Jack Nicholson’s own story rivals any of his films. Born in New York City, he grew up in New Jersey. He grew up thinking his grandparents were his parents, and his mother, his older sister. When years later, he learned the truth, he realized he had no clue who his real father was, and he decided he was not all … More Details

Watching Cameraman: The Life and Work Of Jack Cardiff (2010), Craig McCall’s documentary on the gifted cinematographer known for his pioneering work on some of the best films shot in Technicolor during the forties, I was reminded of all the talent, care, and effort that went into creating the particular richness of color film from that era. The British Cardiff, … More Details

Several weeks ago, I was sitting at lunch opposite my twenty-eight year old second cousin once removed, with a host of other family members. It being a reunion of sorts, the mood was jolly. I have always liked my cousin- she is smart, brassy, funny- extremely well spoken and well educated. The kind of person that gives you hope for … More Details

This piece is aimed not only at buffs who already recognize the genius of Albert Finney in the full context of a fifty-plus year career (!), but also at those (likely younger) movie fans who know him best as the father in Sidney Lumet’s final film, “Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead” (2007) or the ultimate insider bad guy in … More Details

It’s been nearly two years since the kerfuffle when Faye Dunaway made the admittedly unfortunate, off-hand remark on hearing that Hilary Duff (who calls herself an actress) was playing Clyde’s moll Bonnie Parker, a role Faye after all originated. Her reaction: “Couldn’t they at least cast a real actress?” Rather than rise above it, Hilary, a performer who has every … More Details

It all started with the hardboiled detective fiction which exploded onto the American popular culture way back in the roaring twenties, and which portrayed America’s evolving urban landscape as vividly as the Western genre did the rural frontier. The originators of this type of fiction – notably James M. Cain, Dashiell Hammett, and Raymond Chandler – got their start writing … More Details