Twelve Films At Christmas - 5 & 6

In my random wanderings through cinema, it is rare that two such excellent movies cross my path in succession. The second of them was already known to me and I am surprised to note that I have not previously reviewed it here. I'm getting old and there can seem to be no time before I gave life to the Overgraduate. As for the first film now under the spotlight, well this was an altogether pleasant surprise. 

Hell and High Water (2016) is a beautifully poignant film evoking the moral and literal deserts of West Texas. Its principal protagonists are two small-time bandits (Chris Pine and Ben Foster) and two Texas Rangers (Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham). To be clear, this is not a Western but, with its nods to that important genre, it provides a modern coda to the format. By the conclusion of the film, two of these four characters will be dead. I will not spoil it by naming them (it's available on Netflix). Beautifully acted by all, this film is succinct and barely wastes a frame. Highly recommended. 86/100.

 Chinatown (1974) is cited by some as film noir. It certainly borrows many of the tics of that genre but for this amateur critic, the running time is too long and there are too many sunlit exteriors to fit the bill. That does not make it anything less than a very fine picture. Jack Nicholson's detective, Jake Gittes, is possibly his finest role in a career not empty of highlights. Faye Dunnaway is a suitable femme fatale. The conclusion is as dark as its street location is glaringly sunlit. That is rather the point of this excellent film. 84/100.