On Film, Movies, Cinema

Pronounce cinema with a French accent (see-nay-mah!), movies with subtle condescension, and film with solemnity. Writings thereon.

Psychology or Demonic Influence: Ari Aster’s “Hereditary” (2018)

Ari Aster’s debut feature film Hereditary (2018) plays on the devilish ambiguity articulating the affinity between the histories of demonic influence and psychological pathology.

2023-03-24
On Film, Movies, Cinema

Realism Lite: “Midnight Run” (1988)

Realism lite, how film and television suggest serious violence without actually including it, is exemplified in the 1988 buddy film “Midnight Run.”

2022-11-29
On Film, Movies, Cinema Confessions of a Bad Movie Watcher

Female Friends: Ryūsuke Hamaguchi’s "Happy Hour" (2015)

Three curiosities about the lovely 2015 Ryusuke Hamaguchi film about female friendship, "Happy Hour"

2022-11-15
Idle Reflections On Film, Movies, Cinema

2 Missing Details in Richard Linklater’s Epic Before Trilogy

The Before Trilogy is an elegant, conversational set of romantic films, notably missing some important details.

2022-08-24
On Film, Movies, Cinema Viewing Journal

Peter Weir’s “The Plumber” (1979) Leaves Uncertain

In 1979 one of Peter Weir’s early films, "The Plumber," saw theatrical release. Little indicated his future.

2022-07-23
Viewing Journal On Film, Movies, Cinema

“The Mandalorian” Still Stinks in Season 2

A second season has not improved Disney’s popular streaming series "The Mandalorian"

2022-06-26
Confessions of a Bad Movie Watcher

“Night Hunter” (2018) is no “Night of the Hunter” (1955)

"Night Hunter" (2018), a weak serial killer thriller, is no "Night of the Hunter" (1955), a film next to "Citizen Kane" (1940) in the pantheon of film history.

2022-03-23
On Film, Movies, Cinema Confessions of a Bad Movie Watcher

Stanley Kubrick’s “The Killing” (1956): Misanthropy Run Amok

"The Killing" makes murder a spectacle, something beautiful, peopled with a group of ne’er-do-wells whose destruction we will undoubtedly enjoy.

2022-02-22
On Film, Movies, Cinema Viewing Journal

Cynthia Ozick’s “Trust”: Exegesis | Tom Hanks on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Ruminations on Cynthia Ozick’s knotty, profound prose counterposed to some armchair commentary on Tom Hanks’ eminently forgettable appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel Live.

2021-11-07
Reading Journal Viewing Journal

Denis Villeneuve’s “Incendies” (2010): Seeking Expiation

In Denis Villeneuve’s 2010 film "Incendies" siblings seek a brother and father never known to deliver letters from their recently deceased mother.

2021-10-17
On Film, Movies, Cinema Viewing Journal

René Clément’s “Forbidden Games” (1952): Mourning as Indifference

"Forbidden Games" (1952) tells a story of how children, uninitiated in the rituals of mourning, recognize the loss of those dearest through substitution.

2021-09-20
On Film, Movies, Cinema Viewing Journal

Ain’t it cool?!: “John Wick” (2014)

The culture of the exotic, fascinating underworld thrills us in “John Wick,” not merely the well-choreographed gun-fu.

2021-07-26
On Film, Movies, Cinema Confessions of a Bad Movie Watcher

“Collateral” (2004): Notes on Michael Mann and Modern Urban Space

Notes on the debt to “Miami Vice,” the treatment of urban space, and stylistic gunplay in Michael Mann’s 2004 film “Collateral,” which stars Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise.

2021-06-27
On Film, Movies, Cinema Viewing Journal

Joseph Losey’s “Accident” (1967): Elliptical yet fascinating

“Accident” narrates the sexual and professional tensions between an Oxford philosophy professor, his colleague, and his students, in events leading to the title event.

2021-04-11
Viewing Journal On Film, Movies, Cinema

Joseph Losey’s “The Servant” (1963): Master/Slave Dialectic Demonstrated

“The Servant” takes the traditional roles between gentleman and manservant and submits them to great artistic violence.

2021-01-31
On Film, Movies, Cinema Viewing Journal

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On Film, Movies, Cinema

Psychology or Demonic Influence: Ari Aster’s “Hereditary” (2018)

Realism Lite: “Midnight Run” (1988)

Female Friends: Ryūsuke Hamaguchi’s "Happy Hour" (2015)

2 Missing Details in Richard Linklater’s Epic Before Trilogy

Peter Weir’s “The Plumber” (1979) Leaves Uncertain

“The Mandalorian” Still Stinks in Season 2

“Night Hunter” (2018) is no “Night of the Hunter” (1955)

Stanley Kubrick’s “The Killing” (1956): Misanthropy Run Amok

Cynthia Ozick’s “Trust”: Exegesis | Tom Hanks on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Denis Villeneuve’s “Incendies” (2010): Seeking Expiation

René Clément’s “Forbidden Games” (1952): Mourning as Indifference

Ain’t it cool?!: “John Wick” (2014)

“Collateral” (2004): Notes on Michael Mann and Modern Urban Space

Joseph Losey’s “Accident” (1967): Elliptical yet fascinating

Joseph Losey’s “The Servant” (1963): Master/Slave Dialectic Demonstrated