Robert Horton
@citizenhorton.bsky.social
National Society of Film Critics, Scarecrow Academy, author, lecturer, a real goer. You can see a lot of the world from railings.
Something on Lav Diaz' MAGELLAN, naturally paired here with Craig Brewer's SONG SUNG BLUE. Reason: cinema! roberthorton.wordpress.com/2026/02/06/t...
The Friday 2/6/2026
Gael Garcia Bernal: Magellan (Janus Films) My piece for the Scarecrow website this week, and etc. Magellan/Song Sung Blue. “Diaz is going to critique colonialism, but not in an expected way; …
roberthorton.wordpress.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Something on Lav Diaz' MAGELLAN, naturally paired here with Craig Brewer's SONG SUNG BLUE. Reason: cinema! roberthorton.wordpress.com/2026/02/06/t...
If you watch WALK DON'T RUN (1966) you pretty quickly get why Cary Grant thought "Eh, I think I'm finished here."
February 4, 2026 at 12:40 AM
If you watch WALK DON'T RUN (1966) you pretty quickly get why Cary Grant thought "Eh, I think I'm finished here."
An "On this day in pictures" thing from February 3rds of the past popped up in my email.
February 4, 2026 at 12:38 AM
An "On this day in pictures" thing from February 3rds of the past popped up in my email.
The best there was.
January 30, 2026 at 8:44 PM
The best there was.
Quick riff on THE RIP. roberthorton.wordpress.com/2026/01/27/m...
January 27, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Quick riff on THE RIP. roberthorton.wordpress.com/2026/01/27/m...
Here it is. Took a long road to get here, and there's a long road ahead, but - frickin' wow.
We just bought our longtime building! Purchasing our forever home marks an exciting and transformative turning point for our physical media library and Seattle’s creative ecosystem.
We cannot wait to share more exciting updates with you in the months ahead! scarecrowvideo.org/posts/scarec...
We cannot wait to share more exciting updates with you in the months ahead! scarecrowvideo.org/posts/scarec...
January 27, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Here it is. Took a long road to get here, and there's a long road ahead, but - frickin' wow.
Francis Iles' novel BEFORE THE FACT (basis for Hitchcock's SUSPICION) is strong as suspense, but superb as a study of a toxic relationship; the Joan Fontaine character is at least as fucked up as the shifty husband.
January 26, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Francis Iles' novel BEFORE THE FACT (basis for Hitchcock's SUSPICION) is strong as suspense, but superb as a study of a toxic relationship; the Joan Fontaine character is at least as fucked up as the shifty husband.
HI IS FOR HAWK: On the one hand, a somewhat numbly well-made British drama; on the other, an authentically weird and sometimes abrasive protagonist, ably played by Claire Foy; on the other, it all seems too neat; on the other hand, amazing shots of a noble goshawk; on the other hand, are we allowed
January 26, 2026 at 8:29 PM
HI IS FOR HAWK: On the one hand, a somewhat numbly well-made British drama; on the other, an authentically weird and sometimes abrasive protagonist, ably played by Claire Foy; on the other, it all seems too neat; on the other hand, amazing shots of a noble goshawk; on the other hand, are we allowed
The night before the NFC Championship game, I watched H IS FOR HAWK. Coincidence, or omen? (Go Seahawks.)
January 26, 2026 at 8:27 PM
The night before the NFC Championship game, I watched H IS FOR HAWK. Coincidence, or omen? (Go Seahawks.)
So many Safdie projects seem inspired by the same key noir.
January 23, 2026 at 11:54 PM
So many Safdie projects seem inspired by the same key noir.
Thinking about MARTY SUPREME reminded me of co-writer Ronald Bronstein and DADDY LONGLEGS; he stars in that Safdie Bros. film, and co-wrote it, too. My 2010 Herald review is here (on my antique website, sharing space w/WINTER'S BONE). roberthorton.wordpress.com/2010/06/25/i...
I Am Winter’s Knight (Weekly Links)
Jennifer Lawrence, Winter’s Bone Reviews I wrote for the Herald this week. Winter’s Bone. (Link dead; review below) By Robert Horton For a movie rich with atmosphere and local color, &#…
roberthorton.wordpress.com
January 23, 2026 at 11:53 PM
Thinking about MARTY SUPREME reminded me of co-writer Ronald Bronstein and DADDY LONGLEGS; he stars in that Safdie Bros. film, and co-wrote it, too. My 2010 Herald review is here (on my antique website, sharing space w/WINTER'S BONE). roberthorton.wordpress.com/2010/06/25/i...
Weighing in on MARTY SUPREME & ANN LEE through a post-Oscar-noms lens: roberthorton.wordpress.com/2026/01/23/t...
The Friday 1/23/2026
Timothee Chalamet: Marty Supreme (A24) My piece for the Scarecrow blog this week. Marty Supreme/The Testament of Ann Lee. “This movie hurtles through kitchen-sink realism and soaring near-sur…
roberthorton.wordpress.com
January 23, 2026 at 10:13 PM
Weighing in on MARTY SUPREME & ANN LEE through a post-Oscar-noms lens: roberthorton.wordpress.com/2026/01/23/t...
Casting category voters did themselves proud w/two of the most extraordinarily precisely-cast movies I've ever seen, SECRET AGENT & MARTY SUPREME. (Other nominees, also cool.) But will this category always favor movies with a huge roster? That old Oscar truism: people vote for most, not best.
January 22, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Casting category voters did themselves proud w/two of the most extraordinarily precisely-cast movies I've ever seen, SECRET AGENT & MARTY SUPREME. (Other nominees, also cool.) But will this category always favor movies with a huge roster? That old Oscar truism: people vote for most, not best.
You don't pick the Neil Diamond songs that get stuck in your head. They pick you.
January 22, 2026 at 11:07 PM
You don't pick the Neil Diamond songs that get stuck in your head. They pick you.
Interesting that SIRAT (terrific movie, but strange, gauzy, hard to peg) gets International Oscar nom rather than, say, THE PRESIDENT'S CAKE (also good, but much more conventionally satisfactory). Oscar voting/voters really HAS changed in recent years. True in Best Pic, too, where
January 22, 2026 at 11:06 PM
Interesting that SIRAT (terrific movie, but strange, gauzy, hard to peg) gets International Oscar nom rather than, say, THE PRESIDENT'S CAKE (also good, but much more conventionally satisfactory). Oscar voting/voters really HAS changed in recent years. True in Best Pic, too, where
Since @siffnews.bsky.social is going through some things, it's worth noting their current bounty: new Dardenne bros., restoration of JU DOU, 4K of J Tourneur's CANYON PASSAGE, AW's MYSTERIOUS OBJECT, + year-end awards worthies. Good idea to support w/$ right now. www.siff.net/cinema/in-th...
In Theaters
Now playing and coming soon to SIFF Cinema Downtown, SIFF Cinema Egyptian, SIFF Cinema Uptown, and SIFF Film Center.
www.siff.net
January 16, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Since @siffnews.bsky.social is going through some things, it's worth noting their current bounty: new Dardenne bros., restoration of JU DOU, 4K of J Tourneur's CANYON PASSAGE, AW's MYSTERIOUS OBJECT, + year-end awards worthies. Good idea to support w/$ right now. www.siff.net/cinema/in-th...
Another nail. www.kiro7.com/news/local/s...
Seattle’s Varsity Theatre is closing after 86 years
“While this chapter is ending, we are hopeful the Varsity may find new life in the future for film, live events, or community programming," staff shared.
www.kiro7.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Another nail. www.kiro7.com/news/local/s...
Something on Nia DaCosta's 28 DAYS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE, in which Ralph Fiennes is both Hamlet and Yorick: scarecrowvideo.org/posts/the-se...
January 16, 2026 at 9:08 PM
Something on Nia DaCosta's 28 DAYS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE, in which Ralph Fiennes is both Hamlet and Yorick: scarecrowvideo.org/posts/the-se...
Finally got to it. roberthorton.wordpress.com/2026/01/09/2...
2025 Ten Best Movies
Posted on the Scarecrow website, here. And below. From my seat in the room, here are some of the best movies of 2025. I did not see as many films as I usually do, but these demand registering as wo…
roberthorton.wordpress.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Finally got to it. roberthorton.wordpress.com/2026/01/09/2...
Reposted by Robert Horton
Best Film Not in the English Language: THE SECRET AGENT (58 points)
Runners-up: IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT (57 points)
SENTIMENTAL VALUE (38 points)
Runners-up: IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT (57 points)
SENTIMENTAL VALUE (38 points)
January 3, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Best Film Not in the English Language: THE SECRET AGENT (58 points)
Runners-up: IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT (57 points)
SENTIMENTAL VALUE (38 points)
Runners-up: IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT (57 points)
SENTIMENTAL VALUE (38 points)
Reposted by Robert Horton
Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson, ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER (54 points)
Runners-up:
Jafar Panahi, IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT (48 points)
Richard Linklater, BLUE MOON and NOUVELLE VAGUE (39 points)
Runners-up:
Jafar Panahi, IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT (48 points)
Richard Linklater, BLUE MOON and NOUVELLE VAGUE (39 points)
January 3, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson, ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER (54 points)
Runners-up:
Jafar Panahi, IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT (48 points)
Richard Linklater, BLUE MOON and NOUVELLE VAGUE (39 points)
Runners-up:
Jafar Panahi, IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT (48 points)
Richard Linklater, BLUE MOON and NOUVELLE VAGUE (39 points)
Reposted by Robert Horton
Best Picture: ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER (57 points)
Runners-up:
SINNERS (29 points)
THE SECRET AGENT (27 points)
Runners-up:
SINNERS (29 points)
THE SECRET AGENT (27 points)
January 3, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Best Picture: ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER (57 points)
Runners-up:
SINNERS (29 points)
THE SECRET AGENT (27 points)
Runners-up:
SINNERS (29 points)
THE SECRET AGENT (27 points)
Reposted by Robert Horton
Best Screenplay: Jafar Panahi, IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT (53 points)
Runners-up:
Robert Kaplow, BLUE MOON (50 points)
Kleber Mendonça Filho, THE SECRET AGENT (40 points)
Runners-up:
Robert Kaplow, BLUE MOON (50 points)
Kleber Mendonça Filho, THE SECRET AGENT (40 points)
January 3, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Best Screenplay: Jafar Panahi, IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT (53 points)
Runners-up:
Robert Kaplow, BLUE MOON (50 points)
Kleber Mendonça Filho, THE SECRET AGENT (40 points)
Runners-up:
Robert Kaplow, BLUE MOON (50 points)
Kleber Mendonça Filho, THE SECRET AGENT (40 points)
Reposted by Robert Horton
Best Supporting Actor: Benicio del Toro, ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER (54 points)
Runners-up:
Delroy Lindo, SINNERS (37)
Stellan Skarsgård, SENTIMENTAL VALUE (30 points)
Runners-up:
Delroy Lindo, SINNERS (37)
Stellan Skarsgård, SENTIMENTAL VALUE (30 points)
January 3, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Best Supporting Actor: Benicio del Toro, ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER (54 points)
Runners-up:
Delroy Lindo, SINNERS (37)
Stellan Skarsgård, SENTIMENTAL VALUE (30 points)
Runners-up:
Delroy Lindo, SINNERS (37)
Stellan Skarsgård, SENTIMENTAL VALUE (30 points)
Reposted by Robert Horton
Best Actor: Ethan Hawke, BLUE MOON (57 points)
Runners-up:
Wagner Moura, THE SECRET AGENT (43 points)
Michael B. Jordan, SINNERS (36 points)
Runners-up:
Wagner Moura, THE SECRET AGENT (43 points)
Michael B. Jordan, SINNERS (36 points)
January 3, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Best Actor: Ethan Hawke, BLUE MOON (57 points)
Runners-up:
Wagner Moura, THE SECRET AGENT (43 points)
Michael B. Jordan, SINNERS (36 points)
Runners-up:
Wagner Moura, THE SECRET AGENT (43 points)
Michael B. Jordan, SINNERS (36 points)