Magnum, p.i. (1985) – Old Acquaintance and The Kona Winds

  There’s a bit of noir, and a bit of a fun ride, in this week’s installment of Magnum… First up is Old Acquaintance, written by Jill Donner, this episode had an airdate of 3 October, 1985, and may have heavily influenced the writers of Ace Ventura… Thomas (Tom Selleck) is delighted to hear from…

Issues Vol. 19

It was a quiet week last week, which was good, as Sue and I were busy with the con, but Kirk had quite a pull for me this week when I strolled into West End Comics, check out this list… Providence (Avatar comics) issue 5, written by Alan Moore, art by Jacen Burrows, colors by…

Chinatown (1974) – Roman Polanski

The final recommendation following my screening of The Big Sleep from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book is one of my favorite Jack Nicholson films, and undeniably one of the best noir films ever made. Jack plays detective J.J. Gittes, and it’s the 40s in the city of Angels. Hired on a…

The Third Man (1949) – Carol Reed

  Joseph Cotten finds himself caught up in a dark thriller in this next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book for my viewing of The Big Sleep. Cotten plays Western novelist Holly Martins, who arrives in post-war Austria to see his friend, Harry Lime (Orson Welles). Unfortunately after his arrival,…

The Glass Key (1942) – Stuart Heisler

  The journey into film noir continues with the recommendations from my Great Movies – 100 Years of Film for my screening of The Big Sleep. Alan Ladd is Ed Beaumont, the right hand man, and best friend of corrupt politician Paul Madvig (Brian Donlevy). When Madvig shuts down a gangster, Nick Varna (Joseph Calleia)…

The Maltese Falcon (1941) – John Huston

  Humphrey Bogart stars in this classic film noir that is the first recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book for my screening of The Big Sleep. Dashiel Hammett’s book comes to life under the direction of John Huston, who also penned the adapted screenplay, with gumshoe Sam Spade (Bogart) finding…

The Big Sleep (1946) – Howard Hawks

  The first title in the Crime and Thriller chapter of the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book is this wonderful classic based on Raymond Chandler’s book, adapted by William Faulkner, Leigh Brackett and Jules Furthman, it is directed by Howard Hawks and features Humphrey Bogart as Chandler’s hardboiled detective Phillip Marlowe. The…

Touch of Evil (1958) – Orson Welles

  The next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book for my screening of Citizen Kane, is this noir film starring Welles, Charlton Heston and Janet Leigh. This film was stunning for the beautiful camera work alone. Everyone talks about the opening shot, but it’s always amazing to see it. And…

The Lady From Shanghai (1947) – Orson Welles

  Welles takes us in to the film noir world as he writes, directs and stars in this adaptation of Sherwood King’s novel; the next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of Citizen Kane. Welles plays Michael O’Hara, replete with Irish accent, a rough and tumble sailor,…