Viewing Journal

Observations both whole and stillborn on televisions shows, films, movies from my viewing experience.

The Violent Men (1955): Bad Title, Great Horsemanship!

Americans only like bullies when they do not recognize them: Here it’s Glenn Ford vs. Edward G. Robinson et al.

2026-04-30
On Film, Movies, Cinema Viewing Journal

Alien (1979) Without Aliens (1986)!

Day 1 of 30 Days of Remakes (destined to last at least 30 years): Ridley Scott’s 1979 film “Alien” — remade out the ying yang.

2026-04-03
On Film, Movies, Cinema 30 Days of Remakes Viewing Journal

Pastiche or Double Dipping: Tarantino’s “Deathproof”

I opine that Tarantino’s “Death Proof” double-dips: that it marks out sexist language and imagery as much as it trades in them.

2026-03-05
On Film, Movies, Cinema Confessions of a Bad Movie Watcher Viewing Journal

The Master (2012): “Where Are the Naked White Women?!”

Paul Thomas Anderson again bends reality to his will in his 2012 film “The Master”, with naked women resulting.

2025-09-21
On Film, Movies, Cinema Viewing Journal

Law & Order, “Damaged”: Who Can Consent?

Aging badly, we say, so certain of our contemporary judgment. Hindsight is 20-fucking-20!

2025-06-22
Viewing Journal

The Limey (1999): Mise-en-Scène and Glib Dialogue

“The Limey” is essentially a father-daughter story of a very strange sort, in at least two discrete dimensions. Masterful in mise-en-scène; a dilettante in dialogue.

2024-05-25
On Film, Movies, Cinema Viewing Journal

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 missing.

2024-02-18
On Film, Movies, Cinema Michael Haneke Film Festival Viewing Journal

“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 of their material existences.

2024-02-17
On Film, Movies, Cinema Michael Haneke Film Festival Viewing Journal

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
On Film, Movies, Cinema Viewing Journal

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

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