Tell us about yourself.
I’m a Seattle-based critic whose thoughts you can find on Drink in the Movies, my personal Substack, or Letterboxd. I’m particularly interested in art-house, experimental, and older films.
What are your top four films of all time?
I have many, many favorites, but when taken together, four that decently capture my taste are Irma Vep, Yi Yi, Colossal Youth, and My Night at Maud’s.
Who are your top four directors?
Similar deal as the last question: there’s a large, ever-changing list of filmmakers that I love. Four among the many that seem to have taken up permanent residence in my head are Paul Thomas Anderson, Tsai Ming-liang, Olivier Assayas, and David Lynch.
What is your favorite decade of film?
Probably the 2000s. Even more specifically, the years of 2000 and 2001 feel major to me (Platform, Mulholland Drive, Millennium Mambo, What Time Is It There? Yi Yi, In The Mood for Love – an incredible run of masterpieces premiered in that stretch).
What movie have you seen the most in your life?
That would be Grease, a third-grade movie obsession. I knew those songs from front to back. Pretty safe to say that my sensibility has changed quite a bit since then!
What is your favourite piece of content you have produced?
Of the many podcasts that Taylor Baker and I recorded together over the span of a few years, one I remember fondly is our discussion of Ophuls’ Letter from an Unknown Woman. Thanks to Taylor’s suggestion we dive into that film, I now it call a favorite.
Where is your favourite place to sit in a theater?
About two-thirds away from the screen, slightly to one side or the other.
Tell us about your local film scene (what you like about it, things you wished it had)?
Seattle’s film-going scene is pretty great. Between SIFF, Northwest Film Forum, The Grand Illusion, and The Beacon, I can find something of interest on almost any given day. Add Scarecrow Video to that mix, and my viewings needs are covered.
