Category Archives: Movies

Notes on “Snow Country”

Posted on January 13, 2014 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: An exceptionally beautiful melodrama that, though it never delivers on its narrative and thematic promises, is the kind of thing that seems to live in your memory even as you’re watching it. Director Shiro Toyoda is reminiscent … Continue reading →

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Dance Du Jour

Posted on January 10, 2014 by Eddie Pensier

Eddie Pensier writes: Sexy sequence from “On An Island With You” (1948), with Cyd Charisse and Ricardo Montalbán. If you only know Montalbán from Fantasy Island, Star Trek, and “Corinthian Leather”, this may surprise you. He’s a terrific partner as … Continue reading →

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“Blacula”

Posted on January 9, 2014 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: Early blaxploitation, directed by William Crain and starring William Marshall as an 18th century African prince who, bitten by Count Dracula, wakes up in 1971 L.A. It’s a surprisingly straightfaced movie — far less of a spoof … Continue reading →

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The Camera Loves …

Posted on January 9, 2014 by Eddie Pensier

Eddie Pensier writes: …Dutch actress Lotte Verbeek, best known for indie film Nothing Personal, and as Giulia “La Bella” Farnese in Showtime’s The Borgias.

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Three Voyeurs in Closets

Posted on January 9, 2014 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: [NSFW so I’ve hidden the post beneath the fold.]

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Divas

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: Bessie Smith appeared in only this one movie; it has an all-black cast and runs 16 minutes. Whatever one might say about the limitations of the story line, derived from the W.C. Handy song by the … Continue reading →

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“The Magic Flute” (2006)

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Eddie Pensier

 Eddie Pensier writes: Kenneth Branagh’s film of Mozart’s opera is the first filmed directly for the screen (Ingmar Bergman’s classic version was initially made for Swedish TV). Branagh made several decisions as a filmmaker that would drastically affect the outcome … Continue reading →

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“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” Five Ways

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Eddie Pensier

Eddie Pensier writes: Those of us who grew up in the 1980s probably have fond memories of this song, and the movie it came from: John Hughes’ The Breakfast Club. The original 1985 recording, by Scottish New-Wave band Simple Minds, … Continue reading →

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Notes on “That’s My Man”

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: This late Frank Borzage picture is about a compulsive gambler (Don Ameche) whose mojo is all bound up with the fate of a thoroughbred that he raises from a colt. Borzage and screenwriters Steve Fisher and Bradley … Continue reading →

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Reverse Engineering Hollywood

Posted on January 3, 2014 by Epaminondas

epiminondas writes: So how many genres and sub-genres do you think there are when it comes to forming a database of Hollywood films? 200? 500? 1,000? Actually, it’s north of 90,000.

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