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The 9 Best French Jewel Theft Films

The 9 Best French Jewel Theft Films

Julia Sirmons ranks classic French heist movies... you know, apropos of nothing...

By Julia Sirmons | November 6, 2025

Twenty Years of <em>Capote</em>

Twenty Years of Capote

Julia Sirmons looks back on Bennett Miller's classic film

By Julia Sirmons | September 30, 2025

Remembering John Waters's true-crime satire <em>Serial Mom</em>

Remembering John Waters's true-crime satire Serial Mom

"His parody of true crime stories, and the media circus they attract, reveals the perverse desires and anxieties of American life."

By Julia Sirmons | July 19, 2024

Remembering Richard Lewis and <em>Once Upon a Crime</em>

Remembering Richard Lewis and Once Upon a Crime

The comedian's self-depreciating shtick lit up this otherwise goofy 1992 caper

By Julia Sirmons | March 1, 2024

<em>Anatomy of a Fall</em> Is a Stunning Experiment in Unknowability

Anatomy of a Fall Is a Stunning Experiment in Unknowability

Justine Triet's new film begins as a murder mystery, but turns into a riveting and chilling courtroom drama.

By Julia Sirmons | November 3, 2023

<em>The Pigeon Tunnel</em>, the New Film About John le Carré, is Intimate and Illuminating

The Pigeon Tunnel, the New Film About John le Carré, is Intimate and Illuminating

Errol Morris's new documentary sheds new light on the inner life of the 20th century's greatest spy novelist

By Julia Sirmons | October 25, 2023

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The Jewel Thief is an Intimate Portrait of a Criminal Mastermind

By Julia Sirmons | July 28, 2023

White House Plumbers Tells the Whole Story of all the Really Stupid, Very Dirty Stuff That Went Down During Watergate

By Julia Sirmons | May 31, 2023

There's Irma Vep and then there's Irma Vep

By Julia Sirmons | September 12, 2022

Season Six of <em>Better Call Saul</em> Brings Jimmy McGill to his Final Crossroads

Season Six of Better Call Saul Brings Jimmy McGill to his Final Crossroads

Julia Sirmons on the last chapter of the Breaking Bad prequel

By Julia Sirmons | April 19, 2022

Looking back on one of the scariest serial-killer films ever made, <em>10 Rillington Place</em>

Looking back on one of the scariest serial-killer films ever made, 10 Rillington Place

In the 1971 British film, Richard Attenborough gives a brilliant, terrifying performance as real-life murderer John Christie

By Julia Sirmons | April 15, 2022

<em>Death on the Nile</em> is one of Agatha Christie's Most Insightful Mysteries

Death on the Nile is one of Agatha Christie's Most Insightful Mysteries

Stopping for a moment to appreciate the text of a frequently adapted novel.

By Julia Sirmons | February 11, 2022

On the Murder Mystery Movie Written by Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins

On the Murder Mystery Movie Written by Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins

"The Last of Sheila" is a star-studded scavenger-hunt-whodunit from the 70s, gloriously campy and full of surprises

By Julia Sirmons | December 10, 2021

Could <em>On Her Majesty's Secret Service</em> be the best Bond film?

Could On Her Majesty's Secret Service be the best Bond film?

The Bond franchise's swinging 1969 instalment, starring George Lazenby and Diana Rigg, is its most unique.

By Julia Sirmons | October 8, 2021

A Rumination on DCI Jane Tennison

A Rumination on DCI Jane Tennison

Looking back at the beloved series "Prime Suspect" and its curt, magnetic, mighty protagonist.

By Julia Sirmons | August 26, 2021

A Field Guide to the Long History of Skyjackings

A Field Guide to the Long History of Skyjackings

Plane hijackings have been around since the dawn of aviation. From D.B. Cooper to the PFLP, here's an overview of the different eras of our cultural fascination with airplane-takeovers.

By Julia Sirmons | May 10, 2021