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

See It
Full Review
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

Skip It
Full Review
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

See It
Full Review
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

See It
Full Review
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

Skip It
Full Review
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

See It
Full Review
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

See It
Full Review
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

Skip It
Full Review
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

Skip It
Full Review
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

See It
Full Review
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

See It
Full Review
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?

See It
Full Review

Recent Quick Takes

Transfusion (2023)

Skip It

Sam Worthington is mired in a plodding plot that wants to be actioner and think piece and winds up being neither

Sand Storm (2016)

See It

It's not a war story – only it is, of sorts – about modern Arab women's struggle against millennia-old traditions

The Skeleton Twins (2014)

See It

Estranged, dysfunctional twins Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig somehow manage to make suicide mirthful

Black or White (2014)

See It

A hard-edged, thought-provoking drama of a widowed father fighting for custody of his biracial daughter

Young Ones (2014)

See It

In a water-parched future, a refreshingly original and complex story of greed, betrayal, and family loyalty

The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)

See It

A do-gooder lawyer who works from the back of his car begins to realize his case isn't exactly open-and-shut

Albert Nobbs (2011)

Skip It

A refreshingly unique tale, splendidly acted, that still leaves you unaffected and a bit adrift at the end

Casino Jack (2010)

See It

This romp based on the downfall of sleazy D.C. lobbyist Jack Abramoff almost has you rooting for the bad guys

The Angels’ Share (2012)

Skip It

A feel-good comedy that strains a little too much to be cute and cuddly