THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN (1970): Michael Crichton adaptation Roger Kirby 2026-09-21 | THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN (1970): Michael Crichton adaptation
THE DUELLISTS (1977): Ridley Scott’s debut film. Roger Kirby 2025-08-25 | The bluray of The Duellists is out of print. You can sream it free on kanopy. Link to Altaz ‘s channel youtube.com/@Altaz_Cinema
SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS (1957): Burt Lancaster/Tony Curtis star. Roger Kirby 2025-08-22 | MacKendrick’s last film was Don’t Make Waves.
THE HUSTLER (1961): Paul Newman at his peak Roger Kirby 2025-05-30 | Newman’s signature role. I forgot to mention that Newman participates in the excellent commenrary.
DAYS OF HEAVEN (1978): Terence Malick’s masterpiece Roger Kirby 2025-03-26 | Richard Gere, Brooke Adams, Linda Manz and Sam Shepard star. One of the most beautiful films ever made.
EFFI BRIEST (1974): Fassbinder/Schygulla Roger Kirby 2025-02-09 | One of the great collaborations between director Ranier Werner Fassbinder and actor Hanna Schygull. Effie Briest and many, many more Fassbinder movies are streaming on the Criterion Channel.
MAN’S CASTLE (1933): Pre-code gem from Frank Borzage Roger Kirby 2025-01-11 | Spencer Tracy an Loretta Young star in a Frank Borzage masterpice.Borzage playlist youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCW18vaXZRzcrjNIxekUzHuAensFgsWn7&si=-y94Zzq1WnkB4Am8Vulgarian Trolodyte. discusses a Borzage movieyoutu.be/1g4xJdqHXlI?si=KsVf7Q9AHkkCj__J
MCCABE & MRS MILLER (1971): Beatty & Christie/Altman’s great western Roger Kirby 2024-12-02 | I discuss Robert Altman’s 1971 atmospheric western with Warren Beatty and Julie Christie.
MATEWAN (1987): John Sayles on Criterion Roger Kirby 2024-11-14 | I forgot to mention James Earl Jones’ terrific contribution to the film, playing “Few Clothes” based on the real life leader of the black miners. And please forgive my cowlick!
THE ROARING TWENTIES (1939): Jimmy Cagney at his best Roger Kirby 2024-10-09 | I discuss the Raoul Walsh gangster film The Roaring Twenties with a dynamic performance by Jimmy Cagney.
BLOOD SIMPLE (1984): My (second) return to youtube Roger Kirby 2024-09-13 | A discussion of the Coen Brother’s debut film
THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR (1968): McQueen as Mr “Cool” Roger Kirby 2024-05-30 | I discuss an enjoyable heist film featuring the movie star charisma of Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway.
RICHARD DREYFUS STARS// PUTTING MY CHANNEL ON PAUSE Roger Kirby 2024-02-11 | I discuss a very entertaining comedy/drama with Richard Dreyfus in his first lead role.
PLEASE, NOT NOW! (1961): The Brigitte Bardot phenomenon Roger Kirby 2024-02-03 | I discuss a comedy directed by Roger Vadim starring Brigitte Bardot at the height of her world-wide fame.Le Verite reviewyoutu.be/3357l6Jng6w?si=ej9S38f5fmKG-6EX
BARTON FINK (1991): Hollywood stories, Coen Bros. direct Roger Kirby 2024-01-31 | I conclude my series on Hollywood stories with a discussion of a Coen Bros. classic starring John Turturro and a fabulous supporting cast.
THE LAST TYCOON (1976): Hollywood stories, De Niro stars Roger Kirby 2024-01-28 | A view of 1930s Hollywood with an all star cast based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s final novel.
THE DAY OF THE LOCUST (1975): Hollywood stories Roger Kirby 2024-01-25 | I discuss a fascinating version of Nathaniel West’s acclaimed novel about the dark side of 1930s Hollywood. I failed to mention that the cock fight in the movie was overseen by an animal protection unit and that neither of the birds were harmed.
THE LITTLE FOXES (1941): Bette Davis/William Wyler final film together Roger Kirby 2024-01-20 | I finish my series on Bette Davis films directed by William Wyler.
THE LETTER (1940): Bette Davis/ William Wyler classic Roger Kirby 2024-01-17 | The second of three Wyler/ Davis collaborations, with a strong supporting performance from James Stephenson.
JEZEBEL (1938): Bette Davis triumph/ William Wyler directs Roger Kirby 2024-01-13 | I start a three film series of movies starring Bette Davis, directed by Wiliam Wyler. One error I would like to confess to- the famous dancer I cited was Martha Graham, not Martha Stewart.
WHITE MATERIAL (2009): Huppert/ Claire Denis in Africa. Roger Kirby 2024-01-10 | The last of my Isabelle Huppert series, directed by Claire Denis
THE PIANO TEACHER (2001): Huppert in twisted love story Roger Kirby 2024-01-06 | Huppert is brilliant in Michael Haneke’s adaptation of the novel by Elfriede Jelinek.
LA CEREMONIE (1995): Isabelle Huppert in Chabrol masterpiece. Roger Kirby 2024-01-03 | The first of a three film series focusing on Isabelle Huppert performances. Sandrine Bonnaire co-stars.Solitary Ronin’s review youtu.be/CI7Xmh2nxlc?si=D79CYysHMQK8dWo6
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE NEW YEAR: My 3 year anniversary on youtube Roger Kirby 2024-01-01 | I discuss some films I plan to watch in the coming months.
FILM BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS Roger Kirby 2023-12-26 | I discuss some film histories that I am reading, and enthusiastically recommend.
MOVIES THAT SURPRISED ME IN 2023 Roger Kirby 2023-12-16 | I review the films that pleasantly surprised me in 2023.
FOUR ADVENTURES OF REINETTE AND MIRABELLE (1986): Eric Rohmer directs. Roger Kirby 2023-12-13 | Metrograph Pictures has released three new to bluray Rohmer films including this delightful comedy.Comedies and Proverbs playlistyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLCW18vaXZRzfCB7mTtt6r_n_yK0vCPqEK&si=KhequWb069n4tfV3
MEAN STREETS (1973): Scorsese on Criterion UHD Roger Kirby 2023-12-02 | Scorsese’s breakout film with charismatic performances by Harvey Keitel and Robert De Niro.
MAUVAISE GRAINE (1933): Billy Wilder’s debut film Roger Kirby 2023-11-29 | I discuss the second film in FlickerAlley’s French Revelations. Billy Wilders first film starring 16 year old Danielle Darrieux.
FANFARE D’AMOUR (1935): Some Like It Hot source Roger Kirby 2023-11-27 | Flicker Alley releases a two film bluray. One is Billy Wilder’s directorial debut. The other is the source material of Some Like It Hot.
STOKER (2013): Wasikowska/ Kidman/ Park Chan-Wook directs Roger Kirby 2023-11-25 | Kidman in a small but effective role. Mia Wasikowska stars in Park Chan-Wook’s only English language film.
THE OTHERS (2001): Criterion 4K/ Nicole Kidman stars Roger Kirby 2023-11-22 | A scary ghost story with an outstanding performance from Nicole Kidman.
THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY (1996): Nicole Kidman stars Roger Kirby 2023-11-20 | Part One of my series on three films starring Nicole Kidman. Jane Campion’s terrific adaptation of the Henry James novel starts things off.
BLOW-UP (1966): Criterion Classic from Antonioni Roger Kirby 2023-11-18 | I discuss Michelangelo Antonioni’s Palm d’Or winner srarring David Hemmings.
CRITERION: Three Silent Classics From Josef Von Sternberg Roger Kirby 2023-11-16 | A great boxset from Criterion showcasing the poetic talent of director Josef Von Sternberg, before Dietrich. Underworld/The Last Command/Docks of New York
THE KILLERS (1946-64): Criterion Classic double bill Roger Kirby 2023-11-14 | I compare the two versions of The Killers based on a short story by Ernest Hemingway. The 1946 version has the sensational debut of Burt Lancaster.
ANATOMY OF A MURDER (1959): Criterion Classic /James Stewart Roger Kirby 2023-11-12 | Otto Preminger’s dynamite courtroom drama with one of Jimmy Stewart’s greatest performances. Also the debut of George C. Scott.
KISS ME DEADLY (1955): Criterion Classic Noir Roger Kirby 2023-11-10 | I discuss the amazing noir classic from director Robert Aldrich starring Ralph Meeker as Mike Hammer.
ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS (1955): Criterion B&N sale pickups added Roger Kirby 2023-11-08 | I discuss my visit to Barnes and Noble on the first day of the Criterion sale and what I picked up. Then a commentary on Douglas Sirk’s 50s melodrama par excellent.
CRITERION BARNES AND NOBLE SALE 11/6-12/4 2023: Recommendations Roger Kirby 2023-11-06 | The November Sale is on !! If you are in the mood for noir I provide 12 titles. RANKED !!
THE EDGE OF THE WORLD (1937): Michael Powell directs Roger Kirby 2023-11-05 | A poetic vision of spectacular landscapes and expressive faces from Micheal Powell, pre- Pressburger.Link to roninnazarintalk excellent discussion of Edge of the World and Spy in Blckyoutube.com/live/v0ACjyTU1R0?si=JjAP7lvhupBb_CY0
THE WAY WE WERE: Streisand /Redford in glorious UHD Roger Kirby 2023-11-03 | Streisand and Redford star in one of the best remembered love stories of the 70s. Directed by Sydney Pollack.
VISIBLE SECRET (2001): Hong Kong horror/comedy Roger Kirby 2023-11-01 | I discuss an entertaining horror film, a mix of genres, from director Ann Hui.
THE DESPERATE HOURS (1955): Bogart stars, Wyler directs Roger Kirby 2023-10-30 | I discuss a home invasion film with Bogart reprising his Duke Mantee gangster from the 30s in an absorbing William Wyler thriller.
DETECTIVE STORY (1951): Kirk Douglas stars /Wyler directs Roger Kirby 2023-10-28 | I discuss another Wyler stage play adaptation with a powerhouse performance by Kirk Douglas and a great supporting cast.
THE HEIRESS (1949): William Wyler directs Roger Kirby 2023-10-26 | I discuss Wyler’s film version of Henry James’ Washington Square, with great performances from Olivia de Havilland, Ralph Richardson and Montgomery Clift.Mike’s The Good Fairy discussion youtu.be/-P-ndoGdcDs?si=la4TqNe6hAzDZlDn
THE LONG GOODBYE: My favorite of ‘73. ”It’s OK with me” Roger Kirby 2023-10-24 | I discuss Robert Altman’s free-wheeling re-imagining of Raymond Chandler’s novel. One of Elliott Gould’s best performances as Marlowe
THE LAUGHING POLICEMAN: Walter Matthau stars in police procedural Roger Kirby 2023-10-22 | Walter Matthau and Bruce Den star in a police drama filmed in San Francisco. A great use of locations.
THE WICKER MAN: Citizen Kane of Folk Horror/ UHD Roger Kirby 2023-10-20 | One of the most influential horror films ever made in a beautiful steel book edition.
IDENTIKIT (1974): Elizabeth Taylor stars Roger Kirby 2023-10-18 | An adaptation of a Muriel Spark novel, The Driver’s Seat, with Elizabeth Taylor playing one of her most eccentric roles, with gusto.
THE WRONG MAN (1956): Hitchcock mini-series- Pt. 3 Roger Kirby 2023-10-16 | A Hitchcock docudrama about mistaken identity starring Henry Fonda.
