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One lust feeds the other
If you can’t make it to a PSYCHO-CIRCUS (1966) or a NIGHTMARE CIRCUS (1974), then a VAMPIRE CIRCUS (1974) is the next best thing. Actually, it’s better. If you are of a certain age – say, grudgingly...
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The Thing Who Saved Christmas
It’s that time of year when families gather around the TV to watch their holiday favorites. It’s a Wonderful Life, The Charlie Brown Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street… comfort viewing. Movies in...
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Barnstorming History with Herstory
Amelia Earhart is making headlines again. Scientists recently discovered some bone fragments on Nikumaroro, a deserted South Pacific island, along with additional artifacts (aircraft bearings, a...
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From the Mouths of Critics Come . . .
The last episode of TCM’s Moguls and Movie Stars, “Fade Out, Fade In,” chronicled the Film School Generation and its impact on Hollywood history. The episode also noted the impact of young movie...
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Adventures in VOD: Norman Lear and Cold Turkey (1971)
That’s a lot of Van Dykes. This rather frightening menagerie was arranged by Norman Lear, who wrote and directed the slapstick satire Cold Turkey in 1971. A cult item that used to circulate solely on...
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Have Yourself A Merry Lorre Christmas
Peter Lorre’s Christmas Card from 1937 “To my small boy’s mind, no other event could compare in grandeur and enchantment with the thrill of Christmas. For nights my dreams were filled with wonderful...
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The Horror Dads vs. THE CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE
The Horror Dads are taking a break from untangling Christmas lights, assembling bikes and scooters, spiking the eggnog and catching up on THRILLER episodes to discuss the Val Lewton-produced THE CURSE...
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Merry Christmas from the Three Stooges
Well, sort of, at least: billy_west-3_stooges_xmas_session The MP3 recording posted above is actually voice artist Billy West “as” Larry, Moe and Curly-Joe allegedly circa 1959, from A Site Called Fred...
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SOULFUL DISSONANCE – The Music of Franco De Gemini
You might not know the name but you have probably heard his music and the unmistakable sound of his harmonica on countless Italian film scores. The plaintive wail of his instrument on ONCE UPON A TIME...
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More from the Mouths of Critics
Recently, I have been thinking about the nature and function of film criticism and movie reviewing, which was prompted by the last episode of Moguls and Movie Stars. Episode 7, “Fade Out, Fade In”...
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My Top Ten Genre Movies of 2010
I was able to see more movies during the year than this guy. To honor him, I’m going to run down my favorite Genre Films of 2010. As top-ten lists rain down upon us, a general consensus emerges and...
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Let’s Have A Ski Party!
I love the winter months but when the temperature starts to drop and the nights get longer I often enjoy relaxing with some lighthearted movies that don’t require a lot from me. SKI PARTY (1965) is the...
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Year end
Well, that’s another year behind us. I should point out right now that this post has nothing to do with Fellini’s AMARCORD (1974). It’s a great movie, I love it a lot, but I didn’t watch it this year....
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Did Groucho kill Harpo?
A few weeks ago I was bloviating self-importantly about Laurel and Hardy’s debut talkie, Unaccustomed As We Are, and how I felt it demonstrated the ability of silent-era comedians to weather the...
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CRIB NOTES, PART 1 OF 2
I celebrated the new year by proofing a final mock-up of my Spring arthouse calendar film series program. It will screen about 50 films. Some new. Some old. The selection usually nets an equal amount...
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Irene Dunne in Theodora Goes Wild
I love the camaraderie among movie lovers who live to share discoveries of forgotten classics, overlooked new releases, and unsung foreign films. Movie lovers are an eclectic group who are diverse in...
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Hideko Takamine: No Characteristics
Hideko Takamine, who passed away on Dec. 28th at the age of 86, had a face worth puzzling over. In her films with director Mikio Naruse, she engineered an impassive, barely perceptible sag to her...
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Knit Flicks
Happy New Year! You may wish to begin the year by vowing to lose weight, (how original!…and welcome to the club), mastering the arcane intricacies of Farmville, (is it a game or a cult?), spending more...
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In Praise of Peter Sellers
Peter Sellers was one of the most talented character actors and comedians of his generation. Many of his best roles were improvised and he used his quick wit, Chaplinesque finesse and chameleon-like...
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A Talk with Legendary Film Editor Thelma Schoonmaker
Our friend David Konow is subbing in for me today to mark the birthday on January 3 of legendary Hollywood editor Thelma Schoonmaker. David’s talk with Thelma was published originally in the defunct...
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