@farrannehme
Self-Styled Siren since 2005. Film writing, film history, film love.
The Lost One's Long Journey
The Lost One's Long Journey
After 75 years, Peter Lorre's sole film as director finds its dark moment at last
The Lost One's Long Journey
The Lost One's Long Journey
After 75 years, Peter Lorre's sole film as director finds its dark moment at last
The Ballad of the Record Changers - Self-Styled Siren (no paywall)
The Ballad of the Record Changers - Self-Styled Siren (no paywall)
Though we're apart, you're part of me still
New Year, New Thoughts - Self-Styled Siren
New Year, New Thoughts - Self-Styled Siren
Four Scandinavian noirs, plus an explanatory prologue
Trouble in Paradise (1932) | The Criterion Collection (essay)
Trouble in Paradise (1932) | The Criterion Collection (essay)
Ernst Lubitsch’s famed touch is on exquisite display in this sexy pre-Code jewel, glittering with witty innuendo and elegant comic invention. It’s love at first swindle when high-society thief Gaston Monescu (Herbert Marshall) and pickpocket Lily Vautier (Miriam Hopkins) cross paths amid the canals of Venice while attempting to con each other—and then it’s off to Paris, where the pair meet their match in their latest mark, the très chic Madame Colet (Kay Francis), whose fabulous fortune is exceeded only by her powers of seduction. With its delightfully risqué dialogue, swoonworthy couture, and high deco style, Trouble in Paradise is a pinnacle of comic-romantic sophistication that fizzes like the finest champagne.
Captain Blood (1935) | The Criterion Collection (essay)
Captain Blood (1935) | The Criterion Collection (essay)
With this spectacular romantic adventure, a new era of Hollywood swashbuckling was born, as was a devilishly dashing star named Errol Flynn. He brings boundless charisma to the role of an idealistic Irish physician who, declared a traitor to England and sold into slavery in the New World, takes his revenge by transforming himself into the notorious pirate Captain Blood. The groundbreaking symphonic score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, marking the emergence of the Warner Bros. music department as a vital element in the studio’s moviemaking; the spitfire chemistry between Flynn and Olivia de Havilland in the first of their iconic pairings; the rousing naval-battle finale—all come together under the expert direction of Michael Curtiz to form an exemplar of classic film craftsmanship sailing full speed ahead.
WSJ Book Review: SCENE by Abel Ferrara
WSJ Book Review: SCENE by Abel Ferrara
Abel Ferrara’s movies are often driven by the consequences of extreme impulses. Much of his career has also been defined by a taste for immoderate behavior.
ALL MY SONS - LE – Powerhouse Films Ltd (Blu-ray commentary with Glenn Kenny)
ALL MY SONS - LE – Powerhouse Films Ltd (Blu-ray commentary with Glenn Kenny)
(Irving Reis, 1948, 94 mins)Release date: 16 February 2026Limited Edition Blu-ray (UK premiere) Irving Reis (The Big Street) directs a stellar cast including Edward G Robinson (Night Has a Thousand Eyes) and Burt Lancaster (Kiss the Blood Off My Hands) in the film noir classic All My Sons. Joe Keeler (Robinson) frames
Hell's Angels (Video interview about Jean Harlow's career)
Hell's Angels (Video interview about Jean Harlow's career)
A high-flying feat of adventure filmmaking and a testament to the audacious, spare-no-expense vision of Howard Hughes, this landmark aviation epic remains exhilarating both for its daredevil aerial sequences and its nervy pre-Code punch. With the onset of World War I, two British brothers recruited into the Royal Flying Corps (Ben Lyon and James Hall) find their bond tested by their differing attitudes toward the war and their love for the same woman (Jean Harlow in her bombshell breakthrough). The product of a notoriously long and dangerous production that resulted in the deaths of multiple crew members, Hell’s Angels broke new technical ground, making use of early sound and color technologies, and capturing some of the most thrilling dogfight scenes ever filmed.
The Affairs of Anatol
The Affairs of Anatol
World Noir Vol. 4 (LE) (Booklet essay for Chnouf, aka Razzia sur la chnouf)
World Noir Vol. 4 (LE) (Booklet essay for Chnouf, aka Razzia sur la chnouf)
The story of noir is one of the cinema of France and the USA in conversation with one another, and this set presents three French classics from the 50s & 60s.
Nouvelles Femmes (WSJ book review)
Nouvelles Femmes (WSJ book review)
Actresses such as Jeanne Moreau, Anna Karina and Jean Seberg played a starring role in France’s cinematic revolution.
BONJOUR TRISTESSE - LE (commentary with Glenn Kenny) – Powerhouse Films Ltd
BONJOUR TRISTESSE - LE (commentary with Glenn Kenny) – Powerhouse Films Ltd
(Otto Preminger, 1958, 94 mins)Release date: 18 August 2025Limited Edition Blu-ray (UK premiere) Otto Preminger (Bunny Lake Is Missing) directs Bonjour Tristesse, a stylish adaptation of Françoise Sagan’s novel, starring Deborah Kerr (The Chalk Garden), David Niven (Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife), and Jean Seberg (Lilith). H
Dear Ruth (Blu-ray commentary) - Kino Lorber Home Video
Dear Ruth (Blu-ray commentary) - Kino Lorber Home Video
During World War II, a family is puzzled when a young Lieutenant appears at their home asking for their 22-year-old daughter Ruth. Unbeknownst to all, Ruth's teenage sister has been writing letters to him and signing Ruth’s name.
The Farmer's Daughter (Blu-ray commentary) - Kino Lorber Home Video
The Farmer's Daughter (Blu-ray commentary) - Kino Lorber Home Video
Broadway promoters cast an investor's ex-flame, Clarice Sheldon, in their new show and rehearse on a remote farm, where the farmer's clumsy daughter, Patience Bingham, falls for the leading man. When Clarice quits, they must decide if Patience can step up to become the new star.
The Americans: On “Henry Fonda for President” on Notebook | MUBI
The Americans: On “Henry Fonda for President” on Notebook | MUBI
In his debut film, the longtime curator and historian Alexander Horwath finds an analogue for the nation in one of its leading actors.
Great Expectations: British Postwar Cinema (1945-1960) – Book essays on Cavalcanti and Huntington
Great Expectations: British Postwar Cinema (1945-1960) – Book essays on Cavalcanti and Huntington
Take home a copy of the book made to accompany the Locarno78 retrospective of British postwar cinema (1945-60). Edited by curator Ehsan Khoshbakht, this volume features contributions from a slate of international writers and some of the leading experts on British cinema. From established auteurs like David Lean, Basil
World Noir Vol 3 (LE) – Radiance Films (Booklet Essay on The Lost One)
World Noir Vol 3 (LE) – Radiance Films (Booklet Essay on The Lost One)
World Noir Vol 3 The conclusion of World War Two saw film noir become firmly established as one of the defining Hollywood film genres, with studios almost unable to keep up with audience demand for more violent and bleak stories of murder, greed and betrayal. But outside of the USA, a number of European film-makers, m
The Big Heat (1953) | The Criterion Collection (Video essay)
The Big Heat (1953) | The Criterion Collection (Video essay)
‘Louis B. Mayer & Irving Thalberg’ Review: MGM’s Money Man and Wonder Boy - WSJ
‘Louis B. Mayer & Irving Thalberg’ Review: MGM’s Money Man and Wonder Boy - WSJ
Over the course of a little more than a decade, a pair of studio executives transformed how films were made.
Look Back at Mary Ure
Look Back at Mary Ure
Chicago
Chicago
Cast Against Type: Heroes as Villains
Cast Against Type: Heroes as Villains
Christmas for Film Nerds
Christmas for Film Nerds
Starring Ida Lupino
Starring Ida Lupino
Three Women
Three Women
Alice and Nora and George
Alice and Nora and George
Hunting for Hazel Brooks
Hunting for Hazel Brooks
In Memoriam: Alain Delon | Tributes | Roger Ebert
In Memoriam: Alain Delon | Tributes | Roger Ebert
Not So Sultry: Ella Raines
Not So Sultry: Ella Raines
The Siren's Summer Books
The Siren's Summer Books
Rediscovering Yasuzo Masumura at Karlovy Vary
Rediscovering Yasuzo Masumura at Karlovy Vary
Debbie Reynolds in Her Own Words
Debbie Reynolds in Her Own Words
"There Is No Formula": John Huston on Remakes
"There Is No Formula": John Huston on Remakes
Bleak, bittersweet and tough: I miss 1970s movies (interview with Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune — paywall)
Bleak, bittersweet and tough: I miss 1970s movies (interview with Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune — paywall)
Gowns by Irene
Gowns by Irene
Piccadilly (1929): Audio commentary for Kino-Lorber Blu-ray
Piccadilly (1929): Audio commentary for Kino-Lorber Blu-ray
"Tod Browning's Ballyhoo Art" at Criterion
"Tod Browning's Ballyhoo Art" at Criterion
‘Every Man for Himself and God Against All’ review at WSJ Books
‘Every Man for Himself and God Against All’ review at WSJ Books
UNIVERSAL NOIR #2 (with Glenn Kenny for LADY ON A TRAIN)
UNIVERSAL NOIR #2 (with Glenn Kenny for LADY ON A TRAIN)
"Noir by Gaslight" series on the Criterion Channel
"Noir by Gaslight" series on the Criterion Channel
Ivy (1947)
Ivy (1947)
Bye-bye Babylon
Bye-bye Babylon
The Clarence Brown Film Festival in Knoxville
The Clarence Brown Film Festival in Knoxville
Silent Movie Week at MoMA, Starring Stella Dallas
Silent Movie Week at MoMA, Starring Stella Dallas
The Many Lives of Alain Delon
The Many Lives of Alain Delon
BULLFIGHTER AND THE LADY (Commentary with Glenn Kenny)
BULLFIGHTER AND THE LADY (Commentary with Glenn Kenny)
The Ranown Westerns: Five Films Directed by Budd Boetticher (video extra on Randolph Scott)
The Ranown Westerns: Five Films Directed by Budd Boetticher (video extra on Randolph Scott)
Hugo Limited Edition 4K Ultra HD (booklet essay)
Hugo Limited Edition 4K Ultra HD (booklet essay)
Frank and Hedy
Frank and Hedy
Restored Masterpiece From Argentina Screens Online This Weekend
Restored Masterpiece From Argentina Screens Online This Weekend
STATE OF THE UNION - LE (Commentary with Glenn Kenny and Claire Kenny)
STATE OF THE UNION - LE (Commentary with Glenn Kenny and Claire Kenny)
Film critic Farran Nehme on that other infamous Oscar moment
Film critic Farran Nehme on that other infamous Oscar moment
COLUMBIA NOIR #5: HUMPHREY BOGART - LE (Commentary with Glenn Kenny for THE HARDER THEY FALL)
COLUMBIA NOIR #5: HUMPHREY BOGART - LE (Commentary with Glenn Kenny for THE HARDER THEY FALL)
Strike Up the Theme Songs, Part Two
Strike Up the Theme Songs, Part Two
Strike Up the Theme Songs
Strike Up the Theme Songs
Without True Love We Just Exist: Burt Bacharach (1928-2023) | Tributes | Roger Ebert
Without True Love We Just Exist: Burt Bacharach (1928-2023) | Tributes | Roger Ebert
The Official Siren Dozen of 2022
The Official Siren Dozen of 2022
Jeanne Eagels in The Letter (1929): A fresh restoration will play MoMA on Jan. 13 and 25
Jeanne Eagels in The Letter (1929): A fresh restoration will play MoMA on Jan. 13 and 25
A Year in the Work
A Year in the Work
‘Babylon’: The Myths and True Stories That Inspired the Classic Hollywood Epic
‘Babylon’: The Myths and True Stories That Inspired the Classic Hollywood Epic
‘Hollywood’ Review: Reel Conversations
‘Hollywood’ Review: Reel Conversations
Poll position: old is gold
Poll position: old is gold
Dans la Nuit
Dans la Nuit
Books on Buster Keaton: Reading the Great Stone Face
Books on Buster Keaton: Reading the Great Stone Face
Spirit Roommates: A True Halloween Tale of Alabama and Last Night in Soho
Spirit Roommates: A True Halloween Tale of Alabama and Last Night in Soho
Dames, Janes, Dolls and Canaries (at MoMA Magazine)
Dames, Janes, Dolls and Canaries (at MoMA Magazine)
Substack: Self-Styled Siren
Substack: Self-Styled Siren
Blog: Self-Styled Siren
Blog: Self-Styled Siren
Terror, suspense, and the power of suggestion in The Haunting - Library of America
Terror, suspense, and the power of suggestion in The Haunting - Library of America
Classic Hollywood Little Women captures the story’s appeal for all time - Library of America
Classic Hollywood Little Women captures the story’s appeal for all time - Library of America
View on mobile
Explore other Linktrees
Sofia Tilbury
@sofiatilbury
BNC Map
@bncmap
Kara Harms
@thewhimsysoul
padmalakshmi
@padmalakshmi
Kaitlyn Johnson
@missynjohnson
Lindsey Baker
@itslindss
royelotis
@royelotis
Halley Kate
@halleykmcg
TJ Palma
@tjpalma
adammgrant
@adammgrant
previous
next
Discover more
See all
@imceder1
@ocs_coaching
@Ozitravel_
@Apidae
@conscienciafinanceira_
@sellwithisabelle
@khari.kasche
@silvia.rivas
@elrancho_ec
@soyyo.app
@escolaagirassol
@shanetiara
@metacarauto
@footscraywaterpolo
@bougainvilleaalibaug
@cotonhousefarmevent
@lyassieu
@cirsiumbc
@LoveTheCityCenter
@byomeat
@URAttitudeDeterminesURAltitude
@jaquegoes
@nadiramoslemshop
@rejaneluciscostaknoth
@dalozzoart
@LUXURY.Perfume
@trsuntheterminator
@artoutside
@bebemihu
@pinkcollark9
@vivaemgaropaba
@devaenergy
@analaurarocamusic
@dashingdigit
@thejuicemachine_os
@corpusacaefisio
@bangonyet
@punto.felizz
@zorggroepdrenthe
@Ungdriveparla
@sage.mumbai
@terence_tanly
@elizabeth.gwhite
@chineladasanja
@SteveAlea