Foster Child (2007) 8.5/10
Silence (2012) 7/10
I watched The Stars Look Down (1940) which starred Michael Redgrave and Margaret Lockwood.
A bleak film about a coal mining community in North-East England based on the book by A J Cronin. A forerunner of the kitchen sink dramas of the late 50s and 60s, Well acted and was directed by Carol Reed (who would go on to direct Odd Man Out and The Third Man).
I watched The Captive Heart (1946). One of the best POW British films made with a strong cast lead by Michael Redgrave who was excellent.
I also watched the French film "Les ÃĐmotifs anonymes"(Romantics Anonymous) (2010). Delightful short romantic comedy about 2 timid and nervous people, and chocolate.
Originally Posted by El Loro:
I saw Stage Struck (1958). An aspiring actress is trying to break through into Broadway theatre. The film is a remake of Morning Glory (1933) which was Katherine Hepburn's third film.
Susan Strasberg who played the actress in Stage Struck was the daughter of Lee Strasberg who set up the Actors Studio and was the key person in method acting. This film was also her third film but she was no Katherine Hepburn and did not get to the top as Hepburn did. The film does have its moments but isn't a great film.
I've now seen Morning Glory (1933). Besides Katherine Hepburn it atarred Adolphe Menjou and Douglas Faibanks Jnr. Near identical to Stage Struck but Katherine Hepburn made far more of her role than Susan Strasberg.
The final scene between her and Helen Ware (who played her costumer) is extraordinary. The costumer was once a young actress rising to the top but like the morning glory flower fades away. Hepburn is torn between despair, exhilaration, sadness, and determination showing all those emotions at the same time. She justifiably won her first Oscar.
In 1942 Adolphe Menjou recreated his role in a version for The Lux Radio Theatre. Hepburn's role was played by Judy Garland who would of course later be the lead in A Star in Born.
Circles (Krugovi) (2013) 8.5/10
I saw Murder on a Honeymoon (1935) which was the third in the series of comedy murder films starring Edna May Oliver as Hildegarde Withers. The film also featured Leo G Carroll (best known for North by Northwest and The Man from Uncle). Very early role for him but looked and sounded just like he did years later.
I also saw Animal Farm (1954), the most significant serious British animated film ever made. The film was narrated by Gordon Heath with all of the animals being voiced by Maurice Denham.
I wastched Hanna (2011). 16 year old girl (Saiorse Ronan) brought up in the snowy wilderness in Finland by her father (Eric Bana) is pursued by her father's ex-employers lead by Cate Blanchett.
In part a derivative action film, but Saiorse Ronan brings a quality to her role which made me wonder what happened to her character after the end of the film. It's not an American blockbuster type of film and is more European in feel. The girl had read the Brothers Grimm stories and in part the film has a touch of the darker side of those stories.
I watched A Foreign Affair (1948) which starred Jean Arthur, John Lund and Marlene Dietrich and was directed by Billy Wilder.
I have a minority view compared to the ratings and reviews on IMDB. I did not like the film at all, came close to stop watching it, though Jean Arthur was dreadful, John Lund was just about adequate in a role which would have better suited Cary Grant, thought the storyline was silly, and considering the film was supposed to be a comedy unfunny and distasteful by making light of the ruins of post war Berlin and the people living there. Only Marlene Dietrich rescued the film from being a 1 out of 10.
I resaw after many years Double Indemnity (1944).
The best film noir ever made and one of the major classics of American film.
Outstanding performances by Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck and Edward G Robinson.
Based on James M Cain, the script was by Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler and is outstanding.
Directed by Billy Wilder, his first of his major classic films.
The Hobbit .... I love Richard Armitage 
I resaw Places in the Heart (1984). In the 30s, a widow (Sally Field) tries to run the cotton farm with the help of an itinerant man (Danny Glover) and others. Strong drama and well acted. Robert Benton wrote and directed the film. He set the film in his birthplace and clearly had a strong connection with the people there.
Ultimately, the film is about forgiveness. The final scene reflects this and what is truly in the places in the heart in a strongly Christian way.