My grandmother, Rosamond, moved to Manhattan in the late 70s, some time after her divorce was finalized. She was in … More
Category: Stories
On Broadway: ‘The Encounter’ Gets in Your Head
Simon McBurney The Arthur Golden theater on Broadway, built in 1929, is housing a one man show run on haunting … More
Crashing: Thoughts on a Bus
On the bus, I looked out the dirty window and wondered how many people out there wanted to survive themselves … More
‘Topaz’: Romance in a Violent World
People fall in love everywhere, all the time. They fall for fellow workers and comrades. They flirt in dirty bomb … More
New York in the Time of Blossoms
There’s a dramatic shift that takes place between the end of winter and the full flourishing of spring time. Earth … More
Update: Joe O’Donoghue’s ‘Happenstansically Beautiful’
In October, I wrote about a chance meeting I had with Brooklyn- based artist named Joe O’Donoghue and his newly … More
Feminism in Rom-Coms Case Study: ‘Someone Like You’
I grew up watching romantic comedies. My childhood was full of screen stories about semi-cynical modern women fussing over strangely … More
‘The Birds’
I grew up hearing about two Hitchcock films: ‘Psycho’ and ‘The Birds’. Where the former lives up to the thrill … More
‘Big Eyes’: Hidden Histories
Women’s stories are just beginning to come to light in film beyond chick flicks and romances. Tim Burton’s latest feature … More
‘Marnie’: The Complexities of a ” Sex Mystery”
“One might call ‘Marnie’ a ‘sex mystery’, if one used such words.” – Alfred Hitchcock ‘Marnie’ is by far the … More
The Cinematic Journey: ‘Birdman’
I often find myself wrapped up in writing about Story in film. I like Story. I get into the grit … More
Suffering Your Art: ‘Whiplash’
Stories about artists struggling to reach success are often sympathetic to the artist. They’re usually focused completely on the false … More
‘The Judge’: Fathers and Sons
“I saw him in you” “I saw you in him” The house of mirrors that is every story about fathers … More
A Debut: Dan Gilroy’s ‘Nightcrawler’
* Spoiler alert Awards season 2015 is brimming with brazenly self-aware stories. Well, no one can say such a thing … More
‘Foxcatcher’: Unforgiving Expectations
Foxcatcher is based on violent and disturbing real life events. The extent to which these events are portrayed truthfully is … More
The Tragedy of ‘Gone Girl’
If I knew how Nick and Amy’s relationship came together, I might feel like this movie came together with that … More
‘St. Vincent’: Bright Spot of this Awards Season
A critic wrote not too long ago that Bill Murray needs to drop his 800-number and get an agent so … More
On ‘Boyhood’
From a technical standpoint, Richard Linklater’s ‘Boyhood’ is absolutely beautiful. The film was made in pieces over a period of … More
The Extreme Misogyny of ‘Vertigo’
I often wonder why Jimmy Stewart, an actor known for having a wholesome nature in an out of character, would … More
Killer Heels at The Brooklyn Museum
I visited the Brooklyn Museum on Friday afternoon. Got some coffee and headed on in to explore the deep. I … More
‘Sex & the City’ in 2014
Strange as it may seem to some, I saw this “Sex & the City” just around the time it was … More
Old / Interesting: Deviant Women in Kathryn Bigelow’s ‘The Weight of Water’
Kathryn Bigelow is known for her gut-wrenching studies of contemporary warriors and putting modern war tactics on display to the … More
The Most Classic Horror Film: ‘Psycho’
All my life I’ve heard people name Hitchcock’s “Psycho” as the scariest movie they’ve ever seen. I heard the music … More
‘The Lady Vanishes’ – To Judge and to Fear
Conspiracy Thrills One life. Hitchcock tended toward the kind of funny that pokes fun at institutions and systems. In “The … More
Choreographing Feeling: ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’
I finally got a chance to see Wes Anderson’s latest, ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’. I must say that it made … More
Reaction to Four Umbrellas – Tupac Martir @NYFOL
Dumbo is small and steep and low. When it rains, it floods. The streets are unsteady, the buildings are old … More
The New York Festival of Light
The experience of walking through Dumbo at night has changed enormously in the past few years. Since the development of … More
A Purist Rom-Com: A Touch of Death in ‘The Trouble with Harry’
From death cometh life and the living can be ridiculous! Fascinating! Oh good, good grief! Alfred Hitchcock always liked his … More
The Art of the Art that Melts: Brooklyn Ice Sculptor Joe O’Donoghue’s Latest Exhibit
You know those stories where someone finds a random object that turns out to be a key to a very … More
Top 10 Feminist Films, 2000-2010
In which I introduce ten beautiful and innovative stories about women who thrive against the odds set against them. These … More
‘It Makes Me Happy’ – A Short Film About a Little Pianist
Meet Meagan Cook Mora, a ten year old award-winning pianist from Costa Rica. I shot and edited this film when … More
The Scholar Must Die: Lars von Trier’s ‘Nymphomaniac’
I began to write, at the force of a mental flood, about Lars von Trier’s ‘Nymphomaniac’ parts I and II … More
Psychopathy in Hitchcock Thrillers ‘Rope’ (1948)
Character Study: Rupert Cadell (‘Rope’, 1948) I recently read an article in which the author questioned whether a psychopath could … More
Private Worlds: Hitchcock’s Penchant for Rule-Breakers (“Rear Window”, 1954)
“Rear Window” is a frustrating story to follow. With unbelievable characters and a seriously Mr. Magoo protagonist, I found it … More
ArtFarm @SmackMellon Gallery (DUMBO)
It rained really hard on the 5 boroughs Wednesday night. I got stuck in DUMBO just before a magnificent thunderstorm … More
Rubin Museum // Reflection
My first trip to the Rubin Museum was with a group of acerbically-minded third graders. I immediately felt comforted in … More
Reflection: “The Dinner Party” (2014)
To walk around “The Dinner Party” is to greet history in a fuller, less inhibited manner. Designed, built and … More
Oscars Watch: Cate Blanchett in ‘Blue Jasmine’
Cate Blanchett’s Oscar-winning role in ‘Blue Jasmine’ was the grittiest and most econo-socially relevant of the season. There was the … More
‘Go for Sisters’ Review
Go for Sisters How many dramatic or crime-centered movies have you seen in your lifetime that had not just one … More
Wangechi Mutu’s “The Fantastic Journey”
Having previously written about the very ….how should I put it? well-documented Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum, … More
Jean Paul Gaultier // The Brooklyn Museum
The magnificent Jean Paul Gaultier show at the Brooklyn Museum ended with a swarming salute from the last round of … More
Period Films: My Love of Other Eras
Romantic period films and longing through my ages It seems to me that there are not many films that portray … More
The First Feminist Rom-Com: ‘In a World’
‘In a World…’ is perhaps the only successful feminist critique of the entertainment industry to ever have been brought forward … More
Project Continua + The Sackler Center
brooklynmuseum: I was blown away by the success of Saturday’s Wikipedia edit-a-thon. We couldn’t have hoped for a more enthusiastic … More
‘Gravity’: Run to Return
One hundred synonyms for “beautiful” could be dug up to describe ‘Gravity’, Alfonso Cuarón’s latest hit, written with his son, … More
Reality, History, and Silence: ‘Dallas Buyers Club’
‘Dallas Buyers Club’ could be a film that alters the way audiences view people of varying sexual expression. It could … More
Americana: A Tribute to Nothingland in A. Payne’s ‘Nebraska’
Nebraska: a story of the heartland. An Americana gem. Black and white and cold throughout, Alexander Payne’s latest feature seems … More
Fading Glamour and Psychological Grit in ‘American Hustle’
Who’s the criminal in a thieving system? In a band of uglies, who’s the worst? We audience members love watching … More
Captain Muse & ‘Captain Phillips’
If ever there was a film that immediately made the audience feel sympathy for every single character in a band … More
In Praise of ‘The Butler’
Billed as a the story of a father and son living in two seemingly opposing worlds, Lee Daniels’ ‘The Butler’ … More
On ‘12 Years A Slave’
Film journalist and writer Johanna Schneller opened the press conference for ‘12 Years A Slave’ at the Toronto International Film … More
A Two-fold History of Silence Exposed in ‘Philomena’
The real life Philomena Lee has had many trials in her life, namely the loss of her son to the … More
Blame, Sweet Blame: ‘Enough Said’
With all the makings of a Hollywood romantic comedy, Enough Said is this year’s winner in the category of light-hearted … More
10 Films That Passed the Bechdel Test in 2013 | Tribeca
Here are ten films from 2013 that actually pass the Bechdel Test. This test, which assesses only the most basic … More
The Primordial Darkness of ‘August: Osage County’
An alternative tagline for the screen version of August: Osage County could be “Streep and Roberts go darker than ever, … More
New Greek Cinema: “What If…?”
Christoforos Papakaliatis wrote, directed and starred in “What If…?”, a hardcore romance, two ways. Will his character, Dimitris, follow his … More
Analysis of Hitchcock’s ‘Saboteur’
Hitchcock’s thriller ‘Saboteur’ exemplifies the director’s drive for subverting his audience’s sympathies. There is a daringly clarified critique of systematic … More
The Beautiful Evil: Hitchcock’s ‘Shadow of a Doubt’
‘Shadow of a Doubt’ is a beautiful example of the study of Evil. We are constantly confronted with images and … More
The Oscars and The Bechdel Test – YouTube
Feminist Frequency put Oscar nominated films to the Bechdel test in 2012. Watch how it played out…apply these questions to … More
Henry Miller & Anaïs Nin on Death and Dreams – YouTube
On the tragedy/horror/senselessness of being dead while your heart is beating. Also, the trick to maintaining your dream-state long enough … More
Harlem, NYC / Growing
In time: art takes over, nature grows through, people forget, and Spring renews
Review of a Tiny Piano Starlet: Meagan Cook Mora
Meagan Cook has played music at Carnegie Hall before. She has even played at Carnegie Hall at Christmas time before. … More
Mind & Body Films of The 2013 Awards Season
The SAG Awards, which took place on Sunday, 1/27, are completely in the hands of union actors, and the people … More
Empathy, Lust and Love: ‘The Sessions’
After seeing ‘The Sessions’, I was left wondering about the actual purpose of love in some people’s lives. It often … More
The Dalloway Opens in SoHo
The Dalloway in SoHo is the perfect place to go on a cold, rainy, windy winter night in NYC. I mean the … More
‘The Impossible’ Horror of Reality
On December 26th, 2004, thousands of families who had come to vacation in various coastal resorts around the luxurious South Pacific … More
On Realism and Telling History: ‘Lincoln’
Spielberg’s ‘Lincoln’ is a story molded out of cold facts and softened by clever anecdotal interludes between Lincoln and his … More
‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’ & The Girl
‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’ is a modern fairytale. Modern because it is about a fiercely strong little girl, which … More
“Elementary”: About One Sherlock Holmes & Joan Watson
In the rarest of cases, I get very attached to TV shows. If I really like a show, I find … More
Something I Liked About SNL, Ep.7/S.38
Anyone who watches Saturday Night Live knows that the lifeblood of the show is its actor/writer’s brilliant impressions of the most recgonizable people in … More
The Stand Comedy Club & Restaurant is Now Open in Gramercy
If you have a sense of humor and an eclectic palette, and want to make sure the person you’re dating … More
Help Get BEDBUGS!!! (The Comedy Sci-Fi Musical) Off-Broadway
BEDBUGS!!! The Comedy Sci-fi Thriller Rock Musical lives up to its name in every sense of the word. It is … More
La Bottega: Awesome Italian in the Heart of Chelsea
La Bottega at the Maritime Hotel is the perfect place to luxuriate in the late-night hours of a crisp, clear-skied autumn … More
The Indie Film World Reformation
“The indie theatrical release is dead” proclaimed Michael Kang, the indie film director of Kimberley Rose Wolters’s new feature-length romantic comedy … More
Ideas of Searching in ‘Searching for Sugar Man’
The first mistake a movie-goer can make is to assume that the way the story they came to see is going to be told in the … More
Check Out Prandial in Chelsea
Mark Stern’s Prandial is comforting in all of its richesse. Plush banquettes, dark wood, and an angular, modern feel about … More
So Yong Kim’s Portrait of An Absent Father, ‘For Ellen’
“Please stop. You’re going to make me sad.” The pivotal moment in So Yong Kim’s heartbreaking portrait of paternal irresponsibility is when the … More
KTCHN: Now Open on West 42nd Street
KTCHN, located at The Out NYC (and sister to the Hell’s Kitchen hotspot Eatery), is a delicious new fixture on West 42nd Street. Smooth … More
New Italian Restaurant, Galli, Now Open on Mercer Street
Steve Gallo and Michael Forrest’s Galli of SoHo specializes in Italian comfort food, but actually offers much more. There’s something for … More
Foodswings: Vegan Food Can Be Comfort Food
It seems that everyone loves Foodswings, one of the most classic vegan staples in Williamsburg. Bikers, hipsters, everyone in between … More
Depanneur of Williamsburg
A little market on a random block in Williamsburg has been thriving for years, now. The place was a dream … More
RedFarm Continues West Village Dominance
RedFarm turns away hundreds of hungry would-be diners every night. Many of these people return, not only because that which is … More
Farm to Plate at Amali in Midtown East
Herbs are not nearly as appreciated in North American cooking as they should be. Basil, mint, sage, and cilantro are … More
‘The Artist’ Was…Quiet
Oh, so quiet- and beautiful to watch. As a viewer, I am still not sure what lines I was supposed … More
Homestyle Vietnamese Cooking at An Nhau
Williamsburg, Brooklyn contains its fair share of eccentricity and style: little oddball shops and cafes, full blocks of beautiful murals, … More
I Loved ‘Bridesmaids’
No configuration of words can express how deeply happy Bridesmaids made me, but I am still going to blog about … More
Go Wild at Empanada Mama!
“You came at the perfect time! Empanada Mama- this is the real feeling of the place. Enjoy!” Indeed- Empanada Mama … More
‘The Iron Lady’
The film opens with the most fragile, soft-spoken, elderly woman buying milk at a corner deli. She is shocked by the … More
Classy Beer & Peruvian Fare at La Cerveceria
Owning a restaurant in Manhattan is, to say the least, a precarious business. Starting a restaurant off a blank page … More
‘J. Edgar’: Making History With History
John Edgar Hoover founded the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which, among other things led the United States into a new … More
‘Beginners’ Confront The End in Fear / Stall Death With Love
Ewan McGregor plays things so gentle, that it is nearly impossible not to empathize with his characters. In Beginners, he … More
The Brilliant Star: Michelle Williams in ‘My Week With Marilyn’
Michelle Williams stars in a movie where she is sidelined by the plot- how did that happen? No one involved … More
‘Albert Nobbs’: “A Woman Passing…” or Succeeding in a Cruel World
ALBERT NOBBS is the story of a man. Is it? Is that what matters? The film is summarized as follows … More
Oh, Look! There Are White Heteronormative People Starring in A Woody Allen Film And It Has Been Nominated For An Oscar
‘Midnight in Paris’ is a beautiful, delicious, sexy film with a sweet cast. The plot is led straight from beginning … More
The Clothes Come On: Documenting Butt Naked’s Redemption
Re·demp·tion (noun) 1.an act of redeeming or the state of being redeemed. 2. 3. 4.atonement for guilt. General Butt Naked Murderer, sadist, cannibal, Liberian tribal leader, devil worshipper, religious advisor, … More
‘Natural Selection’is a Feminist Feat
NATURAL SELECTION is a feminist film: there’s a lady protagonist on a mission that involves quite a lot more than … More
Hunger at The Leopard
Stepping into The Leopard at des Artistes from the chilly, quiet sidewalk is a serious New York experience. The lively scents, the … More
‘The Dynamiter’ & Childhood
The concept of children as smaller versions of adults persisted in history up until the early 20th Century. The purpose … More
Maryam Keshavarz’s ‘Circumstance’
CIRCUMSTANCE is the story of two young women who try to live the lives they desire under an increasingly brutal … More
‘Another Earth’ & Earthly Redemption
The elements of science fiction in ANOTHER EARTH accentuate the most important human elements of the story: forgiveness, alienation, victimization, … More
RAMPART: Notes on “Date Rape Dave”
When an admittedly racist, controlling, sexist LAPD officer named Dave Brown is caught on camera nearly beating a man to … More
Mother America: ‘Think of Me’
By the time Angela Jerome, played sans sentimentality by Lauren Ambrose, says the title line, most viewers will probably have … More
Thoughts on ‘Margin Call’
MARGIN CALL deals with a group of corporate risk analysts struggling to survive a particularly nasty awakening in the face … More
‘Take Shelter’: A Storm Is Coming
The film begins with a man watching this extraordinary storm approach along a vast stretch of farmland. A thick, slimy … More
Bright Night: Cafe du Soleil
Crème brûlée with a hint of lavender, cornmeal-crusted calamari, moules frites with garlic aplenty- what says sun like the fruits of … More
IL Tesoro: Gustatory Treasures
I haven’t had a real reason to go to the East Side from the West Side more than occasionally for … More
Like Project Continua on Facebook
Project Continua will be accessible and contributable by everyone. The core of Project Continua is the “female biography” archive, searchable … More
The Chocolate Room is Heaven & You Should Go There
The Chocolate Room in Cobble Hill Brooklyn is the kind of cafe you can enter comfortably in a group of ten, … More
Refreshingly Fresh “Fast Food”: Chirping Chicken
The pro-sides of this food stop are many, including the simple facts that follow: it’s inexpensive, fast, and never tastes … More
Dessert Haven: Citrus Bar & Grill
There is no shortage of sugar in the city. Walking down any avenue, one will most-likely come into contact with … More
Cozy Gray Days at The Grey Dog Cafe
During one very rough finals season in college, The Grey Dog cafe gave me memorable tummy comfort. After spending a wholly sleepless … More
Piola For Pizza Magic
Not a fan of tomatoey things, myself, I know that most of the United States is obsessed with pizza. Piola, which … More
Max Brenner Presents Chocolates with Loopy Presentations
Down around Union Square, there is a restaurant with a waiting area, full of chocolate. The idea is that you … More
Sarabeth’s West Offers Rural Fare in an Urban Setting
Sarabeth’s Kitchen on the Westside of Manhattan is a place of extremes. For weekend brunch, it is packed to the brim … More
Brooklyn’s Finest: Palmyra of Atlantic Avenue
*** Sadly, Palmyra closed for good in 2011. Over the summer, I happened upon a little cafe called Palmyra whilst … More
American Comfort Food That’s ‘Good Enough To Eat’
The food at Good Enough To Eat is well-proportioned, “All-American,” and satisfying to all senses. There’s a little extra something to each … More
Serenity in Brooklyn at Tazza Cafe
I ran into Tazza when I got lost in Brooklyn Heights on a cold, rainy day. It seems that many of the … More
Mama Mexico Raises Delicious Food in Manhattan
Mama Mexico is consistently fun and full of good eats. It is now common to order guacamole and have someone come … More
Taim: ‘Delicious’ is right
While Taim is super tiny and you usually can’t get a seat at peak hours (which is most likely when you will … More
Mandangsui: My Intro to Korean BBQ Delight
ONE: There are supposed to be as many plates on the table as possible. Start stacking. TWO: “It doesn’t really … More
Afghan Food on St. Mark’s at Khyber Pass
Khyber Pass is fun because you can sit in the window seats cross-legged and watch people walk down the street … More
Ice Cream & Bliss at Rosa Mexicano
Rosa Mexicano has three locations in Manhattan- Lincoln Center, Union Square, and Midtown east. The Lincoln Center location has this … More
Top Picks at Magnolia Bakery
Magnolia Bakery is known for its cupcakes. The little cakes are beautiful, with plentiful, colorful frosting. The cake itself is quite … More
Up All Night, Uptown: French Roast
I do not think that people go to French Roast for the food, though it is quite a delight- day … More
Top 3: Tea for Tea Lovers
For tea, you need time. There should be a process of inhaling, sipping, tasting and breathing out that informs the … More
Le Monde of Manhattan
There are three things about Le Monde of Morningside Heights, Manhattan, that draw crowds: cream, liquor, and meat. Everything else is an … More
The Top 3 Cupcake Shops in NYC
I love cupcakes so much that a couple years back, my coworkers started calling me Cupcake. It stuck (I allowed … More
‘The Help’ Cast Shed Light on New Film
The first time I saw “The Help,” I had a sticky feeling I would see it again, not because I … More
Elena Beloff’s Zaritsas: Russian Women in New York
Zaritsas: Russian Women in New York Elena Beloff is a Russian woman who loves living in New York. She came to … More
Classy & Sweet Harney & Sons, Soho
Going to tea and drinking tea is not just about tea. There is this all-to-common misperception about tea: that it … More
The Ever Always Lovely Cafe Lalo
Lalo is probably the most reviewed and viewed cafe on the Upper West Side. It is packed on weekends and … More
My Top 3: Italian Eateries on the UWS
Most of the American population indulges in the saucy, cheesy, doughy, often meatiness of pizza dishes and hero sandwiches. Separating … More
Lose Yourself (a Little Itty Bite): Brunch at Alice’s Tea Cup Chapter I
Upon entering the magical sugar-filled world that is Alice’s Tea Cup (specifically Chapter I) one should feel quite warm and … More
A Better Life: Discussion with Demian Bichir & Chris Weitz
KS: Was there any moment that you shot, but then removed from the film with deep regret? If yes, what … More
The Coziest Nook: Popover Cafe
*** Very sadly, Popover Cafe close earlier this year, 2014. You’ll forever be in my heart! Popover Cafe is an … More
Discussion After the Amazing Women in Film Panel with Thelma Adams
Thanks to Thelma Adams, the moderator of this years Amazing Women in Film panel at the Woodstock Film Festival, I … More
An excerpt from “Imagining a Cinematic World without Rape”
The problem with cinematic gendering is that when it comes in the form of fantasized characters made for the … More
Filmmaker Elena Rossini writes about the state of women in film
I really recommend this link and the blog that hosted the piece – The Beheld. Also take a look at … More
R.I.P: The Original Edgar’s Cafe
NOTE: this article was written a month and a half before Edgar’s closed their main location on West 84th Street. … More
Kaitlin Sansoucie 