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.
Romance
Hollywood takes three shots at ‘Maltese Falcon’ (1931-41)
‘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.
‘Strange Days’ (1995) rings in a future of untrustworthy institutions, virtual socializing
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): In terms of tech details, this Kathryn Bigelow-directed film might be James Cameron’s most prescient screenplay.
‘Dial M for Murder’ (1954) … or for masterpiece
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): This unusually stylish “filmed stage play” features one of the most twisty and compelling mystery plots ever devised.
Stupnitsky’s ‘No Hard Feelings’ is easy to like
Movie review: The director of “Good Boys” continues to make sweet-natured raunch-coms that straddle old and new sensibilities.
‘Love Actually’ (2003) hangs wide array of emotions on the Christmas tree
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Twenty years later, this incredibly cast film still boasts powerful moments illustrating every type of love.
‘Thin Man’ movie (1934) emphasizes stars, but I can’t blame it
Sleuthing Sunday (Movie review): Dashiell Hammett’s mystery is still there, but Powell and Loy steal the show. And that’s OK.
‘Insomnia’ (1994) is long but not sleep-inducing
Stephen King flashback (Book review): Although it reads like an important novel to King, it for some reason is not a popular target for adaptation.