People fall in love everywhere, all the time. They fall for fellow workers and comrades. They flirt in dirty bomb … More
Tag: film
‘The Birds’
I grew up hearing about two Hitchcock films: ‘Psycho’ and ‘The Birds’. Where the former lives up to the thrill … More
The Soul Journey of ‘Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter’
What are we to do when something nags us inside and won’t let our attention go? What are we, soft … 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
This One Goes Out to ‘The One I Love’
He said and she said: their love was tanking. The romance was a struggle. Could they ever move forward together … More
The Quiet Lineage of Class War: ‘Little Accidents’
America, “the land of the free”, is a vast space with two borders that bleed drinkable prosperity and a center … More
‘Appropriate Behavior’: The Importance of Unromantic Comedy
In an awards season teeming with adorable, quirky romantic comedies, Desiree Akhavan’s decidedly unromantic comedy is a nice departure from … More
‘Obvious Child’: A Continuation of Last Year’s Brilliant Feminist Rom-Com Magic
Back in 2014, I wrote that ‘In a World‘ was the first truly feminist romantic comedy I’d ever seen. The … 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
Conservation as Documentary: ‘Virunga’
When I told three different friends that I’d seen Orlando van Einsiedel’s documentary, ‘Virunga’, their reactions were similar. They knew … 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
‘Still Alice’ and the Empathetic Eye
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, one in three seniors are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia. There … 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
Sweet Liberation: ‘Cake’
I’ve become obsessed with freedom. What is it? Who has it? How can I tell? What does it look like? … 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
‘Wild’ on the Path to Consciousness
Wild has been praised by critics and audiences alike mainly because people love seeing people make tons of mistakes and … 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
True Love & ‘Perfect Sense’
Perfect Sense: A film that begs the question of what we are without our senses. What are tongues that can’t … 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
Old / Interesting: M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘Unbreakable’
I recently read a crude article in which some journalist attacked M. Night Shyamalan’s entire career. It was so plain … 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
You know what? 5 Reasons Why ‘Dear White People’ is a Must-See Dramedy
1. Woman with a Camera: In a film which seeks to expose a great number of social issues, giving multiple … 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 World of ‘Outlander’ vs. the Spectacle of ‘Reign’
I love history and I truly appreciate that people who run television networks think historical characters are worth putting on … 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
A Look at Police Violence & Race in Ryan Coogler’s ‘Fruitvale Station’
Oscar Grant was shot by a policeman at Fruitvale Station in Oakland just after midnight on January 1st, 2009. He … More
‘Gideon’s Army’: Documenting the Justice System
Public defenders uphold the constitutional right of an accused citizen to have defense under the presumption of the court that … More
Documentary Reflection: ‘The Square’
The most sinful behavior -if ever there was anything we could truly consider a “sin” about human nature- is that … More
Documentary: Framing Cultural Violence in ‘The Act of Killing’
‘The Act of Killing’ The way viewers react to Joshua Oppenheimer’s documentary ‘The Act of Killing’ comes down to the … More
Quiet Hipster Films / A Cinematic Whisper in Black/White: ‘Frances Ha’
Frances, O, Frances, where are you? Brooklyn, in the era of Hipsters and post-feminist feminists, in which no twenty-something without … More
Gun Violence On-Screen in ‘Blue Caprice’
The truest expression of horror is exacting terrifying measures on innocent creatures in an emotionless state. ‘Blue Caprice’, based on … More
‘Short Term 12’ Hits Home
If you have ever worked with kids, and you appreciate their age, you know that they teach you more than … More
‘20 Feet from Stardom’ Review
From the first moment, ’20 Feet from Stardom’ inhale-exhales devotion. Devotion to a group of mega-talented performers who held up … More
In the Life of Llewyn Davis / NYC in the 60s
The makings of a film people will watch: NEW YORK CITY + Music + The Coen Brothers made it. Not … More
A Knock-out Drama: the Private World Explored in ‘Concussion’
‘Concussion’: She said “I have to do something.” Abby Ableman reads and vacuums at the same time, fixes up hole-in-the-wall … 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
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
‘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
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
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
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
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
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
‘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
‘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
‘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
‘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
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
‘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
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
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
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
Kaitlin Sansoucie 