Thursday, August 15, 2024

Recommended reading - The Mammoth Book of Perfect Crimes and Impossible Mysteries (2006).

The Mammoth Book of Perfect Crimes and Impossible Mysteries (2006).

Edited by Mike Ashley.

 

Published by Running Press.

Paperback.


ISBN-10: 0786718935

ISBN-13: 978-0786718931

 

Description:

Mystery conundrums from crime's finest storytellers.

This ingenious new anthology from Mike Ashley presents nearly 30 impossible mysteries and bizarre crimes guaranteed to fascinate and intrigue. Among them are some crimes so impossible that they’re near perfect, and others so perfect that they’re impossible to solve.

In all, the delight is in unravelling the puzzle and trying to work out what on earth happened.

Cases include:

A man in an all-glass phone booth, clearly visible and with no one near him, is killed by an ice pick.

Someone sitting alone in a room is shot by a bullet fired only once and that was over 200 years ago.

A man enters a cable-car carriage alone and is visible the entire journey but is found dead when he reaches the bottom.

A man vanishes at the top of the Indian rope trick and is found dead miles away.

A dead man continues to receive mail in response to letters apparently written by him after he'd died.

The stories include several brand new masterpieces as well as lesser known rare gems – from such names as Robert Randisi, Edward D. Hoch, Joseph Commings, Peter Tremayne, Bill Pronzini and Gillian Linscott. 



Ann Patchett, on books:

 
That's important to me, to recommend books.
- Ann Patchett.


Wednesday, August 14, 2024

On this day in movie history - District 9 (2009)

 

District 9

Directed by Neill Blomkamp,

written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell,

based on the short film Alive in Joburg (2006) by Neill Blomkamp,

was released in the United States on August 14, 2009.

Music by Clinton Shorter.


It took me a few viewings to get into this movie, but I can honestly say that once I did, the movie really affected me, and truly gets better on each viewing.

Cast:
Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, David James, Vanessa Haywood, Mandla Gaduka, Eugene Wanangwa Khumbanyiwa, Louis Minnaar, Kenneth Nkosi, William Allen Young, Nathalie Boltt, Sylvaine Strike, John Sumner, Nick Blake, Jed Brophy, Vittorio Leonardi, Johan van Schoor, Marian Hooman, Jonathan Taylor, Stella Steenkamp, Tim Gordon, Nick Boraine, Robert Hobbs, Trevor Coppola, Morne Erasmus.

#District9 #PeterJackson #AliveInJoburg #Aliens #August14


On this day in movie history - Bonnie and Clyde (1967):


Bonnie and Clyde

Directed by Arthur Penn, 

written by David Newman and Robert Benton,

was released in the United States on August 14, 1967.

Based on the true 1934 Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow case.

Music by Charles Strouse.


Cast:
Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Michael J. Pollard, Gene Hackman, Estelle Parsons, Denver Pyle, Dub Taylor, Evans Evans, Gene Wilder, Mabel Cavitt

#BonnieAndClyde #WarrenBeatty #FayeDunaway #GeneHackman #EstelleParsons #DenverPyle #GeneWilder #August14


On this day in movie history - I, the Jury (1953)

I, the Jury

directed and written by Harry Essex,

based on the novel by Mickey Spillane,

was released in the United States on August 14, 1953.

Music by Franz Waxman.

Cast:
Biff Elliot, Preston Foster, Peggie Castle, Margaret Sheridan, Alan Reed, Mary Anderson, Tom Powers, Frances Osborne, Bob Cunningham, Tani Guthrie, Dran Hamilton, Joe Besser, Paul Dubov, John Qualen, Nestor Paiva, Robert Swanger, Juan Duval, Wally Rose, Bud Stark, Elisha Cook Jr., Roy Engel, Gil Frye, Jim Hayward, Colin Kenny, Ottola Nesmith, Gil Perkins, Frank Richards, Suzanne Ridgway, Lester Sharpe, Jack Stang, Charles Sullivan, William Tannen, Carol Thurston.1953.



Born on this day – Felice Farina:


Director

Writer

August 14, 1954 – September 18, 2023


Credits:
Affetti speciali (1989); Behind the Mountains (2023); Bidoni (1995); Castro (2016); Chi c'è c'è (1987); Condominio (1991); Conversazioni atomiche (2018); Di me cosa ne sai (2009); Do You See Me? (2014); Felipe ha gli occhi azzurri 2 (1993); Il caso Bozano (1996); Liczba doskonala (2022); Monicelli: La versione di Mario (2012); Nebbia in Val Padana (2000); Nostos: The Return (1989); Oscar per due (1998); Patria (2014); Sembra morto... ma è solo svenuto (1986); Senza freni (2003); Sposi (1988); Stazione di servizio (1989); Strade d'acqua (2009); The Evening Tree (2024); The Physics of Water (2009); Timekeeper (2022); Ultimo respiro (1992); Vedi Napoli e poi muori (2007).


Born on this day – James Horner:

Composer

August 14, 1953 – June 22, 2015


The list of movies scored by James Horner is long, but my favorites are Titanic, Avatar, Aliens, A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, Southpaw, and my all-time favorite, Field of Dreams.

The son of an Austria-Hungarian immigrant, as was my father, James died far too young.  Our hearts will go on, as his work will forever stand in testament to his talent.

Credits:
*batteries not included (1987); 10 Items or Less (2006); 100 Greatest Songs of the 90s (2007); 1920 (2003); 20 to 1 (2006–2007); 48 Hrs. (1982); 8mm Memories of the Danmark (2018); A Beautiful Mind (2001); A Far Off Place (1993); A Few Days in Weasel Creek (1981); A Piano for Mrs. Cimino (1982); A Stuntman for All Seasons: A Tribute to Bennie Dobbins (2004); Alaska (1996); Aliens (1986); Aliens: Ride at the Speed of Fright (1995); Aline (2020); All the King's Men (2006); Amazing Stories (1985); American Beauty (1999); American Idol (2003–2004); American Masters (2012); AMV Hell 3: The Motion Picture (2005); An American Tail (1986); An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991); An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster (1999); An American Tail: The Treasure of Manhattan Island (1998); An Oral History of: The Name of the Rose (2022); Anastasia (1997); Andy Colby's Incredible Adventure (1989); Angel Dusted (1981); Another 48 Hrs. (1990); AOPA Live This Week (2015); Apocalypto (2006); Apollo 13 (1995); Atop the Fourth Wall (2010–2016); Australian Idol (2003); Australian Story (1999); Avatar (2009); Avatar: Creating the World of Pandora (2010); Avatar: Production Materials (2010); Avatar: The Way of Water (2022); Back to the Future Part III (1990); Backstage at Disney (1983); Bad Boys (2003); Bailando por un sueño (2007); Balto (1995); Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021); Barbarian Queen (1985); BaseBoys (2018); Battle Beyond the Stars (1980); Behind the Music (2000); Between Friends (1983); Beyond Borders (2003); Beyond Tragedies (2022); Bicentennial Man (1999); Blade Runner (1982); Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius (2004); Bopha! (1993); Brainstorm (1983); Braveheart (1995); Braveheart: Alba Gu Brath! The Making of 'Braveheart' (2007); Bring It On (2001); Bringing Down the House (1999); Britain's Got More Talent (2016–2018); Brüno (2009); Cabin Pressure: Designing the Aalto E-474 / In-Flight Movie: The Making of 'Flightplan' (2006); Canadian Idol (2004); Capitalism: A Love Story (2009); Captain Fantastic (2016); Capturing Avatar (2010); Casper (1995); Castle Rock (2019); Céline (2008); Céline Dion: My Heart Will Go On (1997); Céline Dion: Then You Look at Me (1999); Child's Play 2 (1990); Christi Luv: #LuvMovieMusicDream! (2014); Cine Chalom (2019); Cinematic Excrement (2012); Class Action (1991); Clatterford (2006); Clear and Present Danger (1994); Cocoon (1985); Cocoon: The Return (1988); Come from Away (2021); Commando (1985); Community (2009); Coronation Street (2015); Courage Under Fire (1996); Creating an Emotion (2000); Crew Film: TheVolume (2010); Crew Film: TheVolume (2010); Crossroads (1992–1993); CSI: NY (2006); Dad (1989); Dancing Stars (2012); Dancing with the Stars (2007–2013); Daria (1998); Day of the Falcon (2011); Deadly Blessing (1981); Deathstalker and the Warriors from Hell (1988); Deep Impact (1998); Defunctland (2017); Designing Women (1990); Deutschland sucht den Superstar (2003); Die Hard (1988); Don't Worry Darling (2022); Duets (2012); Duplex (2003); Dylan the Movie (2014); East Meets West: 'Red Heat' and the Kings of Carolco (2004); Edle dråper (2002); Eglimata (1998); El disc de la Marató per la Covid-19 (2020); Els dies clau (2015); Enemy at the Gates (2001); Entertainment Tonight (2015–2023); Esrim plus (1999); Evita (1996); Extreme Close-Up (1990); Factor X (2018); Faerie Tale Theatre (1985); FairyTale: A True Story (1997); Faith Hill: Where Are You Christmas? (2000); Field of Dreams (1989); Field of Dreams: A Diamond in the Husks (2004); 'Field of Dreams': A Scrapbook (1998); Fievel's Adventures in the West (1992); Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001); First in Flight (2012); Fish Police (1992); Flightplan (2005); For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada (2012); Freedom Song (2000); Fresh Off the Boat (2017–2019); From Morf to Morphing: The Dawn of Digital Filmmaking (2001); Gameballcz (2014–2015); George Marshall & the American Century (1994); Gilmore Girls (2007); Gintberg på kanten (2011–2015); Glory (1989); GoGoManTV (2015); Good Morning Britain (2017–2019); Goosebumps (1995–1998); Gorky Park (1983); Granada Reports (2018); Great Pretenders (2001); Greatest 90s Movies (2016); Gulliver's Travels (2010); Hacksaw Ridge (2016); Heaven Help Us (1985); Hey Arnold: The Jungle Movie (2017); Him & Her (2010); Hinter Gittern - Der Frauenknast (2003); Hocus Pocus (1993); Hocus Pocus 2 (2022); Hollywood in Vienna (2015); Hollywood in Vienna 2019: A Night at the Oscars & A Tribute to Gabriel Yared (2013–2015); Homecoming (2018); Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989); Horner (2021); House (2011); House of Cards (1993); House of Sand and Fog (2003); Hovid Povid (2020); How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000); How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003); Humanoids from the Deep (1980); I Love You to Death (1990); Idol (2003); Ídolos (2003); Idols (2003); I'm a Celebrity... Extra Camp (2018); In Country (1989); In Her Own Time (1985); In My Life... Zsa Zsa Live (date?); Iris (2001); Jack the Bear (1993); Jade (1995); James Horner Seminar (1992); James Horner: Composing Genesis (2009); Je t'aime etc. (2019); Journey to Krull (1983); Jumanji (1995); Just Like Heaven (2005); Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore (2008); Klippans karaokecup (2015); Kovy (2016); Krull (1983); Krull: Marvel Comics Video Adaptation (2000); La Marató 2020 (2020); Las puertitas del señor López (2017); Las tragedias de los famosos (2011); Late Night with Seth Meyers (2015); Le nom de la rose (2004); Legends of the Fall (1994); Lego Dimensions (2015); Leona Lewis: I See You (2009); Les 30 ans du TOP 50 (2014); Let's Go (1985); Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram: Somewhere Out There (1986); Linda Ronstadt: Dreams to Dream (1991); Lions and Monkeys and Pods... Oh My!: The Special Effects of 'Jumanji' (2000); Lip Sync Battle Philippines (2018); L'isola dei famosi (2007); Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland (1989); Live from Studio Five (2009–2010); Living Dolls: The Making of a Child Beauty Queen (2001); Living in the Age of Airplanes (2015); Lost Moon: The Triumph of Apollo 13 (1996); Love Actually (2003); Making History (2017); Mamma Mia! (2008); Mandy (2022); Marcella (2016); Masked Singer Suomi (2020); Masked Singer Sverige (2022); Mayor (2020); MenT (2017–2018); Michelle Kwan Skates to Disney's Greatest Hits (1999); Mighty Joe Young (1998); Mike & Mike (2017); Milk Money (1994); Miranda (2009); Muppets Most Wanted (2014); Música des del cor (2007); My Friend Who Shines in the Night (2020); My heart will go on (2019); My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys (1991); My Spy (2020); Mystery Science Theater 3000 (2017–2022); Never an Absolution (2018); Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009); No me la puc treure del cap (2010–2012); Nobel Peace Prize Concert (2008); Norman and the Killer (1991); Nostalgia Critic (2008–2012); Off Beat (1986); On the Road (2014); Once Around (1991); Once Upon a Forest (1993); One Day in Auschwitz (2015); Operación triunfo (2001–2002); P.K. and the Kid (1987); Parker: A Spider Man Origin Story (2021); Patriot Games (1992); Peninta-peninta (2006); Pravidlo sesti (2016); Primary Colors (1998); Professor Marston & the Wonder Women (2017); Project X (1987); Pushing Tin (1999); Radio (2003); Ransom (1996); Raptor (2001); Rascals and Robbers: The Secret Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn (1982); Ray Donovan (2014); Red Heat (1988); Reel Iconic (2015); Reflections on Titanic (2012); Romeo & Juliet (2013); Rude Tube (2013–2014); Rugrats Go Wild (2003); Sarah Brightman: One Night in Eden - Live in Concert (1999); Saturday (2013); Saturday Night Live (1998–2006); Score (2016); Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993); Sei hoi yut gar (1994–1996); Senior Year (2022); Shoestring Space Opera (2011); Showbiz Today (1998); Sneakers (1992); So You Think You Can Dance (2005); Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983); Sorceress (1982); South Park (1998); Southpaw (2015); Space Raiders (1983); Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021); Star for a Night (1999–2000); Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982); Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984); Star Trek Logs: An MTV Big Picture Special Edition (1991); Star Trek Phase II (2004–2012); Star Trek: Enterprise E (2011–2018); Star Trek: Eye of the Tempest (2015); Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Starship Bridge Simulator (1995); Star Trek: The Infinite Chain (1994); Star Wars Ep 6: The Last Laser Master (2018); Stars in Their Eyes (1999–2000); Starship Valiant: Legacy (2014); Steps to the Stars (2001); Streets of Fire (1984); Strictly Come Dancing (2016); Sunburst II (1984); Superior Firepower: The Making of 'Aliens' (2003); Supernatural (2011); Surviving (1985); Swing Kids (1993); Tales from the Crypt (1990); Tales from the Neutral Zone: The Lost Starship - A Star Trek Fan Production (2023); Tatort (2019); Tavis Smiley (2010); TCM Remembers 2015 (2015); Teen Titans Go! (2013); Testament (1983); Testament at 20 (2003); The 33 (2015); The 41st Annual Grammy Awards (1999); The 55th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1998); The 58th Annual Grammy Awards (2016); The 59th Annual Academy Awards (1987); The 70th Annual Academy Awards (1998); The Addams Family (2019); The Amazing Spider-Man (2012); The Bachelor (1999); The Best of Roger Rabbit / Segment: Tummy Trouble (1996); The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008); The Boy Who Cried Werewolf (2010); The Catherine Tate Show (2006); The CBS Evening News (2006–2010); The Chumscrubber (2005); The Clash (2019); The Cleaning Lady (2004); The composer who moved the world (2022); The Crazy Maid (2015); The Devil's Own (1997); The Dresser (1983); The Drought (1975); The Epic of Detective Mandy: Book Five - Satan Claus III: The 13th Day of Christmas (1996); The Fabulous Picture Show (2009); The Flynns' Journey to Ireland (2004); The Forgotten (2004); The Four Feathers (2002); The Grinch Musical! (2020); The Hand (1981); The Holiday (2006); The Horsemen Cometh (2010); The IFI (2022); The Iron Giant (1999); The Journey of Natty Gann (1985); The Judge (2014); The Karate Kid (2010); The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts (2010); The King and I (1999); The Lady in Red (1979); The Land Before Time (1988); The Land Before Time II: The Great Valley Adventure (1994); The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving (1995); The Land Before Time IV: Journey Through the Mists (1996); The Land Before Time IX: Journey to Big Water (2002); The Land Before Time V: The Mysterious Island (1997); The Land Before Time VI: The Secret of Saurus Rock (1998); The Land Before Time VII: The Stone of Cold Fire (2000); The Land Before Time VIII: The Big Freeze (2001); The Land Before Time XI: Invasion of the Tinysauruses (2005); The Land Before Time: More Sing-Along Songs (1999); The Land Before Time: Sing Along Songs (1997); The Last Guest (2017); The Legend of Zorro (2005); The Life Before Her Eyes (2007); The Lost Berserker (2012); The Magnificent Seven (2016); The Making of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989); The Making of Humanoids from the Deep (2010); The Making of 'Sneakers' (2003); The Making of 'the Pagemaster' (1994); The Man Without a Face (1993); The Mask of Zorro (1998); The Messiah (2023); The Missing (2003); The Motel (2005); The Movies That Made Us (2021); The Music of 'Windtalkers' (2003); The Name of the Rose (1986); The New World (2005); The O.C. (2003); The Official Top 50 Best-Selling Singles of the 90s and 00s (2015); The Orville (2017); The Oscars (2016); The Pagemaster (1994); The Pelican Brief (1993); The Perfect Storm (2000); The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper (1981); The Rocketeer (1991); The Secret Life of Bees (2008); The Simpsons (2009); The Social Network (2010); The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008); The Spitfire Grill (1996); The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020); The Stone Boy (1984); The Thief and the Cobbler (1993); The Time That Remains (2009); The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2016–2018); The Voice (2015–2019); The Voice Kids (2014); The Watcher (1978); The WB's Superstar USA (2004); The Wedding Ringer (2015); The World's Greatest Movie Songs: Top 50 (2014); The X Factor UK (2007–2016); The Snake Charmer (2015); This Means War (2012); Thunderheart (1992); THX Cimmaron (1988); Timewatch (2002); Tina Arena and Marc Anthony: I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You (1998); Titanic (1997); Titanic Explorer (1998); To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday (1996); Top of the Pops (1998); Top Ten (2000); Torvill & Dean's Dancing on Ice (2006); Troy (2004); Tu cara me suena - Argentina (2013–2015); Tu cara me suena (2013); Tummy Trouble (1989); Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps (2005–2008); Uncommon Valor (1983); Unlawful Entry (1992); Unmasking Zorro (2001); Up from the Last Run (1979); Vibes (1988); Vienna 2019: A Night at the Oscars & A Tribute to Gabriel Yared (2019); Viki ja Köpi Show (2022–2024); Voice in Exile (1984); Volunteers (1985); We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story (1993); Where the River Runs Black (1986); Willow (1988); Willow (2022–2023); Willow: Behind the Magic (2023); Windtalkers (2002); Wizards of the Lost Kingdom (1985); Wolf Totem (2015); Wolfen (1981); Young Guns (1988); Yu-Gi-Oh! The Abridged Series (2006).

#JamesHorner #Titanic #Avatar #Aliens #ABeautifulMind #Apollo13 #Southpaw #FieldOfDreams #August14