Jim Laczkowski
@directorsclub.substack.com
Hat-Wearing Librarian (chipublib.org). Podcaster/Writer (directorsclub.substack.com), Film Critic, (chicagofilmcritics.org), (http://linktr.ee/jimlaczkowski). Movies, music, cats, coffee, books, podcasts, libraries!
Pinned
In one week, a local author event is happening here at the Rogers Park Library. Weds, December 3rd at 6pm, be sure to come out to not only learn more about the talented Sophie Lucido Johnson but to make your own postcard during the interactive workshop! chipublib.bibliocommons.com/events/68da9...
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
Black Friday reminder: You can support independent bookstores and get great deals without lining the pockets of billionaires 😌
November 28, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Black Friday reminder: You can support independent bookstores and get great deals without lining the pockets of billionaires 😌
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
Super stoked to announce that I have a video essay in the upcoming @arrowvideo.bsky.social release of THE VISITOR. This is one of these movies you have to see to believe. Franco Nero is Space Jesus! John Huston is his agent! It's about abortion, somehow! Amazing film
www.arrowvideo.com/p/17631543/
www.arrowvideo.com/p/17631543/
The Visitor Limited Edition 4K UHD | Arrow Video
Shop The Visitor Limited Edition 4K UHD at Arrow Video. Free UK Delivery
www.arrowvideo.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Super stoked to announce that I have a video essay in the upcoming @arrowvideo.bsky.social release of THE VISITOR. This is one of these movies you have to see to believe. Franco Nero is Space Jesus! John Huston is his agent! It's about abortion, somehow! Amazing film
www.arrowvideo.com/p/17631543/
www.arrowvideo.com/p/17631543/
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
What a great headline
November 28, 2025 at 3:49 PM
What a great headline
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
I don't think that the internet was ever filled to the brim with only useful, verifiable info, but it was at one time a vast repository of knowledge. AI articles cannibalizing the web is the opposite of knowledge collection. It takes what once was knowledge and refracts it into something useless.
November 28, 2025 at 6:09 PM
I don't think that the internet was ever filled to the brim with only useful, verifiable info, but it was at one time a vast repository of knowledge. AI articles cannibalizing the web is the opposite of knowledge collection. It takes what once was knowledge and refracts it into something useless.
Recommending this for many reasons; includes a commentary track featuring myself and true blue cinephile Bill Ackerman. If you want to purchase gifts today with something special to add to your collection, make it this. Thanks again @cine-matographe.bsky.social! vinegarsyndrome.com/collections/...
At Close Range
2025 Subscribers: this is NOT included in your Subscription. If you'd like to purchase it, you will need to login to view your special 50% off SRP pricing.
Flash Pre-Order Absolutely Everything custom
vinegarsyndrome.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Recommending this for many reasons; includes a commentary track featuring myself and true blue cinephile Bill Ackerman. If you want to purchase gifts today with something special to add to your collection, make it this. Thanks again @cine-matographe.bsky.social! vinegarsyndrome.com/collections/...
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
I wrote a book about US media’s complicity in the Gaza genocide. It's available for pre-order. It’s a data-driven and, I hope, thorough account of how center-left media sold the American public on mass death in Gaza.
Out 4/21. 100% of royalties go to @mecaforpeace.bsky.social.
Out 4/21. 100% of royalties go to @mecaforpeace.bsky.social.
How to Sell a Genocide - Pluto Press
A gripping exposé of how the corporate media fuelled genocide in Gaza
www.plutobooks.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:29 PM
I wrote a book about US media’s complicity in the Gaza genocide. It's available for pre-order. It’s a data-driven and, I hope, thorough account of how center-left media sold the American public on mass death in Gaza.
Out 4/21. 100% of royalties go to @mecaforpeace.bsky.social.
Out 4/21. 100% of royalties go to @mecaforpeace.bsky.social.
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
Really loving that Chicago Public Libraries distribute the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights hotline number in the children’s coloring section.
November 26, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Really loving that Chicago Public Libraries distribute the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights hotline number in the children’s coloring section.
NEW: When Propecy Fails is one of the most famous social psychology books of all time, a look at a small group of UFO believers when the “spacemen” failed to land. I wrote about a new study from an independent researcher who says the book is not what it seems. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
It’s one of the most influential social psychology studies ever. Was it all a lie?
A classic book on UFO believers and their "cognitive dissonance" after aliens failed to land is called into question.
www.motherjones.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
We need to do everything we can to encourage posts like this on bluesky. Terrible food opinions from big name sportswriters are genuinely the lifeblood of any social media app
Apple pie is bad. This is not really debatable. So is key lime pie, while we’re on the topic. Pecan pie is the 🐐 tho.
November 25, 2025 at 8:15 PM
We need to do everything we can to encourage posts like this on bluesky. Terrible food opinions from big name sportswriters are genuinely the lifeblood of any social media app
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
We've got some pretty big markdowns for Black Friday Week at FCE HQ. PARADISE & HEAVENLY BODIES (w/booklets), BAD COMPANY, STRANGERS KISS, PRIMETIME PANIC, SEEING RED, RADIO ON, DEEP IN THE HEART/HANDGUN, FATAL FEMMES, DUDDY KRAVITZ, TR BASKIN...
www.funcityeditions.com/shop
www.funcityeditions.com/shop
November 25, 2025 at 6:44 PM
We've got some pretty big markdowns for Black Friday Week at FCE HQ. PARADISE & HEAVENLY BODIES (w/booklets), BAD COMPANY, STRANGERS KISS, PRIMETIME PANIC, SEEING RED, RADIO ON, DEEP IN THE HEART/HANDGUN, FATAL FEMMES, DUDDY KRAVITZ, TR BASKIN...
www.funcityeditions.com/shop
www.funcityeditions.com/shop
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
As the year winds down and everyone is playing year-end catch up, please don't overlook Carson Lund's EEPHUS, a meditation on mortality and the transience of time played out during a small town baseball game that is quietly one of the most remarkable films of the year.
November 25, 2025 at 7:09 PM
As the year winds down and everyone is playing year-end catch up, please don't overlook Carson Lund's EEPHUS, a meditation on mortality and the transience of time played out during a small town baseball game that is quietly one of the most remarkable films of the year.
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
Hey librarians,
How is sustainability one of our core values if we're also supposed to be all-in on the AI hype?
Asking for these folks.
#medlibs 📚
How is sustainability one of our core values if we're also supposed to be all-in on the AI hype?
Asking for these folks.
#medlibs 📚
In Morrow County, healthy adults were coming down with unexplained medical conditions, including diseases that usually afflicted the elderly.
In a survey of 30 homes, at least 25 miscarriages and a half dozen people living with one kidney were reported.
🔗 www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
In a survey of 30 homes, at least 25 miscarriages and a half dozen people living with one kidney were reported.
🔗 www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
November 25, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Hey librarians,
How is sustainability one of our core values if we're also supposed to be all-in on the AI hype?
Asking for these folks.
#medlibs 📚
How is sustainability one of our core values if we're also supposed to be all-in on the AI hype?
Asking for these folks.
#medlibs 📚
In one week, a local author event is happening here at the Rogers Park Library. Weds, December 3rd at 6pm, be sure to come out to not only learn more about the talented Sophie Lucido Johnson but to make your own postcard during the interactive workshop! chipublib.bibliocommons.com/events/68da9...
November 25, 2025 at 9:19 PM
In one week, a local author event is happening here at the Rogers Park Library. Weds, December 3rd at 6pm, be sure to come out to not only learn more about the talented Sophie Lucido Johnson but to make your own postcard during the interactive workshop! chipublib.bibliocommons.com/events/68da9...
“What the hell is a gigawatt?!”
“How could I have been so careless?”
“How could I have been so careless?”
The deal will create the government’s first AI high-performance computing infrastructure, adding nearly 1.3 gigawatts of capacity.
https://sherwood.news/tech/amazon-plans-to-invest-up-to-usd50-billion-for-ai-and-supercomputing/
https://sherwood.news/tech/amazon-plans-to-invest-up-to-usd50-billion-for-ai-and-supercomputing/
Amazon plans to invest up to $50 billion for “AI and supercomputing infrastructure” for the US government
The deal will create the government’s first AI high-performance computing infrastructure, adding nearly 1.3 gigawatts of capacity....
sherwood.news
November 25, 2025 at 2:31 AM
“What the hell is a gigawatt?!”
“How could I have been so careless?”
“How could I have been so careless?”
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
Happy news from the library!! I obviously recommend The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by SGJ but also absolutely loved Woodworking by Emily St. James! chipublib.bibliocommons.com/v2/list/disp...
Our Favorite Books of 2025: Top 10 — a staff-created list from Chicago Public Library
The Chicago Public Library proudly presents our top 10 favorite books of the year.
chipublib.bibliocommons.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Happy news from the library!! I obviously recommend The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by SGJ but also absolutely loved Woodworking by Emily St. James! chipublib.bibliocommons.com/v2/list/disp...
Another great new episode of one of my favorite pods on the network :)
New episode of Not Scared! @gabepowers.bsky.social and I discuss Zombie Flesh Eaters aka Zombi 2 aka Zombie (1979) directed by Lucio Fulci. Take a listen! open.substack.com/pub/chloesno...
Zombi 2 aka Zombie Flesh Eaters (1979)
When there's no more room in hell, the dead will... fight a shark?
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Another great new episode of one of my favorite pods on the network :)
Favorite podcast episode of the year so far. Loved leaning about Willow, a truly inspirational film writer and so much more. Adored this and you will too!
I was thrilled to be invited onto the SUPPORTING CHARACTERS podcast to talk about numerous topics including Trans film images, Corpses, Fools and Monsters and our appearance on TCM. Tune in tonight for @cadenmgardner.bsky.social 's program!
www.nowplayingnetwork.net/supportingch...
www.nowplayingnetwork.net/supportingch...
Episode 70: Willow Catelyn Maclay
Bill talks to author and podcaster Erica Shultz about her endeavors in film culture, from creating shows like Unsung Horrors to writing and publishing her book THE SWEETEST TABOO and contributing spec...
www.nowplayingnetwork.net
November 25, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Favorite podcast episode of the year so far. Loved leaning about Willow, a truly inspirational film writer and so much more. Adored this and you will too!
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
“Freelance journalism in 2025 is an incredibly difficult place to build a career,” Nicholas Hune-Brown writes. “But, it turns out, it’s a decent enough arena for a scam.” @jacobfeldman.bsky.social's favorite this week thelocal.to/investigatin...
Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The Local
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites.
thelocal.to
November 23, 2025 at 3:48 PM
“Freelance journalism in 2025 is an incredibly difficult place to build a career,” Nicholas Hune-Brown writes. “But, it turns out, it’s a decent enough arena for a scam.” @jacobfeldman.bsky.social's favorite this week thelocal.to/investigatin...
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
maybe i am going insane
November 24, 2025 at 6:49 PM
maybe i am going insane
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
I was thrilled to contribute an essay to the Limited Edition 4K UHD release of MAXXXINE from Second Sight. My contributor's copy just arrived and it's lovely! #filmsky #horrorsky
November 24, 2025 at 9:28 PM
I was thrilled to contribute an essay to the Limited Edition 4K UHD release of MAXXXINE from Second Sight. My contributor's copy just arrived and it's lovely! #filmsky #horrorsky
Sorry folks, no live show from yours truly at my favorite Chicago bar tonight due to recovering from being sick these past nine days. Postponed til February <3
November 21, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Sorry folks, no live show from yours truly at my favorite Chicago bar tonight due to recovering from being sick these past nine days. Postponed til February <3
I much prefer Wicked Stepmother over the new Wicked movies. Plus I had a great talk with director Larry Cohen both on the podcast and in person. “Bette Davis sure had great eyes,” I said. “Yes. So much so, someone wrote a song about them,” said Larry. One of my favorite people I interviewed.
November 21, 2025 at 4:34 AM
I much prefer Wicked Stepmother over the new Wicked movies. Plus I had a great talk with director Larry Cohen both on the podcast and in person. “Bette Davis sure had great eyes,” I said. “Yes. So much so, someone wrote a song about them,” said Larry. One of my favorite people I interviewed.
I’ll believe it when I see it. Honestly, I would be fine with having a wild winter again. Would rather have this than 90 degree weather any day.
November 21, 2025 at 3:15 AM
I’ll believe it when I see it. Honestly, I would be fine with having a wild winter again. Would rather have this than 90 degree weather any day.
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
I was a guest on @chloesnotscared.bsky.social's Not Scared podcast:
Gabe's Talkin' 'bout Lucio Fulci on the Not Scared Podcast
My new friend Chloe Waryan has a podcast and she invited me on. Regular listeners will remember that Chloe was on my podcast back in April of this year when we talked about Anthology Horror Films, so ...
www.genregrinder.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:53 PM
I was a guest on @chloesnotscared.bsky.social's Not Scared podcast:
Reposted by Jim Laczkowski
Good fucking movie.
Meg Ryan in Jane Campion's IN THE CUT (2003)
Ryan was BOTD in 1961
Ryan was BOTD in 1961
November 19, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Good fucking movie.