Chris Vognar
@chrisvognar.bsky.social
TV/Pop Culture Critic, The Boston Globe. Concerned citizen. Ally.
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Chris Vognar
@chrisvognar.bsky.social
· Jul 17
Why ‘Jaws’ Works
www.nytimes.com
Any excuse to write about Jaws is a good one. In this case it’s a new doc, Jaws @ 50, that I covered for The New York Times. I, and it, make the case that it’s about the people, not the shark.
My Autopilot series returns with an appreciation of Arrested Development. One of those moments when you immediately knew you were looking at something special.
The quicksilver pacing of ‘Arrested Development’ created comedy gold - The Boston Globe
The Bluth family, introduced in speedy order, stands out for the distinctive reasons they're all a bit craven and bumbling.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:21 PM
My Autopilot series returns with an appreciation of Arrested Development. One of those moments when you immediately knew you were looking at something special.
In Pluribus, one woman’s rebellion against an alien positivity virus. It’s got promise, and deserves time to grow.
In Vince Gilligan’s ‘Pluribus,’ one woman fights the tyranny of happiness and conformity - The Boston Globe
Rhea Seehorn stars in a dark comedy about a misanthrope's right to be unhappy.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:30 PM
In Pluribus, one woman’s rebellion against an alien positivity virus. It’s got promise, and deserves time to grow.
We got your Bad Santa. We got your Star Wars Holiday Special. And of course George Bailey. I regret never getting a drink at Nick’s Bar. In any case, here’s my holiday streaming guide.
From ‘Bad Santa’ to the amazingly bad ‘Star Wars Holiday Special,’ a feast of holiday streaming options - The Boston Globe
No matter your level of holiday spirit, you'll find something to watch.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:54 PM
We got your Bad Santa. We got your Star Wars Holiday Special. And of course George Bailey. I regret never getting a drink at Nick’s Bar. In any case, here’s my holiday streaming guide.
Netflix’s Death by Lightning is about a great man (President James Garfield) killed by a delusional man obsessed with greatness (Charles Guiteau), and by some incompetent doctors. Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfayden are both excellent. It tells a good story in only four episodes. How bout that.
Netflix’s ‘Death by Lightning’ presents a story of assassination and a great historical could-have-been - The Boston Globe
Michael Shannon, Matthew Macfadyen, and some incredible 19th-century facial hair star in a series about the assassination of James Garfield.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Netflix’s Death by Lightning is about a great man (President James Garfield) killed by a delusional man obsessed with greatness (Charles Guiteau), and by some incompetent doctors. Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfayden are both excellent. It tells a good story in only four episodes. How bout that.
Not a big fan of Adam McKay’s “Vice.” But I love the scene where Christian Bale’s Cheney jujitsus Sam Rockwell’s Bush into the imperial vice presidency.
In ‘Vice,’ Christian Bale played Dick Cheney as a strategic, cagey power player - The Boston Globe
The film has its flaws, but it also has one nearly perfect scene.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Not a big fan of Adam McKay’s “Vice.” But I love the scene where Christian Bale’s Cheney jujitsus Sam Rockwell’s Bush into the imperial vice presidency.
I put together a very brief, by no means complete French New Wave watch list for those looking to go deeper after Linklater’s “Nouvelle Vague.” Vive le cinema.
Beyond ‘Nouvelle Vague’: Five classic French New Wave films to stream - The Boston Globe
Get a crash course in Jean-Luc Godard and other filmmakers.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:54 PM
I put together a very brief, by no means complete French New Wave watch list for those looking to go deeper after Linklater’s “Nouvelle Vague.” Vive le cinema.
Introducing HBO’s I Love LA, the TV comedy for the influencer age. It’s quite funny and self-aware. And it makes fine use of the Randy Newman song.
Living the influencer life (and making it very funny) in Rachel Sennott’s ‘I Love LA’ - The Boston Globe
The new HBO series turns a sharp eye on the lives of young people in LA.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Introducing HBO’s I Love LA, the TV comedy for the influencer age. It’s quite funny and self-aware. And it makes fine use of the Randy Newman song.
It’s Halloween, which means Linus is still waiting for JFK Jr., I mean the Great Pumpkin.
‘The Great Pumpkin’ as symbol of hope, delusion, and ... QAnon? - The Boston Globe
It's the 59th anniversary of "The Great Pumpkin," Charlie Brown.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:38 PM
It’s Halloween, which means Linus is still waiting for JFK Jr., I mean the Great Pumpkin.
Emma Thompson gives the second best performance in Down Cemetery Road. Which should tell you something about how good Ruth Wilson is. Apple TV has the latest from Mick Herron, the writer behind Slow Horses.
Ruth Wilson and Emma Thompson are a dynamic duo in ‘Down Cemetery Road’ - The Boston Globe
The show, a twisty paranoid thriller, gives both actresses plenty of good material.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Emma Thompson gives the second best performance in Down Cemetery Road. Which should tell you something about how good Ruth Wilson is. Apple TV has the latest from Mick Herron, the writer behind Slow Horses.
Every now and then I will embark on a fool’s errand. Like ranking the top 10 network sitcoms of all time. And forgetting MASH. Man. Lotta MASH fans out there.
‘All in the Family’? ‘Seinfeld’? Ranking the top 10 network sitcoms of all time - The Boston Globe
The shows on TV critic Chris Vognar's list are strictly comedy (no dramedy), and strictly network (as they always said, it's not TV, it's HBO).
www.bostonglobe.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Every now and then I will embark on a fool’s errand. Like ranking the top 10 network sitcoms of all time. And forgetting MASH. Man. Lotta MASH fans out there.
We live in a golden age of sports documentary. I wrote about two new ones, Netflix’s Who Killed the Montreal Expos? (answer: it was a group effort); and Prime Video’s Allen Iv3rson (bad title, pretty good series). Practice?
The death of the Montreal Expos and the life of Allen Iverson join a golden age of sports documentary on TV - The Boston Globe
Between series and one-off films, intimate portraits and dynasty tributes, there’s always something to cheer for or hate-watch.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 26, 2025 at 4:37 PM
We live in a golden age of sports documentary. I wrote about two new ones, Netflix’s Who Killed the Montreal Expos? (answer: it was a group effort); and Prime Video’s Allen Iv3rson (bad title, pretty good series). Practice?
H.P. Lovecraft was a pretty screwed up individual. He’s also the most influential horror writer of the 20th century. For Halloween I wrote about his streamable TV presence, with special emphasis on Night Gallery and Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, plus Lovecraft Country.
H.P. Lovecraft, New England’s master of the macabre, is ready to stream this Halloween - The Boston Globe
Find adaptations from a few different masters of the uncanny.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:51 PM
H.P. Lovecraft was a pretty screwed up individual. He’s also the most influential horror writer of the 20th century. For Halloween I wrote about his streamable TV presence, with special emphasis on Night Gallery and Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, plus Lovecraft Country.
You know it’s NBA season because Draymond Green is about to make a cameo as an anonymous patient on St. Denis Medical. His character was struck by lightning. Some NBA fans are probably good with that. Also I get to riff on The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan’s Island. Go Warriors.
NBA instigator Draymond Green checks into ‘St. Denis Medical’ - The Boston Globe
The Golden State Warriors forward plays a small role in the mockumentary's upcoming season premiere.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:09 PM
You know it’s NBA season because Draymond Green is about to make a cameo as an anonymous patient on St. Denis Medical. His character was struck by lightning. Some NBA fans are probably good with that. Also I get to riff on The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan’s Island. Go Warriors.
I wrote about Bugonia and defended my favorite misanthrope, Yorgos Lanthimos.
Paranoia, conspiracy, and Emma Stone with a shaved head drive deadpan comedy in ‘Bugonia’ - The Boston Globe
The latest film from Yorgos Lanthimos won't dissuade people who think he's prone to misanthropy.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:57 PM
I wrote about Bugonia and defended my favorite misanthrope, Yorgos Lanthimos.
Really enjoyed Jeff Pearlman’s new Tupac book, Only God Can Judge Me, which actually adds new information (thanks to a lot of reporting) and insight to the conversation. It’s sympathetic but unsparing about a guy who did a lot of bad things — and made some immortal contributions to hip-hop.
A new Tupac Shakur book looks to push past the myths by embracing complexity - The Boston Globe
Jeff Pearlman's "Only God Can Judge Me" is exhaustively reported, sympathetic, and unsparing.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Really enjoyed Jeff Pearlman’s new Tupac book, Only God Can Judge Me, which actually adds new information (thanks to a lot of reporting) and insight to the conversation. It’s sympathetic but unsparing about a guy who did a lot of bad things — and made some immortal contributions to hip-hop.
In which I consider the fate of the humble, increasingly out of place network sitcom, and write a bit about a decent new one, CBS’ DMV (featuring an almost Zen-like performance from Tim Meadows).
‘DMV’ on CBS carries the flag for the old-school network sitcom - The Boston Globe
Tim Meadows brings his skill at calm comedy to the quirky workplace of the DMV.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:21 PM
In which I consider the fate of the humble, increasingly out of place network sitcom, and write a bit about a decent new one, CBS’ DMV (featuring an almost Zen-like performance from Tim Meadows).
Spent the afternoon rekindling my love for Harvard Film Archive, one of my favorite spots in these parts. On the menu: Truffaut’s The 400 Blows, one of my all-time favorites; and Kiarostami’s Where is the Friend’s House?, also now a favorite. Part of the series New Dog, New Tricks: Youth in Cinema.
October 18, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Spent the afternoon rekindling my love for Harvard Film Archive, one of my favorite spots in these parts. On the menu: Truffaut’s The 400 Blows, one of my all-time favorites; and Kiarostami’s Where is the Friend’s House?, also now a favorite. Part of the series New Dog, New Tricks: Youth in Cinema.
In this week’s Autoplilot — my column on great first episodes in TV history — I try to explain my first reaction to the uncanny Severance.
‘Severance’ was immediately uncanny and loaded with promise - The Boston Globe
Adam Scott and a cast of talented costars helped bring the series to life from the start.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 18, 2025 at 5:29 PM
In this week’s Autoplilot — my column on great first episodes in TV history — I try to explain my first reaction to the uncanny Severance.
“Mr. Scorsese” is a life portrait of a filmmaker who has seemingly lived a thousand lives. That means it’s also a portrait of a thousand deaths. Essential viewing on an essential artist.
Sympathy for the devil: ‘Mr. Scorsese’ explores a filmmaker with many lives (and deaths) - The Boston Globe
The filmmaker's life and career get a long look in Rebecca Miller's docuseries.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:29 PM
“Mr. Scorsese” is a life portrait of a filmmaker who has seemingly lived a thousand lives. That means it’s also a portrait of a thousand deaths. Essential viewing on an essential artist.
The “Mr. Scorsese” documentary series is pretty terrific, a cradle-to-thankfully-not-yet-grave sprint through the great filmmaker. But it’s actually not the best Martin Scorsese documentary you can stream right now. I wrote about A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies.
Why you need to watch the other Martin Scorsese documentary - The Boston Globe
"Mr. Scorsese," the new Apple TV docuseries, isn't the only way to get a more personal glimpse at the filmmaker.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 16, 2025 at 5:43 PM
The “Mr. Scorsese” documentary series is pretty terrific, a cradle-to-thankfully-not-yet-grave sprint through the great filmmaker. But it’s actually not the best Martin Scorsese documentary you can stream right now. I wrote about A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies.
I’m excited for Death by Lightning, the new Netflix drama about the insanity surrounding the assassination of James Garfield. Based on one of the great nonfiction books of recent years, Candice Millard’s Destiny of the Republic. Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfadyen star.
Netflix’s ‘Death by Lightning’ trailer drops: political violence and the James Garfield assassination - The Boston Globe
Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfadyen star as President James Garfield and his assassin, Charles Guiteau, respectively.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:27 PM
I’m excited for Death by Lightning, the new Netflix drama about the insanity surrounding the assassination of James Garfield. Based on one of the great nonfiction books of recent years, Candice Millard’s Destiny of the Republic. Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfadyen star.
Wrote about how Ryan Murphy’s new Monster installment on Ed Gein becomes a horror hall of mirrors. Hitchcock, Tobe Hooper, Norman Bates, Leatherface: ain’t nothin but a Psycho party.
Multiple monsters: How Ryan Murphy’s new Ed Gein series becomes a horror hall of mirrors - The Boston Globe
"Monster: The Ed Gein Story" has as much to say about our fascination with murderers as it does the titular monster.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 13, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Wrote about how Ryan Murphy’s new Monster installment on Ed Gein becomes a horror hall of mirrors. Hitchcock, Tobe Hooper, Norman Bates, Leatherface: ain’t nothin but a Psycho party.
Caught Blue Moon at IFFBoston (Linklater’s new film starring Ethan Hawke as Lorenz Hart). Overcomes the limits of a single setting with a great script and a hell of a performance by Hawke. Also lowkey a really smart story about what alcoholism can do to creativity, and especially collaboration.
October 13, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Caught Blue Moon at IFFBoston (Linklater’s new film starring Ethan Hawke as Lorenz Hart). Overcomes the limits of a single setting with a great script and a hell of a performance by Hawke. Also lowkey a really smart story about what alcoholism can do to creativity, and especially collaboration.
This week in my Autopilot series: Homeland, no security, and the greatness of Claire Danes. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/10/a...
‘Homeland’ was a deft interrogator of the ‘War on Terror’ - The Boston Globe
Led by powerful star turns from Damian Lewis and Claire Danes, the series remains a powerful window into the recent past.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 12, 2025 at 5:54 PM
This week in my Autopilot series: Homeland, no security, and the greatness of Claire Danes. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/10/a...
I Think You Should Watch: Tim Robinson’s The Chair Company is a conspiracy thriller parody — think Three Days of the Schmuck — that plays like a mix of Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Office, crossed with Kafka and a touch of David Lynch. My Boston Globe review:
The system is rigged: Tim Robinson has fun with conspiracy in HBO’s absurdist comedy ‘The Chair Company’ - The Boston Globe
The comedian best known for "I Think You Should Leave" brings his oddball sensibility to an absurdist corporate thriller comedy.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:07 PM
I Think You Should Watch: Tim Robinson’s The Chair Company is a conspiracy thriller parody — think Three Days of the Schmuck — that plays like a mix of Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Office, crossed with Kafka and a touch of David Lynch. My Boston Globe review: