Author Archives: Ward Howarth

About Ward Howarth

Ward Howarth is a TV producer and writer based in Richmond, Virginia. He's generally gearing up for what they call "getting down."

Five Film Favorites: My Picks At This Year’s JRFF

Posted on April 7, 2011

Every year, the James River Film Festival offers ample opportunities for memorable filmwatching.  The five films I’m most excited about catching at this year’s festival: 1. Mix-Up.  Two women mixed up at birth, raised by the wrong set of parents, … Continue reading →

Posted in Events, Film, film studies, Filmmaking, James River Film Festival, James River Film Society | 1 Comment

Five Film Favorites: Desert Island Movies

Posted on March 25, 2011

I think it’s safe to assume that cinephiles – and that includes you, Journal reader – have a list of movies they’d take with them to a desert island, if their life ever warranted such an isolating and liberating change. … Continue reading →

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Shades Of Grey: The Prowler

Posted on March 23, 2011

You will bow to The Prowler. Written by blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo and directed by Joseph Losey, The Prowler is a dark, subversive look at the desire for status and success. Van Heflin’s shady patrolman responds to Evelyn Keyes’ housewife’s … Continue reading →

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Five Film Favorites: Charles Bronson

Posted on February 24, 2011

Hollywood first knew Charles Bronson as Charles Buchinsky.  Beginning in 1951, a string of uncredited roles eventually led to memorable turns in a few well known pictures, among them Andre de Toth’s House of Wax (which I’ve had the good … Continue reading →

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Shades Of Grey: The Naked City

Posted on February 23, 2011

Arguably film noir‘s most fertile playground, the urban landscape offers limitless potential for dark & dirty deeds. From the dingiest alleyway to the swankiest high rise apartment, the city knows no end to intrigue and scandal. New York City’s rich … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, film studies, History | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Shades Of Grey: In A Lonely Place

Posted on February 16, 2011

I was born when she kissed me.  I died when she left me.  I lived a few weeks when she loved me. Nicholas Ray’s film noir IN A LONELY PLACE has the unique distinction of being less about a murder … Continue reading →

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Shades Of Grey: T-Men

Posted on January 26, 2011

Knockout images from an indelible noir. Two treasury men slip undercover to expose a lethal counterfeiting operation. Dutch angles, deep focus, and hard faces linger long after the end credits roll. T-Men‘s cinematographer John Alton once said, “I could see … Continue reading →

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Shades Of Grey: Bullet Holes

Posted on January 19, 2011

No time for a full review this week.  Instead, I offer you Bullet Holes, a select round-up of noir-worthy news from the Journal and beyond. – First up, let’s recap.  So far, I’ve gone on about my interest in noir … Continue reading →

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Shades Of Grey: Night & The City

Posted on January 12, 2011

                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 →

Posted in Film, film studies, History | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Shades Of Grey: Crossfire

Posted on January 5, 2011

“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 →

Posted in Film, film studies, History | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment