‘Found footage’ of ‘Poughkeepsie Tapes’ (2007) leaves permanent chill
Frightening Friday (Movie review): The images are fleetingly tough to watch, yet this “found footage” classic leaves psychological scars.
Mystery
‘Found footage’ of ‘Poughkeepsie Tapes’ (2007) leaves permanent chill
Less is more in understated ‘Shadow of a Doubt’ (1943)
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): The thin plot actually serves as a red carpet rolled out so Cotten and Wright can shine.
‘True Detective’ Season 4, ‘Death and Other Details,’ ‘Fool Me Once’ ask whodunit
First episode impressions (TV reviews): There’s some danger of murder-mystery fatigue as 2024 begins, but a new season of “True Detective” is always welcome.
Reeve, Hannah make ‘Rear Window’ (1998) better than it should be
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): Proving that a quadriplegic can get a decent role, this remake of a perfect film has its own reason for existing.
Mean-girl mystery ‘She Started It’ (2023) a killer start to career
Book club book report: Though it’s obviously a debut novel, Sian Gilbert shows a knack for mystery plotting and insight into narcissists.
‘Vertigo’ (1958) a surreal, maybe unreal, masterpiece
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): Although it’s arguably imperfect, and certainly has imperfect people in it, it’s perhaps the most fun Hitch film to talk about.
Hollywood takes three shots at ‘Maltese Falcon’ (1931-41)
Sleuthing Sunday (Movie reviews): The 1941 Bogart-starrer is the most famous and best of these adaptations.
‘Rear Window’s’ (1954) views on privacy, spying remain relevant
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): This classic is timeless in the way it comments on human nature and societal standards.
John’s top 10 movies of 2023
2023 movies: Action movies had grand finales, superhero fatigue drove off audiences, and horror and comedy became niche genres in a wild year in film.
John’s top 10 TV shows of 2023
2023 television: A couple of old-school network shows break into the streaming-dominated list of my favorite series of the year.