There’s a kernel of a good mystery here that would probably make for an enjoyable short story, but this penultimate Hercule Poirot adventure feels both padded out and frustratingly short on substance.
Though I found it a tad overlong and didn’t really care for its AI-centric plot, Dead Reckoning Part One is entertaining as hell and pretty much everything you’d want from a spy action blockbuster.
A lesser-known train murder mystery from the Queen of Crime, The Mystery of the BlueTrain may not occupy the same rarefied class as Murder on the Orient Express, and Christie herself apparently hated writing it. I thought it was hardly her best, but still a decent enough read.
This witty 1967 comedy-drama about disaffected youth feels both dated and timeless, and holds up well thanks to the great performances, clever cinematography, legendary Simon & Garfunkel tunes, and one of the most memorable movie endings I can think of.
This claustrophobic tale of lust, murder and madness made an indelible impression on me when I first read it many years ago, and I found it just as engrossing second time around.
A collection of short stories blending mystery and romantic melodrama, about a strange crime-solving partnership that has more than a tinge of supernatural. Put it under another Christie book I appreciated much more on a re-read.
An unconventional and stylish cult British gangster film that swings effortlessly from funny to nightmarish, with an acclaimed villainous turn from Ben Kingsley.
Moriarty’s light touch and sparkling writing somewhat redeems this overstuffed tale that doesn’t really succeed as either mystery, romance or family drama.
A gentle, sensual and compassionate Moroccan film about an unusual triangle that lingers in the heart and mind long after the credits, The Blue Caftan is a beautiful tribute to love.
A thriller that blends film noir with domestic melodrama, this 1945 movie starring Joan Crawford is a very different beast compared to the more recent HBO TV miniseries, but it’s just as great in its own right.