John Carpenter's underrated sci-fi horror movie did more than skewer yuppies — it gave us the last word on the Reagan era

There were years when I went to the movies almost every day, around the time of my adolescence. Those were years in which cinema was my world. By Italo Calvino.

World War Two threw up many extraordinary characters. But even among this exalted company William Ash - the model for the character played by Steve McQueen in The Great Escape - stands out, writes the author of a new biography, Patrick Bishop.

A video-essay by Luís Azevedo.

How the silent screen burst to life with color. By Joshua Yumibe.

Notes on John Carpenter’s “The Thing.” Dave Tompkins rewatches the avant-garde horror classic.

A collection of "back to the camera" shots. The character stands center frame (most of the time), looking out at some epic landscape. MUSIC: "God Moving Over the Face of the Waters" by Moby.

Christianity is not the new kid on the block anymore. Lots of new concepts in spirituality are blooming all the time. Best part is, art & artists are inspired by them. I made a handy list of alternative holiday movies to keep things bright.