Watched Today: The People's Joker (2022, 2024)

Columbo: Any Old Port in a Storm (1973)

This is an excellent episode that presents a compelling character-based mystery and some great interactions. The story moves at a quick pace and sets up its resolution in effective ways. There are some great moments of humor throughout, especially in Columbo's interaction with wine culture, but some of the later twists add some motional weight that helps it stand out. Columbo is given a lot of new bits here and some added implications of his life outside the cases which fit with the character, while the supporting cast are given some nuance. Peter Falk is great here and makes the character feel genuine while Donald Pleasence does great work as the killer. The supporting cast help with the story's mood and character work, with Julie Harris having some standout moments late in the story. The direction works with the tense character dynamics and keeps things visually interesting. The visuals add to the settings while keeping the series' trademark style. This is a fantastic episode that ranks among the series' best so far.

DePaul Doctor Who Club: Dark Water (2014)

DePaul Doctor Who Club: Planet of Giants (1964)

Watched Today: Strange Way of Life (2023)

Watched Today: Fiddling Around (1930)

Watched Today: Late Night with the Devil (2023)

Rewatched Today: The Omen (1976)

Watched Today: Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror (1942)

Watched Today: The Rink (1916)

Watched Today: Death Walks on High Heels (1971)

Columbo: Lovely But Lethal (1973)

This is a very good episode that makes for a great start to the season. The story uses the nature of the cosmetics industry in clever ways and the reveal is set up in subtle but effective ways. The mystery moves at a good pace and the dialogue is full of fun moments. The characters are given interesting personalities and the intrigue that results from the central murder is given some thoughtful developments. Peter Falk is great here as he handles the character's personality and his dynamic with the killer very well. Vera Miles shows the killer's intelligence while adding some nuance through how she relates to the supporting cast. Sian Barbara Allen also does well as Vivica's inside agent and makes the character's arc have some emotional intensity. The supporting cast is excellent here, with great smaller roles from Vincent Price and Martin Sheen. Jeannot Szwarc's direction has a strong sense of style that add some tension while playing with the series' distinct style. The visuals use the locations very well and shows the characters' emotional state while telegraphing the key information nicely. There are some distinct musical themes that work with Vivica's attempts to evade Columbo and play with some of the bigger twists. This is a very good episode that uses the series' wit and suspense to exciting ways.

Rewatched Today: The Toxic Avenger (1984)

DePaul Doctor Who Club: The Sarah Jane Adventures: Mona Lisa's Revenge (2009)

DePaul Doctor Who Club: Snakedance (1983)