Author Archives: Blowhard, Esq.

About Blowhard, Esq.

Amateur, dilettante, wannabe.

Nothin’ Beats a Noir Dame: Hazel Brooks in “Sleep, My Love”

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Considered a failure by director Douglas Sirk, SLEEP, MY LOVE is a decent enough noir for fans of the genre. The film concerns a brittle New York blueblood, played by Claudette Colbert, who is being gaslighted by her … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Performers, Sex | Tagged Alberto Vargas, Billy Gibbons, Cedric Gibbons, Claudette Colbert, Don Ameche, Douglas Sirk, Film Noir, glamour, Hazel Brooks, Hollywood, Pin-Ups | 3 Comments

Quote Du Jour

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Q: Did you set out to be a screenwriter? A: No, I wanted to work for a newspaper. I had no connections, so I just made the rounds. In those days, in Vienna, there were many papers. One … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Sex | Tagged Billy Wilder, too good to check | 1 Comment

NYC Notes, Part 4: A Night with the NY Phil at Lincoln Center

Posted on July 31, 2014 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: While in NYC last month I was lucky enough to attend one night of the New York Philharmonic’s inaugural biennial. Hosted and conducted by Alan Gilbert, the program was about 90 minutes long and consisted of three separate … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged Christopher Rouse, classical music, Julia Adolphe, Midori, new york philharmonic, Peter Eötvös | 7 Comments

Linkage

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: A writer at BitchMedia on why she walked out of the latest Zach Braff movie. I’m not a fan of his films, but Jesus, what a shitty review. Her main beef seems to be that he’s a white … Continue reading →

Posted in Linkathons | Tagged Carla Gugino, Dave Barry, Helen Mirren, over-the-top marriage proposals, the word "cosplay" gives me douchechills, YesAllBatmen, Zach Braff | 19 Comments

Movie Still Du Jour

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Blowhard, Esq.

Dana Andrews, Gene Tierney, and Clifton Webb in Otto Preminger’s LAURA (1944). I was reminded of this shot while browsing The Noir Style by Alain Silver and James Ursini. Click on the image to enlarge.

Posted in Movies | Tagged Film Noir, Gene Tierney, Otto Preminger | Leave a comment

Virtual Art Gallery Du Jour: Steve Ditko

Posted on July 26, 2014 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: I’ve been enjoying this biography of Steve Ditko which also contains a healthy survey of his work. Check out this trippy, psychedelic sampling of some of his comic covers and art from the late 50s and 60s. Fabrizio … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Commercial art | Tagged Comics, Marvel Comics, Roy Lichtenstein, Steve Ditko | 10 Comments

Naked Lady of the Week: Dita Von Teese

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: As this post alluded to, I recently saw the documentary BETTIE PAGE REVEALS ALL, so I’ve been in a pin-up mood recently. (OK, so I’m always in a pin-up mood.) The documentary made me appreciate how, in this … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Photography, Sex | Tagged burlesque, Dita Von Teese, femme fatale, Film Noir, George Hurrell, glamour, Pin-Ups, retro | 5 Comments

Cartoon Du Jour

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Via Eddie Pensier, I had this particular strip tacked up on my desk for years.

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing, Education, Humor | Tagged academia, Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes | 2 Comments

NYC Notes, Part 3: The Cloisters at Fort Tryon Park

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: One of my favorite places during my New York City trip last month was The Cloisters, a medieval art museum run by the The Met located in northern Manhattan. Nestled in a sprawling park that abuts Washington Heights … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, History, Photography, Travel | Tagged Fort Tryon Park, medieval art, medieval history, New York City, The Cloisters | 4 Comments

Blog Milestone

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: We have officially passed half a million views. Thank you to all the Internet bots who made this possible. Sasha Grey would like to thank our human readers.