Book Review: "How to Prepare for the Past"
A phantasmagoric rock memoir from a man who apparently was everywhere. Plus: Billy Collins parodies Mary Oliver (or does he?) and some Criterion Channel picks.
Poetic Injustice: The "Mary Oliver" documentary
A new film by Sasha Waters is a celebratory portrait of the beloved poet, but there's a tougher Mary Oliver somewhere behind the stanzas.
What to Watch: "Wild Inside," "Late Fame," "Tony" & "The Invite"
An owl, a poet and a chef walk into a bar.
(More) Tales of Brave Ulysses
Looking for a leaner, meaner, classier "Odyssey"? "The Return," with Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche, awaits you on VOD. Plus, some thoughts on Emily Wilson (scorpion) and Christopher Nolan (frog).
On Rock 'n' Roll Ghosts and Other Matters
David Toop's "Two-Headed Doctor" is a spellbinding genealogy of American music tied to one of the strangest, deepest records of the 1960s. Plus a few movie things.
What to Watch: "Remake," "Tuner"
A nifty little thriller on demand and, in theaters, an aching confession of complicity and regret from one of our finest documentarians.
The Watch List Turns 5
Ramblin' Man: "The Odyssey" reviewed
Christopher Nolan's blockbuster adaptation of the classic tale is an unexpected Homer.
Sam Neill 1947-2026
Farewell to a changeling actor who amassed innumerable credits while never quite getting the credit he deserved.
Watch List Digest 7/12/26
Went away, got bit, got sick, got better -- how's your summer been?
Weekend Playlist: Drive, He Said
In which the author searches for the fool's gold of the Platonic Ideal of a car tunes playlist.
What to Watch: Four Cool Streams for a Hot Weekend
New to VOD: Four cinematic diversions running the gamut from the sublime to the very silly.