‘L’eclisse’ Is Beautifully Made, but Boring as Hell
L’eclisse is a highly regarded work of European modernism that is pretty to look at, interesting to think about, and grueling to watch unfold.
Jon Lisi
Jon Lisi writes about film and television. He lives in New York City.
‘True Detective’ and the Death of Television Criticism
Something has gone wrong if critics consider True Detective the best that contemporary television has to offer.
‘God Loves Uganda’ Is a Timely Exposé, but It’s Also Unimpressive Cinema
God Loves Uganda exists to educate and enrage; it paints a clear portrait of good versus evil.
On Madonna’s Art for Freedom: Why You Can’t Change the World with a Tweet
Madonna's Art for Freedom project proves that social media is not a productive tool for activists who want to impact public policy and alleviate human rights violations.
‘Riot in Cell Block 11’ Has the Courage to Ask Important Questions
Will America's prison system ever change? Or is meant to keep America’s caste system in place?
‘Leonard Cohen on Leonard Cohen’ Is at Once Fascinating and Frustrating
This collection of interviews forces us to consider that Cohen's interactions with the press are products of his public image instead of honest words that represent his core belief system.
Iris Barry Gave so Much to the World
Lady in the Dark is a meticulously researched, lovingly written book that suggests Iris Barry’s passions and accomplishments extend beyond the realm of cinema.
‘The Fan Fiction Studies Reader’ Offers an Illuminating Overview of an Evolving Field of Study
Hellekson and Busse introduce key concepts clearly and without unnecessary jargon, and they select arguably the most important and influential works on fan fiction to date.
Addressing America’s Brutal Past in ‘The Address’
The Address shows that there’s no point to public education if students don’t walk away with useful lessons for life.
‘Labor Day’ Is a Labor-Intensive Watch
Even with all of the talent on display, Labor Day is a major disappointment.
On Expanding Our Field of Vision: ‘3D Cinema and Beyond’
The best essays here simultaneously engage with like-minded scholars and inform casual readers of 3D’s importance in filmmaking.
‘Persona’ Doesn’t Need to Be Understood to Be Loved
Ingmar Bergman’s film is profoundly mysterious, and the more we try to comprehend it, the farther away we move from its magic.