Steve Mitchell
@neuralarts.bsky.social
Writer, Editor, Layabout at Scuppernong Books and Scuppernong Editions. Current work in Passengers Journal, Harpur Palate. New books: The Reason the Dress is Yellow, short stories from Press 53, and Body of Trust, pre-orders now open.More: clouddiary.org
Coming soon. A new video essay.
November 11, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Coming soon. A new video essay.
1/4 Contempt (Jean-Luc Godard, 1968)
The bickering couple from Weekend transform from caricature to something deeply human. Contempt is a lacerating portrait of male arrogance and insecurity, as well as an indictment of the film industry and JLG’s own producers. Brigitte
The bickering couple from Weekend transform from caricature to something deeply human. Contempt is a lacerating portrait of male arrogance and insecurity, as well as an indictment of the film industry and JLG’s own producers. Brigitte
October 5, 2025 at 12:22 PM
1/4 Contempt (Jean-Luc Godard, 1968)
The bickering couple from Weekend transform from caricature to something deeply human. Contempt is a lacerating portrait of male arrogance and insecurity, as well as an indictment of the film industry and JLG’s own producers. Brigitte
The bickering couple from Weekend transform from caricature to something deeply human. Contempt is a lacerating portrait of male arrogance and insecurity, as well as an indictment of the film industry and JLG’s own producers. Brigitte
1/3
Make Me (Lee Child)
This book felt like it took five years of my life to read, as I diligently continued my literary crime spree. Jack Reacher is a cut-rate Sherlock Holmes, in that he notices everything all the time and puts things together very quickly. A
Make Me (Lee Child)
This book felt like it took five years of my life to read, as I diligently continued my literary crime spree. Jack Reacher is a cut-rate Sherlock Holmes, in that he notices everything all the time and puts things together very quickly. A
September 28, 2025 at 11:35 PM
1/3
Make Me (Lee Child)
This book felt like it took five years of my life to read, as I diligently continued my literary crime spree. Jack Reacher is a cut-rate Sherlock Holmes, in that he notices everything all the time and puts things together very quickly. A
Make Me (Lee Child)
This book felt like it took five years of my life to read, as I diligently continued my literary crime spree. Jack Reacher is a cut-rate Sherlock Holmes, in that he notices everything all the time and puts things together very quickly. A
1/4 Weekend (Jean-Luc Godard, 1967)
“What a rotten film. All we meet are crazy people.”
A squabbling, venal couple stumble their way through the excesses of capitalism and revolution, while plotting to kill their parents and each other for money.
“What a rotten film. All we meet are crazy people.”
A squabbling, venal couple stumble their way through the excesses of capitalism and revolution, while plotting to kill their parents and each other for money.
September 28, 2025 at 8:54 PM
1/4 Weekend (Jean-Luc Godard, 1967)
“What a rotten film. All we meet are crazy people.”
A squabbling, venal couple stumble their way through the excesses of capitalism and revolution, while plotting to kill their parents and each other for money.
“What a rotten film. All we meet are crazy people.”
A squabbling, venal couple stumble their way through the excesses of capitalism and revolution, while plotting to kill their parents and each other for money.
1/3 Dirty Dancing (Emile Ardolino, 1987)
Rich girl meets bad boy in a sports movie about dancing, meaning sex. Points for a frank description of backroom abortions and their aftermath, and for not making the father
Rich girl meets bad boy in a sports movie about dancing, meaning sex. Points for a frank description of backroom abortions and their aftermath, and for not making the father
September 28, 2025 at 6:23 PM
1/3 Dirty Dancing (Emile Ardolino, 1987)
Rich girl meets bad boy in a sports movie about dancing, meaning sex. Points for a frank description of backroom abortions and their aftermath, and for not making the father
Rich girl meets bad boy in a sports movie about dancing, meaning sex. Points for a frank description of backroom abortions and their aftermath, and for not making the father
1/3 Kubrick (Michael Herr)
I read this book again now and then just for the language and the way it approaches the man many see as an icon. Herr worked with Kubrick on Full Metal Jacket, had many late night phone conversations with him afterward,
I read this book again now and then just for the language and the way it approaches the man many see as an icon. Herr worked with Kubrick on Full Metal Jacket, had many late night phone conversations with him afterward,
September 28, 2025 at 4:10 PM
1/3 Kubrick (Michael Herr)
I read this book again now and then just for the language and the way it approaches the man many see as an icon. Herr worked with Kubrick on Full Metal Jacket, had many late night phone conversations with him afterward,
I read this book again now and then just for the language and the way it approaches the man many see as an icon. Herr worked with Kubrick on Full Metal Jacket, had many late night phone conversations with him afterward,
1/3 A Truce that is Not Peace (Miriam Toews)
Why do you write? Miriam Toews is asked to contribute a piece on the subject, and this book is her roundabout non-response. Lives are messy in Toews’ novels, spilling in all directions, careening between comedy and tragedy at breakneck speed.
Why do you write? Miriam Toews is asked to contribute a piece on the subject, and this book is her roundabout non-response. Lives are messy in Toews’ novels, spilling in all directions, careening between comedy and tragedy at breakneck speed.
September 28, 2025 at 12:31 PM
1/3 A Truce that is Not Peace (Miriam Toews)
Why do you write? Miriam Toews is asked to contribute a piece on the subject, and this book is her roundabout non-response. Lives are messy in Toews’ novels, spilling in all directions, careening between comedy and tragedy at breakneck speed.
Why do you write? Miriam Toews is asked to contribute a piece on the subject, and this book is her roundabout non-response. Lives are messy in Toews’ novels, spilling in all directions, careening between comedy and tragedy at breakneck speed.
1/2 To the Devil a Daughter (Peter Sykes, 1976) Criterion
Slow British Satan movie. Richard Widmark looks tired, there’s not a lot of action, but Chriistopher Lee gets to be gleefully evil. Part of the Nunsploitation series on Criterion, and what could be better than Nunsploitation?
Slow British Satan movie. Richard Widmark looks tired, there’s not a lot of action, but Chriistopher Lee gets to be gleefully evil. Part of the Nunsploitation series on Criterion, and what could be better than Nunsploitation?
September 28, 2025 at 10:44 AM
1/2 To the Devil a Daughter (Peter Sykes, 1976) Criterion
Slow British Satan movie. Richard Widmark looks tired, there’s not a lot of action, but Chriistopher Lee gets to be gleefully evil. Part of the Nunsploitation series on Criterion, and what could be better than Nunsploitation?
Slow British Satan movie. Richard Widmark looks tired, there’s not a lot of action, but Chriistopher Lee gets to be gleefully evil. Part of the Nunsploitation series on Criterion, and what could be better than Nunsploitation?
1/2 Dog of the South (Charles Portis)
I think True Grit is an amazing book, so I was excited to begin this Portis novel but, while it is funny and well put together, it falls into the genre of Southern Grotesque that I just can’t appreciate.
I think True Grit is an amazing book, so I was excited to begin this Portis novel but, while it is funny and well put together, it falls into the genre of Southern Grotesque that I just can’t appreciate.
September 19, 2025 at 10:49 AM
1/2 Dog of the South (Charles Portis)
I think True Grit is an amazing book, so I was excited to begin this Portis novel but, while it is funny and well put together, it falls into the genre of Southern Grotesque that I just can’t appreciate.
I think True Grit is an amazing book, so I was excited to begin this Portis novel but, while it is funny and well put together, it falls into the genre of Southern Grotesque that I just can’t appreciate.
John (Annie Baker)
Annie Baker writes plays in which no one says much of anything but, magically, everything gets said. They are spare, filled with silences and hesitations. They’re funny, and they are heartbreaking. In her style, I’ll leave it at that.
Annie Baker writes plays in which no one says much of anything but, magically, everything gets said. They are spare, filled with silences and hesitations. They’re funny, and they are heartbreaking. In her style, I’ll leave it at that.
September 14, 2025 at 9:13 PM
John (Annie Baker)
Annie Baker writes plays in which no one says much of anything but, magically, everything gets said. They are spare, filled with silences and hesitations. They’re funny, and they are heartbreaking. In her style, I’ll leave it at that.
Annie Baker writes plays in which no one says much of anything but, magically, everything gets said. They are spare, filled with silences and hesitations. They’re funny, and they are heartbreaking. In her style, I’ll leave it at that.
1/2 Thirty-Two Short Films about Glenn Gould (Francois Girard 1993) Criterion
Lovely film about an enigmatic man, played with energy and empathy and a little bit of skewed joy by Colm Feore. The film enacts scenes from his life, interviews, fictional encounters,
Lovely film about an enigmatic man, played with energy and empathy and a little bit of skewed joy by Colm Feore. The film enacts scenes from his life, interviews, fictional encounters,
September 7, 2025 at 12:16 PM
1/2 Thirty-Two Short Films about Glenn Gould (Francois Girard 1993) Criterion
Lovely film about an enigmatic man, played with energy and empathy and a little bit of skewed joy by Colm Feore. The film enacts scenes from his life, interviews, fictional encounters,
Lovely film about an enigmatic man, played with energy and empathy and a little bit of skewed joy by Colm Feore. The film enacts scenes from his life, interviews, fictional encounters,
1/3 Lancelot du Lac (Robert Bresson 1974)
I found this film the hardest of Bresson’s to enter. Perhaps it’s the themes of nobility, duty, and honor—virtues I don’t exactly buy—or I’m just had enough of the Arthurian legend, regardless I found Lancelot du lac a bit of a slog.
I found this film the hardest of Bresson’s to enter. Perhaps it’s the themes of nobility, duty, and honor—virtues I don’t exactly buy—or I’m just had enough of the Arthurian legend, regardless I found Lancelot du lac a bit of a slog.
September 6, 2025 at 12:42 PM
1/3 Lancelot du Lac (Robert Bresson 1974)
I found this film the hardest of Bresson’s to enter. Perhaps it’s the themes of nobility, duty, and honor—virtues I don’t exactly buy—or I’m just had enough of the Arthurian legend, regardless I found Lancelot du lac a bit of a slog.
I found this film the hardest of Bresson’s to enter. Perhaps it’s the themes of nobility, duty, and honor—virtues I don’t exactly buy—or I’m just had enough of the Arthurian legend, regardless I found Lancelot du lac a bit of a slog.
1/1 It Lasts Forever and Then It’s Over (Anne de Marcken)
A story about loss and longing told as a zombie tale. At first, I was taken with the beautiful prose—and it is beautiful—but after a time, the book seemed so gleaming and polished that it had no texture.
A story about loss and longing told as a zombie tale. At first, I was taken with the beautiful prose—and it is beautiful—but after a time, the book seemed so gleaming and polished that it had no texture.
August 31, 2025 at 1:36 PM
1/1 It Lasts Forever and Then It’s Over (Anne de Marcken)
A story about loss and longing told as a zombie tale. At first, I was taken with the beautiful prose—and it is beautiful—but after a time, the book seemed so gleaming and polished that it had no texture.
A story about loss and longing told as a zombie tale. At first, I was taken with the beautiful prose—and it is beautiful—but after a time, the book seemed so gleaming and polished that it had no texture.
1/3 Soundtrack from Twin Peaks (Clare Nina Norelli) 33 1/3
I love the 33 1/3 series, where a writer picks an album they want to explore and are free to do it in whatever way they choose. Sometimes it’s a straight history on how the music was made, sometimes it’s a memoir of what the music meant,
I love the 33 1/3 series, where a writer picks an album they want to explore and are free to do it in whatever way they choose. Sometimes it’s a straight history on how the music was made, sometimes it’s a memoir of what the music meant,
August 30, 2025 at 5:40 PM
1/3 Soundtrack from Twin Peaks (Clare Nina Norelli) 33 1/3
I love the 33 1/3 series, where a writer picks an album they want to explore and are free to do it in whatever way they choose. Sometimes it’s a straight history on how the music was made, sometimes it’s a memoir of what the music meant,
I love the 33 1/3 series, where a writer picks an album they want to explore and are free to do it in whatever way they choose. Sometimes it’s a straight history on how the music was made, sometimes it’s a memoir of what the music meant,
1/3 Final Destination: Bloodlines (Zach Lipovsky, Adam Stein 2025) HBO Max
Long story short: A neighbor comes to visit Mullah Nasruddin and brings a plump rabbit as a gift. The Mullah’s wife cooks a fine meal for them all.
Long story short: A neighbor comes to visit Mullah Nasruddin and brings a plump rabbit as a gift. The Mullah’s wife cooks a fine meal for them all.
August 29, 2025 at 8:44 PM
1/3 Final Destination: Bloodlines (Zach Lipovsky, Adam Stein 2025) HBO Max
Long story short: A neighbor comes to visit Mullah Nasruddin and brings a plump rabbit as a gift. The Mullah’s wife cooks a fine meal for them all.
Long story short: A neighbor comes to visit Mullah Nasruddin and brings a plump rabbit as a gift. The Mullah’s wife cooks a fine meal for them all.
1/3 Breakfast of Champions (Alan Rudolph 1999) Criterion
Two things: I’m an Alan Rudolph fan, and I haven’t read this book in 40 years. The film has a great cartoonish look and fantastic production design that highlights a glitzy world at war with itself, and it has a number of good lines.
Two things: I’m an Alan Rudolph fan, and I haven’t read this book in 40 years. The film has a great cartoonish look and fantastic production design that highlights a glitzy world at war with itself, and it has a number of good lines.
August 20, 2025 at 12:37 PM
1/3 Breakfast of Champions (Alan Rudolph 1999) Criterion
Two things: I’m an Alan Rudolph fan, and I haven’t read this book in 40 years. The film has a great cartoonish look and fantastic production design that highlights a glitzy world at war with itself, and it has a number of good lines.
Two things: I’m an Alan Rudolph fan, and I haven’t read this book in 40 years. The film has a great cartoonish look and fantastic production design that highlights a glitzy world at war with itself, and it has a number of good lines.
1/3 The Trial of Joan of Arc (Robert Bresson 1962) Criterion
Austere telling, in the Bresson mold of the trial, using only the transcripts. The camera is kept tight on Joan and her inquisitors, giving everything a claustrophobic feel. Also in Bresson mold, the actors ‘enact’ their parts;
Austere telling, in the Bresson mold of the trial, using only the transcripts. The camera is kept tight on Joan and her inquisitors, giving everything a claustrophobic feel. Also in Bresson mold, the actors ‘enact’ their parts;
August 19, 2025 at 11:51 AM
1/3 The Trial of Joan of Arc (Robert Bresson 1962) Criterion
Austere telling, in the Bresson mold of the trial, using only the transcripts. The camera is kept tight on Joan and her inquisitors, giving everything a claustrophobic feel. Also in Bresson mold, the actors ‘enact’ their parts;
Austere telling, in the Bresson mold of the trial, using only the transcripts. The camera is kept tight on Joan and her inquisitors, giving everything a claustrophobic feel. Also in Bresson mold, the actors ‘enact’ their parts;
Here's a new video essay. A paean to Warren Oates and the characters whose lives unfold outside the frame of most movies. www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2ni...
Mirrorbox, Episode 2 I See a Darkness
YouTube video by neuralarts
www.youtube.com
May 11, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Here's a new video essay. A paean to Warren Oates and the characters whose lives unfold outside the frame of most movies. www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2ni...
Tomorrow from 12-4 at Scuppernong Books in GSO, we'll be hosting an Activist Fair. Find out how you can get involved in grassroots orgs in our community. In the coming years, local community will be crucial. scuppernongbooks.com/point-contac...
January 19, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Tomorrow from 12-4 at Scuppernong Books in GSO, we'll be hosting an Activist Fair. Find out how you can get involved in grassroots orgs in our community. In the coming years, local community will be crucial. scuppernongbooks.com/point-contac...
Pre-Orders for Body of Trust, a novel with art by Christine Kirouac, designed and hand-bound by Andrew Saulters, are now open at the link in the video. We'll be posting videos on the process of collaboration for the next month. Full videos at the website.
November 30, 2024 at 3:08 PM
Pre-Orders for Body of Trust, a novel with art by Christine Kirouac, designed and hand-bound by Andrew Saulters, are now open at the link in the video. We'll be posting videos on the process of collaboration for the next month. Full videos at the website.
Ok, writers! This workshop is beginning to fill up. (It's limited to 10) If you want to begin 2024 with a renewed commitment to your writing, it might be for you. Four two hour classes where we work with media and our memory of media to generate material for writing.Take a look: tinyurl.com/amwb4z5n
December 17, 2023 at 4:54 PM
Ok, writers! This workshop is beginning to fill up. (It's limited to 10) If you want to begin 2024 with a renewed commitment to your writing, it might be for you. Four two hour classes where we work with media and our memory of media to generate material for writing.Take a look: tinyurl.com/amwb4z5n
I've put together a video essay to augment There Will Be No More Tears, published in Harpur Palate. It's about gender roles and growing up. In light of current events, it's also about choosing sides. clouddiary.org/mirrorbox-vi...
October 28, 2023 at 2:27 PM
I've put together a video essay to augment There Will Be No More Tears, published in Harpur Palate. It's about gender roles and growing up. In light of current events, it's also about choosing sides. clouddiary.org/mirrorbox-vi...
Online workshop coming up on Using media to generate material for memoir. tinyurl.com/5a7ttn7v
October 15, 2023 at 1:57 PM
Online workshop coming up on Using media to generate material for memoir. tinyurl.com/5a7ttn7v