143: October 2026

I think I need a hobby. Not writing; I went and monetized that years ago, and although I'll be the first to tell you that I'm a film critic for sport, this is also a second job on top of the one I do full time. I've been sick for the last month, so running has sadly fallen by the wayside, and we're getting into the colder months, so I've put the garden to bed. I need a creative outlet, something to make with my hands. Carving a jack o'lantern this week may have awakened something in me; it might be time to try carving rubber stamps, or making linocut prints, or something.

What I wrote:

For Bright Wall/Dark Room's Midlife Crisis issue, I wrote about Heat.

For Seeing & Believing, I reviewed The Social Reckoning and the essential documentary NAZA. I've also been covering the Chicago International Film Festival; we'll be sending those capsule reviews out soon, so go ahead and give Seeing & Believing a subscription if you'd like that coverage in your inbox as soon as it's up.

What I talked about:

Spooky season means talking about horror movies! I returned to the Fear of God podcast to talk about Paranormal Activity 4 (and give a few TIFF recommendations). This podcast is something special: whenever I tune in (or guest), I end up hearing something life-giving, even and especially when the conversation is about movies that most people would be right to dismiss.

I also dropped by the Cows in the Field podcast to talk about the original Alien, another stop on the book promotion tour and a really fun conversation.