Amy Nicholson
@theamynicholson.bsky.social
Film critic of the LA Times and host of the podcast Unspooled.
Say hello with your favorite movie and why -- or a picture of a standard poodle.
IG/Letterboxd: @theamynicholson
Say hello with your favorite movie and why -- or a picture of a standard poodle.
IG/Letterboxd: @theamynicholson
Reposted by Amy Nicholson
Aspiring film critics! LAFCA and @rottentomatoes.com are again offering TWO $3,000 SCHOLARSHIPS to students attending L.A.-area community colleges: one to a woman and one to a person from an underrepresented group(s). Apply by Dec. 7 and spread the word! bit.ly/LAFCAScholarship2025
November 10, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Aspiring film critics! LAFCA and @rottentomatoes.com are again offering TWO $3,000 SCHOLARSHIPS to students attending L.A.-area community colleges: one to a woman and one to a person from an underrepresented group(s). Apply by Dec. 7 and spread the word! bit.ly/LAFCAScholarship2025
Reposted by Amy Nicholson
Schumer is pressured to step aside as Senate Democratic leader after shutdown vote
Schumer is pressured to step aside as Senate Democratic leader after shutdown vote
National progressive organizations urged Chuck Schumer to step down, and have encouraged New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to run for his Senate seat in 2029.
www.latimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Schumer is pressured to step aside as Senate Democratic leader after shutdown vote
👨🔬💀🧪⚡️❤️
Goddamn @theamynicholson.bsky.social COOKED with this FRANKENSTEIN review. Bow down to one of the greats. www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
November 8, 2025 at 9:21 PM
👨🔬💀🧪⚡️❤️
I like -- but don't love -- SENTIMENTAL VALUE
But Elle Fanning is great as a Hollywood star struggling to make her own Nordic family drama, calibrating her sobs to have a hint of hamminess, a marvelous detail that makes this whole type of movie look a little forced.
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
But Elle Fanning is great as a Hollywood star struggling to make her own Nordic family drama, calibrating her sobs to have a hint of hamminess, a marvelous detail that makes this whole type of movie look a little forced.
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
Review: 'Sentimental Value' flirts with Hollywood satire, but settles for arthouse sniffles
Director Joachim Trier and Renate Reinsve of "The Worst Person in the World" reteam for another bittersweet awards contender that co-stars Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning.
www.latimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:33 PM
I like -- but don't love -- SENTIMENTAL VALUE
But Elle Fanning is great as a Hollywood star struggling to make her own Nordic family drama, calibrating her sobs to have a hint of hamminess, a marvelous detail that makes this whole type of movie look a little forced.
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
But Elle Fanning is great as a Hollywood star struggling to make her own Nordic family drama, calibrating her sobs to have a hint of hamminess, a marvelous detail that makes this whole type of movie look a little forced.
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
DIE MY LOVE
As good and committed as Jennifer Lawrence is, there were times I wanted to rescue her from her own movie, to protect her from the fate of Faye Dunaway when “Mommie Dearest” turned another blond Oscar winner into a joke.
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
As good and committed as Jennifer Lawrence is, there were times I wanted to rescue her from her own movie, to protect her from the fate of Faye Dunaway when “Mommie Dearest” turned another blond Oscar winner into a joke.
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
Review: Jennifer Lawrence gives everything to the wild, brutal 'Die My Love' but gets left dangling
This messy Molotov cocktail by indie auteur Lynne Ramsay pairs Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson as flailing new parents who fight, bite and destroy.
www.latimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:54 PM
DIE MY LOVE
As good and committed as Jennifer Lawrence is, there were times I wanted to rescue her from her own movie, to protect her from the fate of Faye Dunaway when “Mommie Dearest” turned another blond Oscar winner into a joke.
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
As good and committed as Jennifer Lawrence is, there were times I wanted to rescue her from her own movie, to protect her from the fate of Faye Dunaway when “Mommie Dearest” turned another blond Oscar winner into a joke.
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
BACK TO THE FUTURE is the modern era’s zippiest comedy about the collapse of the American dream.
It took me a dozen watches to realize the preservationist bugging Marty to save the clock tower wants to keep it **broken** for the sake of “history and heritage.”
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
It took me a dozen watches to realize the preservationist bugging Marty to save the clock tower wants to keep it **broken** for the sake of “history and heritage.”
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
Review: It's the right time to go 'Back to the Future,' blockbustering's most brilliant social satire
Robert Zemeckis' marvelous sci-fi comedy reveals new bits of genius with every rewatch. As social criticism, it's right up there with 'It's a Wonderful Life' and 'Blade Runner.'
www.latimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:35 PM
BACK TO THE FUTURE is the modern era’s zippiest comedy about the collapse of the American dream.
It took me a dozen watches to realize the preservationist bugging Marty to save the clock tower wants to keep it **broken** for the sake of “history and heritage.”
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
It took me a dozen watches to realize the preservationist bugging Marty to save the clock tower wants to keep it **broken** for the sake of “history and heritage.”
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
Reposted by Amy Nicholson
Many of you have been watching our contract fight at the L.A. Times and asking how to help. Now's the time.
Tell our managers that you'll honor the picket line if negotiations drag to a point where we're forced to call a strike. You can sign here:
actionnetwork.org/petitions/st...
Tell our managers that you'll honor the picket line if negotiations drag to a point where we're forced to call a strike. You can sign here:
actionnetwork.org/petitions/st...
Support Los Angeles Times journalists fighting for a fair contract
The newsroom staff of the Los Angeles Times, represented by Media Guild of the West (NewsGuild-CWA 39213), has been bargaining a new union contract for more than 18 months. In that time, the company h...
actionnetwork.org
October 29, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Many of you have been watching our contract fight at the L.A. Times and asking how to help. Now's the time.
Tell our managers that you'll honor the picket line if negotiations drag to a point where we're forced to call a strike. You can sign here:
actionnetwork.org/petitions/st...
Tell our managers that you'll honor the picket line if negotiations drag to a point where we're forced to call a strike. You can sign here:
actionnetwork.org/petitions/st...
Fascinated that we all saw the same ending three different ways!
on an all-singing, all-dancing, all-movies Culture Gabfest, @thehighsign.bsky.social @theamynicholson.bsky.social and me take on Hedda, A House of Dynamite, and The Perfect Neighbor, spoil all three endings, and disagree about one of them.
A House of Dynamite Features Cinema’s Most Stressful Zoom Call.
Kathryn Bigelow’s bureaucratic thriller A House of Dynamite performs a tense live wire act, but this explosive material may not have much bang.
slate.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Fascinated that we all saw the same ending three different ways!
Reposted by Amy Nicholson
on an all-singing, all-dancing, all-movies Culture Gabfest, @thehighsign.bsky.social @theamynicholson.bsky.social and me take on Hedda, A House of Dynamite, and The Perfect Neighbor, spoil all three endings, and disagree about one of them.
A House of Dynamite Features Cinema’s Most Stressful Zoom Call.
Kathryn Bigelow’s bureaucratic thriller A House of Dynamite performs a tense live wire act, but this explosive material may not have much bang.
slate.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:11 PM
on an all-singing, all-dancing, all-movies Culture Gabfest, @thehighsign.bsky.social @theamynicholson.bsky.social and me take on Hedda, A House of Dynamite, and The Perfect Neighbor, spoil all three endings, and disagree about one of them.
NOUVELLE VAGUE is the origin story of Jean-Luc Godard, and, in a way, of Richard Linklater himself.
Even more importantly, it’s a manual for what he hopes will be a fresh wave of talent storming the shore any minute. (I’m counting on it.)
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
Even more importantly, it’s a manual for what he hopes will be a fresh wave of talent storming the shore any minute. (I’m counting on it.)
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
Review: Made to inspire young artists to break the rules, the fizzy 'Nouvelle Vague' shows how it's done
Richard Linklater zips back to re-create the shoot of Jean-Luc Godard's scrappy low-budget "Breathless," producing a primer on how to go your own way.
www.latimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:49 PM
NOUVELLE VAGUE is the origin story of Jean-Luc Godard, and, in a way, of Richard Linklater himself.
Even more importantly, it’s a manual for what he hopes will be a fresh wave of talent storming the shore any minute. (I’m counting on it.)
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
Even more importantly, it’s a manual for what he hopes will be a fresh wave of talent storming the shore any minute. (I’m counting on it.)
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
Reposted by Amy Nicholson
October 28, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Reposted by Amy Nicholson
A stat we don't talk about enough: Newspapers have lost 77% of their jobs over the last 20 year, more than any of the 532 other industries tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
October 27, 2025 at 11:54 PM
A stat we don't talk about enough: Newspapers have lost 77% of their jobs over the last 20 year, more than any of the 532 other industries tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Hell yeah! Congrats gang!
Congrats to our members who were nominated for Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards by @lapressclub.bsky.social! @jon-frosch.bsky.social @theamynicholson.bsky.social @joshuarothkopf.bsky.social @carlosfilm.bsky.social @williambibbiani.bsky.social @katiewalshstx.bsky.social @ajhan.bsky.social
October 27, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Hell yeah! Congrats gang!
AUSTIN REAVES 🏀❤️🏀
October 27, 2025 at 3:53 AM
AUSTIN REAVES 🏀❤️🏀
Where are my freaks at? The ones down with ultra-gross out comedy?
Cause this is a great one. In LA for a few more days, traveling around after that.
Cause this is a great one. In LA for a few more days, traveling around after that.
October 26, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Where are my freaks at? The ones down with ultra-gross out comedy?
Cause this is a great one. In LA for a few more days, traveling around after that.
Cause this is a great one. In LA for a few more days, traveling around after that.
Reposted by Amy Nicholson
Meanwhile, @theamynicholson.bsky.social loved BUGONIA, was floored by Emma Stone and called the film "a hilarious movie with no hope for the future of humanity." That's my idea of high praise. www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
Review: It's Emma Stone's planet now as the alien comedy 'Bugonia' proves
Director Yorgos Lanthimos and Stone follow 'The Favourite' and 'Poor Things' with a nasty-fun conspiracy movie that also features Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis.
www.latimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Meanwhile, @theamynicholson.bsky.social loved BUGONIA, was floored by Emma Stone and called the film "a hilarious movie with no hope for the future of humanity." That's my idea of high praise. www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
Reposted by Amy Nicholson
Critic @theamynicholson.bsky.social calls HEDDA divine, vibrant and viciously alive: "With apologies to Ibsen’s ghost, DaCosta’s tweaks have sharpened its rage." www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
Review: Tessa Thompson is the ultimate restless housewife in a viciously updated 'Hedda'
'Candyman' director Nia DaCosta and her star bring Henrik Ibsen's mean girl to vibrant life in a raucous period drama co-starring Imogen Poots and Nina Hoss.
www.latimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Critic @theamynicholson.bsky.social calls HEDDA divine, vibrant and viciously alive: "With apologies to Ibsen’s ghost, DaCosta’s tweaks have sharpened its rage." www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
It's hobbling time
October 23, 2025 at 11:20 PM
It's hobbling time
Reposted by Amy Nicholson
Here's why I left @latimes.com to start a newsletter about climate and culture. The story starts with Disneyland, Autopia and my grandfather, an incredible rabbi who passed away last year at 100. Hope you'll subscribe to Climate-Colored Goggles. www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/why-writin...
Why I'm writing about climate and culture
I never expected to leave the Los Angeles Times and start a Substack. Then a story about Disneyland caught me by surprise.
www.climatecoloredgoggles.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Here's why I left @latimes.com to start a newsletter about climate and culture. The story starts with Disneyland, Autopia and my grandfather, an incredible rabbi who passed away last year at 100. Hope you'll subscribe to Climate-Colored Goggles. www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/why-writin...
Pale Man? I'm having nightmares about the Paul Man.
October 16, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Pale Man? I'm having nightmares about the Paul Man.
This fab FRANKENSTEIN rewires 1850s Europe into Silicon Valley.
Of course, the Creature is a hunk. He’s been assembled from the choicest bits of man flesh to show off the talent of his creator, not so different from Steve Jobs caressing samples of brushed aluminum.
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
Of course, the Creature is a hunk. He’s been assembled from the choicest bits of man flesh to show off the talent of his creator, not so different from Steve Jobs caressing samples of brushed aluminum.
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
Review: Guillermo del Toro's longtime passion project 'Frankenstein' is its own marvelous monster
Jacob Elordi's yearning creature breaks spines and hearts in a violent, kinetic adaptation that co-stars Oscar Isaac, Christoph Waltz and Mia Goth.
www.latimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 5:43 PM
This fab FRANKENSTEIN rewires 1850s Europe into Silicon Valley.
Of course, the Creature is a hunk. He’s been assembled from the choicest bits of man flesh to show off the talent of his creator, not so different from Steve Jobs caressing samples of brushed aluminum.
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
Of course, the Creature is a hunk. He’s been assembled from the choicest bits of man flesh to show off the talent of his creator, not so different from Steve Jobs caressing samples of brushed aluminum.
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
Wrote a bit about an icon whose breezy, awkward, insecure candor made her feel like a friend.
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
Appreciation: Diane Keaton showed us how to dress up our insecurities and be kooky with confidence
Her singular fashion sense — best captured in 'Annie Hall' — masked the actor's insecurity. But when it came to Diane Keaton, we fell in love with the whole package.
www.latimes.com
October 13, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Wrote a bit about an icon whose breezy, awkward, insecure candor made her feel like a friend.
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, a sexual, scatological dazzler about an inmate‘s obsession with a musical, sounds like a thing some folks won’t watch even if they, too, were imprisoned for years.
Their loss.
In the spirit of the film, I’ll try to change their mind.
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
Their loss.
In the spirit of the film, I’ll try to change their mind.
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
Review: An emboldened redo of 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' dazzles, despite unsticky songs
The director of "Chicago" and "Dreamgirls" reworks the Broadway musical into a thematic powerhouse that stars Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna and breakout Tonatiuh.
www.latimes.com
October 9, 2025 at 7:53 PM
KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, a sexual, scatological dazzler about an inmate‘s obsession with a musical, sounds like a thing some folks won’t watch even if they, too, were imprisoned for years.
Their loss.
In the spirit of the film, I’ll try to change their mind.
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
Their loss.
In the spirit of the film, I’ll try to change their mind.
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...