‘Blow Out’ (1981) blows it at the end, but is still great
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): A likeable Travolta and Allen guide this conspiracy noir through its beats, but De Palma doesn’t stick the landing.
Romance
‘Blow Out’ (1981) blows it at the end, but is still great
Hitchcock makes sound transition to talkies in ‘Blackmail’ (1929)
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): The tech transition feels gimmicky, but three compelling characters and a modern theme keep matters suspenseful.
Ricci tries bizarre British whimsy in ‘Miranda’ (2002)
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): With mild success, a one-and-done screenwriter blends a con drama, an orphan tragedy and romantic flailing.
du Maurier’s ‘Rebecca’ (1938) a slower burn than the film
On a Hitchcock kick (Book review): Hitchcock’s faithfulness limits surprises for those tackling the novel afterward, but it has one key difference.
‘Klute’ (1971) a grimy classic of Seventies noir
The ‘paranoia trilogy’ (Movie review): Rightly known for launching a new decade of noir style, Alan J. Pakula’s masterpiece is even more impressive as a romance.
Ricci is devastatingly raw and true in ‘Prozac Nation’ (2001)
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): I thought Ricci and Biggs were great in “Anything Else,” but this unheralded gem is something else.
Green beautifully tackles mental illness in ‘Turtles All the Way Down’ (2017, 2024)
Book and movie reviews: The author manages to make modern troubled teens not annoying. Just don’t come here for the mystery.
‘A.I. Rising’ (2018) a surprisingly splendid sexbot story
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Critics have compared it to “Ex Machina,” but a more interesting comparison might be made to “Cast Away.”
‘A Princess of Mars’ (1912) crumples under weight of what came later
Throwback Thursday (Book review): But readers interested in the chain of imaginative writings that led to “Star Wars” will want to check out Burroughs’ classic.
‘Marnie’ (1964) is pitch-black and gray and red all over
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): Late in his career, Hitch delivers an interesting film despite a dearth of likeable characters.