Hidden in the Fog (1953) **

Human behavior takes a back seat to murder mystery tropes in this Swedish noir that has just a few too many twists.

Death Is a Caress (1949) **

I suppose it's a "noir" but really it's a realistic look at a couple who have a very strong physical attraction but little else. Troubles ensue.

Girl with Hyacinths (1950) **

Ulf Palme, a Swedish Alastair Sim, keeps it entertaining enough but it's very difficult to care about the lead. Maybe that was intentional?

2025 In Review: Music

**** HAIM - I Quit
**** Stereolab - Fed Up With Your Job (Single)

*** Arthur Buck - Arthur Buck 2
*** Astral Bakers - Vertical Life
*** Automatic - Is It Now
*** Beths, The - Straight Line Was A Lie
*** Buddie - Glass
*** Convenience, The - Like Cartoon Vampires
*** Deep Sea Diver - Billboard Heart
*** Dragon Inn 3 - Full Disclosure
*** Dumb Things - Self Help
*** GHOSTWOMAN - Welcome To The Civilized World
*** Guided By Voices - Thick Rich And Delicious
*** Housewife - Work Song
*** I Was A King - Until The End
*** Ivy - Traces of You
*** Magic Fig - Valerian Tea
*** Miki Berenyi Trio - Tripla
*** Minus 5, The - Oar On, Penelope!
*** Momma - Welcome to My Blue Sky
*** Penfriend - House Of Stories
*** Prism Shores - Out From Underneath
*** Salt Collective, The - A Brief History of Blindness
*** San Gabriel - Nights And Weekends
*** Sloan - Based on the Best Seller
*** Superchunk - Songs in the Key of Yikes
*** Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels
*** Swervedriver - The Worlds Fair EP
*** Wolf Alice - The Clearing

** Avers - Empty Light
** Beach Bunny - Tunnel Vision
** Cate Le Bon - Michelangelo Dying
** Future Clouds And Radar - Big Weather
** Horsegirl - Phonetics On and On
** Jay Som - Belong
** Liminanas, The - Faded
** Ringo Starr - Look Up
** Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory
** Sleigh Bells - Bunky Becky Birthday Boy
** Tubs, The - Cotton Crown
** Waeve, The - Eternal EP
** Wishy - Planet Popstar EP
** Witch Post - Beast EP

2025 In Review: Movies

*** One Battle After Another
** Black Bag
** Megadoc
** The Phoenician Scheme
* The Thursday Murder Club

Black Angel (1946) **

Novel twist on the blackout trope plus strong support help to overcome weak leads.

Blackout (1954) **

Amusing dialogue and the performers are enjoyable just don't expect the plot to make any sense.

Stranger Than Paradise (1984) ****

Minimalist slacker dramedy is expertly shot and directed with a stunning debut performance by Eszter Balint. Transcends its genre.

Megadoc (2025) **

Fascinating look at big budget movie making and how the inherent bloat and Shia Labeouf nearly kill Francis Coppola.