A Study in Terror (1965)

A story that puts the fictional Sherlock Holmes (John Neville) into a real life historical setting, namely Whitechapel, on the trail of Jack the Ripper.
It must be a difficult thing to make Holmes seem ineffability clever without also being arrogant or smug; Neville manages it some of the time, but his sleuth definitely crosses over into the less likable sphere from time to time.
With the exception of Carry On queen Barbara Windsor, who gets colourful attire and some actual characterisation, the prostitutes are blank tools. The city fares better, with dingy alleyways and rain-soaked cobbles. The sound of night-walking heels on the latter is suitably atmospheric.
The murders are violent for the era, even when they aren't shown directly; the most unsettling of which is surely the lengthy POV scene that puts us into the killer's world while simultaneously masking the perpetrator's identity.

2½ maxims out of 5

Spider (2002)

An often overlooked film from David Cronenberg that absolutely deserves more attention than it currently receives, for a number of reasons but mostly because of Ralph Fiennes acting his socks off.
His speech characterises him, as you'd expect, but perhaps even more important are his mannerisms, clothes and even his stained fingers, all of which are an exquisite commentary on his inner feelings.
The Becket-esque halfway house in which Spider resides has a nearby factory that looms in an almost Ballardian way. The two styles work as one thanks to Cronenberg's ability to make them feel as if they deserve each other.
I really like Miranda Richardson and loved seeing her get such a powerful role.
Be warned, the trailer makes it appear something it's not.

5 bad airs out of 5

THE ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN [1988]

Pure Gilliam universe with innocence and childlike fantasy sprinkled over the bizarre.

Wonderfully imaginative with odd characters galore.

4 "Was That Sting?"s out of 5