‘Oxford Inheritance’ (2016) is cozy but too generic
Book club book report: Ann A. McDonald creates an invitingly mysterious campus, but does nothing remarkable with plot or characters.
Romance
‘Double Indemnity’ (1944) a deliberate classic of film noir
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): Stiffer than Wilder’s later masterpieces, his adaptation of Cain’s novel helps stamp a genre into public consciousness.
‘Hunter and Other Stories’ (2013) cleans out Hammett’s files
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Unpublished and under-published tales are rounded up from the author’s archives, but this is for serious fans only.
By a ‘Coup de Chance’ (2023), Woody’s still got it
Woody Wednesday (Movie review): While this isn’t Allen’s best film mixing infidelity and murder, the themes are remixed in an engaging way.
Wilder adds to sleuth’s lore in ‘Private Life of Sherlock Holmes’ (1970)
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): The premise: This unusually personal mystery was kept from the public till 50 years after the sleuth’s passing.
‘The Gorge’ can’t clear the gap to greatness
Movie review: Standard sci-fi intrigue and two likeable leads keep Derrickson’s film from descending too far, but it could’ve been better.
‘Avanti!’ (1972) not among Wilder’s elite, but it certainly avoids cliches
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): By not challenging its own morality (or immorality), the film oddly encourages us to think outside the box.
Add ‘The List’ (2023) to your list of contemporary culture dramas
Book club book report: Debut novelist Yomi Adegoke takes an engrossing dive into the good and very bad of cancel culture.
‘Seven Year Itch’ (1955) had me itching for more laughs
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): That classic shot of Marilyn Monroe over the storm grate comes from this film, but it’s not too memorable otherwise.
‘Ball of Fire’ (1941) a delightful early gem from Hawks, Wilder
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): Enjoy the star power of Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck, and as a bonus learn the slang of 1941.