American Film Theatre

By Michael Barrett

In what might be called the curse of Chekhov, the common setting is a living room, the common characters a family, and the common dynamic a stew of bitter backbiting and recrimination that ultimately gives the lie to Tolstoy, because here each unhappy family seems perfectly alike. [18 July 2008]

(more Canon Fodder)

French Connection 1 & 2

By Jesse Hassenger

Watching the original with its sequel draws attention to the subtle but inarguably greater care Friedkin brought to the earlier film. [16 March 2009]

The John Frankenheimer Collection

By Marco Lanzagorta

The rather complex ideological issues and unique sense of aesthetics that Frankenheimer infused in his films can be fully appreciated in this collection. [29 February 2008]

The Manchurian Candidate: Special Edition (1962)

By Cynthia Fuchs

The Manchurian Candidate throws into horrific relief a chaotic sense of U.S. national identity. [12 July 2004]

Black Sunday (1977)

By Chris Robé

John Frankenheimer's 'Black Sunday' serves as something of a transition between 'New Hollywood' and the more spectacular films that came later. [14 October 2003]

Reindeer Games (2000)

By P. Nelson Reinsch

The spirit of world class schlock-horror promoter William Castle was in the theater recently, during a preview screening of Pitch Black, as flashlights were given to a number of audience members. [1 January 1995]