January Man

This one featured calendar-based killings but I don't think it was about the Zodiac Killer per se.

Not a divinely crafted film, but it did have some impressive moments. (And features Alan Rickman in a supporting role along with a generally cool cast.)

My favorite bit was at the very end when the killer is revealed. Everyone in the theatre was doing a serious Agatha Christie toting up of clues...then, it was as if we all ran over to look at the baddie. An extra asks Who is it? Kevin Kline replies, Nobody...that's the point.

I felt really busted in my hubris over being able to figure plotlines out and, at the same time, really appreciated the 'closer to real-life' aspect of some bad guys just being guys who are bad, as opposed to flashy, intelligent or super-obviously evil.

Plus, the scene where Kevin tells Mary Elizabeth that he could bs her, or he could just tell the truth, that he wants to sleep with her (after just meeting for about 10 minutes!) and that there are 5 hotels within easy walking distance of their restaurant. And she goes with him!

That also seemed like life.

I don't have a particular interest in true crime, but I'd heard of the Black Dahlia case. Though, I couldn't really tell you any details. Just one of those things you've heard of.

I recognized the term, but I couldn't have told you if it was true crime or a Dashiell Hammet or something.

Two years ago, a retired LAPD officer by the name of Steve Hodel wrote a book detailing his theory that his father murdered Elizabeth Short. (Along with, I think, 30 other women.) It got a bit of press. Mostly, I think, due to James Ellroy's endorsement of the theory.

My co-editor Kim (who does the LA Crime Bus, and Project1947 and is a long-time true crime buff and LA historian) thinks this theory is hooey.

I am with Kim on the hooey. But I do find it to be fascinating hooey.

And I got a Cold Case spec out of the whole thing so thanks, Steve!

And I did get a Cold Case spec out of the whole thing so thanks, Steve!

This is really the important thing.

It is my feeling that Kristen will be paid to write things for television and movies within the next two years. I need to bet some money on this in Las Vegas.

Two years ago, a retired LAPD officer by the name of Steve Hodel wrote a book detailing his theory that his father murdered Elizabeth Short. (Along with, I think, 30 other women.)

And, oddly, not the first person to write a "My dad killed Elizabeth Short" book. I think the first one was a woman.

I love true crime. I'd rather read about them than almost everything.

Awww. Thanks, man! From your mouth...

Also, when you watch a lot of crime related dramas and a lot of true crime shows on A&E, you see a LOT of overlap. Spot the real life inspiration is a fun game.

And, oddly, not the first person to write a "My dad killed Elizabeth Short" book.

Daddy Was the Black Dahlia Killer.

I swear, this writing gig doesn't work out and I'm opening a Black Dahlia bookstore.

Well, you take approximately 200 books, fiction and non-fiction, written about the Black Dahlia, including the ones written by people who think their Daddy did it. Plus the number of true crime TV specials that re-investigate the murder every few years. Add in one upcoming movie and the aforementioned Hunter episode and I do think Elizabeth Short wins by a landslide.

That only equals "notorious among people who already have an interest" to me. I dunno. Your Notoriety May Vary. You don't need to seek any information out to have a vague idea about what a movie titled "Jack the Ripper" (or, say, "Hoffa,") will deal with. Those mysteries are still part of the culture. If the Black Dahlia case were still that infamous they wouldn't need to explain that it's about a real mystery in the trailer.

Vortex -- James Ellroy's mother was murdered when he was young, and he wrote the book that the movie's based on.

I thought we were comparing it to the Zodiac. I think I missed the Jack the Ripper reference in my scrolling.

Your Notoriety May Vary.

And time will tell. Maybe in another twenty years they'll be equally notorious.

ETA: I also think there should be separate criteria for a single murder vs. multiple related murders.

I also think there should be separate criteria for a single murder vs. multiple related murders.

I think there's a difference between notorious murders and notorious murderers. Jack the Ripper is notorious--I bet many people who've heard of him couldn't tell you how many people he killed, or what the profession was. Black Dahlia is about the murder and the victim.

Hoffa's about the victim too. But Hoffa was a name beforehand anyway.