If you are a true "Ah Sweet Mysterian" (yes, we've got our own cult name!), then you know that Rear Window is my favorite Alfred Hitchcock movie and maybe my favorite film of all time. I've mentioned it a lot and written about it extensively here. But I've never gotten to talk about it quite … Continue reading MR. THORWALD IN THE GARDEN WITH THE HATBOX: Sergio and Brad Discuss Rear Window
Film Noir
COMING UP! The Greatest Screen Sleuths Draft
“The important thing is the rhythm. Always have rhythm in your shaking. Now a Manhattan you shake to fox-trot time, a Bronx to two-step time, a dry martini you always shake to waltz time.” I love my buddies Sergio Angelini and Nick Cardillo. We are three lifelong mystery fans who are joined at the hip. … Continue reading COMING UP! The Greatest Screen Sleuths Draft
THE “MMM GOOD TRIFECTA”: Meta and Murder in the Movies
The latest class I’m taking at Stanford University is chock full of the stuff I love. In “Hollywood Looks at Itself,” we’re exploring films that turn a mirror on the art of filmmaking. Don’t let the fact that we started with Singin’ in the Rain fool you: most of the twenty films on this list are dark … Continue reading THE “MMM GOOD TRIFECTA”: Meta and Murder in the Movies
BRAD DONS A FEDORA
Next week, you will all find out the results of the Noirvember '55 draft being held this weekend with my friends, Sergio Angelini and Nick Cardillo. In a quick aside, if you can't get enough of film noir, you really should be listening to Sergio's podcast, Tipping My Fedora, where he talks to all sorts … Continue reading BRAD DONS A FEDORA
NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 12
At last we reach the final trio of films on our 36-title list of 1955 films noirs. What a ride it has been! A revisit to a few old favorites, a discovery of new delights . . . and a whole lot of titles that, out of kindness, I will simply say fit into a decidedly … Continue reading NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 12
NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 11
We’re coming close to the end of our 36-film list of films noir for our upcoming Noirvember draft. (Here’s the entire list.) And, as often happens when you reach the end, we’re finding ourselves at the bottom of the glass, swimming through the dregs. Women’s Prison There’s something special about a women’s prison picture, where a virtual … Continue reading NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 11
NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART TEN
We’re only a month away from our draft of the Top 13 Films Noirs of 1955. I’m busy compiling my list, and I’m sure my co-drafters Sergio Angelini and Nick Cardillo are doing the same. I’ve seen a few masterpieces, a lot of solid noir, and some real, er, dreck. The question is: what’s ahead for me in the final … Continue reading NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART TEN
NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 8
When you’re watching thirty-six films noirs over several months, all from the same year, not all of them can be Grade-A noir! The last trio was pretty rough, but I went into this next batch with high hopes – and a little anxiety, for amongst these titles was one “classic” film with which I did not get along … Continue reading NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 8
NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 7
Considering this month marks my tenth anniversary, one hopes that the next nine films on the list for our upcoming Noirvember ’55 draft would be bangers, every one of them! (Here’s the entire list.) Today’s trio, sadly, does not bode well! Murder Is My Beat The premise for this one sounds like something out of … Continue reading NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 7
NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 6
Today we reach the halfway point in our 36-film list of 1955 films noirs that Sergio Angelini compiled for our Noirvember draft. (Find the list here.) Sergio, Nick Cardillo and I are currently watching and evaluating each of these in order to present our Top 13 list to you. Today’s threesome includes a top favorite, one that … Continue reading NOIRVEMBER ’55, PART 6
Ah Sweet Mystery! 