Mel Killingsworth
@mehlsbells.bsky.social
lover of cinema, sport, siphon coffee, sundries
🌈 make and write about TV and movies 🌈
half of [at] ShotZero
linktr.ee/mehlsbells
🌈 make and write about TV and movies 🌈
half of [at] ShotZero
linktr.ee/mehlsbells
Pinned
Mel Killingsworth
@mehlsbells.bsky.social
· Nov 22
Hello it is me, a person who reads physical books on public transport!
Well, not busses (because I get carsick), but trams and trains!
Well, trams if I am facing forwards (see above)!
THE POINT IS ya'll listen to this wise man and get at me . . .
Well, not busses (because I get carsick), but trams and trains!
Well, trams if I am facing forwards (see above)!
THE POINT IS ya'll listen to this wise man and get at me . . .
Coffee and Noir: CROSSFIRE
every instance of coffee in noir: 061
melkillingsworth.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Reposted by Mel Killingsworth
This gorgeous "White Heat" prison shot uses light and shadows, bars and depth, to make the prison look like a spiderweb, trapping its inhabitants - guards as well - as fodder.
November 16, 2025 at 12:00 AM
This gorgeous "White Heat" prison shot uses light and shadows, bars and depth, to make the prison look like a spiderweb, trapping its inhabitants - guards as well - as fodder.
Congrats to Kate Hore - absolutely outstanding performance, and double-handedly the reason the Dees were the better team today.
November 15, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Congrats to Kate Hore - absolutely outstanding performance, and double-handedly the reason the Dees were the better team today.
As for me and my house, we shall observe #Noirvember across all mediums
November 15, 2025 at 1:31 AM
As for me and my house, we shall observe #Noirvember across all mediums
Reposted by Mel Killingsworth
If you, like @criterion.bsky.social, are searching for more #BlackoutNoir this #Noirvember, we’ve got a doozy of a scene breakdown for you!
shotzero.substack.com/p/putting-us...
shotzero.substack.com/p/putting-us...
Putting Us In Their Shoes: MOONTIDE
This montage from Moontide sees Bobo (Jean Gabin) through a night of drinking . . . and the morning after.
shotzero.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:52 AM
If you, like @criterion.bsky.social, are searching for more #BlackoutNoir this #Noirvember, we’ve got a doozy of a scene breakdown for you!
shotzero.substack.com/p/putting-us...
shotzero.substack.com/p/putting-us...
I would not have minded seeing more scenes set in aesthetically pleasing Japanese cafes, but still, GIRI / HAJI made the most of its coffee scenes
melkillingsworth.substack.com/p/coffee-and...
melkillingsworth.substack.com/p/coffee-and...
November 13, 2025 at 2:46 AM
I would not have minded seeing more scenes set in aesthetically pleasing Japanese cafes, but still, GIRI / HAJI made the most of its coffee scenes
melkillingsworth.substack.com/p/coffee-and...
melkillingsworth.substack.com/p/coffee-and...
Reposted by Mel Killingsworth
#MichaelClayton 3/4
Second, Michael begins the call in motion, but lands in a position which frames him in opposition to the sister; they remain ‘facing’ each other from opposite sides of frame for the remainder of the conversation.
Second, Michael begins the call in motion, but lands in a position which frames him in opposition to the sister; they remain ‘facing’ each other from opposite sides of frame for the remainder of the conversation.
November 10, 2025 at 11:01 PM
#MichaelClayton 3/4
Second, Michael begins the call in motion, but lands in a position which frames him in opposition to the sister; they remain ‘facing’ each other from opposite sides of frame for the remainder of the conversation.
Second, Michael begins the call in motion, but lands in a position which frames him in opposition to the sister; they remain ‘facing’ each other from opposite sides of frame for the remainder of the conversation.
Reposted by Mel Killingsworth
Many noir films make use of window slats to cast fore-shadows on characters, but Pitfall (1948) takes it further, using curtains, pajamas, stair railings, bedposts, a model plane, and more, to form visual 'cages' around Johnny and Mona.
1/2
1/2
November 12, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Many noir films make use of window slats to cast fore-shadows on characters, but Pitfall (1948) takes it further, using curtains, pajamas, stair railings, bedposts, a model plane, and more, to form visual 'cages' around Johnny and Mona.
1/2
1/2
The bestie saw Honey Don't / my review of Honey Don't
November 12, 2025 at 12:21 AM
The bestie saw Honey Don't / my review of Honey Don't
Coffee and Noir: THE BLUE GARDENIA
every instance of coffee in noir: 059
melkillingsworth.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:07 PM
new-to-me faves this #Noirvember:
- La Otra (1946)
- Obsession / The Hidden Room (1949)
- Mulholland Falls (1996)
- A Bittersweet Life (2005)
- La Otra (1946)
- Obsession / The Hidden Room (1949)
- Mulholland Falls (1996)
- A Bittersweet Life (2005)
November 10, 2025 at 9:44 AM
new-to-me faves this #Noirvember:
- La Otra (1946)
- Obsession / The Hidden Room (1949)
- Mulholland Falls (1996)
- A Bittersweet Life (2005)
- La Otra (1946)
- Obsession / The Hidden Room (1949)
- Mulholland Falls (1996)
- A Bittersweet Life (2005)
Reposted by Mel Killingsworth
Today for #Noirvember, we look at the absolutely astonishing opening 'oner' (including a few stitches and models) to 1948's The Big Clock
November 10, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Today for #Noirvember, we look at the absolutely astonishing opening 'oner' (including a few stitches and models) to 1948's The Big Clock
Reposted by Mel Killingsworth
Another #Noirvember day, another lit cigarette!
99 River Street (1953) is absolutely smouldering.
Note the power dynamic shifts with the blocking (more on our substack shotzero.substack.com/i/138989527/...)
beat it, indeed.
99 River Street (1953) is absolutely smouldering.
Note the power dynamic shifts with the blocking (more on our substack shotzero.substack.com/i/138989527/...)
beat it, indeed.
November 9, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Another #Noirvember day, another lit cigarette!
99 River Street (1953) is absolutely smouldering.
Note the power dynamic shifts with the blocking (more on our substack shotzero.substack.com/i/138989527/...)
beat it, indeed.
99 River Street (1953) is absolutely smouldering.
Note the power dynamic shifts with the blocking (more on our substack shotzero.substack.com/i/138989527/...)
beat it, indeed.
been a long time since I studied the romantics, but I still swore out loud in the theater when the quote popped up at the end
great discussion of how all adaptation is in dialogue with its source, and what that means in context of Shelley's life and work
neaveglennon.substack.com/p/guillermo-...
great discussion of how all adaptation is in dialogue with its source, and what that means in context of Shelley's life and work
neaveglennon.substack.com/p/guillermo-...
Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein and the Death of Ambiguity
Why 2025's Frankenstein would have Mary Shelley rolling in her grave.
neaveglennon.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:22 AM
been a long time since I studied the romantics, but I still swore out loud in the theater when the quote popped up at the end
great discussion of how all adaptation is in dialogue with its source, and what that means in context of Shelley's life and work
neaveglennon.substack.com/p/guillermo-...
great discussion of how all adaptation is in dialogue with its source, and what that means in context of Shelley's life and work
neaveglennon.substack.com/p/guillermo-...
Reposted by Mel Killingsworth
#Intimidation 2/3
not only the thief’s movements but his experience, before a 12-second (!!!) ECU of the thief's ear.
It’s a wonderful depiction of panic in 60 seconds which puts us 'in his shoes,' makes us feel his panic, then forces us to sit and consider how LOUD the alarm and sirens sound.
not only the thief’s movements but his experience, before a 12-second (!!!) ECU of the thief's ear.
It’s a wonderful depiction of panic in 60 seconds which puts us 'in his shoes,' makes us feel his panic, then forces us to sit and consider how LOUD the alarm and sirens sound.
November 8, 2025 at 11:02 PM
#Intimidation 2/3
not only the thief’s movements but his experience, before a 12-second (!!!) ECU of the thief's ear.
It’s a wonderful depiction of panic in 60 seconds which puts us 'in his shoes,' makes us feel his panic, then forces us to sit and consider how LOUD the alarm and sirens sound.
not only the thief’s movements but his experience, before a 12-second (!!!) ECU of the thief's ear.
It’s a wonderful depiction of panic in 60 seconds which puts us 'in his shoes,' makes us feel his panic, then forces us to sit and consider how LOUD the alarm and sirens sound.
Glad I didn't let the generic-at-best-chintzy-at-worst poster put me off; I will definitely return to this film in a future #Noirvember
Understands noir on a fundamental level; one of those films which manages to depict and deconstruct the whole genre at once.
letterboxd.com/mehlsbells/f...
Understands noir on a fundamental level; one of those films which manages to depict and deconstruct the whole genre at once.
letterboxd.com/mehlsbells/f...
A review of Mulholland Falls (1996)
Warren Lee Tamahori has passed. This being now and me being me, this felt the film to watch and reflect on his work. Four fedora'd cops pulling up to a steep cliff's edge and tossing a mobster over wh...
letterboxd.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Glad I didn't let the generic-at-best-chintzy-at-worst poster put me off; I will definitely return to this film in a future #Noirvember
Understands noir on a fundamental level; one of those films which manages to depict and deconstruct the whole genre at once.
letterboxd.com/mehlsbells/f...
Understands noir on a fundamental level; one of those films which manages to depict and deconstruct the whole genre at once.
letterboxd.com/mehlsbells/f...
Reposted by Mel Killingsworth
Gothic noir "Ladies in Retirement" ends with Ellen (#IdaLupino) walking into endless fog . . . actually into a stage + painted backdrop, which they sell by building a circuitous path between prop trees for Ellen to walk, and holding out til the last second for THE END
November 8, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Gothic noir "Ladies in Retirement" ends with Ellen (#IdaLupino) walking into endless fog . . . actually into a stage + painted backdrop, which they sell by building a circuitous path between prop trees for Ellen to walk, and holding out til the last second for THE END
Lags a bit in the fourth act, but this utterly gorgeous film is in the running for favourite new-to-me flick this #noirvember!
letterboxd.com/mehlsbells/f...
letterboxd.com/mehlsbells/f...
A review of The Other (1946)
Wonderful, wicked little modern fairy tale, with its The Prince and The Pauper conceit well-executed with wholly practical tricks . . . and one shot I almost thought was split-screen except no, they j...
letterboxd.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Lags a bit in the fourth act, but this utterly gorgeous film is in the running for favourite new-to-me flick this #noirvember!
letterboxd.com/mehlsbells/f...
letterboxd.com/mehlsbells/f...
Noir at a Carnival
Should also include Veronica Mars 2.13 "Ain't No Magic Mountain High Enough"
letterboxd.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:38 AM
me when anyone uses the word 'ministrations' in real life:
"I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE!!!!"
"I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE!!!!"
a picture of a anime character with the words fanfic reading night
Alt: a picture of a anime characters gazing into the middle distance with the words "fanfic reading night"
media.tenor.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:42 AM
me when anyone uses the word 'ministrations' in real life:
"I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE!!!!"
"I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE!!!!"
Caught up to a classic . . . and how it likes its coffee, for #Noirvember
melkillingsworth.substack.com/p/coffee-and...
melkillingsworth.substack.com/p/coffee-and...
Coffee and Noir: WHITE HEAT
every instance of coffee in noir: 058
melkillingsworth.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Caught up to a classic . . . and how it likes its coffee, for #Noirvember
melkillingsworth.substack.com/p/coffee-and...
melkillingsworth.substack.com/p/coffee-and...
If you want more animation in your #Noirvember, boy do I have the "sci-fi detective noir with incredibly cool visuals" movie for you!
#MarsExpress: shotzero.substack.com/p/mars-expre...
#MarsExpress: shotzero.substack.com/p/mars-expre...
November 6, 2025 at 9:43 PM
If you want more animation in your #Noirvember, boy do I have the "sci-fi detective noir with incredibly cool visuals" movie for you!
#MarsExpress: shotzero.substack.com/p/mars-expre...
#MarsExpress: shotzero.substack.com/p/mars-expre...
Reposted by Mel Killingsworth
These four shots from The Last Stop in Yuma County serve three distinct purposes: plot, pretty, and character.
PLOT showing us whether Charlotte (Jocelin Donahue) will successfully dose the coffee
1/3
PLOT showing us whether Charlotte (Jocelin Donahue) will successfully dose the coffee
1/3
November 5, 2025 at 11:01 PM
These four shots from The Last Stop in Yuma County serve three distinct purposes: plot, pretty, and character.
PLOT showing us whether Charlotte (Jocelin Donahue) will successfully dose the coffee
1/3
PLOT showing us whether Charlotte (Jocelin Donahue) will successfully dose the coffee
1/3
