Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Sean Burns

@splicedpersonality.bsky.social

3.1K followers 350 following 1.8K posts

Film Critic. Projectionalist. www.splicedpersonality.com

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Sean Burns @splicedpersonality.bsky.social · 6d

At WBUR this week I wrote about the wonderful gluttony of IFFBoston’s Fall Focus, which kicks off this Thursday at the Brattle Theatre.

'It's sheer gluttony' — IFFBoston's Fall Focus is packed with range

The 11th annual Fall Focus spills out over two weekends (plus some days) with a whopping 27 titles unspooling Oct. 9-Nov. 4. "They’ve got domestic psychodramas, international political thrillers and J...

www.wbur.org

1 2 5

Sean Burns @splicedpersonality.bsky.social · 26m

Mystifies me how Globe editors consider “other people liked it, I didn’t” with no further elaboration to be an interesting or even valid form of criticism. I was always taught that a critic needed to back up their opinions, and not just proclaim them as if reading tablets from Mt. Sinai.

Sean Burns @splicedpersonality.bsky.social · 1h

“Her timing has its origins in 1930s comedy, but also, perhaps, on some as-yet undiscovered, faraway planet: her lines spin out in woolly loops, and even if Alvy has the most cerebral quips, her comebacks always top them with their weirdo bravado.” Beautiful remembrance by @szacharek.bsky.social.

The Astonishing Versatility of Diane Keaton

Keaton, who died at 79, is often remembered for her comedic performance in Annie Hall, but she did so much more throughout her career.

time.com

Sean Burns @splicedpersonality.bsky.social · 3h

Cracks me up how the Globe has tacked on parentheticals begrudgingly mentioning IFFBoston. Because why would local readers care about a film festival happening right now in their town when they can read about one that’s already ended in New York?

Stand up comics and sibling rivalries fuel this year’s NYFF - The Boston Globe

Will Arnett tells jokes and Alexander Skarsgård dons leather as the festival comes to a close.

www.bostonglobe.com

1 5

Sean Burns @splicedpersonality.bsky.social · 20h

Sean Burns @splicedpersonality.bsky.social · 21h

At North Shore Movies this week I reviewed the unexpectedly melancholy ROOFMAN. northshoremovies.wpcomstaging.com/2025/10/10/r...

Review – Roofman

ROOFMAN. With Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst, LaKeith Stanfield, Peter Dinklage, Juno Temple. Screenplay by Derek Cianfrance and Kirt Gunn. Directed by Derek Cianfrance. Rated R for language, nudity…

northshoremovies.wpcomstaging.com

Sean Burns @splicedpersonality.bsky.social · 1d

At Crooked Marquee’s Classic Corner this week I wrote about the movie Leonardo DiCaprio gets high and watches on his couch.

Classic Corner: The Battle of Algiers

The shout-out to Gillo Pontecorvo’s 1966 masterpiece in “One Battle After Another” isn’t casual — and the film itself remains earth-shattering.

crookedmarquee.com

Sean Burns @splicedpersonality.bsky.social · 1d

Incredible evocation of late-period Wahlberg’s dialogue delivery.

1 2 8

Reposted by Sean Burns

Independent Film Festival Boston @iffboston.bsky.social · 2d

Just confirmed! We've added a bonus film to this year's Fall Focus: THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE!

See it on Wednesday, November 5 at the @brattletheatre.bsky.social. Tickets are on sale now: ow.ly/OnSw50X9OKk

1 3 5

Sean Burns @splicedpersonality.bsky.social · 2d

One festival after another.

Reposted by Sean Burns

Oscar Goff @theoscargoff.bsky.social · 3d

For @cambridgeday.com this week I’ve got some picks from round one of @iffboston.bsky.social’s Fall Focus, which kicks off tonight at @brattletheatre.bsky.social!

There's so much Independent Film Fest Boston it's in two parts, leading off with these five titles - Cambridge Day

Each year around this time Independent Film Festival Boston sets up shop at The Brattle Theatre for its annual Fall Focus series, a multiday bonanza of early screenings of some of the season’s most an...

www.cambridgeday.com

7 10

Sean Burns @splicedpersonality.bsky.social · 3d

Two of my faves.

Jen Johans @filmintuition.bsky.social · 3d

Mark your calendars! On Nov 14 @ noon PST, I'm interviewing my friend, the brilliant @sheilakathleen.bsky.social virtually about her new book on @realgdt.bsky.social's FRANKENSTEIN on behalf of Scottsdale's @poisonedpenbooks.bsky.social. You can tune in via FB/YT: calendar.time.ly/9plshfqx/pos...

1 1

Sean Burns @splicedpersonality.bsky.social · 3d

At WBUR this week I reviewed Kathryn Bigelow’s A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE. This movie really messed me up.

Kathryn Bigelow's 'A House of Dynamite' is an electrifying nuclear thriller

An intercontinental ballistic missile is going to hit Chicago in a little more than 19 minutes. The director takes us through those 19 minutes three times, moving further up the chain of command with ...

www.wbur.org

Reposted by Sean Burns

The Clinton Street Theater @cstpdx.bsky.social · 3d

We too yearn for the heady days of the 1980s and 90s when decent, hardworking Portlanders could make their way in this town.

A cast photo from the movie Drugstore Cowboy.

2 11 33

Reposted by Sean Burns

MidCenturyCinema @midcenturycinema.bsky.social · 4d

10/8/74: Wim Wenders' Alice in the Cities
From us, via @newleftreview.bsky.social - "One of the cinematic achievements of the 1970s": newleftreview.org/sidecar/post...

More:
@glennkenny.bsky.social: mubi.com/en/notebook/...
@splicedpersonality.bsky.social: crookedmarquee.com/classic-corn...

Classic Corner: Alice in the Cities

Wim Wenders bounced back from an early disaster by crafting one of his finest films — poignant, keenly observant, and unfailingly true.

crookedmarquee.com

4 24

Sean Burns @splicedpersonality.bsky.social · 4d

Numbers 1, 4, 5 & 6 are all playing at the Brattle this weekend as part of IFFBoston’s Fall Focus. You should go see them.

Sean Burns @splicedpersonality.bsky.social · 4d

#NYFF63 Top Six: (1.) Sentimental Value (2.) A House Of Dynamite (3.) Father Mother Sister Brother (4.) It Was Just An Accident (5.) If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (6.) Miroirs No. 3

1 7

Sean Burns @splicedpersonality.bsky.social · 4d

It’s been a real one, NYC. Until next time…

Sean Burns @splicedpersonality.bsky.social · 4d

THE SECRET AGENT (2025, Mendonça, ***1/2) Of course I’m a sucker for a movie in which the most noble and dignified character is a projectionist. #NYFF63

Sean Burns @splicedpersonality.bsky.social · 4d

Last day.

Sean Burns @splicedpersonality.bsky.social · 4d

THE CURRENTS (2025, Mumenthaler, **1/2) Fairly inscrutable but not unpleasant. It helps having a pretty girl to look at the whole time. #NYFF63

Sean Burns @splicedpersonality.bsky.social · 5d

“These are intelligent actors. Intelligent actors are good, but they can also be a pain in the ass.” MIROIRS NO. 3 director Christian Petzold.

Sean Burns @splicedpersonality.bsky.social · 5d

MIROIRS NO. 3 (2025, Petzold, ***1/2) An 86-minute marvel of concision. There’s so much you don’t need to say when you can just point the camera at Paula Beer. #NYFF63

Sean Burns @splicedpersonality.bsky.social · 5d

A highlight of the festival hanging with Brandon Streussnig and finally getting to meet the amazing Isabel Sandoval.

1 24

Sean Burns @splicedpersonality.bsky.social · 5d

Claire Denis says she doesn’t feel like a legend. She’s wrong.

1 3

Sean Burns @splicedpersonality.bsky.social · 5d

THE FENCE (2025, Denis, ***) I’m not sure I can defend or even really explain it, but there’s a doomy theatricality to this that got under my skin. #NYFF63