Just some film musings of a more succinct, spontaneous and sometimes seditious nature:
Friday, August 29, 2025
This weekend on TCM are two films starring Kirk Douglas:
After directing the stylish and innovative 1956 heist film The Killing, Stanley Kubrick, with the assistance of Producer James B. Harris, turned his extraordinary talents to more relevant material with 1957’s Paths of Glory, previously reviewed here. The results were astonishing. U.S. TCM subscribers can discover for themselves (updated) Saturday, August 30 at 11 am PDT.
Ace in the Hole (1951) is Billy Wilder's scathing examination of American opportunism and moral depravity via cocky newspaper reporter Chuck Tatum, portrayed with unrelenting cynical ferociousness by Kirk Douglas. This motion picture was previously reviewed here. Both director and actor will play their hand Saturday, August 30 at 7 pm PDT.
TCM's current schedule can be seen by clicking on the above image. To confirm the correct Pacific Daylight (West Coast) showtime information, subtract 3 hours from the Eastern Daylight (East Coast) showtime listed on TCM’s schedule.
All responses are not only welcomed but encouraged in the comments section below.
Hope to see you Monday, September 1st.
A.G.
Just some film musings of a more succinct, spontaneous and sometimes seditious nature:
Thursday, August 28, 2023
Tomorrow on TCM:
When affairs of the heart are so well integrated with thoughts of murder, as they are in the Humphrey Bogart starrer Conflict (1945), we have the makings of an exceptional film noir.
Read More
Just some film musings of a more succinct, spontaneous and sometimes seditious nature:
Wednesday, August 27, 2023
Tomorrow on TCM:
MGM's 1952 musical Singin' in the Rain was not adapted from a theatrical production, though the film was later turned into one, being first presented on stage in 1983. Its abundant creativity, innovation and driving energy place this film at the top of all cinematic musicals ever produced.
Read More
Just some film musings of a more succinct, spontaneous and sometimes seditious nature:
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Currently available at Watch TCM (until September 19th):
One of the CC’s Hidden Gems (# 76 to be precise) and briefly reviewed here, is this little pre-code crime / romance drama with James Cagney and Joan Blondell entitled He Was Her Man, from 1934.
Read More
Just some film musings of a more succinct, spontaneous and sometimes seditious nature:
Monday, August 25, 2025
Tomorrow on TCM:
One of David Lean's more ambitious projects may have turned out less artistically accomplished than its director intended. Still, it has many attributes making Doctor Zhivago (1965) well worth seeing.
Read More
Just some film musings of a more succinct, spontaneous and sometimes seditious nature:
Friday, August 22, 2025
This weekend on TCM:
A top of the line screwball comedy released the same year as Sullivan’s Travels and, even more remarkably, from the same writer (co-writer here along with Monckton Hoffe) / director is The Lady Eve (1941) reviewed here.
Read More
Just some film musings of a more succinct, spontaneous and sometimes seditious nature:
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Tomorrow on TCM:
Then there is the wonderful Guys and Dolls (1955), a previous TCM recommendation here.
Read More
Just some film musings of a more succinct, spontaneous and sometimes seditious nature:
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
In Vancouver, British Columbia, The Cinematheque is presenting Double Indemnity (1944, as part of their FILM NOIR 2025 series) on Wednesday, August 20th at 8:40 pm.
Read More
Just some film musings of a more succinct, spontaneous and sometimes seditious nature:
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Currently available at Watch TCM (until August 22nd):
Unlike the hardened criminals Sterling Hayden portrays in both The Asphalt Jungle (1950) and The Killing (1956), 1953’s Crime Wave has Hayden playing hardened cop Detective Lt. Sims. Previously reviewed here, this is one wave you’ll be glad you caught.
Read More
Just some film musings of a more succinct, spontaneous and sometimes seditious nature:
Friday, August 15, 2025
Today on TCM are 3 films featuring actress Janet Leigh:
Anthony Mann’s laser-like focus on his characters’ deep-rooted psychological clashes of will makes this film noir western exhilarating, tension-filled and one of extreme efficiency and excellence. 1953’s The Naked Spur, previously reviewed here, will be shown on Friday, August 15 at 1 pm PDT.
Read More
Just some film musings of a more succinct, spontaneous and sometimes seditious nature:
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Today on TCM:
Immediately following The Asphalt Jungle is Stanley Kubrick’s The Killing, a former Blu-ray recommendation here.
Read More
Just some film musings of a more succinct, spontaneous and sometimes seditious nature:
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Tomorrow on TCM:
Hayden does not portray the criminal mastermind (that honour goes to actor Sam Jaffe) in this first TCM recommendation: The Asphalt Jungle, previously recommended here.
Read More
Just some film musings of a more succinct, spontaneous and sometimes seditious nature:
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Tomorrow on TCM:
1983’s Academy Award winner for Best Motion Picture went to Terms of Endearment, reviewed briefly here, and showing on TCM Wednesday, August 13 at 5 pm PDT.
Read More
Just some film musings of a more succinct, spontaneous and sometimes seditious nature:
Monday, August 11, 2025
Currently available at Watch TCM (until August 16th):
James Garner, Rod Taylor and Eva Marie Saint star in the intriguing “Mission Impossible” prototype espionage thriller 36 Hours (1964), previously reviewed here.
Read More
Just some film musings of a more succinct, spontaneous and sometimes seditious nature:
Friday, August 8, 2025
Currently available at Watch TCM (until September 4th):
Some cinephiles take aim at those films identified as film noir if their stories’ setting occur during an earlier time than the classic period (1940 - 1959) in which they were made. They insist that this alone would disqualify a film from being categorised as such, even though the dark criminal surroundings and emphasis on character motive are present and accounted for. The Tall Target is such an example and for myself, joins other so called “period noirs” that are rightfully embraced in the film noir canon.
Read More
Just some film musings of a more succinct, spontaneous and sometimes seditious nature:
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Currently available at Watch TCM (until September 4th):
In my review of 1942’s Casablanca, I made some criticism regarding its emotionally underwhelming Parisian flashback. Prior to this film Casablanca's producer Hal Wallis and one of its contributing writers, Casey Robinson, made Now, Voyager (1942), previously reviewed here, where the romance witnessed from start to finish comes alive with fervour, maturity and elegance.
Read More
Just some film musings of a more succinct, spontaneous and sometimes seditious nature:
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Currently available at Watch TCM (until August 9th):
MGM contract player Robert Taylor appeared in a startling number of excellent films. Johnny Eager (1941), a previous recommendation here, is one of them.
Read More
Just some film musings of a more succinct, spontaneous and sometimes seditious nature:
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Today on TCM:
From 1947, director Michael Curtiz brings inspirationally to life the unsuspectedly stylish film noir The Unsuspected, previously reviewed here, Tuesday, August 5th at 8:30 am PDT.
Read More
