Sam Van Hallgren
@samvanhallgren.bsky.social
Dad, Filmspotting, NH native, Kenyon grad, wants your music/book recommendations. “Sticky spring leaves, the blue sky—I love them, that’s all!”
What is the single greatest film performance of the last 25 years?
Extra credit for giving me your five nominees, plus your winner.
Extra credit for giving me your five nominees, plus your winner.
May 14, 2025 at 1:47 PM
What is the single greatest film performance of the last 25 years?
Extra credit for giving me your five nominees, plus your winner.
Extra credit for giving me your five nominees, plus your winner.
Actor of the Century (So Far)
One and only one name.
And by actor I mean actor or actress.
But only one.
Best? Defining? Your criteria. But based only on their work this century so far.
One name, I mean it.
One and only one name.
And by actor I mean actor or actress.
But only one.
Best? Defining? Your criteria. But based only on their work this century so far.
One name, I mean it.
April 28, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Actor of the Century (So Far)
One and only one name.
And by actor I mean actor or actress.
But only one.
Best? Defining? Your criteria. But based only on their work this century so far.
One name, I mean it.
One and only one name.
And by actor I mean actor or actress.
But only one.
Best? Defining? Your criteria. But based only on their work this century so far.
One name, I mean it.
Caught this delightful (and probably accurate!) error in the Times before they fixed it.
April 24, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Caught this delightful (and probably accurate!) error in the Times before they fixed it.
Reposted by Sam Van Hallgren
Here's a really nice piece by @lindseyromain.bsky.social at Moviejawn about six films she is excited to see at this year's Chicago Critics Film Festival May 2-8 at the @musicboxtheatre.bsky.social . www.moviejawn.com/home/2025/4/...
6 Movies We Can’t Wait to Watch at the 2025 Chicago Critics Film Festival — Moviejawn
by Lindsey Romain, Staff Writer For a movie fan, there’s almost nothing more rewarding than tucking into the crimson seats of the Music Box Theatre in Chicago and letting a spectacle of cinema wash o...
www.moviejawn.com
April 24, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Here's a really nice piece by @lindseyromain.bsky.social at Moviejawn about six films she is excited to see at this year's Chicago Critics Film Festival May 2-8 at the @musicboxtheatre.bsky.social . www.moviejawn.com/home/2025/4/...
The news is so insane every single day and then this morning I realized that it was also weirdly familiar. It’s Burton’s BATMAN without Batman. Just a comic book psychopath and his minions wreaking havoc.
the joker is sitting on a throne holding a microphone in his hand .
ALT: the joker is sitting on a throne holding a microphone in his hand .
media.tenor.com
April 24, 2025 at 2:42 PM
The news is so insane every single day and then this morning I realized that it was also weirdly familiar. It’s Burton’s BATMAN without Batman. Just a comic book psychopath and his minions wreaking havoc.
Thank you, @stevenhyden.bsky.social, for recommending Fust’s Big Ugly. “Spangled” is ridiculously good.
April 15, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Thank you, @stevenhyden.bsky.social, for recommending Fust’s Big Ugly. “Spangled” is ridiculously good.
Did you or your kids experience the Minecraft Movie thing? Or if you missed it, do you plan to seek it out?
I did and I thought it was fun, but things didn't get out of hand as I know they have in some locations.
I did and I thought it was fun, but things didn't get out of hand as I know they have in some locations.
April 9, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Did you or your kids experience the Minecraft Movie thing? Or if you missed it, do you plan to seek it out?
I did and I thought it was fun, but things didn't get out of hand as I know they have in some locations.
I did and I thought it was fun, but things didn't get out of hand as I know they have in some locations.
Reposted by Sam Van Hallgren
ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL is out now on on-demand video; if you missed it in theaters, you should seek it out at home.
On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
Writer-director Rungano Nyoni ties an increasingly tightening knot.
seeingandbelieving.substack.com
April 9, 2025 at 1:55 AM
ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL is out now on on-demand video; if you missed it in theaters, you should seek it out at home.
Reposted by Sam Van Hallgren
Criterion Channel isn't even putting a promo or "sign up now" message between the films on its Free Movie Week live stream, just a schedule.
I love that. The best marketing is a good product.
www.criterionchannel.com/events/free-... #FilmSky
I love that. The best marketing is a good product.
www.criterionchannel.com/events/free-... #FilmSky
Criterion Live - The Criterion Channel
Join us for a week of free live screenings of all-time favorites from the Criterion Channel’s library. Anyone in the U.S. or Canada can tune in, with or without a subscription, so tell your friends!
...
www.criterionchannel.com
April 9, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Criterion Channel isn't even putting a promo or "sign up now" message between the films on its Free Movie Week live stream, just a schedule.
I love that. The best marketing is a good product.
www.criterionchannel.com/events/free-... #FilmSky
I love that. The best marketing is a good product.
www.criterionchannel.com/events/free-... #FilmSky
Hi, there, @letterboxd.social. Due to a strange quirk in the system, Singin’ in the Rain is filed under the genres Comedy and Romance, but not Music. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. Your humble servant, Sam
February 5, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Hi, there, @letterboxd.social. Due to a strange quirk in the system, Singin’ in the Rain is filed under the genres Comedy and Romance, but not Music. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. Your humble servant, Sam
Reposted by Sam Van Hallgren
Warner Bros. posted Joan Micklin Silver's CROSSING DELANCEY (1988) to YouTube a week ago — and it already has 82K views.
These free full film posts are often up for a limited time, so don’t miss out on this gem!
youtu.be/Ow6F8KUZ_qo #FilmSky
These free full film posts are often up for a limited time, so don’t miss out on this gem!
youtu.be/Ow6F8KUZ_qo #FilmSky
February 2, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Warner Bros. posted Joan Micklin Silver's CROSSING DELANCEY (1988) to YouTube a week ago — and it already has 82K views.
These free full film posts are often up for a limited time, so don’t miss out on this gem!
youtu.be/Ow6F8KUZ_qo #FilmSky
These free full film posts are often up for a limited time, so don’t miss out on this gem!
youtu.be/Ow6F8KUZ_qo #FilmSky
Give me one 2025 Oscar snub outrage.
January 26, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Give me one 2025 Oscar snub outrage.
Reposted by Sam Van Hallgren
For The Reveal I wrote about that last night TWIN PEAKS aired on broadcast TV, a finale that ended the show as daringly as it began and influenced the rest of David Lynch's career. (We're turning the whole week over to Lynch, so look for more soon.)
Under the Sycamore Trees: The Night ‘Twin Peaks’ Went Off the Air
With the finale to the original run, David Lynch patched together pieces of a broken series and set the stage for the rest of his career.
thereveal.substack.com
January 21, 2025 at 4:01 PM
For The Reveal I wrote about that last night TWIN PEAKS aired on broadcast TV, a finale that ended the show as daringly as it began and influenced the rest of David Lynch's career. (We're turning the whole week over to Lynch, so look for more soon.)
What was your first encounter with a David Lynch film and how did it go?
January 20, 2025 at 1:27 PM
What was your first encounter with a David Lynch film and how did it go?
Can someone help me explain how I have never - to my knowledge - heard a single Robbie Williams song? He was much much much bigger in the UK than in US, I'm guessing? (I remain intrigued by Better Man.)
January 6, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Can someone help me explain how I have never - to my knowledge - heard a single Robbie Williams song? He was much much much bigger in the UK than in US, I'm guessing? (I remain intrigued by Better Man.)
Reposted by Sam Van Hallgren
hi! my annual video countdown of the year's best movies will be up on monday, january 13.
on the advice of "No Other Land" director Basel Adra, the annual fundraiser i launch along with it is in support of The Palestine Red Crescent Society, and the fundraiser is now live:
gofund.me/ae3c2b9f
on the advice of "No Other Land" director Basel Adra, the annual fundraiser i launch along with it is in support of The Palestine Red Crescent Society, and the fundraiser is now live:
gofund.me/ae3c2b9f
January 6, 2025 at 4:57 AM
hi! my annual video countdown of the year's best movies will be up on monday, january 13.
on the advice of "No Other Land" director Basel Adra, the annual fundraiser i launch along with it is in support of The Palestine Red Crescent Society, and the fundraiser is now live:
gofund.me/ae3c2b9f
on the advice of "No Other Land" director Basel Adra, the annual fundraiser i launch along with it is in support of The Palestine Red Crescent Society, and the fundraiser is now live:
gofund.me/ae3c2b9f
2024 movie-related New Year's resolutions?
December 28, 2023 at 3:14 PM
2024 movie-related New Year's resolutions?
Is there an online resource that can tell you how widely films are going to open a weekend or more ahead? In particular, films going into limited release, where the definition of "limited" can vary widely. (Poor Things currently only on 80 screens? Huh?)
December 18, 2023 at 5:51 PM
Is there an online resource that can tell you how widely films are going to open a weekend or more ahead? In particular, films going into limited release, where the definition of "limited" can vary widely. (Poor Things currently only on 80 screens? Huh?)
I’ve been on the hunt for great insights on the endlessly intriguing May December and found a ton in this review on
@letterboxd by @bybowes: boxd.it/5hC5lH
I love how he writes about the performances.
@letterboxd by @bybowes: boxd.it/5hC5lH
I love how he writes about the performances.
December 7, 2023 at 6:08 PM
I’ve been on the hunt for great insights on the endlessly intriguing May December and found a ton in this review on
@letterboxd by @bybowes: boxd.it/5hC5lH
I love how he writes about the performances.
@letterboxd by @bybowes: boxd.it/5hC5lH
I love how he writes about the performances.
You saw THE KILLER.
Maybe you had some questions?
Like, Why did he...? or Why *didn't* he...?
Or just Why The Smiths?
These questions and more are asked and answered on this week's Filmspotting. Plus THE KILLER spoiler talk!
Coming Friday.
Maybe you had some questions?
Like, Why did he...? or Why *didn't* he...?
Or just Why The Smiths?
These questions and more are asked and answered on this week's Filmspotting. Plus THE KILLER spoiler talk!
Coming Friday.
November 17, 2023 at 1:49 AM
You saw THE KILLER.
Maybe you had some questions?
Like, Why did he...? or Why *didn't* he...?
Or just Why The Smiths?
These questions and more are asked and answered on this week's Filmspotting. Plus THE KILLER spoiler talk!
Coming Friday.
Maybe you had some questions?
Like, Why did he...? or Why *didn't* he...?
Or just Why The Smiths?
These questions and more are asked and answered on this week's Filmspotting. Plus THE KILLER spoiler talk!
Coming Friday.
The bad news: someone doesn’t like PRISCILLA. The good news: the other someone does.
Also on this week’s show:
“I want to know what gets you up and moving in front of other people at an intimate gathering.”
Also: this question answered.
New Filmspotting coming Friday.
Also on this week’s show:
“I want to know what gets you up and moving in front of other people at an intimate gathering.”
Also: this question answered.
New Filmspotting coming Friday.
November 9, 2023 at 3:56 PM
The bad news: someone doesn’t like PRISCILLA. The good news: the other someone does.
Also on this week’s show:
“I want to know what gets you up and moving in front of other people at an intimate gathering.”
Also: this question answered.
New Filmspotting coming Friday.
Also on this week’s show:
“I want to know what gets you up and moving in front of other people at an intimate gathering.”
Also: this question answered.
New Filmspotting coming Friday.
Make plans to see ANATOMY OF A FALL this weekend.
Adam and Josh dig into the many intriguing mysteries of the film, which they agree is one of the best of the year.
Plus Golden Brick nods for
All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt
& Theater Camp
New Filmspotting coming Fri.
Adam and Josh dig into the many intriguing mysteries of the film, which they agree is one of the best of the year.
Plus Golden Brick nods for
All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt
& Theater Camp
New Filmspotting coming Fri.
November 2, 2023 at 5:59 PM
Make plans to see ANATOMY OF A FALL this weekend.
Adam and Josh dig into the many intriguing mysteries of the film, which they agree is one of the best of the year.
Plus Golden Brick nods for
All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt
& Theater Camp
New Filmspotting coming Fri.
Adam and Josh dig into the many intriguing mysteries of the film, which they agree is one of the best of the year.
Plus Golden Brick nods for
All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt
& Theater Camp
New Filmspotting coming Fri.
110
spoiler-filled
minutes.
That’s how long @filmspotting and @LarsenOnFilm spend digging into the cinematic feast that is KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON.
It was a treat to be the first listener to this one.
open.spotify.com/episode/7hDa...
spoiler-filled
minutes.
That’s how long @filmspotting and @LarsenOnFilm spend digging into the cinematic feast that is KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON.
It was a treat to be the first listener to this one.
open.spotify.com/episode/7hDa...
October 27, 2023 at 1:16 PM
110
spoiler-filled
minutes.
That’s how long @filmspotting and @LarsenOnFilm spend digging into the cinematic feast that is KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON.
It was a treat to be the first listener to this one.
open.spotify.com/episode/7hDa...
spoiler-filled
minutes.
That’s how long @filmspotting and @LarsenOnFilm spend digging into the cinematic feast that is KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON.
It was a treat to be the first listener to this one.
open.spotify.com/episode/7hDa...
Has DiCaprio ever looked more like Matt Damon than he does in Killers of the Flower Moon?
And would Damon, who has more experience and is more comfortable playing dummies, have been a better casting choice for Ernest?
Discuss.
And would Damon, who has more experience and is more comfortable playing dummies, have been a better casting choice for Ernest?
Discuss.
October 24, 2023 at 10:13 PM
Has DiCaprio ever looked more like Matt Damon than he does in Killers of the Flower Moon?
And would Damon, who has more experience and is more comfortable playing dummies, have been a better casting choice for Ernest?
Discuss.
And would Damon, who has more experience and is more comfortable playing dummies, have been a better casting choice for Ernest?
Discuss.