‘Stalag 17’ (1953) a mildly sanitized look at POW misery
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): This is another example of Wilder’s ability to balance tones, as he delivers a dark history lesson without traumatizing us.
Christmas
‘Stalag 17’ (1953) a mildly sanitized look at POW misery
‘The Apartment’ (1960) is worth renting, maybe even owning
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): The Oscars were right: Lemmon and MacLaine are delightful in this light-touch, heartfelt romantic dramedy.
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946), but is it a wonderful movie?
Christmas movie flashback: Frank Capra’s classic must be the most widely beloved movie about the business of real-estate loans. (Plus: A look at the film’s influence on “Buffy” Season 3.)
‘Christmas Bloody Christmas’ (2022) is chilly in the wrong way
Frightening Friday (Movie review): The final act has “Terminator” and “Rambo” flavors, but the film lacks scares, tension or even gore.
‘Edward Scissorhands’ (1990) a too-thin slice of heartfelt weirdness
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): For many Burton fans, this Christmastime film is a cut above, but I find it slices too thin.
‘Agatha Christie’s Poirot’ Season 6 (1994-95) adds Christmas cheer
Sleuthing Sunday (TV review): Which isn’t to say everyone is jolly in the Lee household for “Hercule Poirot’s Christmas,” but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
‘The Holdovers’ (2023) merely a placeholder for Payne
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): The director has delivered many 21st century masterpieces, but this Christmas film falls short of that status.
‘Alfred Hitchcock Presents’ Season 1 (1955-56) brings the macabre into living rooms
On a Hitchcock kick (TV review): As a holiday treat, we look at “Back for Christmas” and Hitchcock’s three other directorial efforts from “AHP’s” first season.
‘It’s a Wonderful Knife’ (2023) lacks any spirit at all
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Add this Christmas horror movie to your annual list … of films to completely skip.
‘Three Days of the Condor’ (1975) provides holiday-season conspiracy chill
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Other than an infamously bad romance subplot, this is another top-shelf Seventies paranoia thriller.