Present Tense

Present Tense: Citizens Band

By Sheila O'Malley

April 24, 2020

Breaker breaker: Jonathan Demme’s 1977 CB-radio comedy spoke to the present moment in all kinds of unexpected ways

Present Tense: Arizona Dream

By Sheila O'Malley

April 9, 2020

Flying high: the original 1993 cut of Emir Kusturica’s dreamlike vision of the American west captivates with an all-star cast, out-there humor, and emotion

Present Tense: Jean Arthur

By Sheila O'Malley

March 19, 2020

Earth angel: the actress who helped define classic Hollywood comedy possessed an extraordinary voice

Present Tense: Martha Coolidge

By Sheila O'Malley

March 4, 2020

Like, wow: the director of Valley Girl has compiled a long track record of sensitive and insightful films

Present Tense: Miracle on Ice

By Sheila O'Malley

February 19, 2020

Power play: Gavin O’Connor’s rousing 2004 sports flick features a remarkable performance from Kurt Russell

Present Tense: Nick Nolte

By Sheila O'Malley

February 6, 2020

Turbulence ahead: there is nothing comforting about Nolte’s characters, men tormented by pain so deep it can’t be acknowledged

Present Tense: Daughters of the Sun

By Sheila O'Malley

January 22, 2020

In dreams: Maryam Shahriar’s only feature is made up of images which, dream-like, create space for the unconscious to operate

Present Tense: Used Cars

By Sheila O'Malley

January 7, 2020

Would I lie to you?: Robert Zemeckis’s 1980 madcap comedy pulls no punches with its portrayal of utter corruption

Present Tense: Sophia Takal’s Small Moments

By Sheila O'Malley

December 19, 2019

I’ll be your mirror: the refreshing honesty of the Black Christmas filmmaker’s depiction of identity

Present Tense: Kristen Stewart

By Sheila O'Malley

December 5, 2019

A natural fit: thoughts on the mercurial talents of an actress who lets us see her discomfort and shyness