One of the best live bands in the world…

Last updated on: October 4, 2012 at 9:54 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

… is onstage at Madison Square Garden in a show that will be streaming online on August 5. (more…) Read more

The Guitar That Made the Kessel Run in Less Than Twelve Parsecs

Last updated on: October 4, 2012 at 9:53 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

The time has come for… (more…) Read more

Buckle up: We’re going to The Suburbs

Last updated on: October 4, 2012 at 9:54 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

For several years, my friends and I lamented the lack of any rock bands on the horizon that would craft work as substantial and meaningful as The Beatles, The Stones, Pink Floyd, U2, and REM? Was Radiohead really going to be the last of the visionary bands? Sure, there were some impressive acts in the interim. But where was the band that would write prophecy? Weave melodies and music that were more than audacity and noise, that were interacting in... Read more

The Affleck Affect: Actors Who are Better at Directing

Last updated on: October 4, 2012 at 9:56 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

Sure, Ben Affleck starred in a couple of disposable films. I still like the guy. Maybe if I’d had to suffer through Gigli, I’d feel differently. But I loved his turn in Good Will Hunting, thought he did his best as Jack Ryan, and I even enjoyed him in the not-so-memorable films Bounce and Jersey Girl. I just think he needs the right roles, the right scripts. (more…) Read more

Name That Storybook contests.

Last updated on: October 4, 2012 at 9:56 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

You’re invited to play a new game I’ve begun on my Tumblr site. (You have to register for Tumblr to play, which is quick and free.) It’s called Name That Storybook. (more…) Read more

An eye-catching line.

Last updated on: October 4, 2012 at 9:56 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

I love the cover for Criterion’s new edition The Thin Red Line. (more…) Read more

For all Firefly fans suffering from PTSD…

Last updated on: October 4, 2012 at 9:56 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

For those fans of Joss Whedon’s Firefly who are still suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder over FOX’s unforgivable cancellation of the series, here’s the show for you. It’s about a doctor with qualifications to address your miserable condition… (more…) Read more

Another danger of the subway.

Last updated on: October 4, 2012 at 9:57 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

I’ve seen some scary things happen on public transportation, but never anything like this… (more…) Read more

The Complete Tarkovsky. Online. Free.

Last updated on: October 4, 2012 at 9:58 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

So, I learned about this from a comment here at LookingCloser.org today… (more…) Read more

Ran, an Akira Kurosawa Masterpiece: On Hulu for Free

Last updated on: October 4, 2012 at 10:00 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

Ran was the first Japanese movie I ever saw, and it kindled an appetite not just for more Kurosawa, but films of greater visual splendour than I’d was accustomed to seeing. Wouldn’t you know, just when I wanted to pick up the Criterion edition, it went out of print. And then, lo… it shows up on Hulu for free. So… here it is… first time I’ve ever embedded a whole feature-length film on Looking Closer… (more…) Read more