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…

2 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…

3 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…

3 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…

1 year 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…

1 year 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"

1 year 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…

2 years ago