Tom Jennings
Radical cultural critic analysing different elements within popular culture.
The Dream of Fluxus, by George Macuinas
The Baltic’s recent Fluxus show can’t entirely conceal the radical ambition and potential of avant-garde art, finds Tom Jennings.
Avant-Garde Nightmare. Art review – Tom Jennings
The Dream of Fluxus, by George Macuinas, Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead, November 2008 – February 2009
Amber Films and UK social-realist cinema
Tom Jennings questions the documentary claims of film fictions of lower-class life.
Hunting, Fishing, and Shooting the Working Classes. Film review essay – Tom Jennings
Anarchy alive! Anti-authoritarian politics from practice to theory by Uri Gordon
Despite its interesting account of organisational preoccupations among global protesters, Tom Jennings doubts Anarchy Alive!’s coherence as theory
Reinventing Wheels. Book review – Tom Jennings
The formidable organising capabilities of the last decade’s global protest networks have helped gather many thousands of folks to disrupt late-capitalism’s world cannibalism junkets – registering spectacularly in the corporate media and making links with an impressive variety of grass-roots groups worldwide.
The Given Day, by Dennis Lehane - Tom Jennings
Aspiring to reveal the long roots of 20th century America’s fantasies of itself, Lehane’s new book nails some while reproducing others.
Boston Mendacity Party. Book review – Tom Jennings
The Given Day, by Dennis Lehane
Aspiring to reveal the long roots of 20th century America’s fantasies of itself, Lehane’s new book nails some while reproducing others. Boston Mendacity Party.
Boston Mendacity Party. Book review - Tom Jennings
Gomorrah, directed by Matteo Garrone (2008)
Capturing the corruption of a criminal organisation as de facto government, this film lets the real state off the hook.
This Toxic Thing of Ours. Film review – Tom Jennings
Jar City, directed by Baltasar Kormakur (2007)
Jar City juggles the clichés of police procedurals and conventions from Icelandic myth to suggestively modern effect, finds Tom Jennings
Hardboiled and Hardwired. Film review – Tom Jennings
Linha De Passe, directed by Walter Salles & Daniela Thomas (Brazil, 2008)
Walter Salles returns to Brazilian social realism with “the best football film ever”, says Tom Jennings (with tongue firmly wedged in cheek)
Nils All. Film review – Tom Jennings
Somers Town, directed by Shane Meadows (2008)
Tom Jennings appreciates Shane Meadows’ sly cinematic commentary on our changing times in Somers Town’s low-key coming-of-age tale.
New Wave Goodbye. Film review – Tom Jennings
Standard Operating Procedure, directed by Errol Morris (2008)
In addition to its revealing ‘worm’s eye view’ of the Abu Ghraib scandal, Tom Jennings sees Standard Operating Procedure as a more general fable of modern governance.
Telling Tales of Torture. Film review – Tom Jennings
