Noah Gittell

Connecticut

Contributing Writer at RogerEbert.com

Film Critic at Washington City Paper

Contributor at BBC

Critic and Film Journalist at The Atlantic

BASEBALL: THE MOVIE (a book) is available now! Order: https://t.co/a1NGam6e5B Also seen at: @NYTimes @Ringer @Guardian @TheAtlantic @Slate @Decider @BBC

Articles

Exciting Year at the Oscars

1 month ago | ryerecord.com | Noah Gittell

Sometimes the Oscars are boring. Not this year. The 2024 Academy Awards are overflowing with storylines and controversies, and a Best Picture race that is far from settled. Before you fill out your ballot, allow me to share this primer on the films and the foibles that will define this year’s ceremony.
Retro Review: Before The Substance, There Was Death Becomes Her

Jan 17, 2025 | washingtoncitypaper.com | Noah Gittell

Thanks for being a member of City Paper! The cause celebre of this year’s awards race is The Substance, a gnarly bit of body horror that satirizes Hollywood’s obsession with youth and its toll on women. More than three decades ago, Death Becomes Her got there first.
R.I.P. Bob Uecker: No baseball player ever did more with less

Jan 17, 2025 | decider.com | Noah Gittell

For those trained in the art of self-deprecation, death must be no great surprise. Bob Uecker died today at the age of 90. A veteran of two heart surgeries, he had been battling lung cancer for over a year, and had dramatically reduced his workload as the radio voice of the Milwaukee Brewers.
R.I.P. Bob Uecker: No Baseball Player Ever Did More With Less

Jan 17, 2025 | yahoo.com | Noah Gittell

For those trained in the art of self-deprecation, death must be no great surprise. Bob Uecker died today at the age of 90. A veteran of two heart surgeries, he had been battling lung cancer for over a year, and had dramatically reduced his workload as the radio voice of the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Top Movies of 2024

Dec 27, 2024 | ryerecord.com | Noah Gittell

It’s okay to say this: 2024 was not a banner year for film. None of my favorites will end up on the Sight and Sound list. On the other hand, reports of the death of cinema have been greatly exaggerated. There’s a practical reason we didn’t get as many great films this year; the writers and actors strikes of 2023 put a dent into the production schedule, and many films planned for release got pushed to 2025.
Retro Review: It’s the Humanity That Keeps Us Captivated in Batman Returns

Dec 6, 2024 | washingtoncitypaper.com | Noah Gittell

Thanks for being a member of City Paper! The superhero movie, which has dominated the film landscape for the first quarter of this century, actually reached its creative apex in 1992 when Batman Returns hit theaters. It was then the most anticipated movie of my short lifetime. At every cinema, lines were out the door and around the block. The fast food tie-ins were omnipresent. Then people saw the film and hated it. Parents regretted taking their kids.
Movies and Baseball

Dec 2, 2024 | noahgittell.substack.com | Noah Gittell

Cyber Monday Special 20% off forever Only 33 hours left! Subscriber-only posts and full archive Post comments and join the community Subscriber-only posts and full archive Post comments and join the community 17% cheaper than subscribing monthly Subscriber-only posts and full archive Post comments and join the community Subscriber-only posts and full archive Post comments and join the community Occasional public posts This offer will provide you a perpetual 20% discount off your Good Eye:...
Some Serious Award Contenders

Nov 29, 2024 | ryerecord.com | Noah Gittell

As the brilliant minds in Hollywood once again cram the year’s most interesting and important films into the final two months of the year, it can be taxing to figure out what’s worth seeing, let alone find the time to actually get to the theater. As a member of several critics’ associations that hand out year-end awards, I get digital screeners delivered straight to my inbox, which makes the process far simpler.
On Phones and Cinema

Nov 26, 2024 | noahgittell.substack.com | Noah Gittell

Recently on social media, fans of the film Wicked began posting pictures and videos taken inside the theater during their first of what would clearly be many viewings of the new film. To be clear, these are not casual viewers. They’re superfans. Maybe their excitement simply got the better of them. Maybe they are also part of the “influencer generation” that feels an experience is not real until it has been documented and shared online. Maybe it’s both.
‎‘We Live in Time’ review by Noah Gittell • Letterboxd

Nov 23, 2024 | letterboxd.com | Noah Gittell

★★★★½ The problem with most Hollywood romances is that they stop when real life starts. They're about romance, not love.