Category Archives: Essays

Mixtape Memories – Volume 4

After more than two years of searching, I finally found a box of mixtapes in my parents’ garage. These are mixtapes my dad made me as a kid, and they were my gateway into music. So I’ve been listening to … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mixtape Memories – Volume 3

After more than two years of searching, I finally found a box of mixtapes in my parents’ garage. These are mixtapes my dad made me as a kid, and they were my gateway into music. So I’ve been listening to … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mixtape Memories – Volume 2

After more than two years of searching, I finally found a box of mixtapes in my parents’ garage. These are mixtapes my dad made me as a kid, and they were my gateway into music. So I’ve been listening to … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mixtape Memories – Volume 1

After more than two years of searching, I finally found a box of mixtapes in my parents’ garage. These are mixtapes my dad made me as a kid, and they were my gateway into music. So I’ve been listening to … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Oscar Re-Do: 2003

As I have the last three years, I’ll look at the Oscars from a decade ago and see if the Academy really got it right (spoiler alert: usually not). Winners are in bold. BEST PICTURE The Lord of the Rings: … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Film, Oscars | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The List: Sequels I Wanted to See

With a rash of unnecessary sequels on the way, including Grown Ups 2 and Transformers 4, I thought about the films that did merit a continuation of the story, like Before Midnight. So here’s a list of (a little more … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Film | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Roger & Me

Like many other film critics of all ages, creeds and genders, I owe an enormous debt to Roger Ebert, one that cannot be paid back in a written appreciation like this. But Roger always struck me as someone who remained … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Film | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Oscar Re-Do: 2002

You know the drill: Winners in bold, then we break it down and see who should have gotten the gold 10 years ago. BEST PICTURE Chicago Gangs of New York The Hours The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Film, Oscars | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reactionary Tale: Sight & Sound Critics’ Poll 2012

Vertigo? Are you sure? After a half-century of dominance, Citizen Kane yielded its top position to the most well-respected of Hitchcock’s vast body of work. But really? I can think of at least three movies by Hitchcock himself that were … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Film | 1,419 Comments

My Life in Movies: 1992

Read what this is all about here. Best Picture winner: Unforgiven (dir. Clint Eastwood) Box office champion: Aladdin ($217.4 million – actual, $415.3 – adjusted) BEST OF THE BEST Reservoir Dogs (dir. Quentin Tarantino) Could it be that Tarantino’s first film is his greatest? That’s certainly … Continue reading

Posted in Best Of, Essays, Film | 1,732 Comments