Guest post by Scott Libson. It’s May 2016. Donald Trump is turning his attention from the primaries to the general election. You won’t be surprised to hear Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) describe something as “Orwellian” and “misguided” or Representative Diane Black (R-TN) saying it’s “political correctness run amok.” You might be surprised at the target… Read more »
Failure is an underexplored subject in American cinema. The struggles and joys of achieving success are portrayed in blockbuster after blockbuster, while the unique phenomenon of processing failure and tentatively beginning the process of moving beyond it is less common to encounter in a mainstream American movie. Thankfully, Kris Rey’s new film I Used to Go… Read more »
For full transparency: I was sent this box set by Criterion for review. I’d like to think this hasn’t impacted my thoughts on this set, but I thought people should know before they read more. There are figures in art whose image, mannerisms, and reputation are as recognizable and notable as the art they create…. Read more »
We find it fascinating when a star transforms themselves for a role. Rebecca Romijn enduring hours of prosthetics for her role as Mystique… Jared Leto losing 30 lbs for Dallas Buyer’s Club… Christian Bale losing an even more extreme 60 lbs for The Machinist… Charlize Theron gaining 30 lbs and donning latex make-up to add… Read more »
Guest post by Christine Peralta. Deeply nuanced and wonderfully shot, Lingua Franca is a beautiful film about a Filipina trans woman living in New York named Olivia. Olivia is portrayed by Isabel Sandoval, who also wrote and directed the film. Lingua Franca starts with two phone calls, simple and brief phone conversations that convey the complexity… Read more »
Guest post by Lisa-Marie Napoli, Director of the Political and Civic Engagement program at Indiana University. At the end of watching a good film, I like to sit for a few minutes, catch my breath, and reflect on what the film means to me, how it informs my thinking, and how it brings to light… Read more »