“Favor Gonna Kill You Faster Than a Bullet”: Carlito’s Way at 30

Brian De Palma’s deeply moving morality tale Carlito’s Way (1993) recently had its thirtieth anniversary. The film has long held a special place in my personal movie pantheon, ever since seeing it opening night, November 12, 1993. Based on two novels by New York State Supreme Court Judge Edwin Torres (which I’ve read and highly … Continue reading “Favor Gonna Kill You Faster Than a Bullet”: Carlito’s Way at 30 →

Hot Shots of the Week: Wolfing Around with Michelle

I adore Mike Nichols’ Wolf (1994), but every time I watch it—and I try to watch it every October—I’m utterly gobsmacked that he got Michelle Pfeiffer to film that completely bonkers final showdown. As good guy Wolfman Jack (Nicholson) looks on from inside a cage, bad guy Wolfman James Spader uses his hairy paws to … Continue reading Hot Shots of the Week: Wolfing Around with Michelle →

Rush Rush at the Babylon

Miami’s Babylon Club is a favorite hangout of criminal-element types in Brian De Palma’s grotesque and glorious gangster film, Scarface (1983). The Babylon is where Tony Montana (Al Pacino) first puts the moves on Elvira Hancock (Michelle Pfeiffer). Tony visits the club as a guest of drug lord Frank Lopez (Robert Loggia). Elvira might be … Continue reading Rush Rush at the Babylon →

“Nancy Drew in a Garter Belt”: Nancy Allen in Dressed to Kill

Among film lovers, Nancy Allen is considered a capital “G” Goddess. A central figure in late 1970s, early 1980s American cinema, Allen is revered thanks to her performances in at least six classics films with rabid fanbases: Carrie (1976), I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978), Dressed to Kill (1980), Blow Out (1981), Terror in the … Continue reading “Nancy Drew in a Garter Belt”: Nancy Allen in Dressed to Kill →

Happy Birthday, Frankie

When it comes to my most beloved Michelle Pfeiffer characters, Frankie resides right at the top, along with Susie, Angela, Selina, and Stephanie. Today, November 11th, is Frankie’s birthday—we know this because Johnny asks her, and she tells him, during a beautiful scene between the two in Frankie and Johnny (1991). It takes until the … Continue reading Happy Birthday, Frankie →

The Art of the Ad: Sex, Lies, and Video Games, Part IV

The golden age of arcade and video game advertising is such a fertile period for unabashedly sexy and blatantly sexist ads that we’re back with a fourth installment of material. This is starting to become the Friday the 13th of the Starfire Lounge, with sequel after sequel. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if I got … Continue reading The Art of the Ad: Sex, Lies, and Video Games, Part IV →

Bombshells

Late last year, I was formulating a series of posts on the Hollywood archetype known as “The Bombshell.” Well, those posts haven’t come to published fruition yet. While we wait for them to (hopefully) appear at some point, let’s get a teaser taste (of cheesecake?) by turning this Random Image post over to Bombshells. Diana … Continue reading Bombshells →