Monthly Archives: January 2011

Shades Of Grey: Night & The City

Posted on January 12, 2011 by

                Crawl deep into the black heart of any city and you might come close to the depravity and criminal element on display in director Jules Dassin’s Night & The City.  Here stands … Continue reading →

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Who’s the Driver? Who’s the Mechanic? A Post About Auteurs.

Posted on January 7, 2011 by

The auteur theory goes like this: a movie is a director’s vision, it reflects her vision, her personal taste, and she is the “author” of the film (auteur is French for “author”.) Despite the fact that a motion picture is … Continue reading →

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Five Film Favorites: Civil War Stories

Posted on January 6, 2011 by

In case you haven’t noticed, here in Richmond, Virginia, located at the falls of the James River, we’re commemorating the beginning of the American Civil War (1861-65). It’s been 150 years since the United States broke into pieces at war … Continue reading →

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Shades Of Grey: Crossfire

Posted on January 5, 2011 by

“Hate… is like a gun.  If you carry it around with you, it can go off and kill somebody.” A slap.  A punch.  Then, a quick one-two to the bread basket. Two men fight, their faces shrouded in darkness, their … Continue reading →

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Post-Holiday Purchase Recommendation: The Complete Metropolis

Posted on January 4, 2011 by

My two best movie going experiences both occurred at the Music Box in Chicago, a magnificent venue that constantly showcases wonderful cinema. It is one of the things I miss most from my time spent in Chicago. In 2002 I … Continue reading →

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New Column: Shades Of Grey

Posted on January 4, 2011 by

Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray in Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity (1944). You could call me a film noir junkie, but you’d be wrong.  Sure, I’ve seen a few, and read a bit about what makes them work, but the simple … Continue reading →

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