MUBI Notebook: Antonio Banderas and the Archetype of the 'Latin Lover'

In time for a retrospective of his work at NYC's Quad Cinema, I wrote about Antonio Banderas and his career trajectory as a 'latin lover' - within and without the films of his closest collaborator Pedro Almodovar. Read the essay here at MUBI Notebook.

VICE: The Actress Who Killed Her Abusive Husband and Was Expelled from Hollywood

     For VICE, I spent several months researching the forgotten story of '60s actress and Playboy model Saundra Edwards, whose career was cut short when she shot and killed her violent husband. You can read all about her here. 

Little White Lies: Threads #11 - The Sequin Dress

For my latest installment of Threads, for the special Judy Garland-themed issue for the release of biopic Judy, I wrote about the musical-friendly wardrobe choice of the sequin dress. Worn by drag queens, flappers, and movie star divas since the 1920's. Threads is print-only, so you can pick up Little White Lies on newsstands or on the website here.

Little White Lies: The Photoplayers

For the beautiful new print issue of Little White Lies magazine, themed around Judy Garland for the upcoming biopic about her, I wrote about old Hollywood gossip / fan magazines like Photoplay and how they used coded language to hint at the scandals of the stars. Print-only, but you can find it on newsstands from today or to buy online here.

The Playlist: Babyteeth, dir. Shannon Murphy (Venice Film Festival)

For The Playlist, I reviewed Babyteeth, the last film I saw in Venice and one of only two Competition films directed by a woman. Shannon Murphy is an Australian filmmaker making her feature debut, and it's an accomplished and devastating film, with some flaws but not enough to really mar the whole. 

The Guardian / G2: 'Incel' violence is horrific, but Joker doesn't take sides

For the Guardian, I wrote an editorial about incel violence and claims that this film will inspire right-wing vigilantism. Here's the piece. 

The Playlist: The King, dir. David Michod (Venice Film Festival)

I wrote about David Michod's new film for Netflix, The King - starring Timothee Chalamet, Joel Edgerton, Lily-Rose Depp, and Robert Pattinson - for The Playlist. Read it here.

Vulture: Spike Lee Calls Nate Parker's New Film 'A Part of History'

Here's a quick news piece about the premiere of Nate Parker's new movie American Skin at Venice Film Festival, where it was presented by producer of the film Spike Lee. It was awful. Read about it here.

The Playlist: Wasp Network, dir. Olivier Assayas (Venice Film Festival)

    For The Playlist, I wrote about Olivier Assayas' new Cuban spy drama Wasp Network out of Venice Film Festival. Here's the link.

Sight & Sound: Joker, dir. Todd Phillips (Venice Film Festival)

Here's a first-look review of Joker, the disturbing origin story for one of comic books' most famous villains, for Sight & Sound online. 

The Playlist: The Perfect Candidate, dir. Haifaa Al-Mansour (Venice Film Festival)

I wrote about The Perfect Candidate, Saudi Arabian director Haifaa Al-Mansour's film in Competition at Venice Film Festival, for The Playlist. Read what I thought about it here.

Sight & Sound: Marriage Story, dir. Noah Baumbach (Venice Film Festival)

For Sight & Sound online and out of Venice Film Festival, I did a first look review Marriage Story - Noah Baumbach's latest, starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson. I loved it. Check it out here.

Vulture: Everything You Need to Know about Brad Pitt's Space Movie, Ad Astra (Venice Film Festival)

I had fun writing a little (spoiler-free!) round-up of good things to know about James Gray's new philosophical space drama Ad Astra, starring Brad Pitt and Tommy Lee Jones. Here it is. 

The Playlist: An Officer and a Spy, dir. Roman Polanski (Venice Film Festival)

Here's a dispatch out of Venice Film Festival for The Playlist on Roman Polanski's latest, An Officer and A Spy.