A Hitchcock protégé + a kissing cousin to Gone Baby Gone

The Tall Man

I love a convincing scare. Jessica Biel delivers as Julia in The Tall Man (Canada/France, 2012, Cold Rock Productions). Desperate conditions and small-town lore underscore an unknown menace snatching local children. The first half intrigues and teases, but alas, deflates in climax. The Tall Man stands as kissing cousin to Gone Baby Gone. See it for the twists, haunting atmosphere, and Julia’s gritty chase to find her child.

Available on iTunes and Amazon Video.

The Woman Who Wouldn’t Die

Hitchcock protégé Gordon Hessler deftly blends horror and thriller together in The Woman Who Wouldn’t Die (USA, 1965, Warner Bros.). Crippled business mogul Ellen Garth is a striking study in contrasts. Deeply erotic, pitiable, yet domineering, she drives husband Raymond to cheat with her “innocent” niece. Together with the male secretary Ellen is blackmailing, Raymond plans to kill his wife. Murdered brutishly, Ellen’s corpse lay in the toolshed. But does she rest easy? Mysterious happenings and a twist complete Raymond’s watch-worthy slide into horror.

Available on Watch TCM and DVD.

— Kate Dancey, author