Album Review: Jay Som ‘Turn Into’
“‘Turn Into’ is a throwback to the “guitar record”; this is a hook-driven, lushly layered experience; guitar tone as mood enhancer.”
In Defense Of: Pascal Laugier’s ‘The Tall Man’ (2012)
“By refusing to provide facile answers, ‘The Tall Man’ is, in many ways, just as much of a challenging film as ‘Martyrs.'”
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door: Analyzing Martin Scorsese’s ‘Silence’ as a Remake of His 1967 Debut
“Scorsese’s latest film channels the same intellectual curiosity and spiritual fervor of his directorial debut, with the addition of nearly 50 years of experience in technical skill and storytelling precision.”
Losses Made in Heaven: Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ and ‘Casino’
“In Scorsese’s inversion of the downfall, paradise isn’t the origin and its loss doesn’t mean moral decrepitude, only mediocrity.”
Review: Martin Scorsese’s ‘Silence’
“For all its violence and grandiosity, it stands as an impressively filmed indictment against religious persecution.”
Heartstrings: The Musical Presence of Martin Scorsese’s Films
“More than any of Scorsese’s own cameos, his music accompanies viewers as they watch, as if he were watching along with everybody else.”
What I Learned from Martin Scorsese’s ‘Life Lessons’
“Martin Scorsese’s ‘Life Lessons’ benefits more from analysis as a self-standing artistic expression than as a counterpoint to the other installments of ‘New York Stories.'”
Toxic Masculinity and Empathetic Comedy: Martin Scorsese’s ‘Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore’
“The cumulative effect of ‘Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore’ is one of openness and warmth.”
The Way of the Future: The Connections Between Martin Scorsese’s ‘Raging Bull’ and ‘The Aviator’
“With ‘Raging Bull’ and ‘The Aviator,’ Martin Scorsese perfects a configuration of the biopic as self-recognized fiction.”
‘Arrival’ and the Perils of Science Fiction
“What is awkward about these reviews is how they oppose the film’s best qualities to its generic roots.”
Vague Visages Short Stories: Don’t Smoke in Bed by D.M. Palmer
Vague Visages Short Stories #3: Don’t Smoke in Bed by D.M. Palmer (Sheffield, UK)
Vague Visages Is FilmStruck: Pedro Costa’s ‘In Vanda’s Room’
“Whatever its genus, ‘In Vanda’s Room’ is one harrowing motion picture… It is also one of the best films from the past 20 years.”
Weak Story Beats Muddle ‘Frank & Lola’
“There’s plenty to appreciate in ‘Frank & Lola,’ and it’s far from a bad film. However, the story beats feel awkward and random.”
Album Review: Neil Young ‘Peace Trail’
“He’s still planting seeds and still stoking fires.”
Vague Visages Short Stories: The Correct Frequency by D.M. Palmer
Vague Visages Short Stories #2: The Correct Frequency by D.M. Palmer (Sheffield, UK)
Streamless – Off the Subscription Grid: ‘Film’ Starring 1965 Buster Keaton
“How are we doing here, folks? Does any of this make a lick of sense?”
Vague Visages Short Stories: Cherished Swan by D.M. Palmer
Vague Visages Short Stories #1: Cherished Swan by D.M. Palmer (Sheffield, UK)
Of Love and Other Demons: ‘Baby Doll’ Celebrates Its 60th Anniversary
A Column on Love and Erotica in Cinema by Justine A. Smith
James Benning’s ‘Stemple Pass’: Minimalist Horror for Trump’s America
“Played in 2016, it’s eerily prophetic.”
Vaguebande: Changing Horizons
“It reminds me of Ingmar Bergman films and the inspirational depression that I love.”