Jon Lisi

Jon Lisi writes about film and television. He lives in New York City.
What’s ‘Love’ Got to Do With it? Why Do Audiences Reject Sex in the Movies?
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What’s ‘Love’ Got to Do With it? Why Do Audiences Reject Sex in the Movies?

By
 / 9 June 2016
Gaspar Noé’s Love was panned in many different parts of the world because its unsimulated sex scenes defy narrative norms and take moviegoers out of the story.
Is ‘Madonna: Tears of a Clown’ a Laughing Matter?
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Is ‘Madonna: Tears of a Clown’ a Laughing Matter?

By
 / 3 May 2016
In Madonna's bizarre one-off concert in Australia, she proved that she's still willing to push the envelope with a bold artistic statement. But what exactly was she saying?
Kayaktivists’ Colorful and Effective Protests in 2015
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Kayaktivists’ Colorful and Effective Protests in 2015

By
 / 28 January 2016
The most elaborately staged spectacle of 2015 was performed by the “kayaktivists”, a group of environmentalists that successfully stopped oil giant Royal Dutch Shell from drilling in the Arctic.
Making Movies to Survive in ‘The Wolfpack’
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Making Movies to Survive in ‘The Wolfpack’

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 / 15 December 2015
The Wolfpack is less about the power of movie consumption and more about the power of movie creation.
‘A Special Day’ in Fascist Italy
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‘A Special Day’ in Fascist Italy

By
 / 8 December 2015
Despite the tumultuous times, the characters in A Special Day can’t escape the clichés of a standard melodramatic story.
Aziz Ansari Reverses Gender Roles in ‘Master of None’
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Aziz Ansari Reverses Gender Roles in ‘Master of None’

By
 / 30 November 2015
Master of None was made for millennial men who can relate to Dev’s relationship struggles.
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Revisiting Claudia Weill’s Second-Wave Feminist Film ‘Girlfriends’

By
 / 5 November 2015
‘The Overnight’ Is a Sure Sign That Mumblecore Has Lost Its Luster
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‘The Overnight’ Is a Sure Sign That Mumblecore Has Lost Its Luster

By
 / 3 November 2015
The Overnight is one long tease without a satisfying payoff.
‘The Farewell Party (Mita Tova)’ Has a Deliciously Twisted Sense of Humor
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‘The Farewell Party (Mita Tova)’ Has a Deliciously Twisted Sense of Humor

By
 / 30 September 2015
The humorous treatment of so-called "mercy killing" will certainly provoke some viewers.
‘Heaven Knows What’ Offers Little Hope to an Invisible Subculture
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‘Heaven Knows What’ Offers Little Hope to an Invisible Subculture

By
 / 14 September 2015
Despite some stylistic flourishes, this film's portrayal of the harsh world of drug addiction could make viewers "just say no" to Heaven Knows What.
Could YouTube Help Bernie Sanders — and Hurt Hillary Clinton?
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Could YouTube Help Bernie Sanders — and Hurt Hillary Clinton?

By
 / 2 September 2015
Hillary Clinton may be the Democratic establishment's favorite, but on the Internet, social media users are feelin' the Bern.
‘Citizenfour’ Is Invaluable Cinéma Vérité
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‘Citizenfour’ Is Invaluable Cinéma Vérité

By
 / 24 August 2015
I welcome Oliver Stone’s forthcoming biopic about Snowden with an open mind, but I doubt that it will surpass the riveting realism of Citizenfour.