Category Archives: Uncategorized

I grew up in a cloud of  second-hand smoke in the 1950s when it seemed like everybody smoked — my parents, their friends, actors in movies and on TV — everybody. Smoking bans were years in the future. Health concerns … Continue reading →

I inadvertently published my latest post, “Still Smoking,” before it was finished. Sorry for any confusion. The completed version will go out later today or tomorrow. Thanks for your patience. — Ted Hicks

When I first heard that Christopher Nolan’s next film would be The Odyssey, as in Homer’s epic poem, I was somewhat perplexed. I thought it an odd choice for the director of a trio of Batman films (2005-2012), Interstellar (2014), Dunkirk (2017), Tenet (2020), and Oppenheimer (2023). It … Continue reading →

As with previous Face Time posts, the actors in these photos all have the Look, faces that held the screen and our attention, then and now. Looking at these images today, much of their power comes from our shared history … Continue reading →

As with previous editions, this consists mainly of shots of actors and directors caught in off-camera moments during the making of a movie, sometimes off-set, at home and elsewhere. Some are candid while others are obviously posed for promotional purposes. … Continue reading →

This is continuing the list of films I saw in the year 2000 and notes I wrote about them at the time. As before, current updates are in bold. ______________________________________________ 8/17. MABOROSI (1995) at Walter Reade. Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, who … Continue reading →

This is a follow-up to the four previous installments of Selected Takes. In 1996, I started keeping a log of films I saw. Initially, I wrote notes for each film expressing my reactions, but eventually wrote less and less until … Continue reading →

A lot has already been written about Frederick Wiseman in the wake of his death on February 16, but I wanted to add my thoughts about his extraordinary, unparalleled career. He was a major artist who leaves a massive body … Continue reading →

Okay, this again. As with previous editions, this consists mainly of shots of actors and directors caught in off-camera moments during the making of a movie, sometimes off-set, at home and elsewhere. Some are candid while others are obviously posed … Continue reading →

__________________________________________________ Leonardo DeCaprio & Jennifer Lawrence  (32:39) __________________________________________________ Ariana Grande & Adam Sandler  (42:54) __________________________________________________ Colin Farrell & Jessie Buckley  (45:43) __________________________________________________ Kate Hudson & Jeremy Allen White  (36:40) __________________________________________________ Michael B. Jordan & Jesse Plemons  (39:36) __________________________________________________ Jacob Elordi … Continue reading →