By Robert Guffey. When one is most concerned with telling an entertaining story rather than fashioning a persuasive speech or an opaque legal document that will resist the scrutiny of a battery of attorneys, one tends to relax and let one’s guard down. And the truth, often by accident, will […]
Life at the Movies – Every Movie is a Miracle: A Colloquy Between Leonard Maltin and Nat Segaloff
A Book Review by Jonathan Monovich. Consider Every Movie is a Miracle a heartfelt thank you to movies, the lives they shape, and the friendships they help form.” Nat Segaloff has had an eclectic life as an author, studio publicist, critic, teacher, broadcaster, and documentary writer/producer, meriting stories of his […]
A Bigger Vision of the Past: Stephen Bourne on Research in Black and LGBTQ+ Cinema and TV History
By Alex Ramon. Although I enjoyed the research and writing aspects, I didn’t feel comfortable in the academic environment…Writing independently has not made me wealthy but at least I have maintained a long and productive career, against the odds.” –Stephen Bourne It will be 30 years next year since the […]
The Soul Through a Series of Trials: Bruno Dumont’s Hadewijch (2009)
By Jackson Diianni. A landmark of Dumont’s career, and one of modern history’s most incredible films.” Bruno Dumont’s Hadewijch, released 16 years ago, was, until recently, unavailable to stream in the U.S., but has now become available on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and several other services, where it can hopefully […]
Paint It Black – Darkness Visible: The Cinema of Jonathan Glazer
A Book Review by Thomas M. Puhr. Much more than an overview of a filmography; it’s a thoughtful, at-times poetic consideration of how one of today’s most formally daring auteurs grapples with the darkest corners of the human condition….” Seeing Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin on the big screen remains […]
New “Separatists”: The 73rd San Sebastian International Film Festival
By Ali Moosavi. A few surprises appeared in the Official Selection program, including TV miniseries, films about the undercover agents in ETA, the Basque separatist group, and the increasing presence and influence of Netflix….” During my fifth visit to SSIFF, a few surprises appeared in the Official Selection program. One […]
“Snapshots” and “Spotlights”: Selections from the 61st Chicago International Film Festival
By Jonathan Monovich. On selections from the Snapshots (works showcasing the diversity of contemporary global cinema), Spotlight (award-winners and critical favorites), and New Directors Competition (U.S. premieres from emerging talents and new voices in international cinema)…. This year marked the 61st Chicago International Film Festival, featuring appearances by some of […]
Fake It So Real: Essayistic Self–Portraiture in Nathan Fielder’s The Rehearsal (2022– )
By James Slaymaker. The Rehearsal embodies the three core characteristics of the essay film as outlined by Rascaroli: it is a hybrid form, crossing genre boundaries and destabilising the line between ‘fiction’ and ‘non–fiction’; it is highly self–reflexive, constantly encouraging the viewer to consider the construction of its own images […]
The Soderbergh of the Sticks: Mickey Reece and the Prehistory of Every Heavy Thing
By Alexandra Heller-Nicholas. I don’t particularly believe in the idea of working around a proven formula, so I tend to start where a horror movie would and end up in another direction almost subconsciously.” —Mickey Reece Even in the context of the often radically elastic parameters of independent filmmaking, Mickey […]
The Older and Newer: Budapest Classics Film Marathon 2025
By Yun-hua Chen. Showcasing restored films that are over 20 years old, the festival embraces the entire arc of cinematic history….” Now in its eighth year, the Budapest Classics Film Marathon showcases restored films that are over 20 years old. The festival embraces the entire arc of cinematic history—from the […]