Nobody knows better than Matthew Scudder how far down a person can sink in this city. A young prostitute named Kim knew it also—and she wanted out. Maybe Kim didn't deserve the life fate had dealt her. She surely didn't deserve her death. The alcoholic ex-cop turned p.i. was supposed to protect her, but someone slashed her to ribbons on a crumbling New York City waterfront pier. Now finding Kim's killer will be Scudder's penance. But there are lethal secrets hiding in the slain hooker's past that are far dirtier than her trade. And there are many ways of dying in this cruel and dangerous town—some quick and brutal ... and some agonizingly slow.

Beginning with a general overview of film noir and covering its most important themes chapter by chapter (lovers plan murder, corrupt police, doomed love, psychological noir, etc.), this copiously illustrated handbook provides instant and in-depth access to the film noir genre for amateurs and aficionados alike. Among the films covered are these "Top Ten": "Double Indemnity", "Kiss Me Deadly", "Gun Crazy", "Criss Cross", "Detour", "In A Lonely Place", "T-Men", "Out of the Past", "The Reckless Moment", and "Touch of Evil".

Nobody knows better than Matthew Scudder how far down a person can sink in this city. A young prostitute named Kim knew it also—and she wanted out. Maybe Kim didn't deserve the life fate had dealt her. She surely didn't deserve her death. The alcoholic ex-cop turned p.i. was supposed to protect her, but someone slashed her to ribbons on a crumbling New York City waterfront pier. Now finding Kim's killer will be Scudder's penance. But there are lethal secrets hiding in the slain hooker's past that are far dirtier than her trade. And there are many ways of dying in this cruel and dangerous town—some quick and brutal ... and some agonizingly slow.

Examines the personal life and the professional work and success of the director of "Pulp Fiction"

An in-depth critical re-appraisal and inside account of director Hal Ashby's final feature film 8 Million Ways to Die starring Jeff Bridges, Rosanna Arquette and Andy Garcia. Hal Ashby was one of the most renowned directors of the 1970s, helming such classics as Harold & Maude, The Last Detail, Bound for Glory, Shampoo, Coming Home and Being There. In the 1980s, however, his reputation suffered amongst studios who considered him “difficult” and who removed him from projects before he could assert his right of “final cut”. Ashby's final film was, uncharacteristically, a thriller. Based on the novel by Lawrence Block and starring Jeff Bridges, Rosanna Arquette and Andy Garcia, from a script originally by Oliver Stone, 8 Million Ways to Die was a troubled production. The script was re-written several times and much of the film improvised between the director and his leading actors, much to the dismay of the studios who sacked Ashby before he could edit the film. Ashby sued the production company and declined to take possessory credit of the final release. So too, stars Bridge and Arquette vociferously denounced the movie in the popular press, lamenting the editing choices made without Ashby (an Academy Award winning editor). When eventually released, the critics lambasted the movie and it found itself quickly on VHS release. It grew a small fan appreciation - in part now due to the nude appearance of later Baywatch babe Alexandra Paul - but languished thereafter gathering dust on store shelves.Until now!