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- “But man has always succeeded in rising again.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
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Category Archives: Movies
Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, and Guillermo del Toro: a live event
I had a wonderful time today discussing Frankenstein with Jen Johans, for the live event hosted by the Poisoned Pen bookstore in Scottsdale, Arizona. The whole thing’s on YouTube.
Posted in Books, Movies, Personal
Tagged Frankenstein, Guillermo del Toro, Mary Shelley, podcast
11 Comments
Review: Trifole (2025)
Trifole takes place in Truffle Country, the Piedmont region in Italy. I liked it. My review is now up.
“I learned to act while watching Martha Graham dance and I learned to move in film from watching Chaplin.” — Louise Brooks
“One of the most mysterious and potent figures in the history of the cinema … she was one of the first performers to penetrate to the heart of screen acting.” — David Thomson Louise Brooks is one of the most … Continue reading
Tomorrow, Nov. 14th: Poisoned Pen Bookstore Live event
Tomorrow, the Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottdale, Arizona, will be hosting a discussion between Jen Johans and myself about my Frankenstein book and all things Guillermo del Toro. The discussion will be “live” on Facebook and on YouTube. Jen Johans … Continue reading
“It doesn’t make sense to make [my movies] for more money because I’m making noncommercial work.” — Kentucker Audley
Kentucker Audley Director, writer, actor, editor Kentucker Audley has been working in independent film in various capacities for 20 years now. Born Andrew Michael Nenninger, he adopted the name “Kentucker” as a nod to his birthplace, Kentucky. He’s mostly associated … Continue reading
“Each time I see it, I know I accomplished what I set out to do as an actress, that I created a person.” — Bibi Andersson on Persona
It’s her birthday today. It was my great honor to write and narrate a video-essay for The Criterion Collection about Bibi Andersson and Liv Ullmann’s collaboration – both separately and together – with Ingmar Bergman: Liv Ullmann and Bibi Andersson, … Continue reading
Posted in Actors, Movies, On This Day
Tagged Bibi Andersson, Ingmar Bergman, Liv Ullmann, Persona
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Review: Die My Love (2025)
I reviewed Lynne Ramsay’s latest, Die My Love, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson. Here’s what I wrote on Instagram: It hits a niche (perhaps) sweet spot of yours truly: people blather on and on (AND ON) about destigmatizing mental … Continue reading
Posted in Movies
Tagged drama, Jennifer Lawrence, Lynne Ramsay, reviews, Scotland, women directors
1 Comment
“Here in the movies I can be as mean, as wicked as I want to – and all without hurting anybody.” — Claude Rains
For Claude Rains’ birthday: a conversation some years back, where Mitchell and I discuss the superb actor. I asked Mitchell to describe him in one word, and we took it from there. We both love Rains so much, it was … Continue reading
Posted in Actors, Movies, On This Day
Tagged Bette Davis, Cary Grant, Claude Rains, Joan Crawford, Meryl Streep
10 Comments
“People say I’m a one-note actor, but the way I figure it, those other guys are just looking for that one right note.” — Joel McCrea
It’s his birthday today. Joel McCrea had a long career, with many different phases. He did it all, although he is primarily associated with Westerns. It was what you might call a “classy” career. Steady, successful, no scandals, and he … Continue reading
“I’ve had the kind of fame which I felt was just the right amount.” — Lois Smith
Lois Smith, who turns 95 years old today, made her film debut in 1955, playing a young prostitute in East of Eden. She has a small scene with James Dean, and then exits the film forever. But the memory of … Continue reading