Mini-Review: If all the "quality" french films from the 40's-50's were like this one, then Truffaut, Godard et al would really have nothing to revolt against. This is a superbly written, engaging, unique look into the life of children under war. Though its premise sounds melodramtic at the very least, it's infused with enough comic and realist touches to avoid sentimental pitfalls. The direction may be indistinguished, but the striking visuals and the light touch bring out the best of the masterful script.

Mini-Review: A charming, free-spirited allegory about freedom, truth and political repression, made in the very first year of the Czechoslovakian film renaissance. What's great about it is that unlike other allegories (mostly from communist countries) that preach about freedom, this one really expresses it, through its visual and narrative style. There isn't too much plot to speak of, but its sheer imagination and deep compassion for people (and children in particular) really compensate for it.

Mini-Review: Most of the film is a pretty standard whodunit as it chronicles the investigation of several leads, trying to find the strangler and in the process revealing the many weirdos and perverts in boston (which has a disturbing effect when it seems to demonize these people a bit). But in the last act, it suddenly turns into a taut, claustrophobic, psychological drama with Curtis giving a rather good performance as a schizophreniac, and that kicks the whole film up a notch.

Mini-Review: Fascinating and highly entertaining, it gives a detailed and rich look into the mechanics of con-men, and when it turns into a multiple-twists movie, it still remains believable and well thought out.