A Cineaste's Room

writer. photographer. critic. woman of letters. 

[abwwia]

Lee Millers US Army identity card, 1942 by Unknown © Lee Miller Archives, England 2024. All rights reserved. www.leemiller.co.uk

[bl-mitchum]

Reading Sherlock Holmes and there are so many scenes where Holmes is just at the foot of Watson’s bed, wide awake at a questionable hour like, “Hello, my dear Watson! I have studied bicycles all night!” What a little cryptid.

[illustratus]

A View of the Thames with Saint Paul's Cathedral from Blackfriars by Henry Pether

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[cineastesview]

[jasper-jemm]

Some more mothman since y’all went crazy over this post

[click for better quality! Reblogs greatly appreciated!]

[cadere-art]

My interpretation of Nessie and the Memphremagog Lake Monster (they’re sisters to me) as a gift to a coworker.

[cineastesview]

FROM RUSSIA, WITH DISQUIET: Two new and very different books tackle the same complicated and largely inscrutable Russian history. One makes the ghosts of Russian past very real, and the other explores the demons haunting a Soviet escapee.

https://www.mwgerard.com/russia-disquiet/

[cineastesview]

REVIEW: WHAT TIME THE SEXTON'S SPADE DOTH RUST

There is nothing better than embarking on a new adventure with Flavia de Luce. I’m not the chemist she is, but I see a lot of myself in her — curious, headstrong, and unusual. I too enjoy riding my bike to an old cemetery while solving a crime (mine is named Josephine Biker to her Gladys). I just need a manor house in the English countryside. Until such a day comes, luckily we can drop in and visit Flavia.

My review: https://www.mwgerard.com/review-sextons-spade-doth-rust/

[cineastesview]

At this point it is safe to say that author Janice Hallett is the queen of the modern epistolary novel. This outing centers around a multimedia art masters degree program and its disparate students. Their messages, essays, thoughts, and ramblings are helpfully contained on the school's centralized communication system, with the occasional off-platform text chain or email. https://www.mwgerard.com/review-the-examiner/

[laurieaconley]

Tombstone superiority complex.

[cineastesview]

Spotlight on Creature from the Black Lagoon

Like King Kong, the creature becomes a sympathetic character as it becomes clear that he is genuinely curious about these new visitors. While the nature of human fear hasn’t changed, this movie differs from its Universal monster predecessors. 

As a post-WWII flick, the sensibility of this movie reflects a different America. In the 1950s, suburbia exploded and affordable family cars made travel accessible. This prompted the rise of roadside attractions. “World’s Largest” objects were plopped in random towns. Enterprising businesses created tourist traps. Florida was no different. It attracted curiosity-seekers with the Weeki Wachee Mermaids.

  READ my @dvdnetflix​ POST ABOUT CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON: https://bit.ly/creature-lagoon

The crystal clear natural springs, now part of a state park, provided the perfect viewing aquarium for underwater shows. The ‘mermaids’ would pretend to play football or watch tv submerged, while taking occasional breaths from discreet air hoses. These aquatic ballerinas brought tourists in by the thousands. Black Lagoon is no crass horror flick as is evidenced by the extreme efforts in the production. Scenes were filmed underwater on location at natural springs in Florida as well as on the studio backlot. Camera crew were outfitted with breathing hoses, diving helmets, flippers, and special equipment. There were even two different actors portraying the underwater aspects of the characters.

Read more at [bit.ly/creature-lagoon]

[cineastesview]

REVIEW: Comet Madness

REVIEW: Comet Madness ☄️

Discovered by Royal Astronomer Edmund Halley in 1758, the celestial body was noted for its predictable perihelion, bringing it close to Earth each 75 years or so. Although it had been making this trip for eons, it was named after Halley as he was the one to formally trace its path and prove that the comet that has been seen for millenia was indeed the same one returning over and over. It last…

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REVIEW: The Twyford Code

REVIEW: The Twyford Code

Steve “Smithy” Smith is both Magwitch and Pip in this unusual story of wild expectation. The majority of the novel is told via audio transcripts of recordings made by Smithy. At times he is interviewing others, but is it mostly him telling his story of both childhood and the long-delayed solution to a mystery that has haunted him for decades. All my life it’s haunted me. But now I know, I’m…

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[wordsofdariel]

“And that’s how I learned you can’t sell alcohol on eBay.”

— Dariel

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REVIEW: A Mystery of Mysteries

REVIEW: A Mystery of Mysteries - The Death and Life of #EdgarAllanPoe

There is little by, or about, Poe that I haven’t read (or at least heard of and need more time to get to). I’ve made it to a handful of his homes and memorials, with a few still on my list. Poe is an enduring figure on my bookshelf, in my life, on my collection of fridge magnets and in my own literary efforts. His influence is impossible to avoid, even if you’re not an avid fan. But for those of…

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