Teaching for Fall 2025 is O-V-E-R!

Today in Intro to Film: film genre and SINNERS (2025)

Honored to be named a UI Champion for Student Success! Means a lot, especially coming from first-year students.

It's the meme that keeps on giving! #ImTired

Today in Intro to Film: documentary and NIGHT AND FOG (1955)

Today in Intro to Film: avant-garde/experimental cinema via BALLET MÉCANIQUE and MESHES OF THE AFTERNOON

Midterm season really does put into perspective just how many students 215 in one semester is.

Today in Intro to Film: cinematography part II and PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE

Teaching the grad seminar of my dreams next semester? You bet!

Today in Intro to Film: cinematography and CITIZEN Kane (which is apparently still a hit among my undergrads)

While it is a lot of work, I'm always honored to be asked to be on the SCMS Programming Committee. One small way to give back to an organization that has given me a lot.

Today in Intro to Film: mise-en-scène and IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE 💜

A tribute to our departed colleague Lauren Rabinovitz.

This week in Intro to Film: art cinema narrative and 8 1/2

My new mercenary approach to e-mail: Does this e-mail directly impact me/something someone needs from me? No? Delete. Lather, rinse, repeat.

This week in Intro to Film: Classical Hollywood narrative & DOUBLE INDEMNITY

Looking forward to diving into THE EMPEROR OF GLADNESS. Vuong’s first novel, ON EARTH WE’RE BRIEFLY GORGEOUS, was stunning.

This week in Contemporary Cinema: New Hollywood Cinema and MIDNIGHT COWBOY

Today in Intro to Film: three-act structure and MOONLIGHT

After my first Intro to Film class, a group of young women came up to me and said they were “actually lowkey psyched” about the class. This is a good thing, yes?

No matter how old we get, having those "I don't wanna" days never stops, amirite?

Thoughts while reviewing a book manuscript: I'm all for interdisciplinary scholarship, but sometimes folks really should stay in their lane.

I don't think there will ever come a time when reading someone's work who cites my own will not be both gratifying and a kind of strange, out-of-body experience.

Me: A 300 word abstract? How will I ever have that much to say about something I haven't written yet? Me (shortly after): How am I ever going to cut this down?!? Familiar pattern for anybody else?

Finally, at long last, I've found a chance to write about horror-comedy and its lovingly camp sensibilities. The writing bug is back, baby!

If it’s mid-July it must be: syllabus time! #IntroToFilm

Console-ing Passions was, as always, a lovely time, in large part because I have the privilege of serving on the Executive Board with these brilliant, generous, hardworking folks!

Folks in the south DO NOT mess around when it comes to air conditioning 🥶

View from hotel balcony. Welcome to Atlanta!

Heading to ATL for one of my favorite conferences! See you soon, Console-ing Passions!

I had the opportunity to sit down with the Iowa Press-Citizen to chat all things pride and why it’s more important than ever!

Happy Pride!

Bond fans rejoice! The 4K gods have smiled very handsomely upon us!

I am my own worst critic, example 7,976: reading grad seminar papers from this past term is sending me into a tailspin. Was taking time for myself at the end of the semester okay instead of getting these done immediately? Am I commenting too much? Too little? Is what I have to offer useful? Oy.

I gotta give it to her: the new face that Lindsay Lohan bought herself is pretty flawless.

Something tells me that I have a lot of underlining/note-taking in my future!

Happy Pride Month, Y'all!

A highlight from Spring '25 course evals: "I absolutely adored this class and especially Dr. Owens. Dr. Owens has a passion for film like no other and his options for screenings were stellar. The class is really well done and it is clear that these lectures are being updated as time passes."

May the odds be ever in your favor #finals

Teaching for the 24-25 academic year is in the rear view!

For real, though.

People often tell me that I make teaching look effortless. As nice of a compliment as that is, let's be really real: the amount of invisible labor that goes into academia is massive. ...and if nobody has told you lately, I'm here to say that I see and value the work that you're doing.

Thanks to all who came out to support Iowa City Pride at Miss Pickle 2025 last night! We raised over $4,000! As our winner Rachel Eisenmann beautifully said, "Thank you for your support and for bringing community."

Having gone the past seven years teaching a 3-3, maintaining an active research profile, doing an intense amount of service (especially stepping into head of program this year), I finally get something this coming fall I've only dreamed of: a course release! Thank the aca-deities for small favors!

Today in Queer Theories/Queer Cinema seminar: SHORTBUS (2006)

Today’s lesson planning: nerding out to an essay that gets better and better every time I re-read it #SexinPublic