Hi Reader, What makes the Langley vault sequence so memorable? The gum bomb? The characters who only have a couple of scenes? What other film wrings this much tension from a floppy disk and a drop of sweat? Ep. 174: Mission Impossible (1996) with Angelo MureddaThis week on the podcast, fellow film critic Angelo Muredda joins me to dig into why the original Mission: Impossible still stands apart. Not just because it was directed by Brian De Palma, but because of the elegance of its storytelling — how it builds tension and trusts the viewer. We talk about: 🎬 How the film teaches you how to watch it
🎥 Visual storytelling that matters
🎭 Performances with texture
📍 What sets this one apart
🎧 Listen now: 💡 Enjoying this kind of deep dive into film craft and storytelling? Every month in Reel Ruminators, we watch one unforgettable film together — and explore what makes it tick, what it stirs in us, and why it stays with us. The journey — from discovery to reflection to discussion — is engaging, surprising, and genuinely fun. This month’s film is something rare: a joyful, funny, and unexpectedly uplifting story — from Palestine. You don’t need to be an expert. Just bring your curiosity. I’ll bring the context, the prompts, and the kind of conversation that makes great films even better. 👉 A new month (and a new film) just started: Click here to join us for this month’s film What still hits hardest for you in Mission: Impossible? Just hit reply and tell me what’s stuck with you. Cheers, Alex
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Seventh Row is a nonprofit Canadian film criticism publication and publishing house. We're dedicated to helping you expand your horizons by curating the best socially progressive films from around the world and helping you think deeply about them. This newsletter is run by Seventh Row (http://seventh-row.com) but features exclusive content not found on the website.
Hello Reader, Welcome to your July edition of The Globetrotting Watchlist. This month, I'm recommending a couple recent festival gems that are now on VOD. Whether you’re a longtime Globetrotting Watchlist subscriber or Film Adventurer/Cinephile Member, or just finding your way here, thank you. Your support helps to keep Seventh Row nonprofit, ad-free, and fiercely independent. What's Inside the Globetrotting Newsletter This month, I'm recommending: A Palestinian film about the limbo of...
Sometimes, committing to one curated film a month can lead to unexpected shifts in how you see films — and yourself. That’s exactly what Hazel, a longtime member of Reel Ruminators, has experienced. In this week’s podcast episode, she reflects on what she’s taken away from a year of participating — and how that simple, consistent practice has shaped the way she approaches films. We talked about: What happens when you watch films that aren't suggested by an algorithm. Why gathering with film...
Early in this month’s Reel Ruminators film, the heroine declares: “I don’t want to meet interesting people, I want to be interesting.” That line gives you a sense of the film's tone: witty and searching, with something deeper always lurking beneath the surface. Join us this month for an effervescent trip to France for a film that’s bright, funny, emotionally rich, and full of restless energy. The film, which premiered at Cannes in Critics’ Week, is the first feature from a woman to watch,...