As a moviegoer for more than 70 years, I’ve seen some great movies, some not so great, some really bad ones, some trying but failing to be deep and meaningful, some reveling in their shallowness. I was born the year The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind were released. My mother started taking me to the movies shortly after that. I saw some movies that were definitely not PG rated. I can still remember being afraid of The Thing and delighting in An American in Paris.

Many times I disagree with the critics. I don’t call them and tell him what I think of their reviews, so now that there is an internet for anyone to babble on, I add my voice. I’m sure there are many of you who will disagree with my assessments. Some of you will agree. I hope to hear from all of you.

“Murder is always a mistake. One should never do anything that one cannot talk about after dinner.” —Oscar Wilde

Crime and Punishment. This classic 19th Century novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky has inspired 25 films. Its theme has probably inspired many more. The cat-and-mouse game between the culprit and the detective is standard fare for today’s movies. The act of murder and the psychology surrounding it continue to fascinate film goers. Here are some films that fascinated me:

Murder Most Foul (1964): In this Agatha Christie story, Dame Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple stars as a holdout on a jury. Her probing questions and exquisite eye will set the record straight.

Murder, My Sweet (1944): Dick Powell stars as Phillip Marlowe in this Raymond Chandler adaption. Powell is hired to find a gangster’s moll who may know where some money might be. Claire Trevor also stars.

Dial M for Murder (1954): Ray Milland, Grace Kelly and Robert Cummings are the mélange a trois in this Hitchcock offering. Milland plans the perfect murder, or does he? If you must watch the later version, please watch this one first.

Murder, Inc. (1960): During Prohibition a group of gangsters in Brooklyn formed the organization Murder, Inc. What chance does a lonely police officer have? Henry Morgan certainly tries. Watch for a young Peter Falk.

Murder in the First (1995): Kevin Bacon, Gary Oldman and Christian Slater star in this prison film set at Alcatraz in the 30s. The question: Does prolonged solitary confinement promote extreme violence?

Little Murders (1971): Alan Arkin directs this very dark comedy starring Elliott Gould, Marcia Rodd, and Donald Sutherland. The movie is set in New York. The quirky story is by Jules Feiffer.

Murder by Death (1976): I told you about this one last month. It’s worth mentioning again. The funniest movie about murder there is.

Murder by Decree (1979): Christopher Plummer stars as super sleuth Sherlock Holmes. He’s supported by a great cast consisting of Donald Sutherland, John Gielgud and James Mason. Plummer is trying to find Jack the Ripper. Will the great man fail?

Witness to Murder (1954): How would you feel if you witnessed a murder and no one believed you? Barbara Stanwyck finds herself in this position. George Sanders and Gary Merrill costar.

Anatomy of a Murder (1959): This is a tour de force for James Stewart as an attorney defending Ben Gazzara. Lee Remick is Gazzara’s wife. A great movie.

A Murder of Crows (1999): I admit that I chose this film because I love the title. The movie’s not bad. Cuba Gooding, Jr., Tom Berenger and Eric Stoltz make up the cast. Plagiarism is the game.

Murder on the Orient Express (1974): Albert Finney as Poirot has his work cut out for him as a slew of characters are suspects in the murder of Richard Widmark. Widmark has a true knack for making enemies. The all-star cast includes Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Sean Connery, and Vanessa Redgrave. Sidney Lumet directed.

Murder by Numbers (2002): A light-weight murder mystery starring Sandra Bullock as a police detective. Ben Chaplin is her partner in this cat-and- mouse-themed tale. Hard to believe Bullock in a serious profession.

Sunset Murder Case (1938): The famous stripper Sally Rand stars as, guess what, an exotic dancer. She wants to find her father’s murderer. This film was originally titled Sunset Strip Case, but the censors forced the change. Pretty tame title, I think.

Slight Case of Murder (1999): William H. Macy plays a movie critic of questionable morals afraid of consequences of his lover’s accidental death. Enter sleazy private eye James Cromwell with thoughts of blackmail. Poor Adam Arkin, as the law, has to deal with this web of deceit.

Murder Cruise (1940): Crafty Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler) follows a murderer aboard a cruise ship. No question the culprit will be caught.

(It has come to my attention that a crime is being committed: Tom Cruise is being considered to play Jack Reacher. Reacher is a recurring character in the popular Lee Child books. He has gravitas and height, 6feet 5 inches. Cruise has neither. Cruise can barely play Cruise. I am outraged at this casting. Anyone else?)