Raging Bullshit: Credits and the Hollywood Economy Raging Bullshit: Credits and the Hollywood Economy
The Max streaming platform debuted a credit system that obscures the actual work done by film writers and other creative workers.
Jun 8, 2023 / Ben Schwartz
Kelly Reichardt’s Cinema of Class Conflict Kelly Reichardt’s Cinema of Class Conflict
In her latest film, Showing Up, she continues a career-long project of examining the bitter resentments produced by inequality.
May 31, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Alex Kong
What Makes Special Effects Work? What Makes Special Effects Work?
In Empire of Effects, Julie Turnock examines how George Lucas and Industrial Light & Magic transformed the way we make and view movies.
May 30, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Malcolm Harris
The Indulgences of Rainer Werner Fassbinder The Indulgences of Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Ian Penman’s study of the German filmmaker’s work elucidates his “cocaine communism”—an aesthetics and politics of revolution and pleasure.
May 18, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Andrew Marzoni
Is There Anything Below the Surface in “Beau Is Afraid”? Is There Anything Below the Surface in “Beau Is Afraid”?
When mothers and dreams are involved, it is hard not to think of Freud. But in Ari Aster’s latest, very little is left to the imagination.
May 16, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Jorge Cotte
AI and the Hollywood Writers’ Strike AI and the Hollywood Writers’ Strike
Creative workers are fighting to preserve the human factor in the entertainment industry.
May 8, 2023 / Ben Schwartz
Writers Like Me Have Shut Down Hollywood. Here’s Why. Writers Like Me Have Shut Down Hollywood. Here’s Why.
The Writers Guild of America is on strike because Hollywood bosses have treated our demands for fair and sustainable working conditions with contempt.
May 4, 2023 / Josh Gondelman
Sean McElwee’s Betting Against Democracy Sean McElwee’s Betting Against Democracy
The Data for Progress founder’s gambling isn’t just a bad habit. It’s a symptom of the decay of solidarity.
May 1, 2023 / Jeet Heer
Donald Trump Sinks to a New Low by Dog-Whistling an Old Racist Tune Donald Trump Sinks to a New Low by Dog-Whistling an Old Racist Tune
Insinuating that special prosecutor Jack Smith changed his name might seem like an odd tactic for someone whose family name was Drumpf—unless you know the history.
Apr 14, 2023 / David Margolick
The First Great Action Movie About Climate Justice? The First Great Action Movie About Climate Justice?
A conversation with Daniel Goldhaber about adapting Andreas Malm's How to Blow Up a Pipeline into a politically-minded thriller.
Apr 13, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Sam Russek