Category Archives: Uncategorized

3 things about Alfred Hitchcock’s MARNIE

Marnie [1964] 1. She presents her mother with a gift but then opens it herself. 2. Cousin Bob does not find it charming. 3. “I don’t need to read that muck to know that women are stupid and feeble and … Continue reading →

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3 things about Colin Higgins’ NINE TO FIVE

Nine to Five [1980] 1. “Thanks, Roz, I know just where to stick it.” 2. While he fidgets, she ties the scarf around his neck and adjusts it. 3. “And if I want to have an affair, or play sex … Continue reading →

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3 things about Orson Welles’ THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS

The Magnificent Ambersons [1942] 1. “He was a congressman. The family always liked to have someone in Congress.” 2. Eating, and eating, and eating, and eating some more. 3. After a pause he says, “Not this time, Georgie.”

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3 things about Anthony Mann’s BEND OF THE RIVER

Bend of the River [1952] 1. “You’re very handsome, in an elderly sort of way.” 2. A series of escalating prices written across the side of the barrel. 3. Wagon skidding down the snowy hillside.

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3 things about David Mackenzie’s PERFECT SENSE

Perfect Sense [2011] 1. Fat and flour. 2. Eating lipstick, Coleman’s mustard, a raw fish, a laboratory rabbit. Guzzling a huge plastic bottle of olive oil. 3. Just before touching they both go blind. This is a movie that just … Continue reading →

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3 things about Lewis Seiler’s SOMETHING FOR THE BOYS

Something for the Boys [1944] 1. She opens her mouth as wide as possible in a bid to improve her teeth’s radio reception. 2. He stumbles and falls headfirst into the fireplace, triggering a short blackface number. 3. Nighttime, a … Continue reading →

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3 things about Jim Jarmusch’s ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE

Only Lovers Left Alive [2013] 1. She reaches behind her head and feels the guitar. Gibson, 1909. 2. “There’s water here. When the southern cities are on fire, this place will bloom.” 3. Eyes wide open, he looks at them … Continue reading →

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3 things about Christian Petzold’s PHOENIX

Phoenix [2014] 1. He reaches from behind her and feels the pockets of her coat. 2. Without looking up at her he answers, “A slip, I guess.” 3. Soft focus, cut to black. Perfect ending.

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3 things about George Cukor’s A WOMAN’S FACE

A Woman’s Face [1941] 1. Motif: faces dissolving into flashbacks. 2. As the embrace deepens he tightens his grip on her neck. 3. Sleigh-powered whip battle.

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3 things about Paul Verhoeven’s STARSHIP TROOPERS

Starship Troopers [1997] 1. A group of kids happily stomp on some squishy bugs. 2. “Aim for the nerve stem.” 3. Brain-straw.

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