Essays

Occasionally, I get hit with a bout of inspiration that causes me to pen an essay concerning an aspect of film that a review won’t do justice. Those moments of written catharsis are listed below, along with a few articles in which I iterate how important film has been to my personal life. Enjoy!

March 25, 2020
A look at the career of cinema’s finest actor.

Sept. 23, 2019
A few words on the passing of my grandfather; service, humility, integrity, Jarhead.

Sept. 1, 2018
In which I share my absolute love for DVD and Blu-Ray commentaries.

July 1, 2018
The filmmakers behind Armageddon discuss why the movie is so insane.

April 4, 2018
In which I examine the first three shots of every Steven Soderbergh film.

Feb. 8, 2018
One of film's best DPs hasn't won an Oscar. Yet. Here's a look at his nominated work.

Oct. 17 - Dec. 1 2017
An exhaustive chronicle of how I made my feature film, Wait.

Feb. 23, 2017
No one in Oscar history has more nominations with zero wins. Here's a look at his great work.

Dec. 19, 2016
When rival studios release similar movies at the same time, one is bound to get screwed.


April 10, 2016
In which I discuss every single shot from Steve McQueen's masterpiece.

Aug. 18, 2015
Explaining my ongoing fascination with movies that take place in real time

Feb. 22, 2015
Wishing for some big upsets on Oscar day

Feb. 6, 2015
Examining each film in the 007 canon

August 12, 2014
An intensely personal essay on what the late Robin Williams meant to me

August 10, 2014
Dissecting the opening scene from Jaws, and the unimportant lighting errors in it

July 7, 2014
Highlighting the finest and most deranged films from this unique cinematic movement

June 13, 2014
In the wake of her passing, I recall the finest scene of Ruby Dee’s career

May 20, 2014
A visual tribute to one of the best eyes to ever step behind a film camera

March 3, 2014
Is the continual lack of surprise making the Oscars less enjoyable?

Feb. 3, 2014
Remembering one of the finest actors who ever lived

Jan. 27, 2014
A detailed analysis on Fincher’s ability to turn “mundane” scenes into works of art

Dec. 1, 2013
Why are we so affected by celebrity deaths?

Nov. 3, 2013
At what point do those five controversial words become cheap manipulation?

Aug. 13, 2013
Examining Ellis' prose and the films spawned from them

Aug. 8, 2013
Breaking down a mystifying scene from No Country for Old Men

March 1, 2013
How Spike Lee’s signature shot helps distinguish his films, for better or worse

Feb. 4, 2013
Netflix’s new show is a tense sensation. And it’s going to change the game.

Oct. 23, 2012
Blood and guts vs. Fear and dread

Oct. 11, 2012
A visual essay of the work of Harris Savides, master of the dark

Sept. 11, 2012
Why Spike Lee’s 25th Hour is the most important movie ever made about 9/11

July 13, 2012
Detailing one of my favorite directors’ auteurist style of filmmaking

May 21, 2012
The story of a 9/11-rescue worker, and his favorite films that represent his city

May 7, 2012
An attempt to shed light on the lack of female directors of photography

April 27, 2012
Once and for all, the deciding debate on which ‘70s icon is the better performer

April 25, 2012
Making a case as to why HBO’s Girls is the best show on television

March 27, 2012
Examining the contradictions of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)

Jan. 2, 2012
Remembering my best friend, on the ninth anniversary of his death

Oct. 21, 2011
Chronicling the influential films my estranged brother showed me as a child

June 3, 2011
Comparing and contrasting two World War II epics released five months apart

8 comments:

  1. Reading these articles has been great, you should do some more . Plus you should continue your directors series aswell, I always enjoy reading them.

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    1. Wow, this comment just made my day. Seriously. Thanks so much for taking the time to read these essays, and my Director profiles.

      I've got a big, personal essay coming up in a couple weeks, and a Michael Haneke profile this week. Hope you enjoy them! Thanks again for this comment!

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  2. Discovering your website has been the greatest internet find for me, ever! I'm trying to study for the California Bar Exam, but cant stop reading your articles and essays. Such a gold mine of interesting and well written pieces. Please keep up the great work, I intend on reading everything you post on this site.

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    1. Peter, wow, thank you so much man. I can't tell you how much that means to me. Genuinely, comments like yours make writing on this site worth it.

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  3. Could you ever do an essay or a list about actor's personal favorite performances or director's persona favorite films. There is not much info of actors favorite performances of their ow and directors favorite that are their own.

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    1. Oh that's a great idea. The one issue is that, for actors especially, their answer changes so often, because they are legally required to say things like, "Best film I've ever been involved with," "Best set I've ever been on," "Best script I've ever read," "Best director I've ever worked with..." while they are marketing a film. Like, that shit is written into their contract. Isn't that nuts?

      But I do know some director's answers, and they are fascinating. Coppola's is The Conversation, William Friedkin's is Killer Joe, Spike Lee's is Malcolm X. Love that stuff.

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    2. John Smith: I did not know that actors or directors where required to do that! So stupid... I'm so happy that Coppolas favorite is The Conversation since that one is my favorite to and it also has what i consider to be Gene Hackmans favorite performance.

      I think i read somewhere that Raging Bull was Scorceses favorite, Robert De Niros favorites are everything he has done with Martin Scorcese and Midnight Run as movies that where special.

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    3. I would LOVE a definitive answer from Scorsese about what his favorite movie is of his own. I've heard a few different answers from him, everything from Raging Bull to The Age of Innocence. Be so cool to know for certain.

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