‘Lost Weekend’ (1945) a grippingly honest portrayal of alcoholism
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): Ray Milland gives one of the most sobering (irony intended) portrayals of a drunk in Wilder’s stark masterpiece.
Oscars
‘Lost Weekend’ (1945) a grippingly honest portrayal of alcoholism
‘Ace in the Hole’ (1951) plays a winning hand of satire
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): As a portrayal of a single journalist’s power, it’s not particularly plausible, but the film is entertaining.
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.
Wilder serves and learns from Lubitsch in ‘Ninotchka’ (1939)
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): Writer Wilder would continue with this blend of comedy, romance and geo-politics/economics when he became a director.
Stop the presses: ‘The Paper’ (1994) is a rip-roaring journalism movie
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Though more comedic than others of its ilk, Ron Howard’s film gets the biz right.
‘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.
‘Crimson Tide’ (1995) is a red-letter submarine suspenser
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): The epitome of Nineties action remains a well-oiled machine 30 years later thanks to what now looks like restraint.
‘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.
‘French Connection’ (1971) lets you make own conclusions about Drug War
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Stylishly gritty without being a lecture, this is a deceptively smart straightforward film.
Hackman’s ‘Hoosiers’ (1986) has the winning touch
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Sometimes cliches play well in a movie, as this loose telling of the 1954 Indiana state hoops champs proves.