Author Archives: sheila

Review: The Ugly Stepsister (2025)

Posted on April 18, 2025 by sheila

A twisted gory re-telling of the Cinderella story, from the perspective of one of the stepsisters. This movie is wild. I dug it. I reviewed for Ebert.

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

“I don’t like being approached by people who look at me too intensely, who needed something from me that I didn’t have. I don’t represent anything.” — Liz Phair

Posted on April 17, 2025 by sheila

It’s her birthday. Talking about her is difficult because to so many – including myself – she does represent something. She didn’t set out to change the world, she was so shy and working in such isolation, but change it … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, On This Day | Tagged | 14 Comments

“I don’t really know why, but danger has always been an important thing in my life – to see how far I could lean without falling, how fast I could go without cracking up.” — William Holden

Posted on April 17, 2025 by sheila

It’s his birthday today. Years ago, I wrote a long essay about William Holden for Slant, which focused a lot on his physicality (he was so athletic and he had great control). I really like that piece. I reiterated my … Continue reading →

Posted in Actors, Movies, On This Day | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

“Some syllables are swords.” — Metaphysical poet Henry Vaughan

Posted on April 17, 2025 by sheila

”I’ve always been much influenced by the 17th-century metaphysical poets like Donne, and especially Henry Vaughan.” — Philip K. Dick It’s Henry Vaughan’s birthday today. I was just thinking the other day about how I encountered certain famous writers in … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, On This Day, writers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“To me, music is no joke and it’s not for sale.” — Ian MacKaye

Posted on April 16, 2025 by sheila

“People ask me: ‘What is punk? How do you define punk?’ Here’s how I define punk: It’s a free space. It could be called jazz. It could be called hip-hop. It could be called blues, or rock, or beat. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, On This Day | Tagged , | Leave a comment

“All I need to make a comedy is a park, a policeman and a pretty girl.” — Charlie Chaplin

Posted on April 16, 2025 by sheila

“The secret of Mack Sennett’s success was his enthusiasm. He was a great audience and laughed genuinely at what he thought funny. He stood and giggled until his body began to shake. This encouraged me and I began to explain … Continue reading →

Posted in Actors, Directors, Movies, On This Day | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

92nd Street Y: April 29th, Liberties panel

Posted on April 15, 2025 by sheila

It’s an honor to be a member of a small panel having a group discussion for a live audience on April 29th at the famed 92nd Street Y. Discussion subject: “the intersection of political and literary culture in America — … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal | Tagged | 2 Comments

April 2025 Viewing Diary, Supernatural Season 7

Posted on April 15, 2025 by sheila

Supernatural, Season 7, episode 1 “Meet the New Boss” (2011) written by Sera Gamble directed by Phil Sgriccia It makes me emotional, seeing Sera Gamble’s name again. I’m in good hands. Castiel’s all evil, and I think Misha does a … Continue reading →

Posted in Monthly Viewing Diary, Movies, Television | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

“As a cinematographer, I was always attracted to stories that have the potential to be told with as few words as possible.” — Reed Morano

Posted on April 15, 2025 by sheila

“I feel like directing is more about who the individual is rather than if they’re a man or a woman. It’s kind of hard to generalize and group all of us female filmmakers into one group, like we’re all going … Continue reading →

Posted in Directors, Movies, On This Day, Television | Tagged , | Leave a comment

March 2025 Viewing Diary, Supernatural Season 8

Posted on April 14, 2025 by sheila

Full rewatch in reverse order continues: Supernatural, Seasom 8, episode 1 “We Need to Talk About Kevin” (2012) written by Jeremy Carver directed by Robert Singer Already signs of the slightly-orange-makeup tone in Dean’s face which is a fingerprint of … Continue reading →

Posted in Television | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments