MAN ON FIRE (2004) — You kidding me? That hour-long first act, all about establishing the relationship between an ex-Spec Operator and a girl? Then the point at which the restraints come off and Creasy goes to do what he does. And the ending still makes me mist up every time. This film had a huge influence on You’re Next and The Survivor.
DON’T LOOK NOW (1973) — the scariest villain-turning-around scene since Psycho. The murderer in the raised raincoat hood might be familiar to readers of Tell No Lies. It was an homage I didn’t even know I was paying until a reader pointed it out later and then I realized that the seed of the idea had sprung from that film.
All books by Raymond Chandler— It’s the humor, really. That wryness that never crosses the line into silly. His ability to make every-fucking-thing cool. Every description filtered through a gimlet eye. And when he goes on that rant about blondes in The Long Goodbye…I’m not sure there’s anything better written in the English language.
THE DARK HALF by Stephen King — so much of what I think of the Jungian shadow and the dark linings of the creative process come from this twisted little tale. A brilliant invocation of the pressures of the creative process.
HANNA (2011) written by Lockheed and Farr and directed by Joe Wright — Tense and clean and beautiful — everything that a thriller should be. The treatment of a child within the form is amazing. Gorgeously shot. So plausible in its implausibility.
Gregg
Gregg Hurwitz is the New York Times bestselling author of 13 thrillers, most recently, Tell No Lies (8/20). His novels have been shortlisted for numerous literary awards, graced top ten lists, and have been translated into 22 languages.
He is also a New York Times Bestselling comic book writer, having penned stories for Marvel (Wolverine, Punisher) and DC (Batman, Penguin), as well as produced and written screenplays for film and television (ABC’s “V”, “Expulsion” spec script to Warner Bros, and many more). He recently announced that he will be developing his Tim Rackley books for TNT/Sony. Gregg resides in Los Angeles.
