Film

"There is only one thing that can kill the Movies, and that is education." — Will Rogers

A Cyberpunk Blueprint for Hollywood’s AI Dreams
Revisiting Pat Cadigan’s 1991 novel “Synners” in light of dystopian developments in Los Angeles.
Jeff HewittFeb 12
- SF
- Film
Monsters of the Anthropocene
Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ reduces Mary Shelley’s novel to a one-dimensional warning about technological hubris.
Deborah R. CoenFeb 9
Hold Me Too Close
Writer-director Bradley Cooper’s ‘evangelizing’ new film ‘Is This Thing On?’ explores human connection in marriage and stand-up comedy.
Frank FalisiFeb 2
- Film
Toward a More Creative Vampirism
Radu Jude’s ‘Dracula’ shines sunlight on the vampirism of cinematic AI and the ways studios have bled the vampire IP dry.
Ryan BedsaulJan 26
- Film
- Cultural Studies
Sounds of Freedom: The Biden Years On-Screen, Part Three
The third installment of ‘The Biden Years On-Screen’ considers the cinematic fallout of cancel culture, the overruling of Roe v. Wade, and the 2022 midterm elections.
Brendan Boyle, Adam NaymanJan 21
A New Cinematic Language for Trans Life
Chris Shields speaks with filmmaker Louise Weard about her ‘Castration Movie’ series.
Chris ShieldsJan 10
- Film
- Gender & Sexuality
Hella Hitler
Andrew Holter revisits ‘The California Reich’ 50 years on and considers the legacy of the neo-Nazi documentary.
Andrew HolterJan 8
- Film
- Cultural Studies
Our Ordeal Is Worth It
Mona Fastvold’s ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’ presents a musical American allegory of the Great Awakening that is ‘fundamentally carnal, even if its heroine is decidedly not.’
Kelli WestonJan 6
- Film
- Philosophy & Religion
Almost Candid
Tim Riley listens for the unspoken ironies of Cameron Crowe’s career via his new memoir, ‘The Uncool.’
Tim RileyJan 3
Everybody Loves a Lover
Janna Jones writes about the history and resonances of ‘Love Tapes,’ Wendy Clarke’s 1980s video project.
Janna JonesDec 27, 2025
Made in America
Josh Safdie’s “Marty Supreme” and the mythmaking around a monoculture masterpiece.
Sam BodrojanDec 26, 2025
- Film
So Many Things Have Vanished
Conor Williams sits down with film critic Melissa Anderson to discuss her recent essay collection.
Conor WilliamsDec 21, 2025
- Film