Category Archives: Movies

Movie Poster Du Jour: “Grand Illusion”

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: This poster, for a ’40s release of “Grand Illusion,” is generally regarded as the best design for the film. It’s by Bernard Lancy. Related Lancy on Pinterest.

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Showtune Saturday: “The Lambeth Walk” (With Bonus Nazis)

Eddie Pensier writes: Me and my Girl was a hit musical of 1937, a mistaken-identity dancehall comedy about a Cockney bloke named Bill Snibson who discovers he is the heir to a noble title. The show’s hit tune was “The … Continue reading

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Notes on “Thirteen Women”

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: One of the many quasi-horror films released in the wake of Universal’s “Dracula” and “Frankenstein,” this RKO production from 1932 offers the intriguing spectacle of Myrna Loy playing an archvillainess. Her character, Ursula Georgi, is a … Continue reading

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Looking Back at the ’60s, 1: “The Fog of War”

Paleo Retiree writes: Bugged and annoyed by Errol Morris’s recent movie about Donald Rumsfeld (which Fabrizio dealt with thoroughly here), I just caught up with “The Fog of War,” Morris’ 2003 visit with Robert S. McNamara, the former Ford Motors “whiz kid” … Continue reading

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Movie Poster Du Jour: “Pretty Poison”

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes:

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Notes on “The Company’s in Love”

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: Max Ophuls’ first feature, released in 1932, seems a conscious emulation (and sort of send-up) of Lubitsch. Not only is it set partly in the Bavarian Alps, the setting of several early Lubitsch films, it features … Continue reading

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Showtune Saturday: “Well, Did You Ever?”

Eddie Pensier writes: The combined nonchalant swingin’ coolness of Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Cole Porter may cause swooning fits of “why can’t I be that awesome?” nostalgia. From High Society (1956), the Charles Walters-directed musical adaptation of The Philadelphia … Continue reading

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Movie Poster Du Jour: “Devi”

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: Satyajit Ray famously designed the posters used to advertise his movies. He had a knack for it. Related Satyajit Ray: graphic designer. “Devi,” which is a favorite movie of mine, can be streamed via Hulu Plus.

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“The 50 Year Argument” (2014)

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Co-directed by Scorsese and David Tedeschi, this is Scorsese’s second documentary chronicling the intellectual and cultural life of New York. Although I enjoyed Scorsese’s PUBLIC SPEAKING, a profile of Fran Leibowitz which I thought was a good evocation … Continue reading

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Docs About Movies 4: “Side By Side”

Paleo Retiree writes: Another in my series of looks at good documentaries-about-movies, a movie genre in its own right and one that strikes me as particularly healthy. Previous installments in this series are here, here and here. Today … Side by … Continue reading

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