The Dreamlike Power of Hitchcock’s Iconic Redwoods Scene

Here I was born, and there I died. It was only a moment for you; you took no notice.   These immortal words reflect the cyclical nature of life, destiny, and finding meaning in it all, visibly shown with rings in a tree. They also capture the essence of some truly iconic scenes in cinema history, which…

My Top 10 Movies for Cinephiles and Pop Culture Nerds

I write a top ten list every once in a while to help my SEO because we all need to be shameless to a degree, but also so future generations can discuss my likes. I have no idea what my great-grandfather back in Ireland had in his top ten songs. I’d wager “Pass Me Not,…

Let the Ghosts Lull You to Sleep: Finding Calm in Old Movies

Do you ever have trouble falling asleep because your mind is racing or you feel too wired from the day? Some nights when sleep evades me, I’ve found comfort and calm in an unusual source – leaving an old movie playing softly in the background.  It started with 39 Steps, an old Hitchcock movie. There’s…

Why Jackie Brown is Tarantino’s Best Film

With his unique style and over-the-top violence, Quentin Tarantino has crafted some incredible films over the years. But in my opinion, his most nuanced and compelling work is 1997’s Jackie Brown. Now available to watch on Amazon Prime, Jackie Brown stands out for its restraint and subtlety compared to Tarantino’s other films.  I’ve always liked…

Emotional Directorial Debuts from Female Filmmakers’ Personal Stories

I recently watched two poignant films that pulled me into their intimate worlds and left me emotionally drained (in a good way) – Past Lives and Aftersun. Both movies derive from the personal histories of their talented first-time female directors, Celine Song and Charlotte Wells respectively. It’s remarkable, arguably the best movies of the last…

The Man Who Hates Good Movies: Armond White

Among the most infamous contrarian film critics is Armond White, who seems to take particular pleasure in defying critical consensus and panning beloved movies. White pulls no punches when reviewing Oscar contenders and box office smashes alike.

Neill Blomkamp: The Director who Disappeared. (But he’s back)

I first discovered the work of director Neill Blomkamp back in 2005 when his sci-fi short film Alive in Joburg took the internet by storm. This was pre-iPhone and just at the inception of YouTube. Even today, over 15 years later, I still remember being utterly captivated by that 6-minute short. The innovative CGI, the…

Finding My Filmmaking Roots in Vermont

It’s been a while since I moved to Vermont, I was excited to join the Vermont Production Collective, a community of creative professionals working together to produce films and other media projects in the state. As someone who has dabbled in filmmaking over the years, I’m looking forward to collaborating with other local artists and…