political Archives - The Spool | The Spool

political Archives - The Spool

Writer and film critic for hire who has worked with WGN Radio, Bright Wall/Dark Room, RogerEbert.com, The Film Stage, and more. Firmly believes that ".gif" is pronounced "jiff."

Chile ’76 deftly mixes domestic drama and political thriller

Manuela Martelli explores the ripple effects of Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship in her first film, a sly, evasive genre mashup.

TIFF 2022: My Imaginary Country offers hope in chaos

Patricio Guzman directs the rare political documentary that leaves viewers with a bit of optimism.

“The Dissident” is a gripping look at Jamal Khashoggi’s murder

Bryan Fogel follows up Icarus with a harrowing, if occasionally glitchy, profile of Saudi Arabia's snuffing of dissent, whether through social media or just plain murder.

Unraveling pop-culture one thread at a time

The Spool is an irreverent, informative source for film and television coverage, focused on diverse, thoughtful opinions that seek out a greater understanding of the media we love.

“The Twentieth Century” tells one king’s hilarious rise to disappointment

Matthew Rankin's gonzo reinterpretation of Canadian political history is as riotously funny as it is insightful about the symbolic nature of Western politics.

“What the Constitution Means to Me” jumps admirably from stage to screen

Heidi Schreck's hit Broadway play transfers to Amazon with admirable verve, thanks to a strong central performance and effortless direction from Marielle Heller.

P.S.H. I Love You: Beware “The Ides of March”, if you can remember it

Try as he might, not even Philip Seymour Hoffman can't quite spice up George Clooney's warmed-over political drama.

“John Lewis: Good Trouble” calls us to action through the past of an icon

Dawn Porter offers up a heartfelt, accessible tribute to one of Congress' most stalwart Civil Rights leaders.

Jon Stewart’s “Irresistible” is toothless, out-of-touch political satire

The former Daily Show host's sophomore film is a dated, centrist screed that fundamentally misunderstands our current political moment.

Netflix’s “Space Force” struggles to reach satirical orbit

The Office's Greg Daniels and Steve Carell reunite for a clunky satire of Trump-era politics.

Filmmaker of the Month

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” Saw the MCU Grow Up

It's not perfect, but the Russo brothers' conspiracy-thriller take on the MCU turned its eye inward to the more explicitly political.

“Slay the Dragon” Reveals the Vicious Beast of Gerrymandering

Grassroots activists fight political entrenchment in this inspiring documentary.

SXSW: “Hamtramck, USA” Tests the Great American Melting Pot

America's first Muslim-majority city learns the limits (and victories) of multiculturalism.

Filmmaker of the Month

“She Hate Me” Has Spike Lee Shooting Blanks

Spike Lee's hamfisted misfire throws everything at the kitchen sink - income inequality, Watergate, lesbian stud service - and none of it sticks.

Filmmaker of the Month

The Historically-Black College Politics of “School Daze”

Spike Lee's third film is a caustic, exuberant exploration of the politics of race in the '80s, from colorism to the effectiveness of activism.

Hall of Faces: Who’s the Greatest Character on “The West Wing”?

From Jed Bartlet to CJ Cregg to Losh Lyman, we elect one of Aaron Sorkin's quick-witted White House wonks from The West Wing to our Hall of Faces.

CIFF 10/21: “My Father and Me”, “Human Factor”, “Litigante”, “Instinct”

Today's CIFF Dispatch looks at documentaries My Father and Me and The Human Factor, character drama Litigante and rape thriller Instinct.

CIFF 10/19 Dispatch: “Forman vs. Forman”, “Gloria Mundi”, “I Lost My Body”, “Let There Be Light”, “Extracurricular”

Today's CIFF dispatch sees reviews of Forman vs. Forman, Gloria Mundi, I Lost My Body, Let There Be Light, and Extracurricular.

The Day Shall Come Review: Chris Morris Satire Lacks Bite

Tone-deaf obviousness and blunt-force capitalist critiques plague Morris' latest, letting down its good intentions with disappointing bluntness.

Review: “Raise Hell: The Life & Times of Molly Ivins” Finds Truth in Journalism

Janice Engel's sprightly doc is more appreciation for the acclaimed journalist than activism, and that's a good thing.

Tel Aviv on Fire Review: Even Soap Can’t Clean Dirty Politics

Sameh Zoabi's politically-charged satire of Palestinian soap operas works better as farce than social polemic.

“Nocturama”, Or How Watching A Movie In 2019 is Hell

Streaming services grant unprecedented access to films normally outside the reach of most moviegoers. But can the technical experience of watching them do them a disservice?

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