Tag Archives: documentary

April 2024 Viewing Diary

To Be or Not to Be (1942; d. Ernst Lubitsch) It’s 82 years later. 82 years. And it’s still a little bit shocking this film even exists. The film lampoons Nazis, and Hitler, and tyranny, which – in 1942 – … Continue reading

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

March 2024 Viewing Diary

Conspiracy (2001; d. Frank Pierson) I went down a little Wannsee Conference rabbit hole so figured I’d re-watch this chilling nasty little movie. Lured (1947; d. Douglas Sirk) I had never seen this. I love discovering new Douglas Sirks! This … Continue reading

Posted in Monthly Viewing Diary, Movies, Television | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Review: It’s Only Life After All (2024)

I love the Indigo Girls so much. I’ve been “in” from the beginning. From the first moment I heard “Closer to Fine” on the radio. They have been with me through so many dark hours. They capture yearning like no … Continue reading

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

December 2023/January-February 2024 Viewing Diary

The Golden Bachelor Watched – in great hilarity – with Karen and Allison during a raucous sleepover, and Carol pulled up on FaceTime. So we could watch together. The whole thing is so ridiculous. Maestro (2023; d. Bradley Cooper) I … Continue reading

Posted in Monthly Viewing Diary, Movies, Television | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 41 Comments

“I have already been accused of trying to drown a boatload of wild Irishmen on Aran!” — Robert Flaherty

Today is the birthday of the so-called “father of documentary film” Robert Flaherty, a man whose accomplishments cannot be ignored, and yet these same accomplishments are still, rightfully, debated to this day. Known mostly for his two films about “primitive” … Continue reading

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

November 2023 Viewing Diary

After Everything (2018; d. Hannah Marks, Joey Power) In early November, I holed up in a cozy little house in Connecticut with Allison and Carol. I had to work the whole time, which was a bummer but the night was … Continue reading

Posted in Monthly Viewing Diary, Movies, Television | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

2023 films I loved, in no particular order

On my Substack, open to all: my Top whatever Films of 2023. Unranked. An eccentric sampling, featuring some of the usual suspects but, more importantly, pointing towards some lesser-known films which – for whatever reason – got lost in the … Continue reading

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

September/October 2023 Viewing Diary

I moved in late September. Again. I found a little cozy apartment, the second floor of a little house, with slanted ceilings, little cubbyhole-eaves everywhere, and a big yard. It’s a 10 minute walk to the beach. I found it … Continue reading

Posted in Monthly Viewing Diary, Movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

NYFCC 2023 Awards

Yesterday, the members of the NYFCC gathered at Lincoln Center to vote our winners for this year’s awards. We don’t do “nominees” and we don’t talk about what else was in contention or what almost won or whatever it is. … Continue reading

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

“You can’t dance in a long dress.” — Tina Turner

I pretty much said what I needed to say about Tina Turner in my review of this year’s documentary Tina. I saw her in concert. I was there, I was present for her rise to total dominance in the culture, … Continue reading

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