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Jesse Pasternack is a graduate of Indiana University. During his time at IU, Jesse was the co-president of the Indiana Student Cinema Guild. He also wrote about film, television, and pop culture for the Indiana Daily Student. Jesse has been a moderator at Michael Moore's Traverse City Film Festival and is a friend of the Doug Loves Movies podcast. An aspiring professional writer-director, his own film work has appeared at Campus Movie Fest and the Anthology Film Archives in New York City.

Entries by Jesse Pasternack

Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020) and the Hero’s Journey

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Poster for Never Rarely Sometimes Always

There are many films which seem to be influenced by Joseph Campbell’s famous book The Hero of a Thousand Faces (first published in 1949), which is about his conception of an archetypal storytelling pattern known as “the hero’s journey.” They include but are not limited to Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), The Lion… Read more »

The Exceptional Use of Voiceover in The Love Witch (2016)

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When most people think of The Love Witch (2016), the first things that come to mind are visual. They might remember a colorful costume or a stunning set that were designed by the film’s writer-director-producer-editor-songwriter/arranger Anna Biller, or an impeccably framed close-up of its unforgettable protagonist, Elaine (perfectly played by Samantha Robinson). But while I… Read more »

The Exquisite Visuals and Murky Morality of The Conformist (1970)

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The Conformist (1970) is a film of visual wonders that takes place in a world of moral horrors. It features some of the most beautiful shots you’ll ever see as well as very dark dramatic situations. But what makes this film so memorable isn’t just the fact that it is visually dazzling or expertly explores… Read more »

Every Line Matters: The Magnificent Details of Rushmore (1998)

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There are many things that I love about Rushmore (1998), the second film directed by Wes Anderson and the first that he co-wrote with frequent collaborator Owen Wilson. I adore its airtight structure, idiosyncratic sense of humor, and secret sense of warmth. But more than anything, I love how Anderson and his collaborators develop their… Read more »

Satire and Subjectivity in American Psycho (2000)

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Director Mary Harron’s film American Psycho (2000) was a sensation when it was first released. It was a financial success, received mostly positive reviews, and gained notoriety for how it depicted the violent sensibility of author Bret Easton Ellis’s infamous novel. But it was not just popular then, and continues to remain popular now, for… Read more »

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