Oscars Post-Mortem: Let People Enjoy Things
I’m glad PTA won best director, I’m doubly glad Michael B. Jordan won best actor, I wish for lots of reasons that “Sinners” had won best picture but, fine, the movie will last. And other thoughts.
Latest
Ty's Oscar Predictions, 2026
Do the problems of a little golden guy with no visible genitalia amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world?
Watch List Digest 3/8/26
A farewell to a great documentarian, Oscar short-film predictions, a bit of movie recommending and a bit of ranting, and one super-sized 70's-music playlist.
Pick Up the Pieces: A High School Reunion Playlist
One for the sixty-somethings: The wonderful, mortifying soundtrack of our adolescence.
What to Watch: The god-damn news, "Sirat," a new Jarmusch, and more.
Reviews of Spain's Oscar nominee, plus "Father Mother Sister Brother," Jodie Foster in "A Private Life," Claire Foy in "H is for Hawk" and one ball-busting Pre-Code movie starring Edward G. Robinson.
What to Watch: Oscar Shorts!
Reviews, predictions and links for all 15 nominees in all three short film categories, plus a belated look at "KPop Demon Hunters" and "Song Sung Blue."
Frederick Wiseman 1930-2026
What the great documentarian leaves as his legacy: The human species, observed.
Watch List Digest 2/20/26
Farewells to Bud Cort, Robert Duvall and our collective moviegoing youth.
What to Watch: 10 Good Movies on Netflix 🔒
You want art, go to the Criterion Channel.
Robert Duvall 1931-2026
Farewell to one of the cinema's greatest character stars.
Bud Cort 1948-2026
What the star of "Harold and Maude" once meant to the author's younger self.
Watch List Digest 2/8/26
Getcher Bad Bunny playlist right here. And more.
Music 🎸
Fred Smith: Ace of Bass
Farewell to the heartbeat of a legendary rock band.
New Movies
What to Watch: "The Secret Agent"
Brazil's four-time Oscar nominee comes to streaming platforms in time for you to bone up - or get your Wagner Moura freak on - before the big night. Plus: Sundance reviews of "Josephine" and "Ha-chan: Shake Your Booty!"
Music 🎸
How to Prep for a Halftime Show
Remembrances ⭐️
Catherine O'Hara 1954-2026
Come with us as the Watch List revisits highlights of a brilliantly demented career. Plus a few thoughts on the man known as Conejo Malo -- the Bunny Who is Bad
What to Watch
What to Watch: "Mr. Nobody Against Putin" and more
A startling documentary from inside Russia, plus two streaming recommendations, one must-avoid and a celebration of Brazil's director-of-the-moment.
What to Watch
What to Watch: "Zelig,""The Rip"
Woody's secret masterpiece makes a rare appearance on VOD. Plus: The new Matt-and-Ben extravaganza and "Kumiko the Treasure Hunter"
Awards 🏆
The 98th Oscars: Nom Nom Noms
Surprise: Academy voters nominated the strongest group of Best Picture contenders in years.
Weekly Digest
Watch List Digest 1/21/26
An educational announcement and 10 must-see Sundance movies.
Festival Reports
Preview: The Last Sundance (sort of)
Ten films to catch at Sundance 2026
Events
Take a Class with Professor Ty
Starting February 24, I'm teaching a ten-week online course in the history of movie stardom.
Weekly Digest
Watch List Digest 1/11/26
Deal with reality or go hide in a movie? Why not both?
Good Movies 📽
What to Watch: The Republic, If You Can Keep It
Some thoughts on a terrible week and, yes, some movie recs: "Peter Hujar's Day," "Zodiac Killer Project" and John Sayles' "Matewan." Plus more for paid subscribers.