Monthly Archives: July 2015

My Review of ‘Mildred Pierce’ (1945)

Posted on July 30, 2015 by

I’ve given it some thought and, frankly, I can’t figure out exactly why this movie is considered film noir. So, let’s review the situation. And I must warn you, this review is full of spoilers. Joan Crawford (as the title … Continue reading →

Posted in Drama, Film Noir | Tagged , | 10 Comments

My Review of ‘The Postman Always Rings Twice’ (1946)

Posted on July 27, 2015 by

Okay, so John Garfield (playing a drifter named Frank Chambers) hitches a ride to the middle of nowhere, except there’s a diner there. Well, I guess he was hungry, because he leaves his ride and stops inside for a hamburger. … Continue reading →

Posted in Film Noir | Tagged ,

My Review of ‘Double Indemnity’ (1944)

Posted on July 23, 2015 by

This is the story of a beautiful blonde sociopath and an insurance salesman too smart for his own good. Fred MacMurray plays (against type) the conniving Walter Neff, who tries to play his employee’s system and get a big payoff. … Continue reading →

Posted in Film Noir | Tagged , | 1 Comment

My Review of ‘D.O.A.’ (1950)

Posted on July 20, 2015 by

  In this stellar example of film noir, we open with Frank Bigelow (Edmund O’Brien) striding down a series of dark halls with lights glimmering at intervals. His destination: the Homicide Division. For he is there to report a murder … Continue reading →

Posted in Film Noir | Tagged , | 1 Comment

My Review of ‘The Hitch-Hiker’ (1953)

Posted on July 16, 2015 by

Like many a film noir, this one starts with a car. Two cars, actually. One being driven by a serial killer, the other with two men taking a fishing vacation in the California mountains – as well as a quick … Continue reading →

Posted in Film Noir | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Five Films Noir That Are Better Than the Books

Posted on July 13, 2015 by

I’ve taken the liberty of snagging this list of films noir that are better than the books, according to Crime Fiction Lover. This list comes directly from the story here — and I quote: 5 – The Big Sleep (1946) 4 – The Killers … Continue reading →

Posted in Film Noir | Tagged , ,

My Review of ‘Grosse Pointe Blank’ (1997)

Posted on July 9, 2015 by

Martin Q. Blank – possibly the best name for a professional hitman going through a career/life crisis – blows an assignment. For his sins, Blank must return to his home town for the first time in ten years to attend … Continue reading →

Posted in Comedy, Crime Fiction | Tagged ,

My Review of ‘An American in Paris’ (1951)

Posted on July 6, 2015 by

In this film, Gene Kelly plays a starving artist in Paris. He falls for Leslie Caron, who’s supposed to hook up with the uptight and upright Georges Guétary. Oscar Levant plays piano and provides his usual brooding presence. The plot … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Movies, Musicals | Tagged , | 1 Comment

My Review of ‘Chinatown’ (1974)

Posted on July 2, 2015 by

Now, here’s a movie that represents a major achievement in modern noir. The screenplay by Robert Towne is considered a great example of Syd Field’s three-act structure for writing scripts. Jake Giddes (played with proper laconic ‘tude by Jack Nicholson) … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime Fiction, Neo-Noir | Tagged | 3 Comments