Tag Archives: Warren Oates

Happy Birthday, Warren Oates

When he smiled, sadness and grief billowed off of him almost visibly. The smile came either out of his pain – whatever that pain was – or was a defense against the pain. Either way, the pain was always there. … Continue reading

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For Film Comment: on Monte Hellman

Film Comment – the magazine still on hiatus – just launched a weekly newsletter (you can sign up here, it’s free!) They launched with two pieces, one by Molly Haskell, and one by yours truly (and I still kind of … Continue reading

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Introducing: the Film Comment newsletter

As we all know, Film Comment shut its doors last year in the first months of the pandemic. Everyone was upset. Perhaps the magazine will revive, perhaps it will not, but in the meantime, they have launched a weekly newsletter. … Continue reading

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April 2021 Viewing Diary

Jewel Robbery (1932; d. William Dieterle) This glittering pre-Code, starring William Powell as a jewel thief, and Kay Francis as a married woman in love with her jewels, is such a subversive delight. Powell is devastatingly charming and Francis is … Continue reading

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Celebrating the Disreputable: An interview with Charles Taylor about his new book Opening Wednesday at a Theater or Drive-in Near You: The Shadow Cinema of the American ’70s

Charles Taylor’s new book Opening Wednesday at a Theater Or Drive-In Near You: The Shadow Cinema of the American ’70s was an intense pleasure to read. He discusses 15 films from the 1970s, films that were not made as prestige … Continue reading

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December 2016 Viewing Diary

Supernatural, Season 7, Episode 22, “There Will Be Blood” (2012; d. Guy Norman Bee) I had started a re-watch of Season 7 in November, so I finished it out this month. Season 7 was one of my least favorites, when … Continue reading

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August 2015 Viewing Diary

Smell of Camphor, Scent of Jasmine (2000; d. Bahman Farmanara). A profound and touching (and very funny) film from Iran, written and directed by and starring Farmanara. It tells the story of a death-obsessed film director who hasn’t made a … Continue reading

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10 Years of Sunset Gun

Kim Morgan’s great site Sunset Gun turned 10 years old this August (a nice dovetail with Dorothy Parker’s recent birthday as well). Kim, who is one of the best writers working today, celebrates the moment by re-visiting the topic of … Continue reading

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