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Body Horror Intertwined with Reproductive Healthcare: Rewatching The Fly (1986) & Dead Ringers (1988) Today
While The Fly is implicitly and explicitly about abortion, Dead Ringers takes on the entire sphere of gynecological healthcare – how the patriarchy poisons even a sphere where pregnant people should feel safe and listened to.
Why Can’t Cinema Satisfy Lady Chatterley’s Lover?
The biggest problem with adaptations of Lady Chatterley’s Lover is not just thinly drawn characters or poorly filmed sex scenes, it is in how they leave what makes the novel intellectually provoking on the cutting room floor.
Don't Worry Darling and the Sexual Politics of Control
Guest contributor Zoe Rogan explores the parallels between Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry Darling and Luis Buñuel’s Belle du Jour – both films set within repressive worlds, heavy on themes of control, patriarchy and sex, and feature women who seek to break free.
An Introduction to Hong Kong and Taiwan Cinema
Carlo and East Asian literature/film academic Jessica Siu-yin Yeung talk about their mutual love for Hong Kong and Taiwan cinema – including the best five films to get you started on your own cinematic journey.
I Watched It Five Times in Theaters So You Don't Have To: Tom Hooper's Cats
The experience of seeing Cats, especially at a late-night or rowdy screenings, is like trying to solve a brain-teaser in a karaoke bar on a rollercoaster. Guest contributor PJ Kryfko lays out who, what, and how of Cats, as well as why he will be watching it for the rest of his life.
Ep# 37 - The Late Jerry Lewis: Cracking Up & The Nutty Professor Cartoon
Guest Ben Nash joins Jenna to discuss two later Jerry Lewis offerings. One of the overlooked genius type, aka Cracking Up, and one of the don’t-even-look vomit type, aka The Nutty Professor II: Facing the Fear.
Ep#23 - Hoser Horror: My Bloody Valentine & Visiting Hours
Carlo, Dan and guest Adam Eisentrout discuss My Bloody Valentine (1981), and Visiting Hours (1982) and their place in the pantheon of blood-soaked Canadian stab-’em-ups.
The LEGO Movies and Wreck-It Ralph Dismantle Toxic Masculinity Brick by Brick
Guest contributor Russell discusses the recent animated film trend of directly addressing toxic masculinity. Between how The LEGO Movie 2, LEGO Batman and Ralph Breaks The Internet tackles the topic, he wishes more movies like these had been around when he was a kid.
Double Feature: Fractions of Art and Mind (8½ & 9½ Weeks)
You may be surprised to find out that 8 1/2 and 9 1/2 Weeks have more in common than their sequential titles; they’re both approaches to art-making about approaching art-making.
Suspiria's Problematic Take on Fascism and Guilt
With the character of Dr Klemperer, Luca Guadagnino and David Kajganich make an assumption of guilt that should be unpacked. In weighing the insinuations of this storyline, Auschwitz survivor Primo Levi comes to mind.
Back Row's First Year in Movie Reviews, Articles & Lists
Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you,
You look like a monkey and you smell like one too
SubUrbia: The Kitsch Underbelly of America
American suburbia reborn in the '80s and '90s as a haven in a heartless world
Interview: Director Myroslav Slaboshpytskyi on The Tribe
Interview with director Myroslav Slaboshpytskyi on The Tribe, silent films and upcoming projects
Zalman King's Two Moon Junction is Twin Peaks' Dirty Secret
Two Moon Junction is an erotic thriller straight out of the Black Lodge... or is it vice versa?
Interview: Director Robert Budreau on Born To Be Blue
Interview with director Robert Budreau on Born to be Blue, jazz, and being true to the spirit of Chet Baker.
What a Twist: Double Consciousness and M. Night Shyamalan
To boil M Night Shyamalan down to just meaningless "twists" is to miss the point of his entire body of work