Capote’s ‘In Cold Blood’ (1966) is a book I could read again
Book club book report: Capote uses cold, hard facts to ask timelessly unanswerable questions about human nature and justice.
History
Capote’s ‘In Cold Blood’ (1966) is a book I could read again
‘Keeper of Enchanted Rooms’ (2022) and the dreariness of coziness
Book club book report: There’s safety in magical cliches, but not in risky romance; the latter thread is the only reason to read the book.
Coogler, Jordan team up again for too-safe ‘Sinners’
Movie review: It ain’t no sin to be glad you’re alive, but it’s hard to imagine a worse place to exist than stressfully racist 1931 Mississippi.
Hitchcock stumbles into sound era with ‘Juno and the Paycock’ (1930)
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): Although Sean O’Casey’s play is well-regarded, Hitchcock’s adaptation is rightly cited by many as his worst film.
‘Spirit of St. Louis’ (1957) shows the technical side of the spectacular
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): You’ll learn a lot about Lindbergh’s transatlantic flight, but it’s hard to make sleep deprivation thrilling.
‘So Long at the Fair’ (1950) a delightful riff on ‘Lady Vanishes’
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): In this film drawn from the same urban legend, a brother vanishes and a sympathetic leading lady carries us through the mystery.
‘The Book Thief’ (2005) is a beautiful novel about death and Nazis
Book club book report: Despite being narrated by Death during a very busy time, Markus Zusak’s YA novel is miraculously life-affirming.
Preston & Child hop dimensions in ‘Angel of Vengeance’
Book review: The authors intriguingly wrap up their time-travel saga as their long-running protagonists and antagonists meet.
‘Under Capricorn’ (1949) rightly buried under Hitchcock’s suspensers
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): Being a costume drama, this slice of Australian history is rare among his catalog. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make it good.
‘Waltzes from Vienna’ (1934) a light but important Hitchcock film
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): Though hurt by a lack of a vibrant print, this music-driven film has historical and even some romantic value.