These are films that slipped under most people’s radar—including mine!

Excellent Films

**** Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead. (2007) When two brothers hatch a scheme to get easy money, they don’t anticipate the spiraling chain of events. This family is more troubled than Oedipus and his parents. This is a strong, very dark film exploring personal choice and family relationships. The title refers to the Irish saying that you’d better hope you’ve been in heaven half an hour before….. Dir. Sidney Lumet. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Marisa Tomei, Albert Finney, Rosemary Harris. (08)

**** Delirious (2006) When paparazzo Les (Steve Buscemi) befriends a homeless actor, he never expects to find a friend—or to create a future star. The film explores the ironic Catch-22 of stars being created by the media they spend a lot of time hiding from. Michael Pitt is effective as Buscemi’s self-appointed friend. Alison Lohman, Gina Gershon. Dir. Tom DiCillo, who also wrote the script. (08)

**** Croupier (1998) Jack Manfred wants to be a writer but lacks material. He would never have suspected that his new job as a croupier would provide more than enough material or that the price for it would be so high. Clive Owen’s subtle performance hits all the right notes. Dir. Mike Hodges (08)

****Unfaithfully Yours (1947). When Sir Alfred de Carter's brother-in-law plants the idea that Sir Alfred's wife has been deceiving him, the famous maestro conducts the concert of his life.... as he plots for his wife's demise. This hysterical black comedy was remade with Dudley Moore in 1984, but the 40-year-old Rex Harrison is not to be missed. Dir. Preston Sturges. (09)

Quite Good Films

***½  In Bruges (2008) When hit men Ray and Ken travel to the tiny Belgian town to await instructions, Ken bones up on guidebooks while Ray hopes for quick passage back to London. The charming historical town becomes another character—the mediator who tries unsuccessfully to calm everyone down. Dir. Martin McDonagh. Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes. (08)

***½ Married Life (2007) This sharp black comedy explores the perplexities of marriage, including the terrible phenomenon of the grass being greener in the other pasture next door. Dir. Ira Sachs. Rachel Adams, Chris Cooper, Pierce Brosnan, and Patricia Clarkson. (10)

***½ The Visitor (2007) Sweet film showing the compassion and curiosity that comes from contact with new cultures and world views. When staid professor Vale is accidentally swept into the world of illegal immigrants, his response is to learn to beat quite literally to a new drum. Strong performances support a heartfelt story. Dir. Thomas McCarthy. Richard Jenkins, Haaz Sleiman, Danai Gurira, Hiam Abbass. (09)

***½  Death at a Funeral (2007) When a man’s wealthy father dies, all the family members react to the crisis in a different way. Despite the title, the British film is as humorous as it is surprising. Dir. Frank Oz. Peter Dinklage, Matthew Macfadyen and Rupert Graves. (08)