David Rooney
@david-rooney.bsky.social
Chief Film Critic at The Hollywood Reporter, plus theater when time permits. Member of @NYFCC.bsky.social and @NSFC.bsky.social
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/author/david-rooney/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/author/david-rooney/
Diane Ladd, 1935-2025 💔
November 3, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Diane Ladd, 1935-2025 💔
Leonardo DiCaprio deserves all the praise coming his way for Paul Thomas Anderson's provocative and entertaining firecracker ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER. Ditto Sean Penn & Benicio del Toro. But the women are the movie's beating heart: Teyana Taylor, Regina Hall & gifted newcomer Chase Infiniti.
September 22, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Leonardo DiCaprio deserves all the praise coming his way for Paul Thomas Anderson's provocative and entertaining firecracker ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER. Ditto Sean Penn & Benicio del Toro. But the women are the movie's beating heart: Teyana Taylor, Regina Hall & gifted newcomer Chase Infiniti.
Such a kick to come back from vacation and find that all the excitement generated by Paul Thomas Anderson's ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER is 100% justified. Smart, incisive, uncannily keyed into our current political moment and brought to life by a superlative ensemble. Incredible chase sequences.
September 22, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Such a kick to come back from vacation and find that all the excitement generated by Paul Thomas Anderson's ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER is 100% justified. Smart, incisive, uncannily keyed into our current political moment and brought to life by a superlative ensemble. Incredible chase sequences.
Jean-Jacques Beineix’s ravishing 1981 neo-noir, DIVA, made high-style over substance a swoon-inducing virtue. No wonder it became such an influential global arthouse sensation. Can’t wait to see the 4K restoration opening Aug. 22 in NY and 29 in LA, with other cities to follow.
July 31, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Jean-Jacques Beineix’s ravishing 1981 neo-noir, DIVA, made high-style over substance a swoon-inducing virtue. No wonder it became such an influential global arthouse sensation. Can’t wait to see the 4K restoration opening Aug. 22 in NY and 29 in LA, with other cities to follow.
One of the movies I'm most looking forward to at the Venice Film Festival. THE HANDMAIDEN and DECISION TO LEAVE are two of the best films of the last decade.
July 23, 2025 at 7:44 PM
One of the movies I'm most looking forward to at the Venice Film Festival. THE HANDMAIDEN and DECISION TO LEAVE are two of the best films of the last decade.
Continuing our VERTIGO pilgrimage, my partner as Kim Novak as Judy Barton/Madeleine Elster contemplating Carlotta Valdes. Should I be concerned?
July 10, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Continuing our VERTIGO pilgrimage, my partner as Kim Novak as Judy Barton/Madeleine Elster contemplating Carlotta Valdes. Should I be concerned?
In theaters July 18, Kiyoshi Kurosawa's CLOUD is a slow-burn, suspenseful thriller about a bored factory worker seduced by the quick-buck rewards of black-market online resale until it comes back to bite him in the ass in a violent climax. Hypnotic stuff; loved never knowing where it would go next.
July 7, 2025 at 10:26 PM
In theaters July 18, Kiyoshi Kurosawa's CLOUD is a slow-burn, suspenseful thriller about a bored factory worker seduced by the quick-buck rewards of black-market online resale until it comes back to bite him in the ass in a violent climax. Hypnotic stuff; loved never knowing where it would go next.
Finally got around to Matt Wolf’s enthralling 2-part Paul Reubens doc for HBO, PEE-WEE AS HIMSELF. A unique talent who tucked away his queerness to serve a man-child alter ego that all but erased the man himself, then stripped of his dignity in overblown obscenity charges. Brought me to tears. 💔
June 28, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Finally got around to Matt Wolf’s enthralling 2-part Paul Reubens doc for HBO, PEE-WEE AS HIMSELF. A unique talent who tucked away his queerness to serve a man-child alter ego that all but erased the man himself, then stripped of his dignity in overblown obscenity charges. Brought me to tears. 💔
Loved Jordan Tannahill’s meta-theatrical delight PRINCE FAGGOT at Playwrights Horizons. An eloquent, funny, seriously sexy exploration of queerness, not as a one-size-fits-all monolith but a glorious spectrum of experience without boundaries. Great stuff; grab tickets if u can.
June 23, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Loved Jordan Tannahill’s meta-theatrical delight PRINCE FAGGOT at Playwrights Horizons. An eloquent, funny, seriously sexy exploration of queerness, not as a one-size-fits-all monolith but a glorious spectrum of experience without boundaries. Great stuff; grab tickets if u can.
Last day in Provincetown. Perfect late-afternoon weather for a bike ride. Love this place.
June 15, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Last day in Provincetown. Perfect late-afternoon weather for a bike ride. Love this place.
Escaped to Provincetown for a few days. Don't bother me.
June 11, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Escaped to Provincetown for a few days. Don't bother me.
Obviously Teyana Taylor won the Met Gala. No contest.
May 6, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Obviously Teyana Taylor won the Met Gala. No contest.
Always psyched for a new Kelly Reichardt film. The Massachusetts-set, Vietnam-era art heist drama THE MASTERMIND sounds like a possible departure for the director. The #Cannes2025 competition entry's promising cast includes Josh O'Connor, Alana Haim, John Magaro, Gaby Hoffman & Hope Davis
May 3, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Always psyched for a new Kelly Reichardt film. The Massachusetts-set, Vietnam-era art heist drama THE MASTERMIND sounds like a possible departure for the director. The #Cannes2025 competition entry's promising cast includes Josh O'Connor, Alana Haim, John Magaro, Gaby Hoffman & Hope Davis
High on the list of #Cannes2025 titles I'm eager to see — THE HISTORY OF SOUND, from MOFFIE director Oliver Hermanus. Adapted from Ben Shattuck's exquisite short story about a brief but indelible queer romance in early 20th century New England, it pairs Paul Mescal & Josh O'Connor
May 2, 2025 at 9:34 PM
High on the list of #Cannes2025 titles I'm eager to see — THE HISTORY OF SOUND, from MOFFIE director Oliver Hermanus. Adapted from Ben Shattuck's exquisite short story about a brief but indelible queer romance in early 20th century New England, it pairs Paul Mescal & Josh O'Connor
Damn, episode 2 of the new season of THE LAST OF US. 😢
April 22, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Damn, episode 2 of the new season of THE LAST OF US. 😢
Caught up late with girlfriend comedy ONE OF THEM DAYS on Netflix. LMAO, such a mood-booster. Funny & affecting. Keke Palmer & SZA have dynamite chemistry as opposites whose bond survives an onslaught of ordeals that threaten their home, their friendship & even their lives. Loved it.
April 19, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Caught up late with girlfriend comedy ONE OF THEM DAYS on Netflix. LMAO, such a mood-booster. Funny & affecting. Keke Palmer & SZA have dynamite chemistry as opposites whose bond survives an onslaught of ordeals that threaten their home, their friendship & even their lives. Loved it.
Rewatched Mike Leigh's masterful SECRETS & LIES for the first time since its release. Holds up so well. I had forgotten the gorgeous scene with Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Michele Austin as friends discussing their mothers, almost 30 years before they played sisters in HARD TRUTHS. Just sublime.
March 23, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Rewatched Mike Leigh's masterful SECRETS & LIES for the first time since its release. Holds up so well. I had forgotten the gorgeous scene with Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Michele Austin as friends discussing their mothers, almost 30 years before they played sisters in HARD TRUTHS. Just sublime.
Rebecca Frecknall's scorching revival of A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (now at @bambrooklyn.bsky.social) is very much director's theater — raw, combustible, even expressionistic. Yet the approach liberates rather than cramps her blazing cast, led by Paul Mescal, Patsy Ferran & Anjana Vasan. Superb.
March 12, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Rebecca Frecknall's scorching revival of A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (now at @bambrooklyn.bsky.social) is very much director's theater — raw, combustible, even expressionistic. Yet the approach liberates rather than cramps her blazing cast, led by Paul Mescal, Patsy Ferran & Anjana Vasan. Superb.
Devoured the first 6 Season 3 episodes of THE WHITE LOTUS, another juicy demolition of white privilege that gets considerably darker. Ensemble standouts: Jason Isaacs; the trio of Michelle Monaghan, Carrie Coon & Leslie Bibb; Aimee Lee Wood channeling Shelley Duvall; and Natasha Rothwell, of course!
February 11, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Devoured the first 6 Season 3 episodes of THE WHITE LOTUS, another juicy demolition of white privilege that gets considerably darker. Ensemble standouts: Jason Isaacs; the trio of Michelle Monaghan, Carrie Coon & Leslie Bibb; Aimee Lee Wood channeling Shelley Duvall; and Natasha Rothwell, of course!
Psyched for BLACK BAG, the new Soderbergh in theaters March 14. Again written by David Koepp, his collaborator on KIMI and one of last year's #Sundance highlights, the unsettling ghost story PRESENCE, which is in theaters now and well worth your time.
January 30, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Psyched for BLACK BAG, the new Soderbergh in theaters March 14. Again written by David Koepp, his collaborator on KIMI and one of last year's #Sundance highlights, the unsettling ghost story PRESENCE, which is in theaters now and well worth your time.
So many great Oscar noms to cheer this morning. Especially thrilled about I'M STILL HERE for best picture and actress, the strong showing for THE BRUTALIST, the double nomination for FLOW & the deserved recognition in the craft categories for NOSFERATU. And go, ANORA!
January 23, 2025 at 6:03 PM
So many great Oscar noms to cheer this morning. Especially thrilled about I'M STILL HERE for best picture and actress, the strong showing for THE BRUTALIST, the double nomination for FLOW & the deserved recognition in the craft categories for NOSFERATU. And go, ANORA!
A bit late in the day for this, but still, when we're all starved for good news and a moment's levity, attention must be paid.
January 11, 2025 at 1:46 AM
A bit late in the day for this, but still, when we're all starved for good news and a moment's levity, attention must be paid.
Marianne Jean Baptiste has been sweeping well-earned best actress honors with critics groups for her devastating performance in Mike Leigh's HARD TRUTHS. But how great to see her superb co-star, Michele Austin, recognized for best supporting actress in the @nsfc.bsky.social awards today.
January 5, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Marianne Jean Baptiste has been sweeping well-earned best actress honors with critics groups for her devastating performance in Mike Leigh's HARD TRUTHS. But how great to see her superb co-star, Michele Austin, recognized for best supporting actress in the @nsfc.bsky.social awards today.
A pleasure to vote in the @nsfc.bsky.social awards today. Some thrilling wins, particularly Payal Kapadia's transcendent portrait of the lives of three working-class women in contemporary Mumbai, ALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT, for best film not in the English language and best director
January 5, 2025 at 3:00 AM
A pleasure to vote in the @nsfc.bsky.social awards today. Some thrilling wins, particularly Payal Kapadia's transcendent portrait of the lives of three working-class women in contemporary Mumbai, ALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT, for best film not in the English language and best director
Caught up with Jeremy Saulnier's punchy revenge thriller REBEL RIDGE, the kind of sharply directed Grade-A pulp that more Netflix original movies should aspire to. In a star-making turn, Aaron Pierre plays an ex-Marine up against corrupt small-town cops, led by an enjoyably evil Don Johnson.
December 23, 2024 at 10:23 PM
Caught up with Jeremy Saulnier's punchy revenge thriller REBEL RIDGE, the kind of sharply directed Grade-A pulp that more Netflix original movies should aspire to. In a star-making turn, Aaron Pierre plays an ex-Marine up against corrupt small-town cops, led by an enjoyably evil Don Johnson.