On Film, Movies, Cinema

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

  • On Film, Movies, Cinema

“71 Fragments of a Chronology of Chance” (1994): Is Michael Haneke Anti-Narrative?

Elsewhere Haneke has described some of his films as anti-narrative. Is it true of "71 Fragments of a Chronology of…

10 months ago
  • On Film, Movies, Cinema

Reflections on “Benny’s Video” (1992): Image, Sound, Reality, Parental Neglect

The televisual void has sucked away all vestiges of reality from lived experience: Benny makes videos to capture what is…

10 months ago
  • On Film, Movies, Cinema

“The Seventh Continent” (1989) by Michael Haneke

"The Seventh Continent" is Australia, where Georges, Anna, and Eva are going to live, right after they annihilate all vestiges…

10 months ago
  • On Film, Movies, Cinema

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…

2 years ago
  • 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…

2 years ago
  • Idle Reflections

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

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

2 years ago
  • 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.

2 years ago
  • 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.

2 years ago
  • Confessions of a Bad Movie Watcher

“The Mandalorian” Still Stinks in Season 2

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

2 years ago
  • On Film, Movies, Cinema

“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…

3 years ago