Kiss of the spider woman 1985

Starring: William Hurt

Fantasies of two prisoners in a South American jail.

A real slow burner of a movie. About half way through, following a conversation between Hurt & the prison governor, you suddenly twig what's going on and what the first hour has all been about. It then becomes utterly absorbing. Darkness & silence are cleverly used to build the tension. I was a little disappointed with the ending but two superb acting performances were well worth seeing.       6/10

Moonrise 1948

Starring: Dane Clark

A murderer's son is driven into violence by memories and fears of his childhood.

Melodrama where a man fights the inner demons he's had to live with since his father was hung when he was a young boy. Memorable mainly for the imaginative use of lighting and some strong supporting, acting performances. A bit single paced, but certainly caught my imagination and kept my interest.     6/10

Stranger on the third floor 1940

Starring: Margaret Tallichet

A reporter finds that he was wrong in the well-intentioned testimony which helps convict an innocent man for murder.

At only an hour long, this is a bit like watching an episode of your favourite TV show. The lead characters are personable & Peter Lorre (Never a favourite of mine) is only briefly in the movie. A decent plotline although I found too much time was spent listening & seeing the reporters thoughts and dreams. Overall, a short film which was very easy on the eye. 6/10

Arsenic and old lace 1942

Starring: Cary Grant

Two dear, well-meaning old ladies invite lonely old men to their Brooklyn home, poison them with Elderberry wine, and have their mad brother, who believes the corpses are yellow fever victims, bury them in the cellar. A homicidal nephew then turns up with bodies of his own.

A story that to my mind sits better on the stage. I'd like to have seen some of the victims being poisoned, it would have made the piece darker. Some great characters, namely both the aunts and their relative who thinks he's Roosevelt. Cary Grant, usually so dependable, shouts his way through the film and is actually quite annoying. A classic story but not my favourite adaptation. 5/10