The New NormalI recently wrote my reflections on Adam Bhala Lough’s documentary The New Radical, of which I was a producer. A political film bookended by…Nov 3Nov 3
Immediate thoughts on…You know how to tell when you really love a TV series? When you have a Pavlovian response to the theme music. The Sopranos and Game of…Aug 16Aug 16
My Year in Film 2023Remember in 2019, when my favorite movies were ones that you had heard of?Feb 27Feb 27
Shuhada’ Sadaqa (née Sinéad O’Connor) 1966–2023I went on a major Sinead O’Connor kick in 2022 after seeing the fantastic documentary Nothing Compares at the Hot Docs festival. The truth…Jul 26, 20231Jul 26, 20231
My Year in Film 2022OK, Oscar night, for the few who still care. For those who REALLY care, it’s the ISTIC ILLIC Year in Film. My categories, my picks. Always…Mar 13, 2023Mar 13, 2023
Kiarostami at tiff, EpilogueA few weeks ago, a friend asked me why Abbas Kiarostami is my favorite film director. Having just written an essay about him, I recounted…Jun 28, 20221Jun 28, 20221
TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX ANNOUNCES ABBAS KIAROSTAMI RETROSPECTIVE SPONSORED BY ISTIC ILLIC!How did I become the cinephile I am today? Why do I put my heart, soul, and money into the fantastically difficult business of independent…May 12, 2022May 12, 2022
My Year in Film 2021, How to Fix the Oscars, and an AnnouncementIn 2021, I fell. I was conquered by the great wave that is streaming and Infinite Content. I caught bad habits — comfort food TV, the…Mar 28, 2022Mar 28, 2022