If you want to understand Presence, then listen to the Michael Jackson song “Man in the Mirror”.  Everything you need to know to get Presence is right there. But if you want me to explain further, keep on reading. Tyler…

Harakiri is, as of writing this, the highest rated movie on Letterboxd. For good reason, it’s a gorgeous, thought-provoking film that has a lot to say about the world.  I think most people who write about the movie will focus…

This may be a controversial opinion, but I think Brady Corbet‘s The Brutalist is actually a simple movie. Yes, it’s 215 minutes. Yes, it has a 15-minute intermission. Yes, a lot happens. But the metaphor? The metaphor is pretty straightforward.  …

Wolf Man’s major themes have to do with parents and children, specifically around ideas of communication and trauma. Blake’s dad loved him but communicated it horribly and that scarred Blake. On the flip side, Blake tries to be better with…

So you want to understand Better Man a little better? You’ve come to the right place. While the title tells you most of what you need to know, there’s this whole visual motif through the movie that I absolutely adore…

Nickel Boys is a tragic story that’s ultimately about perseverance and inspiration. If you want to understand the movie on a deeper level, you’ve come to the right place. Nickel Boys Explained Think of what happens at the Nickel Academy…

To understand A Ghost Story, let’s start by comparing the first scene to the last scene.  Everything you need to know is right there.  The Metaphor of A Ghost Story Explained C, as a ghost, spends years trying to unearth…

If you want a quick explanation of A Complete Unknown, here it is. A Complete Unknown has two levels. The first is Bob Dylan’s journey into and out of the folk scene. Initially, it’s something he wants to be part…

If you just want a quick explanation of Nosferatu, here it is. Nosferatu is about liberation from the burdens and judgments of society, especially around the idea of sex.  Remember, storytelling in mainstream cinema often relies on the relationship between…

If you just want a quick explanation of Babygirl, here it is. Babygirl is a mid-life coming-of-age movie. At the beginning, Romy’s sense of disconnect from her husband reaches a boiling point. Everything that happens between her and Samuel helps…

Everyone wants to know what happens in Primer. I’ll tell you. But let’s start with a quote from Shane Carruth himself. The Village Voice asked, “Does everything add up, or did you deliberately leave a few loose ends?” And he…