My 100 Favorite Films…Probably

On December 1, 2022, Sight and Sound Magazine released the results of its decennial Greatest Films of All Time Critics’ Poll (“SS Poll”). The key result is that Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles dethroned Vertigo as the “greatest film of all time.”[1] Vertigo had itself dethroned Citizen Kane 10 years earlier. I … Continue reading My 100 Favorite Films…Probably →

And the Most Compelling 1980s Film Teen Character Is…

At 12:03 EST on May 17, 2022, I posted this poll on Twitter, using the handle @drnoir33: Let the tournament begin! Who is the most compelling teenaged character in a 1980s film? The 1st 1st round matchup between Sheltered Kids is Frances "Baby" Houseman (DIRTY DANCING) vs. Stacey Hamilton (FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH) Who … Continue reading And the Most Compelling 1980s Film Teen Character Is… →

Listen, you mug!

I have repeatedly sung the praises of the Film Noir Foundation (“FNF”) on this website. Its steadfast devotion to rescuing, preserving and restoring vital pieces of our shared cultural heritage is exemplary. The annual NOIR CITY festival has been an essential part of my own film noir “personal journey,” even if I have not attended … Continue reading Listen, you mug! →

Final Results for the Most Heroic Character in Film Noir

At midnight EST on February 6, 2022, I posted this poll on Twitter, using the handle @drnoir33: Here is the Sweet 16 first round matchup between Intrepid Investigators. Who was more heroic: Barton Keyes in DOUBLE INDEMNITY Det. Lt. Mark McPherson in LAURA You decide! #FilmNoirHeroes The attached poll gave voters 24 hours to choose … Continue reading Final Results for the Most Heroic Character in Film Noir →

Organizing by themes II: Film Noir

This site benefits/suffers/both from consisting of posts about a wide range of topics, all linked under the amorphous heading "data-driven storytelling." In an attempt to impose some coherent structure, I am organizing related posts both chronologically and thematically. My love of film noir has roots in my childhood (detective fiction, Charlie Chan films) and college … Continue reading Organizing by themes II: Film Noir →