“Shadow of a Doubt” (1943)
Alfred Hitchcock’s personal favorite of his own films, “Shadow of a Doubt” perfectly combines small-town wholesomeness with dark psychological horror.
“The Road” by Cormac McCarthy (2006)
“The Road” is one of American writer Cormac McCarthy’s most powerful stories: heartbreaking, horrifying, yet full of poetic beauty.
“Rabbit, Run” by John Updike (1960)
Written in 1960 by John Updike, “Rabbit, Run” is a poignant and occasionally profound look at American small-town life.
“The Sopranos – Peppers & Eggs (Music from the HBO Original Series)”
“Peppers & Eggs,” a two-disc soundtrack album from The Sopranos’ first three seasons, is an entertaining piece of memorabilia.
“A Matter of Life and Death” (1946)
Directed by the great British duo of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, “A Matter of Life and Death” is a visually stunning film from beginning to end.
“Casino Royale” (2006)
Thanks to Daniel Craig’s complete reinvention of the character, “Casino Royale” lays claim to being the best of all James Bond films.
“Howl’s Moving Castle” by Diana Wynne Jones (1986)
“Howl’s Moving Castle,” the 1985 fantasy novel by Diana Wynne Jones, is a relaxing, whimsical story in which not much happens.
“Challengers” (2024)
“Challengers” is a sexy and stylish romantic drama centered on tennis that is unfortunately lacking in emotional substance.
“Les Paul’s New Sound, Vol. 2” – Les Paul & Mary Ford
“Les Paul’s New Sound, Vol. 2,” which was originally released by the husband-wife duo of Les Paul & Mary Ford in 1951, is an album deserving of classic status.
“Anatomy of a Fall” (2023)
“Anatomy of a Fall” is a taut legal drama and an engrossing character study that is one of the finest films of the 2020s.
“Swing Time” (1936)
“Swing Time” is probably the best of the Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers collaborations, with some of the most beautiful dance numbers ever put to film.
“The New Sounds” – Miles Davis
Miles Davis’ debut LP “The New Sounds” (released in 1951) is a standout album of early bebop.