

It takes some patience, but hang on till the final, sniffle-inducing frame of this gentle social commentary

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Still of Maria Falconetti in ‘The Passion of Joan of Arc’ (1928)

The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)

This silent-era masterpiece is a must-see for film students, but exhausting for modern audiences to watch

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Still of Helen Mirren and Anthony Hopkins in ‘Hitchcock’ (2012)

Hitchcock (2012)

Psycho, the movie that defined modern horror, serves as a diverting backdrop for a love story

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Still of Jin Goo and Jung Seo-yeon in ‘My Lovely Angel’ (2021)

My Lovely Angel (2021)

Jin Goo and Jung Seo-yeon make an unlikely family in this unexpectedly touching tale of redemption

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Still of Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci in ‘Conclave’ (2024)

Conclave (2024)

Superb performances by Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini are the inspired aspects of this religious semi-thriller

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Still of Winston Duke in ‘Nine Days’ (2021)

Nine Days (2020)

What will you learn about yourself as you witness these souls being evaluated for mortality?

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Recent Quick Takes

The 33 (2015)

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Antonio Banderas gives it his all in this real-life tale of trapped Chilean miners beating the odds

Secretly Greatly (2012)

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Uncommonly ridiculous tale of North Korean spies whose mission in the South is to act like idiots and then die

The Man Standing Next (2020)

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Despite fine turns by Lee Byung-hun and Lee Sung-min, this languid, somber historical drama is hard to stick with

Run All Night (2015)

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More output from the Liam Neeson action assembly line, with a chilling supporting turn by Ed Harris

Night of the Assassin (2023)

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An ailing assassin with a price on his head slices through innumerable badguys and a predictable plot

Night in Paradise (2020)

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Gangster gets sold out, with bloody results. But Jeon Yeo-been shines as a terminal case with a deadly aim

Barefoot (2014)

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This feel-good romance about mental instability successfully walks that fine line between cliche and authenticity

The Front Line (2011)

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The vicious battle of Aerok Hill leaves North and South Korean soldiers unable to remember why they even fought

Grace of Monaco (2014)

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Try as she might, even audaciously talented Nicole Kidman can't breath any life into this wooden script

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