Email Author Jim Hoberman

2011 Stories by Jim Hoberman

• World on a Wire

  published January 12, 2011

  Dir. R.W. Fassbinder (1974). Predicated on the notion of a computer-generated reality populated by "identity units" who believe themselves human,... More >>

• Grey Gardens

  published January 12, 2011

  Dir. David and Albert Maysles (1975). After a sequel, a musical, and an HBO remake, the Maysles’ greatest hit—this portrait of Edie... More >>

• Second Breath

  published January 5, 2011

  Dir. Jean-Pierre Melville (1966). Known as “Second Breath” in English, this mid-period Melville opens with a Bressonian prison break,... More >>

• Lumumba

  published January 5, 2011

  Dir. Raoul Peck (2000). The spirit of Oliver Stone hovers over Raoul Peck's passionate biopic of the African liberation martyr. As... More >>

• Romeo and Juliet in Yiddish

  published January 5, 2011

  Dir. Eve Annenberg (2010). Mumblecore in mameloshn: The first Yiddish talkie produced in the US in nearly 60 years (and the first ever with... More >>

• The Hustler

  published January 5, 2011

  Dir. Robert Rossen (1961). Solid and moody, this “adult” drama provided old lefty Robert Rossen a comeback of sorts; it also gave Paul... More >>

• Playtime

  published January 5, 2011

  Dir. Jacques Tati (1967). Jacques Tati’s futuristic Paris, constructed on one of the most detailed and elaborate sets in the history of... More >>

• Petition

  published January 5, 2011

  Dir. Zhao Liang (2009). Filmed over the course of a decade, Zhao Liang’s documentary details the process by which Chinese citizens stubbornly... More >>

• River's Edge

  published January 5, 2011

  Dir. Tim Hunter (1986). The strongest, funniest, most disturbing Reagan-era youth movie this side of Blue Velvet also features Dennis... More >>

• Lohnbuchhalter Kremke

  published January 5, 2011

  Dir. Marie Harder (1930). In this admirably straightforward (and hitherto unknown) example of Weimar cinema’s New Objectivity, a middle-aged... More >>

• If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle

  published January 5, 2011

  Dir. Florin Serban (2010). Youthful offender, only a week from release, gets a visit from his dysfunctional family and flips out big-time in this... More >>

• Go Go Tales

  published January 5, 2011

  Dir. Abel Ferrara (2007). Set within the tawdry confines of Ray Ruby’s Paradise, an institution half Times Square titty bar, half... More >>