‘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.
Romance
‘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.
‘Irma la Douce’ (1963) another sweet mix of comedy, chemistry
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): Although the film’s running time is strangely miscalibrated, Lemmon and MacLaine are cute and funny.
‘Anora’ (2024) runs a rom-com through the ‘Fargo’ filter
Movie review: You never know what genre – or plot swings — you’re gonna get in this Sean Baker film that spins “Pretty Woman” through a blender.
‘Hackers’ (1995) isn’t a hack job, but it’s not good either
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Granted, this uncomfortably schizophrenic film from the heady early internet days has its admirers.
‘Sabrina’ (1954) an all-time great breezy romance
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): The delicately humorous screenplay and lead trio make this film easy to like, even by Wilder’s standards.
‘Poirot’ Season 10 (2005-06) a mix of smart and ill-advised alterations
Sleuthing Sunday (TV review): Rewriting of Christie’s words helps one story and hurts another in this season when Ariadne Oliver makes her debut.
‘Some Like It Hot’ (1959), and everyone likes it funny
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): Lemmon’s comedic chops and Curtis’ variety of characters make this the all-timer among gender-switch films.
‘Notorious’ (1992) has the nerve to take on one of Hitch’s best-crafted films
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): Jenny Robertson shines in the Ingrid Bergman role in this too-languid update of the 1946 gem.
‘Poirot’ works out math of love triangles in Season 9 (2003-04)
Sleuthing Sunday (TV review): The “dark years” – not necessarily in a bad way – start with four tragic episodes about unrequited love.