Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Film noir. What is it? What are its defining characteristics? What films best express its qualities? Sex appeal, violence, cynicism, anti-heroes, femmes fatales, bleak commentary on modern society, maddening twists of fate that perpetuate one’s misery, running away from danger yet never making any ground…Noir is and represents a wide variety of things, so much so film experts do not even agree on whether it is a genre unto itself (two of the leading voices, James Ursini and Alain Silver, agree that it represents a movement rather than a definable genre).

Olivia Pope is back.

Since the beginning of season 3, Olivia Pope’s been on a downward spiral. She’s been losing her edge thanks to her parents, her tumultuous relationship with Fitz, and her discovery of B613’s existence. She’s only been a shadow of her former confident and commanding self, and it’s been both disheartening and fascinating to watch our heroine be so thoroughly humanized.

It was only a few weeks ago that the Howard Hawks classic The Big Sleep, starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, was reviewed for the purpose of this column. Certainly an amusing film, the highlight of which is the pitch perfect acting from each and every cast member.

Iron Man 3 Directed by Shane Black Written by Drew Pearce & Shane Black USA, 2013 Fun has become a slightly forgotten commodity in the summer blockbuster, with many studios and filmmakers now inspired by the efforts of directors like Christopher Nolan to be as grim as possible. The modern superhero often has to be …

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Directed by Shane Black Written by Brett Halliday (novel Bodies Are Where You Find Them), Shane Black (screenplay) US, 2005 In his directorial debut, Shane Black’s Kiss Kiss Bang Bang begins, as with many noirs, with a crime. This crime, a robbery of a children’s toy store, however, lands the protagonist …

Wayne Gayle If hindsight is 20/20, then perhaps Oliver Stone’s ode to TV violence was a harbinger of things to come. Downey’s channeling of Geraldo Rivera is worth the price of admission. As the over the top shock-host Wayne Gayle, Downey delivers an unforgettable performance that hits a little too close to home.  The performance …