Can a film noir be too perfectly noir?

I think I’m one of the few people who doesn’t care much for Out of the Past. It may be that for me the closer a movie gets to film noir, the less it appeals to me. I can’t argue … Read more

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Out of the Past (1947)

Directed by Jacques Tourneur Often regarded as one of the quintessential film noirs, if not the film noir, Out of the Past is a movie I have a difficult time watching despite its bona fides. Perhaps it is because of … Read more

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Shawshank: a simple classic

The movie The Shawshank Redemption is a lot like one of its main characters, Andy Dufresne. It’s something of a mystery. Popularity alone has made it a classic, but what does it do right? With so many cinematic elements being … Read more

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The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Directed by Frank Darabont “Get busy livin’ or get busy dyin’.” – Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption – The key to The Shawshank Redemption is its simplicity. It starts in one place and makes its way to another — … Read more

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Spielberg’s crafty fishing movie: Jaws

I remember the summer Jaws came out and I remember you couldn’t get away from it. Everyone did that John William’s four note theme: da-da, da-da … Everyone saw the movie; TV was filled with it; shark sightings were popping … Read more

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Jaws (1975)

Directed by Steven Spielberg Most of the world was introduced to director Steven Spielberg in 1975 with a little film called Jaws that did boffo box office. Wow! What an introduction! Jaws is arguably the best thriller ever made; it’s … Read more

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Lost in Translation (2003)

Directed by Sofia Coppola The problem with dry humour, especially when it’s sarcastic, is no one is quite sure when you are being serious. You may turn to someone and say, “Yes, it’s a beautiful day,” and they think, “What’s … Read more

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