On Film, Movies, Cinema

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

“Marauders” (on Netflix now) is Sooooo Bad

The 2016 film “Marauders” is a gunplay and bank robbery story that is not so bad that it’s good.

2020-12-04
On Film, Movies, Cinema Confessions of a Bad Movie Watcher

“Sudden Fear” (1952): Neither sudden nor fearful

“Sudden Fear” tells the tale of a playwright that married the wrong man and was almost written out of the script.

2020-11-26
On Film, Movies, Cinema Confessions of a Bad Movie Watcher Viewing Journal

The Genius of Ozu’s “Good Morning” (1959)

Children in Good Morning protest social mores because they fail to appreciate the rules governing the relations of families and neighbors.

2020-07-14
Faves On Film, Movies, Cinema Viewing Journal

Is Writing About Bad Movies a Waste?

In which I performatively answer the question with reference to an episode of The Mandalorian, whether one should write about bad movies/televisions shows.

2020-06-20
On Film, Movies, Cinema Confessions of a Bad Movie Watcher