Unleashing the Wolf

Wolf (1994) is a perennial favorite, a film I’ve been revisiting once or twice a year for a long time now. I suppose that makes it a comfort film, too. My first viewing was in the theater in 1994 and, to paraphrase Rene Zellweger in Jerry Maguire, Wolf had me at hello. The story of … Continue reading Unleashing the Wolf →

Possession

The legend of Lou Reed's Berlin (1973), the brutal concept album about the disintegration of a marriage, goes something like this: coming off his first big solo success with Transformer (1972), Reed and producer Bob Ezrin inexplicably set out to make "the most depressing album of all time." And if you know (and love) Berlin … Continue reading Possession →

What Lies Beneath

Twenty-one years after its release, What Lies Beneath (2000) is finally available on Blu-ray. Long overdue on the format, this spooky chiller from Robert Zemekis stars Michelle Pfeiffer in one of her most underrated performances as former cellist Claire Spencer, whose life might be haunted. It's also her film, as she's in almost every scene, … Continue reading What Lies Beneath →

From the Vault: Eyes of Laura Mars

This essay first appeared, in slightly different form, at my old site, four years ago. Eyes of Laura Mars is a favorite slasher/American giallo-style horror film of mine, so Halloween season feels like the perfect time to revisit it. As its title indicates, Eyes of Laura Mars (1978) is especially concerned with eyes, and specifically … Continue reading From the Vault: Eyes of Laura Mars →

From the Vault: Kelly Bundy and the Alternative Family Ideal

This was originally published at my old site four years ago. I've revised it a bit to share here because of actress Christina Applegate's recent disclosure that she has multiple sclerosis. Applegate holds a special place in my heart and has since I was roughly 12 years old, thanks to her funny and sexy performance … Continue reading From the Vault: Kelly Bundy and the Alternative Family Ideal →

Afraid

I'm afraid. I'm afraid to be alone, I'm afraid not to be alone. I'm afraid of what I am, what I'm not, what I might become, what I might never become. I don't want to stay at my job for the rest of my life but I'm afraid to leave. And I'm just tired, you … Continue reading Afraid →

Sea of Love

"I feel like a fucking teenager."Det. Frank Keller, Sea of Love Knocked silly, knocked flat, sideways downThese things they pick you up and turn you aroundSay your pieceSay you're sweet for meREM, "Me In Honey" Teenage love and lust in all its messy and passionate glory is the ultimate love, right? I mean, that's what … Continue reading Sea of Love →