The Film Experience is very pleased to announce that one of our long-lost contributors, Michael Cusumano, is returning to the fold. After a few years off, he has a new weekly column launching Tuesday and new readers are in for a treat because Michael is a fine and insightful writer. We asked him about where he's been and what we can expect. Please welcome him back with open arms! - Nathaniel R.
Michael, where the hell have you been? We haven't seen you around these parts in 4 (gulp) years! We hope you've been having film experiences without us at least.
I’ve been living in New York doing my own creative writing. I needed to take a step back from online film culture and clear some mental space. I had tried to write a first draft of a screenplay and I ended up with a ranked list of all the meaningful glances in Carol.
You’ll be relieved to learn I still have plenty of film experiences, although I no longer feel the pressure to stay up to date with everything playing...
Not having me writing for the site means you were spared several dozen posts of me working through my (ongoing) obsession with Phantom Thread. Also I haven’t checked my rank at the Alamo Drafthouse recently but rest assured it’s very impressive. A Lance Corporal or Tenth Level Necromancer or something.
Awesome. Since we've missed your takes, please list your favourite movies of 2015 through 2018 AND at least two of those meaningful glances in Carol.
I thought you’d never ask. Gold Medalists in order: Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), The Witch (2016), Phantom Thread (2017), and The Death of Stalin (2018).
As for looks freighted with meaning, you can’t beat Kyle Chandler’s look of understanding when he comes home to find Cate Blanchett mid-seduction. I also enjoy the stare Cate shoots at Rooney Mara after the “flung out of space” line, particularly the beautifully measured pause Cate takes before leveling her with it. Terese can’t quite match it in return, but who among us could?
I understand your girlfriend loves Kedi and discovered it thanks to my enthusiasm (my work is done!). What other movies get a lot of play in your apartment?
During those rare times when Bojack Horseman isn’t running on a loop, mutual favorites include Big Night, Punch-Drunk Love, All About Eve, and The Grand Budapest Hotel. My personal fallback choice of late is Master and Commander. Peter Weir’s maritime adventure film is a movie just so endlessly rewatchable. It’s a movie I quote with the frequency other people quote The Princess Bride or Anchorman.
Okay final question. You have a new series starting Tuesday at The Film Experience (yay!) tell us about it and what we can expect?
Appropriate that I mention that modern masterpiece, because my new column is all about films that are passing the test of time with flying colors. The new classics. In each episode I will discuss a scene from a 21st century movie that I deem to be a classic in the making.
I relish the chance to dispel that rose-colored “they don’t make 'em like they used to” attitude and highlight scenes from the past two decades that I think will eventually settle into the pantheon right next to Butch and Sundance debating whether to jump off a cliff or Nigel Tufnel showing off his amplifier.
I am also excited for the opportunity to step back from the daily torrent of scandals, speculation and hot takes and revisit some of my modern favorites. The conversation moves so fast these days the films themselves can sometimes seem like afterthoughts. I'm eager to go back after the awards season dust has settled and really dig into some of these titles.
Can't wait!
Readers, do you have any suggestions for Michael for this column as he begins?