curated: why movie dialogue can be so difficult to hear nowadays
No, you’re not losing your hearing.
the curmudgeonly movie lover’s unpleasant Advent calendar: December 1
Click or tap for a taste of the cynicism of the season! The perfect antidote to all the fa-la-la-la-la!
loaded question: what’s your favorite bit of shocking movie dialogue?
My choice is the first thing that popped into my head when I saw the question. If you’ve seen the 2005 ITV miniseries Secret Smile, you probably know what line of dialogue I’m talking about.
Shepherd movie review: gothic shaggy dog
Elegantly gloomy but ultimately unsatisfying gothic rural horror that is all too-static mood. Tom Hughes makes a valiant go of a descent into madness, but the character is little more than his misery.
get a streaming recommendation for festive cheer in your in-box every day over the holiday season
Today I launched Festive Cheer, in which I recommend a fun, merry, classic, or otherwise worthy movie to stream this holiday season. One per day through January 2nd, for paying supporters only. First one’s free!
loaded question: What movie(s) do you regret watching?
As a movie professional, I am duty bound to say — and it really is true — that I never regret watching even the worst, most unredeeming of movies. There is always something to learn, even if it’s just how or what not to do onscreen.
classic film virgin: The Outsiders: The Complete Novel (4K restoration)
The deep, honest emotion undercutting the performative toxic masculinity of these young men is beyond charming and vitally essential, but the melodramatic randomness of the plot ultimately lost me.
loaded question: which streaming services do you have regular access to… and watch regularly?
I’m very curious to hear what you all have to say about this, because the streaming environment has gotten a bit out of hand: there are so many services, and it would be absurd — and expensive! — to subscribe to all of them.
I’m guesting on movie podcast Ribbon of Memes
I join hosts RogerBW and Nick Marsh to talk about the 1984 Wim Wenders film Paris, Texas. (Plus, announcing a related new section here at the site.)
loaded question: do you like scary movies?
For me, I don’t like most of the movies Hollywood considers scary — such as most of what is labeled “horror” — primarily because I simply don’t find that sort of thing scary.
