‘The Bling Ring,’ Recontextualized in Post-Election America
“As the time between 2008, 2013 and 2016 grows comparatively smaller, the film will only loom larger.”
‘Mulholland Dr.’ 4K Restoration: Another Look Behind Winkie’s Diner
“Just as with life, ‘Mulholland Dr.’ is unexplainable.”
The Sweet Smell of Rot: FEUD ‘Hagsploitation’ (Recap)
“At its best, ‘Feud’ seeks to prove, and admirably so, that trash — as John Waters and William Castle can attest — is hardly the worst thing one can be.”
Technological Tease: Virtual Reality
“I foresee that VR will eventually become a key asset of filmmaking, putting itself right alongside sound, color, digital and CGI as an essential staple of the industry.”
Revisiting the Legacy and Style of the Gravity-Defying Nicholas Brothers
“At a moment that calls for more inclusivity on all levels, the fact that we still have access to the Nicholas Brothers’ work is important.”
Aspics and Cocktails: FEUD ‘Pilot’ (Recap)
“What could be a simple dramatization of events is given the potential to deviate from reality; to acknowledge that truth through gossip is rarely what it seems to be.”
Sparkling Romances and Sweet Facades: Damien Chazelle’s ‘La La Land’
“Might I put it out into the ether that a ‘weak link’ doesn’t exist in ‘La La Land’.”
Vaguebande: Changing Horizons
“It reminds me of Ingmar Bergman films and the inspirational depression that I love.”
Genre Sampling: On Iranian Vampires, Adolescent Demons, Long Nights and Shards of Kryptonite
“Tropes and archetypes are global, fitting into different national contexts while carrying with them the memory of their international itineraries.”
Houston Cinematic Arts Festival: Interview with Cinematographer Frederick Elmes
Marshall Shaffer Interviews Iconic Indie Cinematographer Fred Elmes
‘RoboCop’ in the Age of Trump
“It only took three decades for ‘RoboCop’ to go from a sci-fi thought experiment to prescient documentary. What do the next few hold?”
Of Love and Other Demons: ‘Christine’ (John Carpenter, 1983)
“In many ways, ‘Christine’ reflects a skepticism of the ‘I take what I want, when I want it’ system that emerges when consumerism becomes the dominant ideological force of society.”
Why Criticism: Joan Didion, John Wayne and Personal Brands
A Column on Film Criticism by Justine A. Smith
More Than Shadows #1: Series Introduction
“There will be unrequited love and monstrous desires amongst these essays.”
Of Love and Other Demons: ‘Too Late Blues’ (John Cassavetes, 1961)
A Weekly Column on Love and Erotica in Cinema by Justine A. Smith
Why Criticism: When Podcasts Reign and 5 Essentials
A Column on Film Criticism by Justine A. Smith
Of Love and Other Demons: ‘The Marriage of Maria Braun’ (R.W. Fassbinder, 1979)
A Weekly Column on Love and Erotica in Cinema by Justine A. Smith
A Serious Investigation: The Coen Brothers’ ‘Barton Fink’ (1991)
Leading up to the release of Hail, Caesar!, Vague Visages explores the work of Joel and Ethan Coen.
A Serious Investigation: A Fargoan on the Coen Brothers’ ‘Fargo’ (1996)
Leading up to the release of Hail, Caesar!, Vague Visages explores the work of Joel and Ethan Coen.
Commanding Leads and Creative Insults in Colin Thompson’s ‘It’s Us’
“Energized by two charismatic leads, It’s Us beautifully explores the process of early 30s decision-making and how one deals with the consequences of questionable actions.”