Media Matters

      War films featuring combat footage have been a popular kind of movie for years, deriving from dramatic fiction as well as documentary news. A recent one was TV's "20 Days in Mariupol" (2023 ) directed by Ukrainian Mstyslav Chernov:  it was certainly an outstanding work capturing the fighting in a well-known city like Mariupol. On November 25, PBS' extraordinary documentary series, Frontline, ( in collaboration with Associated Press ) broadcasted a second film by Chernov  called "2000 Meters to Andriivka." Same director, same war and same subject matter as the previous movie. Same production team. Both films making their way day-by-day and meter-by-meter to complete their missions.      Yet these two works are very, very different. Chernov's current movie has won an Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2025, along with other prestigious international prizes. Most importantly, it can truly be considered an example of cinematic art. Unlik...

      If you usually report on Media and Politics, you may currently have "Writer's Block.  I know I do. Trump's first one hundred days has taken over most topics in journalism ( including subjects found on blogs ).  Meaning very few interesting and provocative issues remain to be covered. Or writers, like lots of Americans, find themselves too upset, preoccupied and confused to deal with issues of the day.        In desperation, I start watching films more than usual on TV's TCM ( Turner Classic Movies ). It's a habit I have had for years, although this time, the malaise surrounding our current state of government seems worse than ever. I ask myself a salient question:  Does viewing motion pictures help relieve my anxiety over tariffs and immigration and loss of jobs? And most recently, defunding of Public Media ( namely PBS and NPR )?      The answer is "NO."      Except for two movies I accidently sa...

       The visual image of a "FIRE" burning bright has conjured up many different meanings and purposes throughout the history of the world. In literature, fires have stood for varied  symbols, like passion, wisdom and energy. In Greek mythology, Prometheus held an important position as the stealer of fire      In movies, fires have served as a primary theme, ( like in "The Towering Inferno '') where Hollywood superstares ( Paul Newman and Steve McQueen) used their power and control to prove that men can save the world from unbelievable catasthrophes,      The recent fires in California also  provide a theme; this time it is TV broadcasting a  real event  that is horrific because the viewers know it's authentic, and because we can't take our eyes away from the images. We are both drawn in and drawn away from the visual explosions.      But there is another theme accounting for the na...

        Documentary films made specifically for television broadcast have become not only accepted but also respected since the early 1960s. Similarly, the directors who make these motion pictures have been highly admired as contributing to the art of cinema. Frederick Wiseman's works about significant American institutions, like mental hospitals and high schools, are still honored  after more than 60 years as are Wisemen's more recent documentaries.  Films by the  Maysles brothers about cultural icons like The Rolling Stones ( " Gimme Shelter " )   continue to dominate our TV legacy. Ken Burns fills public TV with stories of American history, like the Civil War and the game of baseball.          Another documentarian, Errol Morris, is not as well-known. Yet his latest movie, " Separated,  " is headed to become very salient in today's political landscape. Its style is a combination of both non-fiction  ( int...

       Recent Presidential Debates have exposed Americans to an essential matter, even though they probably didn't realize it. In a nutshell, the TV audience has begun to consider the following question: which is more important - WHAT the candidate says or HOW he/she says it?       For years, the appropriate answer was CONTENT: what information the person running for office had to covey about important topics like the economy, wars,  violence, immigration and so forth.       However, it appears to this critic that the situation has changed particulaly in the last few months. Consider the debate on June 27th between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. When people remember the interaction between these two men, Biden's awkward non-verbal communication comes to mind quickly.  His obvious stutter, confused look, and disorganized wording  (among other body / voice elements ) were so prevalent i...

      Real life on TV is often more dramatic than fictional enactments; political events have proven the point time and time again. Consider the national nominating conventions where visual images have become part of our media legacy. Remember when Bill and Hillary Clinton, along with Al  and Tipper Gore, broke into spontaneous dancing at the conclusion of Clinton's 1992 Acceptance Speech. As audience members, we were witnesses to  a movement of optimism and joy. At the 2000 Democractic Convention, Gore again provided a lasting visual image as he kissed his wife so passionately that even she seemed overwhelmed. So were we. Potent images of family continued in 2008: Joe Biden embracing his son, Beau, after being introduced as the Vice Presidential nominee. A silent, salient moment passed between them as they looked into each other's eyes: a defining moment between father and son that said more than any speech could. That picture remains in our memories, long afte...

      Six years ago, one of this critic's first "Media Matters" article highlighted what was important in political speech making. Until then, daily political broadcasts were often boring, even during election campaigns where candidates' personalities were at the forefront. What people said was not particularly cogent. What individuals looked like or sounded like was. Subject matter was not salient. Charisma was.      Nowadays it appears that language is what counts, although It's true that Biden's "performance" became the most important element in his debate with Trump. While aspects of delivery ( like gestures, posture and facial expressions) will always matter, WORDS will always remain a relevant consideration. Various recent examples prove the point.      To start with, Trump's and Vance's use of words are particularly dramatic, colorful and provocative. As such, they conjure up images in the minds of the listener, which is an e...

      If Abraham Lincoln were running for President today, he would probably not win. Why? Because his TV presence would do him in. He was too tall, too gawky and too unshaven to project an effective presidential image. Moreover ( according to newspaper accounts at the time ), his voice was too high, and his posture was pretty awkward.      Some things never change. We shouldn't forget that during the first TV debate in 1960 between Kennedy and Nixon, physical appearance played a potent part by giving Kennedy the edge. For example, the color of Nixon's suit didn't offer enough contrast, and he "faded" into the background.      Which brings us to the recent debate on June 27 between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump where "delivery" continued to be essential (especially regarding Biden). It's also curious to note that Biden's 2008 debate "performance" when he ran against Sarah Palin for Vice President focused on delivery.  ...

      Let's face it: we can take just so much of "TRUMP ON TRIAL." All day, every day. Yet some people like me watch it anyway so we won't miss something important. No matter: we are still going to miss a lot. The primary reason why is obvious. The trial is not being televised.       At last: we got a break a few nights ago, on MSNBC's "The Last Word" with Lawrence O' Donnell. No, TV cameras didn't suddenly appear to broadcast the proceedings in the New York City courtroom.  But long-established newscaster O'Donnell changed the way we experienced the event. His verbal introduction placed the viewers in the court itself, along with Donald Trump, Judge Merchan, the lawyers, jury, newspeople, and every other appropriate person. Particularly, we followed the day's witness, Stormy Daniels, as she entered and took a seat. O'Donnell's description was so precise and comprehensive, that we were able to picture her clothes, posture, demeano...

      Each year there are lots of traditional TV programs that give credence to American culture. Some are entertaining and exciting, remaining in our memory. But there are some which are pretty boring.  Last week, however, President's Biden's "State of the Union" and the "96 th  Academy Awards" did not put the average viewer asleep like examples from the past.      There were many reasons why, such explanations being somewhat similar. Because TV is a visual medium, the images we saw in the two productions were unusually arresting this year. This is not  suggesting that President Biden's speech resembled a Broadway play, for instance, even though the female Congressional members wearing white clothing did garner attention and convey a theme like a Broadway show.       Simply stated, the images at the Oscars were the best in years. The reason was rather obvious, communicating the adage, "Less i...

       This past summer's lineup of movies presented an interesting challenge, especially for two of them. Thus, amid the myriad of fantasy, adventure and horror offerings ( like  " Indiana Jones: The Dial of Destiny," "Spider - Man: Across the Spider-Verse," and "Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning" ), the two most popular films essentially defied such classifications: BARBIE AND OPPENHEIMER. ( However, we can't deny that, obviously, "Barbie " could still be described stylistically as a fantasy ). Despite stylistic matters, this critic also wondered how these movies' distributors had the guts to even think about releasing both of them at the same time.     Yet various considerations aside, there remains the fact that "Barbie" is very different from any of writer Baumbach's other works.   And therein lies an important conclusion: we discover that Baumbach is an innovative, imaginative and inspiring filmmaker.    ...

     Leonard Bernstein's biopic, "MAESTRO," starring Bradley Cooper, is a recent film that deserves to be seen and appreciated. But that observation is not because it's a biopic about a great American composer/conductor. In fact, the movie is also about another  creator, namely the director, producer and screenwriter of the work itself: Bradley Cooper. Thus, the style, content and themes derive from Cooper's own imagination, beliefs, and even, perhaps, his real life. ( Pardon yours truly from being presumptuous on that last assumption. )      Another point about the importance of "Maestro" needs attention as well. Both Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg are the film's producers, men who are considered by many as great American movie makers. (Scorsese, particularly, owes his success to someone else - a NYU cinema professor who was his mentor ). While Scorsese and Spielberg have produced many projects showcasing the talent of other individuals, we fe...

       It's time to put aside the visual images seen on recent TV broadcasts, especially those covering the Israeli-Hamas War. Instead, language has often taken a special place now, causing the audience to question the meaning ( and thus the irony ) of what is taking place. There are many examples, naturally, but a particularly relevant phrase is the Israeli pronouncement, " "Hamas uses people like human shields." Those words have always struck yours truly in an odd way: the term is both well-worn and also makes a point that doesn't fit. While "like human shields" is a figure of speech, a simile to be exact, it provokes more literal images than figurative ones. We end up being confused; how are we to interpret "human shields?"     Other words used recently also seem ill-advised. Trump's favorite designation of late, VERMIN, is a case in point. We can't really be sure if he wanted to make a comparison to Hitler's and Mussolini's...

      Instability runs rampant nowadays, showing itself in this summer's cinematic Block Busters. Movies like "Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning," "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,"   and "Haunted Mansion" are adventure/fantasy films that basically entertain the audience, allowing them to forget both the forthcoming 2024  election and the ongoing mistreatment of minorities, immigrants, and women who need abortions.       Included in this group of movies is Christopher Nolan's "OPPENHEIMER," an odd man-out story which is a real-life chronicle of J. Robert Oppenheimer, father of the atomic bomb. It also doesn't conform to the current motion pictures which are entertaining. Here's the point: "OPPENHEIMER" is ambiguous, contradictory, and emotionally distressing. Real life often is.      Here's a second, related point: director/producer Christopher Nolan took a big chance by making this film in the first place and...

      There are times when writing about the TV news media is rewarding: enjoyable, exciting, and valuable. Meaning informative, innovative, and important. Such programs don't occur that often; rather it's "Breaking News" stories which bombard the cable news airways: regularly repetitive, sometimes unreliable and often boring.                                      The last  two weeks were different, however, at least in this critic's view.  Coverage featured three diverse programs ( including one on Netflix ), that were indeed informative, innovative and important.  Yet, these examples were not only about social issues or psychological concerns or political problems. Rather, they confronted personal subjects that yours truly cared about which recalled the past.      The first coverage concerned the coverage of "The Tennessee Three" and specifically o...

       This past week, TV news bombarded the airways with iconic images commemorating the first anniversary of the Ukrainian-Russian War. A lot were expected, like flying Ukrainian flags and destroyed housing complexes.  But the two most memorable ones, in this critic's mind, were notable because they were unexpected: the week's first such image was on Monday, February 20, showing Presidents Biden and Zelenskyy walking side-by-sided along a wide, empty Kyiv street. It will remain a meaningful symbol of solidarity between the two leaders.        The second such salient image depicted three young resistant fighters in Kherson, standing in the middle of a barren street, staring straight ahead. It was the last image in the MSNBC documentary, " On Assignment With Richard Eagel: Ukraine's Secret Resistance," broadcast on Friday February 24. Here's why they will be distinctly remembered by yours truly.      Oddly enough, the two Presi...

     In case anyone thinks yours truly works for Netflix or ever did so, now is the time to set things straight. As a media critic, I have written lots about films playing on Netflix, notably documentaries. Two particular works are not only recent, but also worthy of attention. "Pamela Anderson" is one of these, and the New York Times' Style Section concurs  in its positive article.  While the movie has one primary goal, treating the actress's image as a largely substantive and serious subject, she is still exploited in the process. Thus, it appears that very little has really changed.       Conversely, " Sr.," the other current Netflix documentary, covers a myriad of themes, not just one. Although the film is a bio-pic featuring Robert Downey Jr.s'  father, initially most of the audience focuses primarily on the son, a popular, award - winning and previously dope-addicted actor.       But "Sr." reaches beyond our ex...

     These last two weeks were not good times to watch TV news. Violence - centered events captured the audience's focus and effort, seemingly twenty - four hours a day: the bizarre attack on Paul Pelosi; the mass shooting in a California Asian  community; the horrendous beating of Tyre Nichols. All of these examples used live video to amplify and verify the violence.      Cut to the current Oscar nominations, where other instances of assault were represented in two notable "Best Picture" selections: ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT AND WOMEN TALKING. Of course, the savagery is different. The anti-war " All Quiet" is primarily physical violence seen through the lens of graphic depiction.  Conversely, "Women Talking" shows hardly any brutality, per se. Yet it many ways, it is just as harrowing, this time communicated through the female victims' speech.       The use of dialogue in director/ screenwriter Sarah Polley's movie is imp...

      Lots of new Netflix films ( and series ) have come out recently, but who had time to see them? So many provocative and pertinent news events on TV have occupied our time and attention instead: the mid-term elections; Zelenskyy's Congressional address; attack on Pelosi's husband;  January 6 revealing testimony; and House Speaker stalemate.      We needed to watch some fictional films for a change. No real-life stuff like on TV, no open-endings where conclusions are still evolving, no tragedies that we can't escape. Something a bit different,  no doubt. Enter three movies trending around the same time, chosen randomly by this critic and remarkably similar in their characteristics. While these three samples give viewers a break from TV news, they can also be described as odd, unexpected and disconcerting. Just like some TV coverage.       The most obvious similarity among the Netflix movies ( GLASS ONION, WHITE NOISE AND WED...

      The TV medium is forever showing its diversity and contradictions, no more so than President Zelenskyy's speech before the U.S. Congress this past Wednesday. While the President had previously delivered a somewhat similar discourse near the beginning of the Ukrainian- Russian War, it had been a virtual presentation and, therefore, lacked certain obvious advantages (including President Baden's remark to Zelenskyy at the press conference, "It's nice to see you."  ).    This time, the speech's emotional content was also palpable as were the symbolic visuals.  Consider, particularly, Zelenskyy's camouflage-like apparel and the use of the Ukrainian flag as he passed it to Speaker Pelosi and V.P. Harris who were standing on the dais. Even Zelenskyy's faltering English, while potentially an impediment to understanding, carried a potent message: better have authentic and strong resolve than perfect English. Let's face it:  the speech couldn't fai...