Two Down, One to Go: Must-Read Recommendations

by Tony Dayoub

I don't discuss it enough here, but there are three film critics who have held the most sway over me since I was young: Danny Peary, best known for his Cult Movies books, whose long out-of-print Guide for the Film Fanatic (1986) is still an essential tome to keep on the nightstand; Glenn Kenny (now a friend), who I grew up reading in the now defunct Premiere magazine, writes for his own blog Some Came Running, and has just recently become chief film critic for MSN Movies; the last is a gentleman who edited Film Comment during what I consider to be its most fascinating period, 1990 through 2000, Richard T. Jameson.

For a taste of his wonderful writing, I highly recommend his archived post on Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, which I was once fortunate to have personally sent to me by Mr. Jameson after receiving a missive in which we bonded over our mutual love of Cutter's Way. Here's a bit of what I wrote about Jameson here back in May 2009:

Under Jameson's watch, [Film Comment's] annual roundup of the best films and notable performances (as put forth by numerous critics polled) was frequently upstaged by "Moments Out of Time," a roundup of the best cinematic moments of the previous year, by Jameson and Kathleen Murphy (both now contribute to Parallax View) which they now publish over at MSN Movies.

I am now happy to report Mr. Jameson is now writing on a regular basis for the Queen Anne and Magnolia News at his new online movie magazine, Straight Shooting. I'll be reading it, and so should you.

All we need is for Danny Peary to join the fray, and I'll be set.