It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley (2025) (dir. Amy Berg)
Finally catching up with some reviews during a difficult time. The first of which is a special one to me, since Jeff Buckley is my favorite vocalist of all time. This new doc showcases precisely why.
New Movie Reviews (July 2025)
5 reviews of several titles that I caught up with including a couple of indie films, a superhero movie that I actually liked and my third favorite film of the year so far.
Eddington (2025) (dir. Ari Aster)
With each subsequent film from Aster, I find flaws that stand out rather than sense any growth or maturity. Eddington might be his weakest work to date but it's still worth discussing regardless.
Bonus Episode: 1999 Review - The Year In Music
Music talk is the B-side to the A-side movie talk of this pod. It's time for another yearly tradition as we go back to talk about a year in music, this time making up the one year we missed with 1999
Episode 238: Michael Bay (feat. guest hosts Chloe Waryan and Luther Moss)
Jim has been on summer break, moving to a new home, working on other projects. So he thought it would be best to sit this one out and let his friends Chloe & Luther take the lead on one Michael Bay!
The Year In Film: 2025 So Far
Plus this here podcast/Substack, film and music, life, general thoughts. And a full review of my favorite movie/documentary of the year so far.
"Live to Tell" - Madonna
It's been a while since I've written about music and upon revisiting an immaculate collection by a particular and singular artist that everyone knows, I decided to write about this ballad.
Only The Lonely (and/or Help the Aged)
What happens when experiencing emotional immaturity with someone who was supposed to model self-care and well-being for you from the very beginning? I explore this further through a film.
New Reviews, CCFF + Livestream Tonight!
A little bit of everything for this week's roundup of reviews and don't miss the next livestream video mixtape tonight at 7pm/CST! Come join the fun and say hi!
Synecdoche, New York (2008) (dir. Charlie Kaufman)
This movie is an obscure moon lighting an obscure world. It's time to put forth some words on my 2nd favorite film ever made for my day of birth.
Episode 237: Ross McElwee
Happy Birthday to me! This episode is all about a documentarian that truly changed how I looked at filmmaking. Archivist and historian Eric Edwards joins me for a bit to talk all about Ross McElwee!
Inherent Vice (2014) (dir. Paul Thomas Anderson)
An attempt to see through the fog and find a little sliver of light here in 2025.
What You Are Looking for Is in the Library (2023) (Michiko Aoyama)
The title of this book has layers - it's not about simply finding a book or a movie, it's about finding each other and a whole new direction in life that ultimately becomes more fulfilling.
Episode 236: Jack Clayton (feat. Rachel Bellwoar)
Rachel is a writer, pop culture enthusiast & cinephile! Her work has appeared on the Courier-Post, ComiCon, Physical Media Advocate and more! Together we discuss the innovative Jack Clayton.
Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983) (dir. Jack Clayton)
Far from perfect, Clayton's Wicked is still a film that has so many strengths going for it that I'm willing to look past the imperfections and simply go with it based on vibes and performance alone.
New Reviews, CCFF, New Short Film!
Reviews of The Shrouds, Darkest Miriam and Secret Mall Apartment - along with my third short film, and links to get tickets for the Chicago Critics Film Festival!
New Reviews + New Short Film!
Two new movie reviews of Eric LaRue & Misericordia; both I highly recommend. In the coming weeks, more library-related new releases, CCFF and much more!
Past from the Blast: Episodes 1 + 2
Bi-weekly feature – a look back at Director's Club, sharing memories and surprises upon revisiting an episode as well as updated thoughts on the director covered. Apologies in advance to Patrick.
