In January, The Conversation, an international news organization, blogged that they were spearheading a much needed dialogue about race… — In January, a news outlet called The Conversation blogged that they were spearheading a much needed dialogue about race. But, ironically, they began this project by stealing the words and ideas of a Black organizer. The Canadian bureau of The Conversation announced a new podcast called “Don’t Call Me Resilient”…

A Radical Guide to the Best Films of 2020 — A Radical Guide to the Best Films of 2020 Crushed between COVID and the increasing dominance of streaming companies, the future of film festivals, movie theaters, and independent distribution is in danger. Filmmakers making challenging work are facing new obstacles in a profit-driven business that has rarely been hospitable to…

35+ Revolutionary Films to Watch While Under Quarantine — 35+ Revolutionary Films to Watch While Under Quarantine Check out my lists of best social justice films from 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and earlier. In this time of pandemic and quarantine, there is power in exploring the ways that past generations have confronted rising tides of…

For the best revolutionary films from previous years, see my lists for 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and earlier. — For the best revolutionary films from previous years, see my lists for 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and earlier. Like society as a whole, Hollywood needs systemic change, from top to bottom. Despite the new opportunities that have opened up for a wider range of filmmakers to tell…

The Conscious Filmgoers Guide to the Best Films of 2018 — For the best revolutionary films from other years, see my lists for 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and earlier. Peak TV is creating more opportunities for independent film directors, and for new stories to be told. Films from around the world are more accessible via streaming, and Netflix…

Seeing activists like Tarana Burke, Ai-jen Poo, and Rosa Clemente given a platform at the Golden Globes was a welcome change, but much… — For the best revolutionary films from other years, see my lists for 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and earlier. Seeing activists like Tarana Burke, Ai-jen Poo, and Rosa Clemente given a platform at the Golden Globes was a welcome change, but much more needs to be done to…

This year’s Oscar’s race is predicted to be a contest of La La Land, a relatively sunny musical that celebrates a timeless and relatively… — Check out my lists of best social justice films from 2019, 2018, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and earlier. The 2016 Oscar’s race pitted La La Land, a relatively sunny musical that celebrates a timeless and relatively white fantasy of Los Angeles; against Moonlight, a deeply moving and poetic Black…

This week the Oscars were announced, and once again they were notable for a lack of diversity. Popular entertainment helps shape how we… — For the best revolutionary films from previous years, see my lists for 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, and earlier. This week the Oscars were announced, and once again they were notable for a lack of diversity. Popular entertainment helps shape how we view the world, and Hollywood shapes the…

More than 100 years after the birth of cinema, it sometimes feels like every story has been told. But the best films of 2014 dared to… — More than 100 years after the birth of cinema, it sometimes feels like every story has been told. But the best films of 2014 dared to break out of their genres, explore new ways of filmmaking, and inspire viewers. Some of them even provided tools for popular understanding of our…