Tag Archives: Gena Rowlands

“Film is, to me, just unimportant. But people are very important.” — John Cassavetes

When I think of Cassavetes, anything that comes up is inextricable from my own life journey. He’s just so IN there with me, the choices I made, the goals I had, my values. He’s also behind my favorite marriage proposal, … Continue reading

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Accepting the reality of Gena Rowlands

I shared this story from my grad school time on Instagram and thought it was too good to be lost in the algorithm over there where “stories” disappear. I’ve always loved this anecdote, and it was a great lesson to … Continue reading

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“I like to be wrung out.” — Gena Rowlands

A little bit more on Gena on my Substack.

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Goodbye, Gena Rowlands

Gathered myself together, and wrote a tribute – yet another one, really – to Gena Rowlands for Ebert. I did my best. It won’t be the last time I write about her. We’ll be dealing with this career, trying to … Continue reading

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July 2024 Viewing Diary

Anyone But You (2023; d. Will Gluck) The fascination with Glen Powell continues. I’ve seen this maybe four times now? The NY Times did a whole ROUNDTABLE about Glen Powell, like: what is going on with this guy? It’s like … Continue reading

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For Liberties: John Cassavetes, Tennessee Williams, and Beautiful Insanity

My next article for my Movies Before Breakfast column at Liberties Journal is one I’ve wanted to write for years: how John Cassavetes’ Opening Night and Tennessee Williams’ The Two-Character Play are the same work of art to me – … Continue reading

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“Some of the time, when you’re walking out there where the air is thin, you just hope you can walk back again.” — Gena Rowlands

It’s her birthday today. The quote in the headline was Rowlands talking about playing Mabel in A Woman Under the Influence, but it could be said about many of her roles, particularly the ones she did in her husband’s films. … Continue reading

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An Acting Lesson: John Wayne and the “Reality of the Doing”

An old piece, re-posted for John Wayne’s birthday: In one lengthy scene in Hondo, filmed in one almost unbroken take, Wayne makes horseshoes in the little outdoor smith in the yard. Geraldine Page hovers nearby. He talks to her about … Continue reading

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Adult Film Podcast: Let’s talk about acting!!

I was a guest on Ryan Czerwonko and David Garelik’s fabulous new podcast, part of their ongoing Adult Film NYC project (I interviewed Ryan about the work Adult Film is doing for my Substack) and had so much fun talking … Continue reading

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On John Cassavetes’ Minnie and Moskowitz

This is a re-vamped post I resurrected for my Substack. A freebie for all subscribers. I saw it again recently and elaborated on my original thoughts. Outside-Inside: John Cassavetes’ “Minnie and Moskowitz”     Thank you so much for stopping … Continue reading

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