New to Material Ghosts? Start Here.
Material Ghosts is home to longform film criticism that blends close analysis, rigorous research, and personal storytelling. It takes films from both the canon and the margins, from the recent and distant past, as points of departure for explorations into memory, history, and identity.
Written by a former professor with a Ph.D. in Film Studies, this publication is informed by a decade of teaching and research on cinema, and it strives for thoughtful, evocative writing that is approachable and jargon-free. In contrast to much of today's movie writing on the web, it is committed to engaging with films in-depth and at-length. That means no listicles, no link roundups, no hasty reviews of the newest releases.
Great post about a cinematic element that I’ve never given much thought to. It’s why I subscribe! — John Rowe (@jfrmach)
The essays linked below are representative of what you can expect from Material Ghosts:
On Escaping: ‘Dazed and Confused’ - How is it that Richard Linklater's depiction of 1976 Austin reminds me so much of rural Georgia in 1995?
‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire,’ Revisited - On the occasion of a recent repertory screening.
Good Taste or Bad Parenting? - Upping the ante with my horror-loving son.
About the author
Hey there! My name is Justin Horton. I’m a former professor and current writer and communications professional based in Atlanta. Material Ghosts is my return to film writing after an extended absence following my departure from the academy in 2018. In addition to here, you can find me on Lettrboxd.