Movies
Why the First Iron Man Still Works
Before the universe became the attraction, one sharp character and a box of scraps were enough.
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Movies
I like ambitious science fiction, sharply made thrillers, and films that reveal something new when revisited. This section collects full essays as well as smaller observations.
Movies
The Best Scene in Iron Man Has No Armor in It
A quiet conversation on a rooftop explains the whole movie.
Movies
Arrival and the Shape of Understanding
A science-fiction film where listening is the most consequential form of action.
Movies
Heat and the City Between Them
Michael Mann turns Los Angeles into the distance separating two men who understand each other.
Movies
Movies Where the City Becomes a Character
Five films that understand streets, rooms, and transit systems as more than backgrounds.
Movies
The Pleasure of a Good Rewatch
Knowing what happens can make room for everything happening around it.