‘Stendhal Syndrome’ (1996) is stupid but rather engaging
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Asia Argento plays the least plausible cop ever, but her father Dario’s directorial style remains a high point.
Mystery
‘Stendhal Syndrome’ (1996) is stupid but rather engaging
People aren’t what they seem in ‘The Little Sister’ (1949)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): This decent mystery is a stronger character piece and behavior analysis from Chandler.
‘House on Sorority Row’ (1982) doesn’t do enough with strong female cast
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Mark Rosman’s film serves up a half-dozen well-drawn sorority sisters, but the plotting lets them down.
‘Prom Queen’ invites more disposable ‘Fear Street’ fun
Movie review: The fourth film based on R.L. Stine’s books exercises its nostalgia for the “Prom Night” movies.
‘Rebecca’ (1997) is more faithful to du Maurier’s gothic tragedy
On a Hitchcock kick (TV review): It’s a tad less masterful than the master’s version, but this longer, faithful adaptation isn’t lost in the smoke.
‘Lost Stories’ (2005) gathers Hammett’s hidden gems; plus, it’s a biography
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): In addition to unearthing worthy stories, editor Vince Emery chronicles the author’s life.
Argento comes stateside for hidden gem ‘Trauma’ (1993)
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Rydell and Asia Argento are excellent in this serial-killer mystery that blends giallo with noir.
‘Woman in the Dark’ (1933) gets murkier in 1934 film adaptation
Sleuthing Sunday (Book and movie reviews): Hammett’s experiment with blending crime and romance is worth reading, but the film doesn’t rise above a curiosity.
‘Deathtrap’ (1982) a tangle of not-funny-enough meta gags
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Caine and Reeve are good, but the humor doesn’t give this plotting-a-murder thriller enough bite.
‘Agatha Christie’s Poirot’ bows out with class in Season 13 (2013)
Sleuthing Sunday (TV review): Two strong episodes are joined by three that require creative re-imaginings by the writers.