Tag Archives: John Cassavetes

“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

Posted on June 19, 2026 by sheila

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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“If you have to be in a soap opera try not to get the worst role.” — Judy Garland

Posted on June 10, 2026 by sheila

It’s the great, the irreplaceable, Judy Garland’s birthday. The screengrab above is from John Cassavetes’ 1963 film A Child is Waiting. This film is not really well-known, except among Cassavetes/Garland completists – but some serious Cassavetes fans don’t know about … Continue reading →

Posted in Actors, Movies, On This Day | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

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

Posted on December 9, 2025 by sheila

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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September 2025 Snapshots

Posted on October 13, 2025 by sheila

Attended some of the press screenings at the New York Film Festival. I haven’t been in a couple of years, for various reasons, and it’s been so sad for me. I loved getting up in the morning and heading to … Continue reading →

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2024 Year in Review

Posted on December 27, 2024 by sheila

Here’s a roundup of most of the things I’ve written this year: here on my site, for Rogerebert.com, for my newsletter, and for my new column at Liberties Journal. Every year it’s the same thing. I spend so much time … Continue reading →

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Mirrors #23

Posted on December 22, 2024 by sheila

Gena Rowlands, Opening Night (1977) Pamela Anderson, The Last Showgirl (2024. My review.)     Thank you so much for stopping by. If you like what I do, and if you feel inclined to support my work, here’s a link … Continue reading →

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

Posted on August 18, 2024 by sheila

A little bit more on Gena on my Substack.

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Goodbye, Gena Rowlands

Posted on August 16, 2024 by sheila

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 →

Posted in Actors, Movies, RIP | Tagged , | 8 Comments

July 2024 Viewing Diary

Posted on August 4, 2024 by sheila

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

Posted on July 29, 2024 by sheila

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 →

Posted in Movies, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments