Thumbnails Special Edition: And a Child Shall Lead Them
A special edition of Thumbnails centering on the youth-led fight for gun control.
Features
Greta Gerwig Joins Short Legacy of Female Best Director Nominees
Greta Gerwig is the fifth woman to be nominated for the Oscar for Best Director.
CSO’s African American Network to Screen Timely Silent Film The Scar of Shame
As part of Black History Month, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s African American Network will screen “The Scar of Shame,” with Renee Baker’s score, on Feb. 24 in Buntrock Hall.
The Visual Language of Mudbound Cinematographer Rachel Morrison
A photo essay look at the visual language of Oscar-nominated Mudbound.
American Horror: On Criterion’s Night of the Living Dead and The Silence of the Lambs
On two excellent Criterion releases of classic horror films.
Dreams of Africa: The Fantasy Politics of Black Panther
A rare superhero fantasy that’s plugged into the real world, but that still can’t be all things to all viewers.
The History of Hollywood’s Difficult Women
Difficult is a gendered term fueled by the Hollywood machine and maintained by the belief that actresses aren’t responsible for the achievement of their films.
When Is a Superhero Movie Not Just a Movie? When it is Black Panther.
An article about the wide-ranging efforts to arrange free screenings for students and young people to see the groundbreaking “Black Panther.”
Star Trek: Discovery Returns to Series’ Musical Roots
A look at the use of music in the Star Trek series and how the season finale of Discovery recalled its legacy.
Clint Eastwood’s Accidental Heroes
Perhaps Eastwood isn’t just interrogating heroism, he’s interrogating himself.
Bright Wall/Dark Room: Stigma & Myth in Belle Rive by Paul Fischer
This month’s excerpt from online magazine Bright Wall/Dark Room is an essay by Paul Fischer about “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
The Journey of a Remarkable Artist: The Career of Gary Oldman
A history of Gary Oldman’s performances.
Video Q&A with Ahmad Kiarostami
A Q&A recently held by Godfrey Cheshire with Ahmad Kiarostami about his father’s final film, “24 Frames.”
Short Films in Focus: The 2018 Oscar-Nominated Short Films
An in-depth look at the short films that have been nominated for an Oscar this year.
Why The Bad Batch is one of the best films of 2017
The director of “Doctor Strange” praises a cannibal movie that combines aspects of Flannery O’Connor and David Lynch.
Be Careful With It: Moments of Martin
A tribute to John Mahoney’s work on NBC’s Frasier as the unforgettable Martin Crane.
Chinese New Year: Man’s Best Friend
An article commemorating the 2018 Chinese New Year, the Year of the Dog.
Overheard lives: an appreciation of eavesdropping in the city
Very few of the films or TV shows I write about are as fascinating and full of unruly life as the encounters I have every day in the city.
