**

Plane crash leads politician (Kristin Scott Thomas) and cop (Harrison Ford) to the uncomfortable realization that their spouses, both killed in the disaster, were having an affair. Ford wants to know why and for how long, while Thomas would just as soon forget the whole thing. Gimmicky love story, told in a melancholy monotone, that has nothing to say about either love or infidelity. Well-made, but never convincing. Based on the book by Warren Adler.

**

Another interminable Bond film, this one gummed up with specious Star Wars-style backstory ("I am your father"). At this point, whoever 007 is, he isn't James Bond. With his crime-fighting team of M, Moneypenny, and Q, he has more in common with Jack Bauer of TV's 24. This time around Bond follows up on a lead from the previous M (Judi Dench) and gradually uncovers a nefarious international crime organization known as Spectre. Fans of the Daniel Craig films may enjoy the interconnections with earlier films, while fans of Ian's Fleming's creation will find themselves constantly cringing. Not that the latter is anything new, but the assault is at its most insidious here. One fight sequence ends with an odd (and irrelevant) Jaws-inspired flourish. Still, the photography is nice, and Léa Seydoux is particularly appealing (if too much the "powerful" woman) as a psychologist Bond has sworn to protect. Based on absolutely nothing.

**

Flawed, sporadically exciting thriller by the author of Jaws about a marine biologist who encounters a deadly creature in the waters off the coast of Connecticut, the mutated fruit of decades-old Nazi experimentation. Begins with fine air of mystery and adventure, then refuses to give up the mystery until late in the book, by which time it has become merely confusing. The obligatory woman (a scientist herself, doing whale research using cameras mounted on sea lions) fits nicely into the story, but Benchley can't quite figure out how to handle the obligatory kid: he begins as a long-delayed experiment in fatherhood, then, at 12 years old, develops a life of his own, complete with deaf girlfriend. Manages, however, to end reasonably well. Worth reading, once, for those who like this sort of thing.

****

Classic horror film of American skeptic investigating British Satanist who predicts the Yank has only three days to live. Unusual for showing the murderous demon up front, a decision made by executive producer Hal E. Chester and condemned by Tourneur and screenwriter Charles Bennett, who argued for a more ambiguous approach. (Chester got it right.) Fast-paced, intelligently plotted, and full of supernatural goings-on. A must for fans of the genre. Also known as Curse of the Demon, and based on the M. R. James story "Casting the Runes."

****

Introverted academic swears ​to get even when an alcoholic neighbor runs over his beloved cat.  Psychological crime novel with complex characters (these are recognizable people with real problems), a genre defying plot (the mystery here isn't in the crime but in the way it will all play out), and loads of perceptive humor (most of which goes unappreciated by the melancholy main character).  Regrettably, the ending isn't as inventive as the rest of the novel, but the rest  -- full of intelligence, wit, and charm -- is a pure delight.  Vin Packer is one of several pen names used by Marijane Meaker.  Public Service Note:  If you have the Prologue Books paperback edition, do not read the grabber on the opening page:  it gives away a major plot point.