Review: “Dear Santa”

Every year, thousands upon thousands of children write letters to Santa Claus, asking for him to make his Christmas wishes come true. But where do all those letters go? One might call to mind the climactic courtroom scene at the end of “Miracle on 34th Street,” when postal workers deliver huge bags of letters addressed […]

Noirvember: “Mildred Pierce” (1945)

Joan Crawford wanted the role of Mildred Pierce badly. But by the time Warner Brothers began production on the film adaptation of James M. Cain’s novel, Crawford was considered a bit of a has-been. She hadn’t starred in a film in two years, since she had been let go of her MGM contract. Furthermore, the director of “Mildred […]

Streaming Movie Recap: November, Part 1

Here’s part one of my mini reviews for movies that were new to streaming in November- and as you will see, holiday movie season is already in full swing! Keep scrolling for reviews of “Holidate,” “Operation Christmas Drop,” “The Life Ahead,” “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey,” “Run,” “Mangrove,” and “Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square.” […]

Noirvember: “The Blue Dahlia” (1946)

There’s a funny story that goes along with the making of “The Blue Dahlia”. Novelist Raymond Chandler was hired to write the screenplay for a film noir; despite several of his novels being adapted into films before, this was the first time he wrote something specifically for the screen. Midway through, Chandler got writer’s block. The […]

SLIFF Review: “MLK/FBI”

It’s easy to build up figures in our minds—in fact, we frequently revel in the opportunity to find historical figures with little to no flaws to give us someone to look up to. Civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr. is one such figure, seemingly larger than life despite the fact that he died only […]

Noirvember: “Laura” (1944)

The film “Laura” begins after the titular character (played by Gene Tierney in flashbacks) has already died, murdered inside her apartment, immediately setting the tone for one of the most intriguing and complex film noirs ever put on film. Her death is investigated by detective Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews), who spends the first part of […]

SLIFF Review: “The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts The Tonight Show”

In 1968, performer and activist Harry Belafonte became the first Black person to host a full week of an American talk show when he took over for Johnny Carson to host five nights of “The Tonight Show.” It’s easy to think, watching the first several minutes of “The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts The Tonight Show,” […]

SLIFF Review: “On Broadway”

The bright lights of the marquee that can be spotted from the other end of the block. The crush of people milling around outside the doors, under the lights; maybe some of them just got straight off the train, maybe some of them moseyed over from dinner across the street. Then the doors open—it’s a […]

Noirvember: “Key Largo” (1948)

“Key Largo”, the fourth and final film pairing of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, is significantly different from their previous movies together. The film does have elements of noir, but neither actor plays their typical character, and, in fact, much of the movie’s focus is on another character entirely. Bogart plays Frank McCloud, a World War II veteran who travels […]

Noirvember: “Double Indemnity” (1944)

In honor of Noirvember—a celebration of the film noir genre created by @oldfilmsflicker on Twitter—I wanted to take some time throughout this month to highlight some classic films noir that I love. Film noir is probably the most intriguing and unique of all film genres; they can sometimes be difficult to characterize. These stylized, black-and-white crime […]