The Letter

Nov 11, 2022 — This week we’re celebrating Scorsese, rediscovering Noriaki Tsuchimoto, and doing a little close reading with Frederick Wiseman.

Jul 15, 2022 — In her last significant film role, the art-house icon reveals an emotional vulnerability previously hidden by her ethereal persona.

Jun 29, 2022 — A fresh round on biographies and studies of filmmakers and actors as well as a few novel ideas and critical collections.

May 11, 2021 — Dorothy Arzner’s deeply cynical portrait of marriage exemplifies the director’s ambivalence toward the norms dictating female behavior, wielding ironic detachment to mask one woman’s simmering inner turmoil.

Apr 2, 2021 — More mysteries from Rian Johnson plus notes on forthcoming films from Steven Spielberg, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Alma Har’el, and more.

Dec 19, 2019 — Lists (of course), but also philosophical surveys, biographies, and coffee table books are featured in this month’s round.

Oct 16, 2019 — This month’s round includes new critical assessments of Bresson and Rohmer, Hollywood memoirs, and interviews with living legends.

May 16, 2019 — All week long, writers have been reminding us that there was more to Doris Day than sweet sunshine.

Nov 11, 2018 — Criterion producer Abbey Lustgarten walks us through the structure and features of a monumental new box set celebrating the Swedish master.

Oct 18, 2018 — An autumnal round of reviews, excerpts, interviews, and news.