Film Review

Barbie, Pt. 3: My full review!

My three-part series on Greta Gerwig's Barbie culminates with my full review.

Film Review

Killers of My Substack Journal: New films by Scorsese and Fincher

In a season of intensifying violence — in American neighborhoods, and in battlefields of global significance — some of our best filmmakers are telling stories about gun-wielding villains. I've just published thoughts on The Killer and Killers of the Flower Moon.

Film Review

Barbie, Pt. 2: Action figures, their accessories, and me

In Part Two of my Barbie coverage, I establish some necessary context for my upcoming film review. My history with toy trends is a story of formative influences: Barbies for girls, armed men for boys.

Newsletter

First impressions of Killers of the Flower Moon

Scorsese's new epic features some of the strongest and most conscientious work of his career. But the fact I'm opening with words about him here hints at what gives me mixed feelings about the film.

Newsletter

First impressions of David Fincher's The Killer, and the end of a bargain-movie era

Film Review

Barbie, Pt. 1: While frightened men burn dolls, Christian women rave about Barbie's wisdom

Greta Gerwig's brilliant blockbuster gets us laughing at the absurdity of real-world hierarchies (including injustices often reinforced in Christian circles to the harm of everyone involved).

Give Me Some Light

Stop Making Sense at 40, Overstreet at 53

Newsletter

Three Colors: Blue at 30

Newsletter

Buddy and Julie Miller throw down some of their best work on their brand new album

Newsletter

Barbie, Pt. 3: My Barbie Review

After Part One (an act of listening) and Part Two (a reflection on the formative influence of toys), here's Part Three—far too many words from me about why I love Greta Gerwig's 'Barbie.'

Give Me Some Light

The Yowling: a reflection on a most annoying noise that's been troubling my home and screaming in my bones...

Film Review

Was Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer inspired by Raiders of the Lost Ark?

Christopher Nolan seems to be remaking Steven Spielberg's "Raiders of the Lost Ark" in this profound meditation on America's self-righteous obsession with coercive violence and apocalyptic firepower.

On Movies & Media

A scorecard for Star Wars: Visions — Season 2

A quick review of my personal Star Wars history and notes on this new animated series, which has a few delightful surprises... and a whole lot of storytelling that might've been ChatGPT'd.

Newsletter

First impressions of The Eight Mountains

Two roads diverge in the Italian Alps, then cross and part again and again, in this Belgian saga of a challenging male friendship — but your mileage may vary.

Newsletter

First impressions of (there's no way around this...) Bottoms

Bottoms is for 2023 what Heathers was for 1988: a comedy that goes to violent extremes, afflicting the comfortable and making the uncomfortable laugh until they're sick.

Newsletter

Surprise Package: Saturday, September 2, 2023

Newsletter

First impressions of The Unknown Country

The warmth of Lily Gladstone's lead performance gives this low-key road movie a glow that will stay with you for a long time after the credits roll.

Film Review

Showing Up (2023)

Kelly Reichardt's latest depicts the day-to-day challenges of artmaking with such truthfulness that artists may find it almost too familiar.

Newsletter

Oppenheimer, Part Two: Raiders of a Divine Power

Christopher Nolan re-makes Steven Spielberg's "Raiders of the Lost Ark" into a profound meditation on America's self-righteous obsession with coercive violence and apocalyptic firepower.

Newsletter

Oppenheimer, Part One: A War of Religions

In Christopher Nolan's masterpiece, while World War Two rages, American scientists, American soldiers, and American politicians engage in a battle of conflicting worldviews.

Newsletter

Barbie, Pt. 2: Action figures, their accessories, and me

Newsletter

First impressions of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

I can hardly believe it, but I have overcome my decades-long aversion to this franchise. And I'm dazzled by some aspects of this promising animated reboot.

Newsletter

Barbie, Pt. 1: While frightened men burn dolls in protest, Christian women post glowing, grateful reviews for Barbie's wisdom

Film Review

Peter Pan and Wendy (2023)

David Lowery's "Peter Pan and Wendy" gives us a glimpse of the unconventionally meditative and innovative adaptation that might have been. But what it actually is? That might well be the result of studio interference, judging from these strangely incoherent results.

Give Me Some Light

Sinead O'Connor was right all along