J Hoberman
@jhoberman.bsky.social
Occasional film critic, Columbia adjunct, old VV staff writer
📚 Bridge of Light: Yiddish Film Between Two Worlds, The Red Atlantis: Communist Culture in the Absence of Communism, 3 books on Hollywood & the Cold War
🔜Everything is Now: NYC 60s Avantgarde
📚 Bridge of Light: Yiddish Film Between Two Worlds, The Red Atlantis: Communist Culture in the Absence of Communism, 3 books on Hollywood & the Cold War
🔜Everything is Now: NYC 60s Avantgarde
Off the Pile #4
James Whale makes this pre-Code job--an upstairs-downstairs bedroom farce predicated on class privilege & mistaken identity--most watchable. Not Lubitsch (altho Hanns Kräly had a hand) but not bad. Casting e.g. Bela Lugosi & Lupe Velez would've made for wackier Ruritarian screwball.
James Whale makes this pre-Code job--an upstairs-downstairs bedroom farce predicated on class privilege & mistaken identity--most watchable. Not Lubitsch (altho Hanns Kräly had a hand) but not bad. Casting e.g. Bela Lugosi & Lupe Velez would've made for wackier Ruritarian screwball.
November 13, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Off the Pile #4
James Whale makes this pre-Code job--an upstairs-downstairs bedroom farce predicated on class privilege & mistaken identity--most watchable. Not Lubitsch (altho Hanns Kräly had a hand) but not bad. Casting e.g. Bela Lugosi & Lupe Velez would've made for wackier Ruritarian screwball.
James Whale makes this pre-Code job--an upstairs-downstairs bedroom farce predicated on class privilege & mistaken identity--most watchable. Not Lubitsch (altho Hanns Kräly had a hand) but not bad. Casting e.g. Bela Lugosi & Lupe Velez would've made for wackier Ruritarian screwball.
Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS
November 12, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS
Found this 1935 item
Intro sentence: "Fascism not only exists in America, but it has become formidable and only needs a Duce, a Fuehrer, an organizer, and a loosening of the purse strings of those who gain materially by its victory, to become the most powerful force threatening the Republic."
Intro sentence: "Fascism not only exists in America, but it has become formidable and only needs a Duce, a Fuehrer, an organizer, and a loosening of the purse strings of those who gain materially by its victory, to become the most powerful force threatening the Republic."
October 27, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Found this 1935 item
Intro sentence: "Fascism not only exists in America, but it has become formidable and only needs a Duce, a Fuehrer, an organizer, and a loosening of the purse strings of those who gain materially by its victory, to become the most powerful force threatening the Republic."
Intro sentence: "Fascism not only exists in America, but it has become formidable and only needs a Duce, a Fuehrer, an organizer, and a loosening of the purse strings of those who gain materially by its victory, to become the most powerful force threatening the Republic."
us18.campaign-archive.com?e=68e7433329...
"Mamdani is winning not because of an anti-Zionist streak, but because he's articulating evolving mainstream American views." As usual, Ha'aretz has a clearer sense of what is going on than does the New York Times
"Mamdani is winning not because of an anti-Zionist streak, but because he's articulating evolving mainstream American views." As usual, Ha'aretz has a clearer sense of what is going on than does the New York Times
October 23, 2025 at 9:47 PM
us18.campaign-archive.com?e=68e7433329...
"Mamdani is winning not because of an anti-Zionist streak, but because he's articulating evolving mainstream American views." As usual, Ha'aretz has a clearer sense of what is going on than does the New York Times
"Mamdani is winning not because of an anti-Zionist streak, but because he's articulating evolving mainstream American views." As usual, Ha'aretz has a clearer sense of what is going on than does the New York Times
Hyper local event, held above a dispensary, next door to the site of Yoko Ono & LaMonte Young's 1961 concerts. Across the street from the space where three years later Michael Snow recorded New York Eye & Ear Control. Down the block from the loft Aza Jacobs immortalized in his movie Momma's Man.
October 20, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Hyper local event, held above a dispensary, next door to the site of Yoko Ono & LaMonte Young's 1961 concerts. Across the street from the space where three years later Michael Snow recorded New York Eye & Ear Control. Down the block from the loft Aza Jacobs immortalized in his movie Momma's Man.
My sister sent me this photo of our dad's 1963 painting of his mother's store--a place less cubist than cluttered. My favorite detail is the spiral gumball machine. There were actually 2 chained beside the door. One sold a handful of red-dyed pistachio nuts for 2 cents. Zabars eat your heart out!
October 13, 2025 at 2:51 PM
My sister sent me this photo of our dad's 1963 painting of his mother's store--a place less cubist than cluttered. My favorite detail is the spiral gumball machine. There were actually 2 chained beside the door. One sold a handful of red-dyed pistachio nuts for 2 cents. Zabars eat your heart out!
Ken's last Eternalism
October 9, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Ken's last Eternalism
Ken Jacobs (1933-2025)
A great artist, a wonderful teacher, & speaking personally, a close friend for over 50 years. Linking to a piece I wrote to mark his 80th birthday.
www.nytimes.com/2013/05/19/m...
A great artist, a wonderful teacher, & speaking personally, a close friend for over 50 years. Linking to a piece I wrote to mark his 80th birthday.
www.nytimes.com/2013/05/19/m...
October 6, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Ken Jacobs (1933-2025)
A great artist, a wonderful teacher, & speaking personally, a close friend for over 50 years. Linking to a piece I wrote to mark his 80th birthday.
www.nytimes.com/2013/05/19/m...
A great artist, a wonderful teacher, & speaking personally, a close friend for over 50 years. Linking to a piece I wrote to mark his 80th birthday.
www.nytimes.com/2013/05/19/m...
mailchi.mp/filmcomment/...
Crashing into the zeitgeist against who-knows-what headwinds, Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another is a kick-ass, madcap, antifascist action flick—imagine Lizzie Borden’s Born in Flames on big-budget steroids, served over ICE... Not only tumultuous but funny.
Crashing into the zeitgeist against who-knows-what headwinds, Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another is a kick-ass, madcap, antifascist action flick—imagine Lizzie Borden’s Born in Flames on big-budget steroids, served over ICE... Not only tumultuous but funny.
September 26, 2025 at 3:27 PM
mailchi.mp/filmcomment/...
Crashing into the zeitgeist against who-knows-what headwinds, Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another is a kick-ass, madcap, antifascist action flick—imagine Lizzie Borden’s Born in Flames on big-budget steroids, served over ICE... Not only tumultuous but funny.
Crashing into the zeitgeist against who-knows-what headwinds, Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another is a kick-ass, madcap, antifascist action flick—imagine Lizzie Borden’s Born in Flames on big-budget steroids, served over ICE... Not only tumultuous but funny.
Working my way through the pile #3: Surprised this 1949 Hal Wallis production isn't better known. A noir "Woman's Film" (from a novel by June Truesdell) cum pop psychology drama (Spellbound et al), directed by perennially underrated Wm Dieterle, it asserts a rape victim's right to self defense.
September 21, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Working my way through the pile #3: Surprised this 1949 Hal Wallis production isn't better known. A noir "Woman's Film" (from a novel by June Truesdell) cum pop psychology drama (Spellbound et al), directed by perennially underrated Wm Dieterle, it asserts a rape victim's right to self defense.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/m...
Esther left out Arthur Penn's easily found 1966 film maudit THE CHASE in which RR has a secondary but key role (as does Jane Fonda). It's a fascinating Great Society text, see The Dream Life pp132-38, w a terrific cast & significant Brando performance
Esther left out Arthur Penn's easily found 1966 film maudit THE CHASE in which RR has a secondary but key role (as does Jane Fonda). It's a fascinating Great Society text, see The Dream Life pp132-38, w a terrific cast & significant Brando performance
September 18, 2025 at 11:35 AM
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/m...
Esther left out Arthur Penn's easily found 1966 film maudit THE CHASE in which RR has a secondary but key role (as does Jane Fonda). It's a fascinating Great Society text, see The Dream Life pp132-38, w a terrific cast & significant Brando performance
Esther left out Arthur Penn's easily found 1966 film maudit THE CHASE in which RR has a secondary but key role (as does Jane Fonda). It's a fascinating Great Society text, see The Dream Life pp132-38, w a terrific cast & significant Brando performance
www.sfcinematheque.org/screening/j-...
Everything is Now in San Francisco
SF Cinematheque presents/J. Hoberman introduces
Jack Smith's Scotch Tape (c 1959)
&
Ron Rice's The Flower Thief (1960) w Taylor Mead
Fri, Oct 3 @ 7:30 pm
GRAY AREA / GRAND THEATER
2665 Mission Street
Everything is Now in San Francisco
SF Cinematheque presents/J. Hoberman introduces
Jack Smith's Scotch Tape (c 1959)
&
Ron Rice's The Flower Thief (1960) w Taylor Mead
Fri, Oct 3 @ 7:30 pm
GRAY AREA / GRAND THEATER
2665 Mission Street
September 18, 2025 at 1:03 AM
www.sfcinematheque.org/screening/j-...
Everything is Now in San Francisco
SF Cinematheque presents/J. Hoberman introduces
Jack Smith's Scotch Tape (c 1959)
&
Ron Rice's The Flower Thief (1960) w Taylor Mead
Fri, Oct 3 @ 7:30 pm
GRAY AREA / GRAND THEATER
2665 Mission Street
Everything is Now in San Francisco
SF Cinematheque presents/J. Hoberman introduces
Jack Smith's Scotch Tape (c 1959)
&
Ron Rice's The Flower Thief (1960) w Taylor Mead
Fri, Oct 3 @ 7:30 pm
GRAY AREA / GRAND THEATER
2665 Mission Street
www.villagevoice.com/remembering-...
Redford on Quiz Show “the most polished, least sentimental, and best movie that he ever directed.” JH, VV 9/17/94
Redford on Quiz Show “the most polished, least sentimental, and best movie that he ever directed.” JH, VV 9/17/94
September 18, 2025 at 12:42 AM
www.villagevoice.com/remembering-...
Redford on Quiz Show “the most polished, least sentimental, and best movie that he ever directed.” JH, VV 9/17/94
Redford on Quiz Show “the most polished, least sentimental, and best movie that he ever directed.” JH, VV 9/17/94
us18.campaign-archive.com?e=68e7433329...
Haaretz: "With Kushner, informed by Netanyahu & his confidant Ron Dermer despite years of being played by them, advising Trump on the path forward for Gaza, things may get worse before they get worse."
Look at that smirk--it's the Art of the Schlemiel
Haaretz: "With Kushner, informed by Netanyahu & his confidant Ron Dermer despite years of being played by them, advising Trump on the path forward for Gaza, things may get worse before they get worse."
Look at that smirk--it's the Art of the Schlemiel
September 16, 2025 at 9:29 PM
us18.campaign-archive.com?e=68e7433329...
Haaretz: "With Kushner, informed by Netanyahu & his confidant Ron Dermer despite years of being played by them, advising Trump on the path forward for Gaza, things may get worse before they get worse."
Look at that smirk--it's the Art of the Schlemiel
Haaretz: "With Kushner, informed by Netanyahu & his confidant Ron Dermer despite years of being played by them, advising Trump on the path forward for Gaza, things may get worse before they get worse."
Look at that smirk--it's the Art of the Schlemiel
us18.campaign-archive.com?e=68e7433329...
"There has always been an anti-Zionist Jewish left; indeed, it is the emergence of a Zionist consensus, post 1967, that has been the historical oddity."
B. Balthaser, Citizens of the Whole World: Anti-Zionism the Cultures of the American Jewish Left p4
"There has always been an anti-Zionist Jewish left; indeed, it is the emergence of a Zionist consensus, post 1967, that has been the historical oddity."
B. Balthaser, Citizens of the Whole World: Anti-Zionism the Cultures of the American Jewish Left p4
September 15, 2025 at 11:50 PM
us18.campaign-archive.com?e=68e7433329...
"There has always been an anti-Zionist Jewish left; indeed, it is the emergence of a Zionist consensus, post 1967, that has been the historical oddity."
B. Balthaser, Citizens of the Whole World: Anti-Zionism the Cultures of the American Jewish Left p4
"There has always been an anti-Zionist Jewish left; indeed, it is the emergence of a Zionist consensus, post 1967, that has been the historical oddity."
B. Balthaser, Citizens of the Whole World: Anti-Zionism the Cultures of the American Jewish Left p4
Reading CLR James' 1952 reading of Moby Dick (kinda his version of On Totalitarianism). J sees Ahab as a megalomaniac whose passion for destruction is the source of his charismatic hold on Pequod crew. I considered Trump's literary analog Pere Ubu but perhaps Ahab is better. Have others said same?
September 14, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Reading CLR James' 1952 reading of Moby Dick (kinda his version of On Totalitarianism). J sees Ahab as a megalomaniac whose passion for destruction is the source of his charismatic hold on Pequod crew. I considered Trump's literary analog Pere Ubu but perhaps Ahab is better. Have others said same?
"Kirk seems poised to be the next evolution of Horst Wessell"--Violet Lucca, A Closer Lucca
September 11, 2025 at 7:36 PM
"Kirk seems poised to be the next evolution of Horst Wessell"--Violet Lucca, A Closer Lucca
Everything is Now... in Ptown (Thurs)
Talking today (Tues) w the great Ira Wood on WOMR 12:30
Talking today (Tues) w the great Ira Wood on WOMR 12:30
August 26, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Everything is Now... in Ptown (Thurs)
Talking today (Tues) w the great Ira Wood on WOMR 12:30
Talking today (Tues) w the great Ira Wood on WOMR 12:30
Hey, don't forget The Cool World, arguably Shirley Clarke's strongest film (also w Gloria Foster). Find a bit of context here:
www.nybooks.com/online/2022/... and the original poster below
www.nybooks.com/online/2022/... and the original poster below
August 21, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Hey, don't forget The Cool World, arguably Shirley Clarke's strongest film (also w Gloria Foster). Find a bit of context here:
www.nybooks.com/online/2022/... and the original poster below
www.nybooks.com/online/2022/... and the original poster below
e.wordfly.com/view?sid=MjU...
scroll down to read
"An Officer and A Spy" comes to NYC.
J. Hoberman on J'Accuse: The Polanski Question
scroll down to read
"An Officer and A Spy" comes to NYC.
J. Hoberman on J'Accuse: The Polanski Question
August 1, 2025 at 8:30 PM
e.wordfly.com/view?sid=MjU...
scroll down to read
"An Officer and A Spy" comes to NYC.
J. Hoberman on J'Accuse: The Polanski Question
scroll down to read
"An Officer and A Spy" comes to NYC.
J. Hoberman on J'Accuse: The Polanski Question
www.villagevoice.com/saying-goodb... 18 years ago today...
July 30, 2025 at 3:47 PM
www.villagevoice.com/saying-goodb... 18 years ago today...
us18.campaign-archive.com?e=68e7433329...
Neo Crusader in action: Huckabee's visit to the Tel Aviv Court during Netanyahu's corruption trial was an American, Mafioso-like intimidation tactic on a democratic ally's independent justice system for the sake of protecting its political partner.
Neo Crusader in action: Huckabee's visit to the Tel Aviv Court during Netanyahu's corruption trial was an American, Mafioso-like intimidation tactic on a democratic ally's independent justice system for the sake of protecting its political partner.
July 16, 2025 at 9:37 PM
us18.campaign-archive.com?e=68e7433329...
Neo Crusader in action: Huckabee's visit to the Tel Aviv Court during Netanyahu's corruption trial was an American, Mafioso-like intimidation tactic on a democratic ally's independent justice system for the sake of protecting its political partner.
Neo Crusader in action: Huckabee's visit to the Tel Aviv Court during Netanyahu's corruption trial was an American, Mafioso-like intimidation tactic on a democratic ally's independent justice system for the sake of protecting its political partner.
Instead of harassing college presidents & Palestinian students, Congress might more usefully (& honestly)
investigate Musk, Grok & the normalization of old-fashioned antisemitism in the internet "public square"
Grok’s meltdown isn’t an aberration...
mailchi.mp/forward/what...
investigate Musk, Grok & the normalization of old-fashioned antisemitism in the internet "public square"
Grok’s meltdown isn’t an aberration...
mailchi.mp/forward/what...
July 16, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Instead of harassing college presidents & Palestinian students, Congress might more usefully (& honestly)
investigate Musk, Grok & the normalization of old-fashioned antisemitism in the internet "public square"
Grok’s meltdown isn’t an aberration...
mailchi.mp/forward/what...
investigate Musk, Grok & the normalization of old-fashioned antisemitism in the internet "public square"
Grok’s meltdown isn’t an aberration...
mailchi.mp/forward/what...
July 15, 2025 at 7:41 PM
The World since 7 October
Adam Shatz on Israel’s Ambitions for Regional Dominance
Adam Shatz on Israel’s Ambitions for Regional Dominance
July 15, 2025 at 2:55 AM
The World since 7 October
Adam Shatz on Israel’s Ambitions for Regional Dominance
Adam Shatz on Israel’s Ambitions for Regional Dominance