Letter to Peter

Oct 15, 2050 — Voice-over narration has existed since the beginnings of cinema and has been an integral part of some of the great masterworks of narrative film, from The Magnificent Ambersons to Double Indemnity to Jules and Jim to Taxi Driver. It spans...

Mar 21, 2019 — “The world is full of skeptics,” Detour’s Al Roberts struggles to explain, in voice-over, while on-screen we’re pondering Vera’s dead body. “I know. I’m one myself . . .”Even now, closing in on seventy-five years after the Producers Releasing Corporation...

Jan 26, 2018 — Death has been greedy this week, taking not only artists who have left their mark on cinema but others, too, who have made an impact on our culture overall. The week began with the passing on Monday of Ursula K....

Jun 11, 2020 — Early reviews suggest that this may be one of Lee’s most vital and immediately relevant features yet.

Jul 19, 2018 — Damien Chazelle’s First Man will open Venice, and Alfonso Cuarón’s Roma will be the NYFF’s Centerpiece presentation.

Jan 10, 2024 — A Nigerian exile wanders 1968 San Francisco in this gorgeously shot time capsule.

May 28, 2024 — With just a few exceptions, critics are generally pleased with this year’s awards.

Mar 19, 2015 — The author recalls his encounters and correspondence with the filmmaker.

Jan 13, 2015 — Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s characters play an endlessly layered game of dress-up in this tale of sadomasochistic love.

May 14, 2014 — The author recalls his meetings and correspondence with the uncompromisingly independent British director.