trinkschiz

I first saw Out of the Past in a screening in Austin at UT. It looks so unbelievably good projected. I've since watched it every few years on TCM or DVD, and just watched it again after listening to the Out of the Past Podcast's episode on the film, and got even more out of it this time. That's what makes it a classic and a pleasure. My favorite Mitchum movie and maybe Kirk Douglas as well. My favorite noir.

Director/Co-Writer Christopher Presswell has created cat and mouse game in the style of Alfred Hitchcock. It's a drawing room suspense film built around a handful of high quality actors and a malevolent conceit.

The invitees to a small gathering are rocked by an accusation of infidelity, and the ensuing events play out with style. Both the shooting and the soundtrack have a classic clever suspense film feel.

Also, Candlestick deliberately references the idea of board games both with the game played in the movie and the title itself, which hearkens back to Clue, the classic murder mystery game.

I hope Presswell keeps working in the genre, making intelligent suspense films like this.

Good creepy fun - a suspenseful tale that takes aim at the idea of a "sweet little old lady," with strong performances particularly from Rachel Alig and Glenda Morgan Brown.

Writer-Director Les Mahoney has a feel for Hitchcockian atmosphere and characterizations. Working on a modest budget he achieves some of the tension missing from bigger Hollywood features.

Mahoney himself plays a love interest for Alig's caretaker character and his entrance into the film brings additional complications.

The script is loaded up with some great twists, including one final turn at the end. Enjoy!