Just Looking

In early October of 2020, less than six months into the existence of this blog, I created a post on Body Double that stood out from a lot of what I’d been doing here. That’s because it only had some brief introductory text and was largely comprised of screenshots from Brian De Palma’s sexually charged … Continue reading Just Looking →

“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 →

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 →

The World is Yours: Scarface at 40

In December of this year, Brian De Palma’s Scarface (1983) will celebrate its fortieth anniversary. At nearly three hours long, Scarface tells the mythic tale of the rise and fall of Cuban drug lord Tony Montana (Al Pacino), whose obsessive quest for the American Dream ends in a hail of bullets. It’s a grandiose, profane, … Continue reading The World is Yours: Scarface at 40 →

We Like to Watch: Body Double

Many filmmakers explore the themes of doubling and voyeurism, but few have done it as consistently or successfully as Brian De Palma. One of the handful (or two handfuls!) of masterpieces in his filmography, Body Double (1984) perfectly illustrates De Palma’s (and D.P. Steven H. Burum's) visual interrogation of these elements while also implicating us, … Continue reading We Like to Watch: Body Double →

Oh, Gina

Scarface (1983) has grown into a massive cult favorite over the years, but rarely is it praised for its treatment of female characters. But Oliver Stone's script does include two juicy roles for women, each of which leaves a lasting impression: Michelle Pfeiffer as Tony Montana's lady Elvira Hancock and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Tony's … Continue reading Oh, Gina →

Surviving Scarface: Elvira

Wow, the restaurant scene in Scarface (1983) is powerful. That's all I kept thinking the other night when I watched Brian De Palma's epic tale of the rise and fall of Cuban "political refugee" and drug lord Tony Montana (Al Pacino in one of his most popular and oft-quoted roles). The movie is chock-full of … Continue reading Surviving Scarface: Elvira →